Kumho IZen KW27

The Kumho IZen KW27 is a High Performance Winter tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Dry Grip 75%
Wet Grip 75%
Road Feedback 73%
Handling 71%
Wear 80%
Comfort 83%
Buy again 74%
Snow Grip 60%
Ice Grip 20%

Tyre review data from 30 tyre reviews averaging 68% over 291,000 miles driven.

The IZen KW27 is ranked 46th of 60 Winter High Performance tyres.

Latest Tyre Test Results

2014 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test - 13th of 16 tyres

  • Positive - Good traction and short braking distances on snowy roads. Good aquaplaning scores
  • Negative - Understeer in the wet, long dry braking, average wear
View Full Test >>

2014 50 Winter Tyre Braking Overview - 11th of 48 tyres

View Full Test >>

2009 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tyre Test - 7th of 8 tyres

  • Positive - Good aquaplaning performance. Safe, understeer bias in the wet and snow
  • Negative - Poor wet and snow grip levels
View Full Test >>

2014 Tyre Tests

  • 11th: 2014 50 Winter Tyre Braking Overview (225/50 R17)
  • 13th: 2014 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (225/50 R17)
  • 2009 Tyre Tests

  • 7th: 2009 Sport Auto Performance Winter Tyre Test (225/45 r17)
  • Size Fuel Wet Noise Weight
    205/60 R15 91H   C E 71 9.12kgs
    205/65 R15 94H   C E 71 9.46kgs
    215/65 R15 96H   C E 72 10.52kgs
    225/50 R16 96V XL   C E 72 11.26kgs
    205/55 R16 94V XL   C E 71 9.40kgs
    215/55 R16 93V   C E 72 10.32kgs
    215/55 R16 97V XL   C E 72 11.28kgs
    225/55 R16 99V XL   E E 72 11.63kgs
    205/60 R16 96H XL   C E 71 10.42kgs
    205/60 R16 96H (WIN) C E 73  
    245/40 R17 95V XL         11.64kgs
    255/40 R17 98V XL   C E 72 11.95kgs
    205/45 R17 84V   E E 71 10.95kgs
    225/45 R17 94V XL   E E 72 10.21kgs
    235/45 R17 97V (WIN) C E 75  
    235/45 R17 97V XL   C E 72 11.75kgs
    245/45 R17 99V XL   C E 72 12.20kgs
    205/50 R17 93V XL   C E 71 9.48kgs
    205/50 R17 89V   E E 71 11.86kgs
    225/50 R17 98V (WIN) C E 74  
    225/50 R17 98V XL   C E 72 11.47kgs
    235/50 R17 100V XL   C E 73 12.63kgs
    205/55 R17 95V XL   C E 71 10.35kgs
    215/55 R17 98V XL   C E 72 11.04kgs
    225/55 R17 101V XL   C E 72 12.15kgs
    235/55 R17 103V XL   C E 72 12.77kgs
    245/55 R17 102H   C E 72 13.68kgs
    255/35 R18 94V XL   C C 72 11.54kgs
    265/35 R18 97V XL   C C 72 12.64kgs
    275/35 R18 99V XL   C C 72 13.23kgs
    225/40 R18 92V XL   C E 72 9.87kgs
    235/40 R18 95W XL   C E 72 11.28kgs
    245/40 R18 97W XL         12.31kgs
    255/40 R18 99V XL   C C 72 13.04kgs
    225/45 R18 95V XL   C E 72 11.34kgs
    235/45 R18 98V XL         12.35kgs
    245/45 R18 100V XL   C C 72 12.44kgs
    255/45 R18 99V   C C 72 13.71kgs
    235/50 R18 101V XL   C E 72 12.63kgs
    245/50 R18 104V XL         13.82kgs
    235/35 R19 91W XL   E C 72 11.17kgs
    245/35 R19 93W XL   E C 72 11.87kgs
    245/40 R19 98V XL   C C 72 12.62kgs
    275/40 R19 105V XL   E C 72 14.67kgs
    245/45 R19 102V XL   E C 72 13.68kgs

    Sorry, we don't currently have any questions and answers for the Kumho IZen KW27. Why not submit a question to our tyre experts using the form below!

    Ask a question

    We will never publish or share your email address

    capatha

    To verify you're human please type the word you see above in the box below.


    Top 3 Kumho IZen KW27 Reviews

    Given 30% while driving a Audi A5 2.0TFSI Quattro (215/55 R17) on a combination of roads for 200 average miles
    The previous owner fit this tire to the car the winter before I bought it. So they were pretty new when I started with them. The tyre itself is quiet compared to the SportContact 6s I have for the summer. But after fitting them back on the car the road feedback is very lacking and the wet grip is so bad it made an Audi with Quattro spin it’s wheels! The most shocking thing is the balance of the car and the braking distance. Driving on motorways it’s floating around all over the place and the braking distance feels dangerously long. All in all then, the noise level is the only good thing I have to say about the tyre.
    Helpful 22 - tyre reviewed on November 11, 2021
    Given 100% while driving a Maserati Granturismo (275/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 55,000 average miles
    Best winter tyre on to date. Perfect for 350+ bhp cars. Faultless winter traction on ice and snow and pretty impressive in normal driving conditions all the way up to 175mph.
    Fuel efficiency is impressive and they have worn very well. Braking when wet and cold is also impressive.
    perfect for the safe drivers and true petrol heads alike
    Helpful 64 - tyre reviewed on December 25, 2014
    Given 79% while driving a Opel insignia (245/45 R18 V) on mostly town for 1,000 easy going miles
    I have drived for 1000 miles under the heavy winter conditions(snow-ice etc.) The tires suprised me with their performance. With this price, kw27 is the best option for the big wheel cars. highly recommended.
    Helpful 34 - tyre reviewed on December 19, 2016
    Have you driven on the Kumho IZen KW27 tyre?

    Have YOU got experience with the Kumho IZen KW27? Help millions of other tyre buyers

    Review your Kumho IZen KW27 >

    Latest Kumho IZen KW27 Reviews

    Given 86% while driving a Saab Automobile 9 5 Aero Saloon (225/45 R17 V) on a combination of roads for 6,500 average miles
    Overall an excellent tyre - especially good on winter roads - these are winter tyres after all! I've driven in the UK and across the continent to Germany and back in deepest winter. I've driven in the high hills north of Frankfurt with steep snow covered roads and tracks and found the adhesion excellent. No comparison with my usual Michelin summer tyres which would be comparitely useless in these conditions. Normal driving/roadholding is good with a little less steering response than my Michelins - they feel a little softer when changing direction but nothing untoward. In the wet they are not as good as my Michelins but then I did buy them for snow/ice/winter use - especially for the Continent and Germany. They wear well for a softer compound and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
    Helpful 24 - tyre reviewed on December 12, 2017
    Given 84% while driving a Honda CRV (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 30,000 average miles
    I had these on all 4 wheels on a Honda CRV 2.2 4x4. I used them to replace two sets of contis that only lasted about 9k each. Had these on all year round for 3 years done nearly 30k and they were still going strong when I traded the car - therefore wear was excellent. Driving was good in wet and dry, saved me in the snow on several occasions allowing me to pass stranded proper 4x4'S. I was so impressed that I then put them on my next car an AUDI A4 all road again they performed well but I only had the car for 12 months before twins forced the sale for another new version CRV which when the current yokohamas give up the ghost - which I am guessing wont be long then I will go back to the Kumho's.
    Helpful 24 - tyre reviewed on January 6, 2016
    What to know the BEST All Season Tyres for 2024? Click to find out!
    Given 60% while driving a Citroën DS4 (225/40 R19) on mostly motorways for 0 spirited miles
    This winter I have had these on all 4 wheels my Citroen DS4 and I'm surprised I've not had a major crash yet. If I hit water on the motorway between 70-80 mph the aqua plane and loss of control and feel is so frightening,tonight once again I lost the back end! at first I thought it must be me but it has happened so many times now that I'm going to remove them before I crash. Last year I had them only in the front and it did not seem to be so bad but this year it's a bargain I just can't afford to keep, a real shame as in the dry and at speed they behave quite well and a great price for a car like mine with oversized wheels.
    Helpful 33 - tyre reviewed on February 24, 2015
    Given 47% while driving a Ford Mondeo estate (225/45 R17) on mostly motorways for 10,000 spirited miles
    I have bought two sets of these tyres over four winters which were fitted to a Mk4 Mondeo 2.0 tdci estate. I am now using another brand.

    My impressions of the KU27 was that initially you had to be very careful with them for the first 300 miles or so until they had bedded in.

    Comlared to the KU37 summer tyres that came off, 27's were not so good in the wet and would break away dramatically on a wet and greasy roundabout for instance. As the tyres wore, this problem escalated and I had to take them off and renew by the time they were half worn.

    In the dry the tyres performed quite well and I never pushed them to the limit. But the Mondeo is a fine handling car which in itself would compliment any tyre.

    In snow the tyres saved me from getting stuck on at least four occasions and without them I certainly would not be able to get up my drive.

    So in conclusion, you pays your money and takes your choice. With tyres you certainly get what you pay for.

    Helpful 29 - tyre reviewed on December 21, 2014
    Given 63% while driving a BMW 330D Touring (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 0 spirited miles
    Had Conti Winterconact 850s on before these and would highly recommend anyone to get the Contis. The Kumho make the car floaty, traction control is always kicking in and the mpgs have fallen drastically (average 43mpg with Contis down to ave 35mpg with these). I spent £200 each for these and have been running them for 8 weeks with about 2k put on them. Had them in the snow and ice and they do grip ok but I'm finding it hard to fully trust the tyres and am thinking of getting rid of them already. Do yourself a favour and get Pirellis, Conti or Michelin as you're wasting your money on these. Only good thing is road noise is low...but that's it!
    Helpful 19 - tyre reviewed on December 12, 2014
    Given 29% while driving a Renault Megane RS250 (235/40 R18) on mostly motorways for 10,000 spirited miles
    Have run the KW27 tires on my car (310+hp on front-wheels). First impressions when switching from my summer tires (Eagle F1 Assymettric 2, 255/35/18):

    - Terrible, terrible grip in the wet. It gets scary that front wheels still spin at 110+ km/h in 4th gear on a wet highway!!
    - Massive understeer tendency in the wet, still there in the dry
    - Massive thread blocks that provide extreme little amounts of grip feedback through the steering wheel
    - Extreme "floaty" car and steering behaviour at higher speeds (i.e. 150km/h+). Do not even try "sport cornering" in dry. The car takes a long time to 'settle' the load through the extreme movement of the thread blocks, giving very little confidence.
    - Don't even dare to take these tires up to 200+, even though they are rated at 270km/h. Summer tires have been taken up to 270km/h easily with extreme stable results. Again, due to the thread blocks and very soft compound used.
    - Thread wear on front wheels is enormous when using it on high powered FWD cars. This is mainly due to lack of grip in any kind of situation, especially wet conditions. Tire wheel spin is extreme as it cannot handle any serious amounts of torque. High amount of thread-block movement during cornering does not help wear either. Rubber compound is very soft as well.

    Overall, being a car enthusiast, these winter tires are the worst I have ever had. The transition from proper summer tires (Eagle F1, Pilot Sport 3) is enormous and scary. Wet performance is dreadful.

    I would not recommend these tires in any way if you're not driving in extreme snow conditions. Go for tires with smaller thread blocks.
    Helpful 25 - tyre reviewed on November 23, 2014
    Given 94% while driving a Mercedes Benz E Class Estate (245/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 6,000 average miles
    I have premium Continental Sport Contacts 245/45/17 summer tyres on my high performance 2013 Mercedes E Class estate most of the year.

    These Kumho winter tyres at just £108 each provide a better, smoother ride, equal grip in the dry, better grip in the wet and wear better. They are incredibly heavy-duty, thick tread proper snow tyres. At first sight you can be a bit taken about by the "welly boot" look of them, but once on the car, and with the low profile, that isn't as noticeable.

    I fit them from 1 November to 15 March and am not concerned that the temperature during this time is often higher than 7C where I am, given the lack of wear on these and the fact I'm saving my summer tyres.

    I highly recommend fitting them to any powerful rear wheel drive car such a mine, given the problems of traction in snow and ice involved with the car. A complete bonus is the performance they give even when conditions aren't down to the limits where they might actually save a serious loss of grip and accident that having summer tyres on might cause.
    Helpful 20 - tyre reviewed on November 14, 2014
    Given 73% while driving a BMW 323ti (245/40 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,000 average miles
    very good on snow and ice but on wet and dry TC light is always on
    Helpful 21 - tyre reviewed on July 28, 2014
    Given 93% while driving a Jaguar XJ8 (255/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 30,000 spirited miles
    Drove on these for the last few winters. Been to the alps resort then across Netherlands in winter and back to the uk in the last 6 months.
    Wear is excellent approaching 30k miles. The wet grip is second to none and dry grip is good even when the temp is getting upto 10 degrees Celsius.
    Winter traction is impressive. Have not got stuck in the snow since ive put these tyres on. Ice traction is very good both under acceleration and deceleration.
    Quiet ride and fuel consumption has not changed from running summer tyres.
    Performance is very good upto 145mph. Smooth ride assertive handling and great stopping distance.
    Best winter tyres yet.
    Helpful 22 - tyre reviewed on April 20, 2014
    Given 79% while driving a Renault Laguna 3 (215/55 R17) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
    Good comfort and good wear. Nice tyre for the price if you are not a racer.
    Helpful 21 - tyre reviewed on March 21, 2014
    Given 50% while driving a Mercedes Benz C 250Sport (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 20,000 average miles
    I bought these tyres Nov 2013 ready for winter (I have had winter tyres etc before so I can compare against Vredestein Wintracs which were great).

    These were nothing but dangerous as soon as temperature got over 8C which during this winter was a lot of the time. The back of the car would totally lose traction at 15mph on a roundabout. It left me facing the wrong way twice! Once coming off a fast motorway slip road.

    I was in scotand over christmas and in snow they were very good BUT given the UK winters I would never buy these or even put them back on my car. I will be putting them on Ebay.

    If you live in a country with guaranteed snow and permanently cold temps then I am sure they are great but if not avoid them.
    Helpful 20 - tyre reviewed on March 20, 2014
    Given 90% while driving a Jaguar S Type 2.7D (245/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
    Epic tyre.
    Faultless grip, good at high speeds. Snow and ice traction very good.
    It excells at braking on slippery surfaces.
    Quiet and refined.
    Helpful 30 - tyre reviewed on February 3, 2014