Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Too close to call: AltiMAX RT43 and Ecsta PA51 are level at 68.
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Tests – · 1 test Owners 67 · 1,371 reviews
Best test result: #2 of 8 in 2022 Consumer Reports All-Season Tires (overall ranking)
“I've personally installed the RT43's on my own family members cars. They were great. Great in the snow, rain, and they are quiet. I don't think they're in the same class as a Michelin Premiere, but for the price they are great tires.”
Tests – · 1 test Owners 67 · 165 reviews
Best test result: #7 of 19 in 2022 Consumer Reports Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires (overall ranking)
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | AltiMAX RT43 | Ecsta PA51 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 69 | 69 |
| Source | AltiMAX RT43 | Ecsta PA51 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 69 | 66 |
| Source | AltiMAX RT43 | Ecsta PA51 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 61 | 58 |
| Source | AltiMAX RT43 | Ecsta PA51 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 65 | 63 |
| Source | AltiMAX RT43 | Ecsta PA51 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 73 | 73 |
| Source | AltiMAX RT43 | Ecsta PA51 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 71 | 70 |
| Reviews found online | 68 | 72 |
| Source | AltiMAX RT43 | Ecsta PA51 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 65 | 66 |
| Category | General AltiMAX RT43 | Kumho Ecsta PA51 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 68 | 68 |
| Dry | 69 | 69 |
| Wet | 69 | 67 |
| Snow | 65 | 63 |
| Comfort | 67 | 66 |
| Noise | 70 | 70 |
| Treadwear | 70 | 71 |
| Handling | 65 | 66 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
AltiMAX RT43
Ecsta PA51
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | AltiMAX RT43 | Ecsta PA51 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tested Tread Life (Miles) | Other | 82% #3/8 · 2022 Consumer Reports All-Season Tires | 67% #11/19 · 2022 Consumer Reports Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires | +15.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 86% #2/8 · 2022 Consumer Reports All-Season Tires | 67% #7/19 · 2022 Consumer Reports Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires | +19.0 | Different tests |
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
The General Altimax RT43 is widely praised by the community as an exceptional value-for-money all-season touring tire, often compared favorably to more expensive premium brands like Michelin. Users frequently highlight its strong wet-weather performance, solid tread life, and affordability, though some note it can become slightly noisier as it wears down.
“New tires! General Altimax RT43”
“Anyone running General RT45? Looking to replace the shitastic Toyo A36 on my 2023 PP that I just picked up. Was going to try to make them last until fall, but having picked a screw in one, im probably going to bite the bullet and change them now. I ran the RT43 on both my NA Miata as well as my 5-GT and was happy with them. Tire Rack is running a $140 rebate on a set of 4 right now. Just curious as to people's thoughts. Or, should I just bite the bullet and go with Continental Cross Contacts? Read more”
“Replacement tires I have about 25k miles on my original tires (LR AWD, 18” Aeros) and evening though I have rotated then every 6-7000, I am not going to make it past 30k. So, anyone have any recommendations for replacements? Should I go for the standard Michelin’s? Anyone used anything else? For the record, Ian not concerned with the foam and road noise is fine. I’d like something less expensive, longer wearing, or both, without sacrificing much in the way of performance. For my usage, wet weather handling is more important than high performance. I drive it hard occasionally, but I am most concerned with how it performs on day-to-day commute and driving. (70 mile commute, round trip, 3-days/week). Thanks. Edit: thanks for the info everyone. I talked to my local tire guy and he recommended General Altimax RT43s. He also said the sound dampening foam is mostly a gimmick (which is what I suspected). He quoted me $198 (his prices include EVERYTHING). I could get them from Tire Rack for $152 and local install for $30 + 3 (disposal) which would save me a mere $13 per tire. But based on past experience with this tire shop, it is easily worth the extra $13 for convenience and peace of mind if I need flat repair or warranty claims. Related to that, he said the RT43 is a 60k tire but I should only expect 40-50 on my Model 3 and at best a $15 credit per tire. Frankly, I’d be happy with 40k. Probably going to keep the current rubber for another month, then get the Generals.”
Based on 38 community posts
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
| Attribute | A · General AltiMAX RT43 | B · Kumho Ecsta PA51 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season | All Season |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 13 |
| Rim diameters | — | 16″ – 19″ |
| Tread depth | 10 - 12/32″ | 10.5/32″ |
| UTQG | 600 - 700 A A - B | 500 A A |
| Treadwear warranty | — | 45,000 mi |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall - Raised Outline White Lettering | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | 51 psi |
General AltiMAX RT43
Kumho Ecsta PA51
Too close to call: General AltiMAX RT43 and Kumho Ecsta PA51 are within 2 points overall.
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Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.
