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Head-to-head Updated

Kumho Ecsta PS71 vs Kumho Ecsta PS91 — 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 8,168 + 485 owner reviews. How we score

Ecsta PS71 is ahead, 70–61

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Kumho Ecsta PS71
Tire AKumho

Ecsta PS71

Summer

± 5

Tests 68 · 14 tests Owners 69 · 8,168 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?”

Kumho Ecsta PS91
Tire BKumho

Ecsta PS91

Summer

± 5

Tests 77 · 6 tests Owners 42 · 485 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 11 in 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 (exterior noise)

“Putting some Kumho Ecsta PS91s on. Curious how they’ll do since my go to Falken rt660 doesn’t come in the oem 18” sizes”

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 75

    Dry

    Ecsta PS71 +8
    67
    Why this score
    SourceEcsta PS71Ecsta PS91
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 6 tests7877
    Reviews found online7252

    Ecsta PS71: 60% × 77.6 + 40% × 72.2 = 75

    Ecsta PS91: 60% × 76.7 + 40% × 51.6 = 67

  2. 85

    Wet

    Ecsta PS71 +17
    68
    Why this score
    SourceEcsta PS71Ecsta PS91
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / 6 tests9279
    Reviews found online7552

    Ecsta PS71: 60% × 92.5 + 40% × 74.8 = 85

    Ecsta PS91: 60% × 79 + 40% × 51.9 = 68

  3. –

    Snow

    No comparison
    36
    Why this score
    SourceEcsta PS71Ecsta PS91
    Professional tests (TWG score)–≈ 50 (est.)
    Reviews found online–16

    Ecsta PS91: 60% × 50.2 (est.) + 40% × 15.7 = 36

    No road tests of snow for Ecsta PS91. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.37).

  4. 70

    Comfort

    Ecsta PS71 +15
    55
    Why this score
    SourceEcsta PS71Ecsta PS91
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / – tests75≈ 65 (est.)
    Reviews found online6649

    Ecsta PS71: 40% × 75.3 + 60% × 65.8 = 70

    Ecsta PS91: 40% × 65.3 (est.) + 60% × 48.5 = 55

    No road tests of comfort for Ecsta PS91. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.

  5. 36

    Noise

    Ecsta PS91 +26
    62
    Why this score
    SourceEcsta PS71Ecsta PS91
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 3 tests1570
    Reviews found online≈ 67 (est.)50

    Ecsta PS71: 60% × 15.5 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 36

    Ecsta PS91: 60% × 70.2 + 40% × 50.2 = 62

    No owner ratings of noise for Ecsta PS71. 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.

  6. 51

    Treadwear

    Ecsta PS71 +7
    44
    Why this score
    SourceEcsta PS71Ecsta PS91
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / – tests45≈ 54 (est.)
    Reviews found online6130

    Ecsta PS71: 60% × 45.1 + 40% × 60.7 = 51

    Ecsta PS91: 60% × 53.5 (est.) + 40% × 29.9 = 44

    No road tests of treadwear for Ecsta PS91. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).

  7. 73

    Handling (owners)

    Ecsta PS71 +19
    54
    Why this score
    SourceEcsta PS71Ecsta PS91
    Reviews found online7354
  8. 48

    Efficiency

    Level
    48
    Why this score
    SourceEcsta PS71Ecsta PS91
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 3 tests4848
Scores at a glance
CategoryKumho Ecsta PS71Kumho Ecsta PS91
Relative Score 70 61
Dry 75 67
Wet 85 68
Snow – 36
Comfort 70 55
Noise 36 62
Treadwear 51 44
Handling (owners) 73 54
Efficiency 48 48

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 5

Ecsta PS71

± 5

Ecsta PS91

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

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.

DisciplineCategoryEcsta PS71Ecsta PS91ΔHead-to-head
Dry Dry 87% #10/9 · 2023 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 80% #8/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – Different tests
Dry Braking Dry 95% #9/52 · 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout 80% #5/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 98% #12/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test 98% #7/10 · 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling (tester's mark) Dry 92% #2/9 · 2023 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 70% #8/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – Different tests
Curved Aquaplaning Wet 86% #6/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 90% #3/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 100% #1/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 80% #7/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – Different tests
Wet Wet 94% #4/9 · 2023 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 82% #8/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 100% #2/52 · 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout 70% #9/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 99% #5/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test 70% #4/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 100% #2/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test 97% #5/10 · 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling (tester's mark) Wet 89% #4/9 · 2023 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 78% #6/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – Different tests
Exterior Noise Noise 43% #10/9 · 2023 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 100% #1/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – Different tests
Noise Noise 97% #17/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 94% #8/10 · 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 83% #15/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test 70% #5/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 83% #6/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/10 · 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #4/52 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout #9/10 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 – 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
All owner themes in the Ecsta PS71 review

Tire B Ecsta PS91

Pros

  • Exceptional dry and wet grip providing high confidence during spirited driving
  • Significantly more affordable than premium flagship alternatives while offering comparable performance
  • Stiff sidewalls enhance steering response, cornering stability, and feedback

Cons

  • Accelerated tread wear and shorter lifespan, particularly with aggressive driving or on heavier vehicles
  • Stiff sidewalls result in a firmer, less comfortable ride that transmits road imperfections
  • Tendency to tramline or follow road grooves on straight highways
All owner themes in the Ecsta PS91 review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Kumho Ecsta PS71

Positive

Community sentiment towards the Kumho Ecsta PS71 is generally positive, with drivers viewing it as an affordable, high-value mid-range/UHP tire that performs reliably compared to premium brands. Users praise its wet grip rating, competitive pricing, and overall road manners once warmed up, though some note it provides adequate rather than top-tier grip and raise questions regarding cold performance and tread life.

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?”
r/TeslaUK ·2 upvotes ·2026-08-28

“go with Kumho Ecsta PS71 EV around £140 – £165. Good value for money”
r/TyreReviews ·1 upvote ·2026-06-17

“Kumho PS71 Question Replaced an older (2021 or 2022 production) set of ps71 with a new set (production 39-42 week of 2024) and noticed something on the new sidewalls I hadn't seen on the old ones. The new ones have ps71 with either a 1 or a 2 under it right above the bead in very small text. I'm curious what they mean if anything at all.”
Top themes
#Value for money#Wet grip performance#UHP budget alternative#Tread wear durability#Warm-up temperature behavior#Tire pressure specifications

Based on 24 community posts

Tire B

Kumho Ecsta PS91

Mixed

The Kumho Ecsta PS91 is widely praised as an affordable, budget-friendly summer tire with attractive styling and respectable wet or daily street performance compared to pricier rivals like Michelin. However, several users express frustration with poor tread life, rapid wear, and insufficient grip or heat endurance under hard driving and track conditions. Others also note issues with sketchy handling, flat-spotting, or vibration when cold.

mustang6g.com ·1 upvote ·2017-01-05

“They were good enough for 1:46.708 at Mazda Laguna Seca 285/35ZR-19 Actually, thats better than I thought”
r/Mustang ·1 upvote ·2024-01-31

“no more Kumho Ecsta PS91 for me I have 2015 Mustang GT Premium with 20" wheels. I bought the car new, and it has just over 155k, and the only thing I have replaced is the water pump. However, tire wear is a problem. The alignment is good, and I had the camber adjusted (front and rear) so that the tire has less negative camber than it had when it left the factory. Despite that, I'm only getting about 15k miles out of a set, and I drive it very gently. I've been buying Kumho Ecsta PS91, but I'd like to try something different. What do you recommend?”
chargerhellcat.org ·2020-06-08

“I have the XTS variant of this tyre on my Ram srt10 and the drive nicely and don’t tramline.”
Top themes
#budget performance value#rapid tread wear#wet and dry traction#track and heat limitations#ride quality and appearance#Michelin alternative comparison

Based on 45 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Kumho Ecsta PS71 B · Kumho Ecsta PS91
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available1331
Rim diameters16″ – 22″19″
Tread depth—9.5/32″
UTQG—260 A A
SidewallBlackwallBlackwall
Max pressure—50 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Kumho Ecsta PS71

Kumho Ecsta PS91

Winner: Kumho Ecsta PS71 — better handling, wet and comfort. Pick the Kumho Ecsta PS91 if noise matters most to you.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Kumho Ecsta PS91 scores 62 vs 36 on noise.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 73 vs 54 on handling.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 85 vs 68 on wet.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 70 vs 55 on comfort.

Tire A · Kumho Ecsta PS71
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Tire B · Kumho Ecsta PS91
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Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta PS91?

Which is better in the wet, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta PS91?

Kumho Ecsta PS71, 85 vs 68 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta PS91?

Kumho Ecsta PS71, 75 vs 67 on our dry score.

Which is quieter, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta PS91?

Kumho Ecsta PS91, 62 vs 36 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta PS91?

Kumho Ecsta PS71, 70 vs 55 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta PS91?

Kumho Ecsta PS71, 51 vs 44 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Ecsta PS71 or Ecsta PS91?

Neither, by our numbers: 48 vs 48 on the efficiency score, within 3 points.

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