Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 7 + 10 road tests and 2,372 + 39 owner reviews. How we score
Too close to call: Ecsta HS52 and Primacy 4+ are level at 78.
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Tests 84 · 7 tests Owners 74 · 2,372 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”
Tests 85 · 10 tests Owners 70 · 39 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test (abrasion)
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 9 tests | 86 | 82 |
| Reviews found online | 79 | 71 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–1 | 98% | 97% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 | 100% | 99% |
Ecsta HS52: 60% × 86.4 + 40% × 78.7 = 83
Primacy 4+: 60% × 82.3 + 40% × 70.6 = 78
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 9 tests | 90 | 83 |
| Reviews found online | 77 | 74 |
| Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 | 84% | 88% |
| Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 | 95% | 97% |
| Wet Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 2–2 | 94% | 93% |
| Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 | 92% | 90% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 | 99% | 98% |
Ecsta HS52: 60% × 89.9 + 40% × 76.5 = 85
Primacy 4+: 60% × 82.6 + 40% × 73.8 = 79
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests | ≈ 69 (est.) | 73 |
| Reviews found online | 66 | 69 |
Ecsta HS52: 40% × 68.6 (est.) + 60% × 66 = 67
Primacy 4+: 40% × 73.3 + 60% × 69 = 71
No road tests of comfort for Ecsta HS52. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 7 tests | 64 | 77 |
| Reviews found online | ≈ 67 (est.) | ≈ 67 (est.) |
| Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 | 98% | 99% |
Ecsta HS52: 60% × 63.8 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 65
Primacy 4+: 60% × 76.7 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 73
No owner ratings of noise for Ecsta HS52 or Primacy 4+. 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.
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 4 tests | 80 | 95 |
| Reviews found online | 67 | 69 |
| Abrasion (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 | 66% | 82% |
| Wear (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–2 | 74% | 86% |
Ecsta HS52: 60% × 80.1 + 40% × 67.1 = 75
Primacy 4+: 60% × 95.3 + 40% × 68.9 = 85
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 77 | 65 |
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 8 tests | 43 | 78 |
| Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 | 95% | 97% |
| Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 | 88% | 92% |
| Category | Kumho Ecsta HS52 | Michelin Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 78 | 78 |
| Dry | 83 | 78 |
| Wet | 85 | 79 |
| Comfort | 67 | 71 |
| Noise | 65 | 73 |
| Treadwear | 75 | 85 |
| Handling (owners) | 77 | 65 |
| Efficiency | 43 | 78 |
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.
Ecsta HS52
Primacy 4+
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.
In the overall rankings of 4 tests that ran both, Kumho Ecsta HS52 finished ahead 1 times and Michelin Primacy 4+ 3 times.
| Discipline | Category | Ecsta HS52 | Primacy 4+ | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% | 97% | +0.9 | 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview · 205/55 R16 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 100% | 99% | +0.7 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 84% | 88% | −4.5 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 95% | 97% | −2.3 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 94% | 93% | +0.6 | 2–2 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 92% | 90% | +1.7 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 91% #15/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 97% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% | 98% | +1.5 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Noise | Noise | 98% | 99% | −1.5 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 66% | 82% | −16.7 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 74% | 86% | −12.7 | 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 95% | 97% | −1.7 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 88% | 92% | −3.3 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 77% | 52% | +25.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #12/20 | #9/20 | – | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Value | Cost | 77% | 59% | +17.5 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #2/55 | #5/55 | – | 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview · 205/55 R16 |
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
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.
“Mini review of the Kumho Ecsta HS52 I was running some Hankook's on my GT before and the tire wall not stiff enough. Now I've mounted these Kumho Ecsta HS52's and I highly recommend them: The tire wall is nicely rigid and they grip great in the dry, took quite some intent to make them loose traction. Additionally, I've accidentally ran over a pretty big sharp looking rock at decent speed that aimed right in a tread groove (thinnest part) and the thing shrugged it off no problem. And all of this for a damn good price too! So if anyone's looking for good tires, now you know.”
“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)”
“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”
Based on 17 community posts
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta HS52 | B · Michelin Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 53 | 66 |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 20″ | 16″ – 21″ |
| Sizes in common | 37 | 37 |
Kumho Ecsta HS52
Michelin Primacy 4+
Too close to call: Kumho Ecsta HS52 and Michelin Primacy 4+ are within 2 points overall. Kumho Ecsta HS52 is stronger on handling, wet and dry. Michelin Primacy 4+ is stronger on efficiency, treadwear and noise.
Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 78 vs 43 on efficiency.
Kumho Ecsta HS52 scores 77 vs 65 on handling.
Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 85 vs 75 on treadwear.
Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 73 vs 65 on noise.
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Kumho Ecsta HS52, 85 vs 79 on our wet score.
Kumho Ecsta HS52, 83 vs 78 on our dry score.
Michelin Primacy 4+, 73 vs 65 on our noise score.
Michelin Primacy 4+, 71 vs 67 on our comfort score.
Michelin Primacy 4+, 85 vs 75 on our treadwear score.
Michelin Primacy 4+, 78 vs 43 on our efficiency score.
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
