Kumho IZen KW23

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

Tire review data from 10 tire reviews averaging 83% over 22,499 miles driven, and 8 tests with an average result of 16th.

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

The IZen KW23 is ranked 16th of 100 Winter Touring tires.

Tests Included

8

Best Result

10th

Worst Result

33rd

Average Result

16th

Latest Tire Test Results

2014 AZ Winter Tire Test
11th of 11 tires
  • Under wet conditions, on snow or dry, the Kumho shows no strengths
View Full Test >>

2014 Tire Tests

2013 Tire Tests

2012 Tire Tests

2011 Tire Tests

2010 Tire Tests

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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 36 - tire 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 tires just go and buy kumho kw 23 l'zen.Stop reading tire tests or other things.Simply this tires 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 tires outrun everything and believe me I had my car equiped whith much expensive tires but these were nowhere as good as khumo.
Helpful 52 - tire 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 tires 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 tires 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 36 - tire 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 tires 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 tire pressure down a bit so vital to keep on top of that. Probably as good as you can get for the price though.
Helpful 32 - tire 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 tires 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 tires, 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 tires since for the past few years I have used winter socks but glad I did. Bought the tires and wheels from Mytires
Helpful 32 - tire 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 tires before so I have nothing to compare to but compared with normal summer tires 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 tires in the dry and wet.
They felt much softer than summer tires 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 25 - tire 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 tires 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 tires get some kumhos i got mine from pellon auto centre dot com the guys there was really helpfull and they recommened these tires over the more expensive.
Helpful 22 - tire 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 tires 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 37 - tire 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 tires have taken me places where the only other cars on the road were Landrover Defenders! You find yourself stuck behind cars without winter tires 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 tire for. You buy it to get where you need to be in bad weather and at this they are brilliant at.
Helpful 20 - tire 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 29 - tire reviewed on January 13, 2010