Kumho IZen KW23

The Kumho IZen KW23 is a Touring Winter tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Dry Grip 83%
Wet Grip 83%
Road Feedback 78%
Handling 76%
Wear 86%
Comfort 85%
Buy again 91%
Snow Grip 90%
Ice Grip 80%

Tyre review data from 10 tyre reviews averaging 83% over 22,499 miles driven.

The IZen KW23 is ranked 19th of 96 Winter Touring tyres.

Latest Tyre Test Results

2014 AZ Winter Tyre Test - 11th of 11 tyres

  • Overall - Under wet conditions, on snow or dry, the Kumho shows no strengths
View Full Test >>

2013 Winter Tyre Overview - Braking - 33rd of 50 tyres

View Full Test >>

2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 27th of 43 tyres

View Full Test >>

2014 Tyre Tests

  • 11th: 2014 AZ Winter Tyre Test (205/55 R16)
  • 2013 Tyre Tests

  • 33rd: 2013 Winter Tyre Overview - Braking (195/65 R15)
  • 2012 Tyre Tests

  • 27th: 2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test (205/55 R16)
  • 2011 Tyre Tests

  • 12th: 2011 European Winter Tyre Test - 195/65 R15 (195/65 R15)
  • 2010 Tyre Tests

  • 10th: 2010 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test (195/65 r15)
  • 10th: 2010 European Winter Tyre Test Part 2 (185/65 r15)
  • 10th: 2010 AMS Winter Tyre Test (205/55 r16)
  • 11th: 2010 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (195/65 r15)
  • Size Fuel Wet Noise Weight
    175/65 R13 80T   E E 71 6.31kgs
    165/60 R14 79T XL   E E 70 6.64kgs
    185/60 R14 82T         7.34kgs
    155/65 R14 75T   E E 70 6.09kgs
    165/65 R14 79T   E E 70 6.50kgs
    175/65 R14 82T   E E 71 7.20kgs
    185/65 R14 86T         7.55kgs
    175/50 R15 75H         6.91kgs
    195/50 R15 82H         8.11kgs
    175/55 R15 77T         7.54kgs
    185/55 R15 82H         7.86kgs
    195/55 R15 85H         8.44kgs
    155/60 R15 74T   E C 70 6.69kgs
    185/60 R15 88T XL         8.65kgs
    195/60 R15 88H         8.74kgs
    195/60 R15 88T         8.74kgs
    205/60 R15 91H         9.45kgs
    175/65 R15 84T         7.70kgs
    185/65 R15 88H         8.24kgs
    185/65 R15 88T   C E 71 8.09kgs
    195/65 R15 91H         9.08kgs
    195/65 R15 95T XL         9.90kgs
    195/65 R15 91T         9.17kgs
    205/65 R15 94T   C E 72 9.70kgs
    205/65 R15 99T XL   C E 72 10.57kgs
    205/45 R16 87H XL         8.71kgs
    195/50 R16 88H XL         9.06kgs
    205/50 R16 87H         9.28kgs
    195/55 R16 87V   E F 72 11.63kgs
    195/55 R16 87H         9.10kgs
    205/55 R16 91V         10.05kgs
    205/55 R16 91H         10.05kgs
    215/60 R16 99H XL   C E 71 11.69kgs
    225/60 R16 102V XL   C E 72 12.08kgs
    235/60 R16 100H         12.81kgs
    215/65 R16 98H         11.53kgs
    215/45 R17 91V XL   C E 72 9.82kgs
    215/50 R17 95V XL   C E 72 11.20kgs
    215/50 R17 95H XL   C E 72 11.20kgs
    225/60 R17 99H         12.71kgs

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    Top 3 Kumho IZen KW23 Reviews

    Given 89% while driving a Citroën 1.0 petrol (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 4,000 easy going miles
    Had these for two winters on a Citroen Berlingo. Used them several times in icy and snowy conditions, including a blizzard while in Scotland. Excellent grip and handling in all conditions. Very reassuring on snow and ice. Would buy again.
    Helpful 20 - tyre reviewed on November 24, 2020
    Given 100% while driving a BMW 318D (195/65 R15 T) on a combination of roads for 0 spirited miles
    If you have questions about winter tyres just go and buy kumho kw 23 l'zen.Stop reading tyre tests or other things.Simply this tyres are the best , when other people just can,t drive or drive slow you can go like stink. Snow and ice are not a problem for you and believe me I drive a BMW wich was almost imposible to drive in winter until I discovered Khumo.For me these tyres outrun everything and believe me I had my car equiped whith much expensive tyres but these were nowhere as good as khumo.
    Helpful 38 - tyre reviewed on December 31, 2014
    Given 91% while driving a Ford Focus (195/65 R15 T) on a combination of roads for 4,000 average miles
    I have read the reviews and decided that I must replace the front axle tyres with KUMHO .
    I had TIGAR 1 91H before and driving through snow was terrible ,on ice trouble, wet spinning a lot, on dry not very fast.
    Same car with KUMHO Izen23 (dot 2011 from a friend, 40% worn) different story . With snow I had no trouble, on ice much better, fast on dry pavement , fast on wet.
    The tyres are heavy, sidewalls at 195/65/R15 not flexible but they delivered a no trouble winter driving experience.
    This year 4 fresh KUMHO for my car absolutely
    Helpful 24 - tyre reviewed on August 10, 2017
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    Latest Kumho IZen KW23 Reviews

    Given 56% while driving a Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf (QV) (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 0 spirited miles
    Just had these tyres out in the snow for the first time and was surprised how well they coped given that they were already fitted on buying a used car without anything like a full tread and I'd never heard of the manufacturer. If anything they seemed grippier in the snow than when in normal conditions (?!) though maybe speed is a factor there. No better than ok in normal conditions and very noisy. Skidded in wet once with tyre pressure down a bit so vital to keep on top of that. Probably as good as you can get for the price though.
    Helpful 22 - tyre reviewed on December 1, 2017
    Given 84% while driving a Skoda Fabia 1.9TDi (195/50 R15) on a combination of roads for 0 average miles
    I bought four Kumho Kw23 winter tyres a few weeks and only past the few days only really shown how good their are. I live in a hilly part of Bradford and since I had a early start I thought I would try the untreated hill roads by me. I went up hills which I would have avoided with my usual tyres, I kept the traction button on but not once did the wheels slip. The roads has a covering off snow with a lot of ice about. I was not sure about spending £££ on winter tyres since for the past few years I have used winter socks but glad I did. Bought the tyres and wheels from Mytyres
    Helpful 26 - tyre reviewed on December 10, 2011
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    Given 81% while driving a Saab Automobile 9000 Turbo (195/65 R15 H) on mostly country roads for 5,000 easy going miles
    I bought some of these for winter 2010 before the weather got really bad and I'm so glad I did. I've never used winter tyres before so I have nothing to compare to but compared with normal summer tyres they are a revelation. I used them throughout December and they got me to work everyday with no drama, great on the ice and snow and not really noticeably worse than my summer tyres in the dry and wet.
    They felt much softer than summer tyres and absorbed bumps better, but the downside of this was a bit of steering feel was lost. No noticeable increase in noise or fuel consumption.
    I've just bought another set for my new Volvo ready for the coming months before the prices of winter rubber sky rockets!
    Helpful 17 - tyre reviewed on September 5, 2011
    Given 100% while driving a Fiat Grande Punto 1.3Multijet 75bhp (175/65 R14 T) on a combination of roads for 1,999 average miles
    Fittted four of these tyres this winter because i was slow off the mark getting them last year on my punto and all i can say is buy some they are amazing on my little punto even with the thin wheels on is it scary in the snow and ice if you have never tried winter tyres get some kumhos i got mine from pellon auto centre dot com the guys there was really helpfull and they recommened these tyres over the more expensive.
    Helpful 15 - tyre reviewed on April 4, 2011
    Given 80% while driving a Vauxhall zafira 1.6 (205/55 R16) on a combination of roads for 2,000 average miles
    What a difference these make to getting around on the snow and ice. I replaced a set of Continental Premium Contacts which were just leathal in the cold conditions, come to that they weren't so good whenever there was slippery stuff around. With the Izens I can now negotiate the steep hill up to our road,going past less fortunate vehicles stuck (including a landrover) because of the icy surface. Coming downhill even better, where others including 4wd were sliding and broadsiding the IZens carried me down without drama. Like any other tyres black ice still presents a hazard. Have driven a few motorway miles in the wet with no problems. Too early to comment on wear but then again in the UK you are only going to leave these on for the deep winter months and have them off once the temperature starts to average above 7c. May seem like a lot to fork out for 3 months of use each year but if like me you live where the gritters don't visit then I sugggest you won't regret switching to these every winter and then storing them every spring.
    Helpful 29 - tyre reviewed on January 14, 2011
    Given 73% while driving a Saab Automobile 9000 Turbo (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 3,000 easy going miles
    These have been on my car for just over a month now so I can't really comment on the wear.
    In the wet they aren't brilliant but neither are they terrible, and in the dry they have been perfectly adequate, but where they excel as you would expect is in cold and snow.
    The past week has seen a lot of snow and these tyres have taken me places where the only other cars on the road were Landrover Defenders! You find yourself stuck behind cars without winter tyres wondering why they are going so slowly!

    They don't offer much in the road feedback and handling stakes in the dry when you can push on a bit, they just feel a bit vague but this is not what you buy this tyre for. You buy it to get where you need to be in bad weather and at this they are brilliant at.
    Helpful 14 - tyre reviewed on December 4, 2010
    Given 85% while driving a BMW E46 3 Series (205/55 R16 V) on a combination of roads for 2,500 average miles
    Fitted to rear of 320D for European trip mid December 2009. Michelin Alpines already on front. I was greatly relieved and surprised at how much grip these Kumhos gave. Had snow for whole trip and of course here in UK. My BMW left virtually all other cars standing. Went up icy slopes where I couldn't walk and other vehicles failed. I've ordered some for my wife's Corsa which at the moment is nowhere near as good in the ice and snow as my rear-drive BMW.
    Helpful 17 - tyre reviewed on January 13, 2010