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 + 21 road tests and 485 + 12,691 owner reviews. How we score
Pilot Sport 4 is ahead, 83–61
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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”
Tests 85 · 21 tests Owners 76 · 12,691 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 45 in 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout (dry braking)
“Those are Pilot sport 4 (all season). If it had s after the 4 it would be the summer high performance version. I put the pilot sport 4 on wife's GTI autobahn 2016. Great handling tire, stiff side walls, not the smoothest ride but best overall.”
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | Ecsta PS91 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 20 tests | 77 | 89 |
| Reviews found online | 52 | 85 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 | 92% | 95% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 | 97% | 98% |
Ecsta PS91: 60% × 76.7 + 40% × 51.6 = 67
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 89.1 + 40% × 84.5 = 87
| Source | Ecsta PS91 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 20 tests | 79 | 93 |
| Reviews found online | 52 | 85 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 | 90% | 98% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 | 96% | 100% |
Ecsta PS91: 60% × 79 + 40% × 51.9 = 68
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 93.1 + 40% × 84.7 = 90
| Source | Ecsta PS91 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| 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).
| Source | Ecsta PS91 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 6 tests | ≈ 65 (est.) | 83 |
| Reviews found online | 49 | 72 |
Ecsta PS91: 40% × 65.3 (est.) + 60% × 48.5 = 55
Pilot Sport 4: 40% × 83.4 + 60% × 72.4 = 77
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.
| Source | Ecsta PS91 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 13 tests | 70 | 73 |
| Reviews found online | 50 | ≈ 67 (est.) |
Ecsta PS91: 60% × 70.2 + 40% × 50.2 = 62
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 73.4 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 71
No owner ratings of noise for Pilot Sport 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 PS91 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 3 tests | ≈ 54 (est.) | 78 |
| Reviews found online | 30 | 60 |
Ecsta PS91: 60% × 53.5 (est.) + 40% × 29.9 = 44
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 78.1 + 40% × 59.5 = 71
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).
| Source | Ecsta PS91 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 54 | 81 |
| Source | Ecsta PS91 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 14 tests | 48 | 76 |
| Category | Kumho Ecsta PS91 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 61 | 83 |
| Dry | 67 | 87 |
| Wet | 68 | 90 |
| Snow | 36 | – |
| Comfort | 55 | 77 |
| Noise | 62 | 71 |
| Treadwear | 44 | 71 |
| Handling (owners) | 54 | 81 |
| Efficiency | 48 | 76 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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.
Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.
Ecsta PS91
Pilot Sport 4
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
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 1 tests that ran both, Kumho Ecsta PS91 finished ahead 0 times and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 1 times.
| Discipline | Category | Ecsta PS91 | Pilot Sport 4 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 92% | 95% | −3.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% | 98% | −1.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 70% #8/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 | 90% #2/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 90% #3/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 | 80% #5/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 80% #7/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 | 80% #2/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 90% | 98% | −8.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 70% #4/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 | 97% #4/10 · 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% | 100% | −4.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 78% #6/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 | 78% #7/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Lateral Stability | Wet | 80% #2/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 | 70% #8/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Exterior Noise | Noise | 100% #1/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 | 90% #3/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 94% #8/10 · 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test | 99% #6/10 · 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 70% #5/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 | 80% #2/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 100% #1/10 · 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test | 66% #7/10 · 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #10/10 | #1/10 | – | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test · 225/40 R18 |
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 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.
“They are actually good tires. I used to have them, they have decent wet/dry traction which is good right now since its raining.”
“They were good enough for 1:46.708 at Mazda Laguna Seca 285/35ZR-19 Actually, thats better than I thought”
“Follow up on new wheels/tires for ZHP Well new wheels and tires are on aswell as aligned. I love the tire and fitment setup but really do not like the gunmetal grey color especially on imola. I will feel it out for a while but probably eventually powder coat to OEM silver. Wheels specs are 18 x 8.5 x ET50 with 255/35/18 Kuhmo Ecsta PS91 all around. -2.5 camber in the front and -2.8 in the rear.”
Based on 45 community posts
The community widely regards the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 line as a premium upgrade offering exceptional dry and wet grip, precise handling, and superior ride comfort compared to OEM or run-flat tires. While celebrated for performance, users frequently discuss its high price tag, faster treadwear, and noticeable drop in EV efficiency. Some drivers also note increased road noise and reduced traction when temperatures drop near freezing.
“I basically always ran Michelins on the BMWs I had. Pilot Super Sport on the E91 335d (which unexpectedly did really well wrt longevity with 600nm+ and a heavy foot) and now PS4 ZP (so the runflat type) on my 320hp F31 330d. They are just really really good. Pretty pricey though.”
“Reminder: Tires are the key to this car Just replaced my Michelin Pilot Sport 4 AS tires with a new set ahead of the rainy season. Lasted 36K miles. It was the best mod to the car and a fresh set reminded just how good a brand new set is. The car is glued to the road, riding wonderfully smooth and quiet. Spend the money, get the best tires for you. The tune can wait. And it will need it.”
“Those are Pilot sport 4 (all season). If it had s after the 4 it would be the summer high performance version. I put the pilot sport 4 on wife's GTI autobahn 2016. Great handling tire, stiff side walls, not the smoothest ride but best overall.”
Based on 246 community posts
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta PS91 | B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 1 | 62 |
| Rim diameters | 19″ | 16″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | 9.5/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 260 A A | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
Kumho Ecsta PS91
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 — better efficiency, treadwear and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 76 vs 48 on efficiency.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 71 vs 44 on treadwear.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 81 vs 54 on handling.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 90 vs 68 on wet.
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Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 90 vs 68 on our wet score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 87 vs 67 on our dry score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 71 vs 62 on our noise score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 77 vs 55 on our comfort score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 71 vs 44 on our treadwear score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 76 vs 48 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
