Kumho WinterCraft Ice vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Kumho WinterCraft Ice and Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 appear in 4 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. 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 Kumho WinterCraft Ice performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice, noise / comfort. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 91/100, based on 2 tests.
How the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 performs. It does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. It has limited comparative test data, so treat its results as indicative.
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 WinterCraft Ice and Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 are closely matched. Pick based on the category that matters most to your driving — wet, dry, comfort, mileage, or price.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise snow
- You prefer the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850's brand, sizing or price
Test profile
| Metric | Kumho WinterCraft Ice | Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Nordic Winter | Nordic Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 2 | 2 |
| Best rank | #1 | #2 |
| Avg rank | 10.2 | 38.5 |
| Latest test | 2025 | 2022 |
| Tire Lab Score | 90.8 | — |
Tire Lab Score
Kumho WinterCraft Ice
Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Kumho WinterCraft Ice | Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 8.8 2 | Avg rank 50.5 | Kumho WinterCraft Ice |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 13.0 | No data | Kumho WinterCraft Ice |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 9.4 | No data | Kumho WinterCraft Ice |
| 🧊Ice | Avg rank 7.7 1 | No data | Kumho WinterCraft Ice |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 12.5 | No data | Kumho WinterCraft Ice |
💧 Wet: Kumho WinterCraft Ice vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Kumho WinterCraft Ice wins this category with an average rank of 8.8, compared to 50.5 for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
☀️ Dry: Kumho WinterCraft Ice vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Kumho WinterCraft Ice wins this category with an average rank of 13.0, compared to no data for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
❄️ Snow: Kumho WinterCraft Ice vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Kumho WinterCraft Ice wins this category with an average rank of 9.4, compared to no data for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
🧊 Ice: Kumho WinterCraft Ice vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Kumho WinterCraft Ice wins this category with an average rank of 7.7, compared to no data for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Kumho WinterCraft Ice vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850
The Kumho WinterCraft Ice wins this category with an average rank of 12.5, compared to no data for the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Kumho WinterCraft Ice or Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Kumho WinterCraft Ice ranks higher on average than the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Kumho WinterCraft Ice averages a better dry-braking rank than the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Kumho WinterCraft Ice ranks better than the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Kumho WinterCraft Ice appears in 2 independent tests, Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 in 2.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →
