Tests 76 · 6 tests Owners 69 · 1,663 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test (wet handling)
Head-to-head
Updated
Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 6 + 7 road tests and 1,663 + 2,365 owner reviews. How we score
Ecsta HS52 is ahead, 78–72
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Tests 84 · 7 tests Owners 74 · 2,365 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 21 in 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test (dry braking)
“I have kuhmo ecsta hs52's on my renault megane during spring and summer and they are really good. No complaints at all. My milage did go up a little bit but that's it”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
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74
Dry
Ecsta HS52 +983Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Ecsta HS52 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 7 tests 77 86 Reviews found online 71 79 Ecsta HS51: 60% × 76.6 + 40% × 70.9 = 74
Ecsta HS52: 60% × 86.4 + 40% × 78.7 = 83
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77
Wet
Ecsta HS52 +885Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Ecsta HS52 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 7 tests 80 90 Reviews found online 73 77 Ecsta HS51: 60% × 79.7 + 40% × 72.9 = 77
Ecsta HS52: 60% × 89.9 + 40% × 76.5 = 85
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69
Comfort
Ecsta HS51 +267Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Ecsta HS52 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 69 (est.) ≈ 69 (est.) Reviews found online 69 66 Ecsta HS51: 40% × 69.1 (est.) + 60% × 68.7 = 69
Ecsta HS52: 40% × 68.6 (est.) + 60% × 66 = 67
No road tests of comfort for Ecsta HS51 or Ecsta HS52. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
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66
Noise
Ecsta HS51 +165Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Ecsta HS52 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 3 tests 65 64 Reviews found online ≈ 67 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) Ecsta HS51: 60% × 65.2 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 66
Ecsta HS52: 60% × 63.8 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 65
No owner ratings of noise for Ecsta HS51 or Ecsta HS52. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
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70
Treadwear
Ecsta HS52 +575Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Ecsta HS52 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 5 tests 73 80 Reviews found online 65 67 Ecsta HS51: 60% × 73.4 + 40% × 65 = 70
Ecsta HS52: 60% × 80.1 + 40% × 67.2 = 75
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69
Handling (owners)
Ecsta HS52 +877Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Ecsta HS52 Reviews found online 69 77 -
57
Efficiency
Ecsta HS51 +1443Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Ecsta HS52 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 5 tests 57 43
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Ecsta HS51 | Kumho Ecsta HS52 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 78 |
| Dry | 74 | 83 |
| Wet | 77 | 85 |
| Comfort | 69 | 67 |
| Noise | 66 | 65 |
| Treadwear | 70 | 75 |
| Handling (owners) | 69 | 77 |
| Efficiency | 57 | 43 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
72
/ 100
Ecsta HS51
78
/ 100
Ecsta HS52
The professional test results behind the scores
Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.
| Discipline | Category | Ecsta HS51 | Ecsta HS52 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% #3/53 · 2021 53 Summer Tyre Braking Test | 95% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #5/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 100% #3/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 99% #2/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 97% #5/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 97% #6/53 · 2021 53 Summer Tyre Braking Test | 97% #3/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #1/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 99% #2/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 97% #15/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 96% #16/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 73% #4/15 · 2021 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 | 75% #8/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 75% #20/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 88% #16/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 82% #2/10 · 2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test | 77% #5/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #9/20 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | #12/20 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Value | Cost | 99% #3/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #3/11 2021 Autonavigator Summer Tire Test R16 | #9/16 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Ecsta HS51
Pros
- Impressive wet and dry weather traction
- Excellent value for money compared to tier-one premium brands
- Low road noise and enhanced ride comfort
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can cause a wobbly or loose feeling during aggressive cornering
- Some users experienced faster-than-expected tread wear on the front axle
- Occasional complaints regarding poor steering feedback and high-speed handling at the limit
Tire B Ecsta HS52
Pros
- Excellent wet and dry weather traction
- Low road noise and quiet operation
- Smooth and comfortable ride quality
Cons
- A few reports of accelerated or abnormal tread wear
- Slightly sensitive to tire pressure regarding comfort
- Occasional complaints of high-speed vibration or imbalance early on
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Kumho Ecsta HS51
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Mixed
Kumho Ecsta HS52
The Kumho Ecsta HS52 receives a polarized mix of reviews from the community, praised by many for its rigid sidewalls, strong dry grip, sharp steering responsiveness, and great value compared to premium alternatives. However, some users report disappointing wet weather performance, potential issues with aquaplaning resistance, and inconsistent test results across different sizes. Overall, it is viewed as a solid mid-range option, though experiences with wet traction and longevity vary significantly among drivers.
r/TyreReviews
·1 upvote ·2026-01-22
“Bad i have hs52 on my audi a3 8l quattro 1.8t i have no grip with rain.. Like cant corner fast it just goes straight... Dry its fine but wet forget it. My oncle has the same experience with kuhmo on his bmw 118 diesel he got some rims and they had pretty good threats kumho on it. He said all it wanted was to drift and spin out. He said a couple of times it did a 180 he said never again i said same don't trust my car with these tyres. Im gonna get some new rim 17" and Goodyear asymmetric 6. To replace my 16" stock rims with kumho... I have had bad tyres but never this bad. Like 1 ere prix were even better in my Mercedes even doh they became ovals.”
r/CarTalkUK
·1 upvote ·2025-01-11
“I have kuhmo ecsta hs52's on my renault megane during spring and summer and they are really good. No complaints at all. My milage did go up a little bit but that's it”
r/tires
·3 upvotes ·2025-09-23
“What’s up with these tyres? Kumho ectsa hs52 date code 3923, tyres are (UK) legal regards tread but I can’t imagine this damage is normal. Both front tyres have this, looks like the tread is tearing apart in multiple places. I did not fit these tyres but it was mot’d 3 months ago and has done 2k miles since. I’ve owned the car 11 months but only noticed this very recently. I am getting them replaced on Monday with little use before then but I’m curious how this has happened. Is it just a shit brand? Wear is even across the face so I don’t think it would be the alignment or anything to do with the car and the damage is random across the contact patch. It’s a Peugeot 508 2l diesel so quite a bit of weight on the nose. Fitting Bridgestone Turanza 6. Rear tyres are good, but a different brand (horizon horace 2122 date)”
Top themes
#Dry grip and handling#Wet weather performance#Sidewall stiffness#Price and value#Comparison with competitors#Fuel economy and weight#Tread wear and durability
Based on 17 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta HS51 | B · Kumho Ecsta HS52 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 27 | 53 |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 18″ | 14″ – 20″ |
| Sizes in common | 18 | 18 |
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Kumho Ecsta HS51
78
/ 100
Kumho Ecsta HS52
Winner: Kumho Ecsta HS52 — better dry, wet and handling. Pick the Kumho Ecsta HS51 if efficiency matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 57 vs 43 on efficiency.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Kumho Ecsta HS52 scores 83 vs 74 on dry.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Kumho Ecsta HS52 scores 85 vs 77 on wet.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Kumho Ecsta HS52 scores 77 vs 69 on handling.
Tire A · Kumho Ecsta HS51
Tire B · Kumho Ecsta HS52
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Ecsta HS51 or Ecsta HS52?
Which is better in the wet, Ecsta HS51 or Ecsta HS52?
Kumho Ecsta HS52, 85 vs 77 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Ecsta HS51 or Ecsta HS52?
Kumho Ecsta HS52, 83 vs 74 on our dry score.
Which is quieter, Ecsta HS51 or Ecsta HS52?
Neither, by our numbers: 66 vs 65 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Which is more comfortable, Ecsta HS51 or Ecsta HS52?
Neither, by our numbers: 69 vs 67 on the comfort score, within 3 points.
Which lasts longer, Ecsta HS51 or Ecsta HS52?
Kumho Ecsta HS52, 75 vs 70 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Ecsta HS51 or Ecsta HS52?
Kumho Ecsta HS51, 57 vs 43 on our efficiency score.
How do we compare tires?
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.
Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology