Tests 68 · 14 tests Owners 69 · 8,191 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 18 in 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test (straight aquaplaning)
“Those are Kumho Ecsta PS71s, thread width is supposed to be 245mm, the actual one is hardly 235. How so?”
Head-to-head
Updated
Kumho Ecsta PS71 vs Kumho Ecsta HS51 — 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 14 + 6 road tests and 8,191 + 1,667 owner reviews. How we score
Ecsta HS51 leads, 72–68 Narrow edge
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Tests 75 · 6 tests Owners 68 · 1,667 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test (wet handling)
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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75
Dry
Ecsta PS71 +174Why this score
Source Ecsta PS71 Ecsta HS51 Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 4 tests 78 77 Reviews found online 72 69 Ecsta PS71: 60% × 77.6 + 40% × 71.7 = 75
Ecsta HS51: 60% × 76.6 + 40% × 69 = 74
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85
Wet
Ecsta PS71 +976Why this score
Source Ecsta PS71 Ecsta HS51 Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / 4 tests 92 79 Reviews found online 75 72 Ecsta PS71: 60% × 91.8 + 40% × 74.6 = 85
Ecsta HS51: 60% × 79.4 + 40% × 71.7 = 76
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69
Comfort
Ecsta PS71 +168Why this score
Source Ecsta PS71 Ecsta HS51 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / – tests 75 ≈ 68 (est.) Reviews found online 65 67 Ecsta PS71: 40% × 74.6 + 60% × 65.3 = 69
Ecsta HS51: 40% × 68.3 (est.) + 60% × 67.1 = 68
No road tests of comfort for Ecsta HS51. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
-
36
Noise
Ecsta HS51 +3066Why this score
Source Ecsta PS71 Ecsta HS51 Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 2 tests 16 65 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Ecsta PS71: 60% × 15.6 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 36
Ecsta HS51: 60% × 65.2 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 66
No owner ratings of noise for Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta HS51. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
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52
Treadwear
Ecsta HS51 +1870Why this score
Source Ecsta PS71 Ecsta HS51 Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 4 tests 46 73 Reviews found online 60 65 Ecsta PS71: 60% × 46 + 40% × 59.8 = 52
Ecsta HS51: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 64.9 = 70
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73
Handling (owners)
Ecsta PS71 +568Why this score
Source Ecsta PS71 Ecsta HS51 Reviews found online 73 68 -
48
Efficiency
Ecsta HS51 +957Why this score
Source Ecsta PS71 Ecsta HS51 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 2 tests 48 57
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 68 | 72 |
| Dry | 75 | 74 |
| Wet | 85 | 76 |
| Comfort | 69 | 68 |
| Noise | 36 | 66 |
| Treadwear | 52 | 70 |
| Handling (owners) | 73 | 68 |
| Efficiency | 48 | 57 |
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
68
/ 100
Ecsta PS71
72
/ 100
Ecsta HS51
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 PS71 | Ecsta HS51 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #9/52 · 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | 98% #3/53 · 2021 53 Summer Tyre Braking Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #12/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 99% #5/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 100% #1/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 99% #2/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #2/52 · 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | 97% #6/53 · 2021 53 Summer Tyre Braking Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #2/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 97% #17/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 97% #15/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 50% #14/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 73% #4/15 · 2021 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 83% #15/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 75% #20/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 83% #6/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test | 82% #2/10 · 2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #7/20 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | #9/20 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Value | Cost | 37% #11/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 99% #3/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #4/52 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | #3/11 2021 Autonavigator Summer Tire Test R16 | – | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Ecsta PS71
Pros
- Outstanding wet weather grip and aquaplaning resistance
- High value for money compared to tier-one premium brands
- Predictable handling and solid cornering stability in both dry and wet conditions
Cons
- Noticeable road noise or droning at motorway speeds on certain vehicles
- Occasional reports of balancing difficulties or out-of-round/egg-shaped tires
- Softer sidewalls can lead to slightly vague steering response around center or tread block movement
Tire B 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
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Positive
Kumho Ecsta PS71
Community members generally view the Kumho Ecsta PS71 as a capable and reliable mid-range ultra-high performance tire offering solid grip and value for money compared to premium alternatives. While perceived as good once warmed up, some drivers note that it does not quite reach the ultimate grip level of top-tier brands and question its tread wear longevity.
z4-forum.com
·2023-01-29
“Steve; have a look at Kuhmo Ecsta PS71s. I just fitted a set on my new wheels for my 440i. Weapon of choice for the 'non tyre snob' IMHO. Much cheaper than the 'big' brands, heat up quickly and they also look really nice (for a black round tyre). Can't comment on noise, as the exhaust on mine is so noisy I can't hear the radio, let alone tyres!”
r/tires
·5 upvotes ·2022-10-17
“Those are Kumho Ecsta PS71s, thread width is supposed to be 245mm, the actual one is hardly 235. How so?”
bimmerforums.co.uk
·1 upvote ·2024-05-05
“On Blackcircles all the 245/40 R19 ditch finders cost around £100 and have a poor wet grip & all the decent mid range cost around £170 and have A rated wet grip. Would you risk it for £240? I know I wouldn't. The cheapest A wet rated is a Kuhmo Ecsta PS71 at £136 if you really want to keep the cost down. If you want a relatively soft comfortable tyre then a Hankook S1 Evo 3 is an excellent choice.”
Top themes
#value for money#wet and dry grip#tire wear longevity#sporty handling performance#warm up temperature behavior#mid-range alternative comparison
Based on 23 community posts
Tire B
Kumho Ecsta HS51
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta PS71 | B · Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 133 | 27 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 22″ | 14″ – 18″ |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Sizes in common | 11 | 11 |
Which one should you actually buy?
68
/ 100
Kumho Ecsta PS71
72
/ 100
Kumho Ecsta HS51
Narrow edge: Kumho Ecsta HS51 — better noise, treadwear and efficiency. Pick the Kumho Ecsta PS71 if wet matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 66 vs 36 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 70 vs 52 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 85 vs 76 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want lower fuel or energy use
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 57 vs 48 on efficiency.
Tire A · Kumho Ecsta PS71
Tire B · Kumho Ecsta HS51
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Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta HS51?
Which is better in the wet, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta HS51?
Kumho Ecsta PS71, 85 vs 76 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta HS51?
Neither, by our numbers: 75 vs 74 on the dry score, within 3 points.
Which is quieter, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta HS51?
Kumho Ecsta HS51, 66 vs 36 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta HS51?
Neither, by our numbers: 69 vs 68 on the comfort score, within 3 points.
Which lasts longer, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta HS51?
Kumho Ecsta HS51, 70 vs 52 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta HS51?
Kumho Ecsta HS51, 57 vs 48 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