Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Ecsta HS52 is ahead, 76–64
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Tests 82 · 7 tests Owners 71 · 2,352 reviews
Best test result: #2 of 20 in 2024 AutoBild 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 62 · 1 test Owners 66 · 898 reviews
Best test result: #3 of 6 in 2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tyres for Asia Test (rolling resistance)
“I had asymmetric 2 or possibly 3's on an impreza and they were a fantastic all rounder. The 5's will be going on my daily when i find a good deal!”
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 53 |
| Reviews found online | 75 | 68 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 100% | 87% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 96% |
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 88 | 66 |
| Reviews found online | 72 | 68 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 90% | 82% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 91% | 87% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 99% | 95% |
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 68 |
| Reviews found online | 60 | 60 |
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 64 | 68 |
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | – |
| Reviews found online | 66 | 61 |
| Source | Ecsta HS52 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 75 | 70 |
| Category | Kumho Ecsta HS52 | Toyo Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 64 |
| Dry | 81 | 59 |
| Wet | 82 | 67 |
| Comfort | 65 | 65 |
| Noise | 65 | 68 |
| Treadwear | 73 | 63 |
| Handling | 75 | 70 |
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
Proxes TR1
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 | Ecsta HS52 | Proxes TR1 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 100% #2/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | 87% #5/6 · 2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tyres for Asia Test | +13.5 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #12/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 96% #6/6 · 2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tyres for Asia Test | +2.9 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 88% #16/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | 94% #3/6 · 2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tyres for Asia Test | −5.2 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 96% #16/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 99% #4/6 · 2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tyres for Asia Test | −2.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 11% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 20% #5/6 · 2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tyres for Asia Test | −8.9 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 97% #5/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 97% #5/6 · 2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tyres for Asia Test | +0.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 90% #17/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 82% #5/6 · 2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tyres for Asia Test | +7.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 91% #15/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 87% #5/6 · 2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tyres for Asia Test | +4.0 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% #2/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | 95% #5/6 · 2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tyres for Asia Test | +4.1 | 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 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.
“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)”
“Yup, noticed that on my car too, went from a dot 2023 225/45/r17 PS5 to 205/50/r17 Kumho ecsta hs52 and while i went down in width, speed went up about 5-7km/h during a tight hairpin i always frequent, i feel a lot more confident chucking it towards the apex and not fear understeer ( my car is FWD).”
“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.”
Based on 17 community posts
Community sentiment regarding the Toyo Proxes TR1 is mixed, with users frequently noting an attractive price point and smooth, comfortable ride when compared to factory tires or run-flats. However, multiple drivers report shortcomings in wet-weather performance, cold grip, and road noise as mileage increases, while several criticize its soft sidewalls for creating imprecise handling at the limit.
“Tr1 is a solid choice for relatively cheap grip They do suffer in the cold and wet but if it's a summer car that shouldn't be an issue”
“Avoid TR1.. the sound will become unbearable.. I suggest Yokohama ES32..”
“I had these exact tyres on my ep3, and they were brilliant compared what the car came with from factory. I can’t remember what they were, but for me , they just didn’t feel right…when I went t for these TR1’s , it felt like cars dynamics completely changed for the better. But my driving was mainly city/motorways and sometimes b-roads. And now I’m reminiscing about my type-r days…”
Based on 36 community posts
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta HS52 | B · Toyo Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 53 | 61 |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 20″ | 14″ – 20″ |
Kumho Ecsta HS52
Toyo Proxes TR1
Winner: Kumho Ecsta HS52 — better dry, wet and treadwear. Pick the Toyo Proxes TR1 if noise matters most to you.
Kumho Ecsta HS52 scores 81 vs 59 on dry.
Kumho Ecsta HS52 scores 82 vs 67 on wet.
Kumho Ecsta HS52 scores 73 vs 63 on treadwear.
Kumho Ecsta HS52 scores 75 vs 70 on handling.
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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.
