TopTire Review

    Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52

    2026 test data · 23 independent tests · 3 head-to-head

    → See full Continental vs Kumho brand comparison

    Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52: the full picture

    This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 and Kumho Winter Craft WP52 appear in 23 tests, 3 of which put both tires on the same track on the same day. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.

    How the Continental WinterContact TS 870 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice, noise / comfort, mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, based on 12 tests.

    How the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 performs. It takes the win in efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, based on 11 tests.

    What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.

    Verdict

    The Kumho Winter Craft WP52 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in efficiency and Tire Lab Score. The Continental WinterContact TS 870 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    Choose Continental WinterContact TS 870 if

    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise snow

    Choose Kumho Winter Craft WP52 if

    Overall winner
    • You prioritise efficiency

    Test profile

    MetricContinental WinterContact TS 870Kumho Winter Craft WP52
    SegmentTouring WinterWinter
    TypeWinterWinter
    Tests used1211
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank5.010.5
    Latest test20252025
    Tire Lab Score91.691.9

    Tire Lab Score

    91.6
    Excellent · Winter
    91.9
    Excellent · Winter

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 870Kumho Winter Craft WP52Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 4.5
    137
    Avg rank 9.1
    14
    Continental WinterContact TS 870
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 4.1
    45
    Avg rank 4.7
    311
    Continental WinterContact TS 870
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 4.0
    647
    Avg rank 12.7
    Continental WinterContact TS 870
    🧊Ice
    Avg rank 3.9
    4
    Avg rank 4.5
    1
    Continental WinterContact TS 870
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 6.1
    23
    Avg rank 9.2
    112
    Continental WinterContact TS 870
    📏Mileage
    Avg rank 6.0
    1
    Avg rank 8.7
    2
    Continental WinterContact TS 870
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 8.7
    Avg rank 4.7
    1
    Kumho Winter Craft WP52

    Tests used in this comparison

    Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 3 independent tests:

    💧 Wet: Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52

    The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 9.1 for the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

    ☀️ Dry: Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52

    The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 4.1, compared to 4.7 for the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

    ❄️ Snow: Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52

    The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 4.0, compared to 12.7 for the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

    🧊 Ice: Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52

    The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 3.9, compared to 4.5 for the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52

    The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 6.1, compared to 9.2 for the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

    📏 Mileage: Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52

    The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 8.7 for the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

    🔋 Efficiency: Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Kumho Winter Craft WP52

    The Kumho Winter Craft WP52 wins this category with an average rank of 4.7, compared to 8.7 for the Continental WinterContact TS 870.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Continental WinterContact TS 870 or Kumho Winter Craft WP52?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 ranks higher on average than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Continental WinterContact TS 870 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 ranks better than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

    Which tire lasts longer?

    Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 shows better mileage performance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Continental WinterContact TS 870 appears in 12 independent tests, Kumho Winter Craft WP52 in 11, with 3 head-to-head tests where both were measured.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →