Tests – · none yet Owners 59 · 285 reviews
Best test result: #7 of 16 in 2019 ADAC Van 215/65 R16 C Tyre Test (overall ranking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Kumho PorTran KC53 vs Yokohama BluEarth-4S AW21 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
PorTran KC53 leads, 62–61 Narrow edge
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Tests 58 · 5 tests Owners 64 · 972 reviews
Best test result: #10 of 14 in 2020 Autoklub CR Winter / All-Season Tire Test R16 (overall ranking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
64
Dry
PorTran KC53 +559Why this score
Source PorTran KC53 BluEarth-4S AW21 Professional tests (TWG score) – 55 Reviews found online 63 66 -
65
Wet
BluEarth-4S AW21 +772Why this score
Source PorTran KC53 BluEarth-4S AW21 Professional tests (TWG score) – 71 Reviews found online 63 73 -
–
Snow
No comparison67Why this score
Source PorTran KC53 BluEarth-4S AW21 Professional tests (TWG score) – 67 Reviews found online – 67 -
61
Comfort
BluEarth-4S AW21 +566Why this score
Source PorTran KC53 BluEarth-4S AW21 Reviews found online 53 62 -
–
Noise
No comparison53Why this score
Source PorTran KC53 BluEarth-4S AW21 Professional tests (TWG score) – 45 -
57
Treadwear
PorTran KC53 +948Why this score
Source PorTran KC53 BluEarth-4S AW21 Professional tests (TWG score) – 46 Reviews found online 52 52 -
62
Handling
BluEarth-4S AW21 +163Why this score
Source PorTran KC53 BluEarth-4S AW21 Reviews found online 62 63
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho PorTran KC53 | Yokohama BluEarth-4S AW21 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 62 | 61 |
| Dry | 64 | 59 |
| Wet | 65 | 72 |
| Snow | – | 67 |
| Comfort | 61 | 66 |
| Noise | – | 53 |
| Treadwear | 57 | 48 |
| Handling | 62 | 63 |
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.
Important
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Important
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Neutral
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Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.
Less important
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Less important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.
Important
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
62
/ 100
PorTran KC53
61
/ 100
BluEarth-4S AW21
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
The professional test results behind the scores
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 | PorTran KC53 | BluEarth-4S AW21 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 14% #7/16 · 2019 ADAC Van 215/65 R16 C Tyre Test | 31% #10/14 · 2020 Autoklub CR Winter / All-Season Tire Test R16 | −16.5 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A PorTran KC53
Pros
- Significantly quieter and more refined road noise compared to stock or competitor tires
- Smoother, more forgiving ride quality (frequently noted by motorhome owners)
- Excellent value for money and affordable pricing
Cons
- Occasional wheel spin or reduced forward traction when accelerating quickly in the wet
- Potential for accelerated edge wear under certain loads if pressures are not meticulously managed
- Isolated reports of premature sidewall cracking after a few years
Tire B BluEarth-4S AW21
Pros
- Excellent grip and stability on wet and flooded roads
- Strong traction and confidence-inspiring performance in snow and ice
- Good value for money compared to premium competitors
Cons
- Higher road noise levels ('howling' or noticeable hum) compared to some other brands
- Softer cornering feel and reduced precision during hot summer months
- Minor negative impact on fuel economy for some drivers
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho PorTran KC53 | B · Yokohama BluEarth-4S AW21 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Touring tires | All Season |
| Vehicle type | Van | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 27 | 104 |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 18″ | 14″ – 22″ |
Which one should you actually buy?
62
/ 100
Kumho PorTran KC53
61
/ 100
Yokohama BluEarth-4S AW21
Too close to call: Kumho PorTran KC53 and Yokohama BluEarth-4S AW21 are within 2 points overall. Kumho PorTran KC53 is stronger on treadwear and dry. Yokohama BluEarth-4S AW21 is stronger on wet and comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Kumho PorTran KC53 scores 57 vs 48 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Yokohama BluEarth-4S AW21 scores 72 vs 65 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Kumho PorTran KC53 scores 64 vs 59 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Yokohama BluEarth-4S AW21 scores 66 vs 61 on comfort.
Tire A · Kumho PorTran KC53
Tire B · Yokohama BluEarth-4S AW21
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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.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.