Tests 63 · 3 tests Owners 62 · 165 reviews
Best test result: #6 of 22 in 2022 Consumer Reports Ultra High Performance Summer Tires (tested tread life (miles))
Head-to-head
Updated
Nexen N Fera SU1 vs Kumho Ecsta PS71 — 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 3 + 14 road tests and 165 + 8,204 owner reviews. How we score
Ecsta PS71 leads, 68–64 Narrow edge
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Tests 68 · 14 tests Owners 69 · 8,204 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?”
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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58
Dry
Ecsta PS71 +1775Why this score
Source N Fera SU1 Ecsta PS71 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 12 tests 55 78 Reviews found online 64 72 N Fera SU1: 60% × 54.8 + 40% × 63.8 = 58
Ecsta PS71: 60% × 77.6 + 40% × 71.9 = 75
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64
Wet
Ecsta PS71 +2185Why this score
Source N Fera SU1 Ecsta PS71 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 13 tests 62 92 Reviews found online 67 75 N Fera SU1: 60% × 62.2 + 40% × 67.1 = 64
Ecsta PS71: 60% × 91.9 + 40% × 74.7 = 85
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58
Snow
No comparison–Why this score
Source N Fera SU1 Ecsta PS71 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 64 (est.) – Reviews found online 49 – N Fera SU1: 60% × 63.9 (est.) + 40% × 49.3 = 58
No road tests of snow for N Fera SU1. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).
-
65
Comfort
Ecsta PS71 +469Why this score
Source N Fera SU1 Ecsta PS71 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests 66 74 Reviews found online 65 65 N Fera SU1: 40% × 65.7 + 60% × 64.9 = 65
Ecsta PS71: 40% × 74.5 + 60% × 65.3 = 69
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69
Noise
N Fera SU1 +3336Why this score
Source N Fera SU1 Ecsta PS71 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 8 tests 69 16 Reviews found online 69 ≈ 66 (est.) N Fera SU1: 60% × 69.3 + 40% × 69.3 = 69
Ecsta PS71: 60% × 15.6 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 36
No owner ratings of noise for Ecsta PS71. 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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66
Treadwear
N Fera SU1 +1452Why this score
Source N Fera SU1 Ecsta PS71 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 6 tests 70 46 Reviews found online 59 60 N Fera SU1: 60% × 70.2 + 40% × 59.4 = 66
Ecsta PS71: 60% × 46 + 40% × 59.8 = 52
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66
Handling (owners)
Ecsta PS71 +773Why this score
Source N Fera SU1 Ecsta PS71 Reviews found online 66 73 -
76
Efficiency
N Fera SU1 +2848Why this score
Source N Fera SU1 Ecsta PS71 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 7 tests 76 48
Scores at a glance
| Category | Nexen N Fera SU1 | Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 64 | 68 |
| Dry | 58 | 75 |
| Wet | 64 | 85 |
| Snow | 58 | – |
| Comfort | 65 | 69 |
| Noise | 69 | 36 |
| Treadwear | 66 | 52 |
| Handling (owners) | 66 | 73 |
| Efficiency | 76 | 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 and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
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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
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Important
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Less important
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Recomputed
Headline score
64
/ 100
N Fera SU1
68
/ 100
Ecsta PS71
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.
| Discipline | Category | N Fera SU1 | Ecsta PS71 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 94% #4/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 95% #9/52 · 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 95% #4/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 98% #12/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 95% #5/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 92% #2/9 · 2023 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 98% #5/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 100% #1/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 94% #5/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 100% #2/52 · 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 95% #3/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 100% #2/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 94% #5/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 89% #4/9 · 2023 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 | – | Different tests |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 97% #4/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 94% #10/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 99% #3/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 97% #17/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 99% #2/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | 83% #15/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #5/6 2023 APAC Tyre Test | #4/52 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | – | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A N Fera SU1
Pros
- Exceptional value and significantly lower price compared to premium brands
- Remarkably quiet ride and high overall comfort
- Strong dry and wet grip for daily commuting and spirited driving
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can cause vague handling, body roll, or a floating sensation on heavier vehicles
- Faster than average tread wear or inconsistent durability for some users
- Reports of rubber cracking or splitting along the sidewalls and tread blocks over time
Tire B 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
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Nexen N Fera SU1
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
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.
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.”
r/TyreReviews
·2 upvotes ·2024-10-25
“I've had the PS71 several years ago - it was ok, nothing spectacular. They might have changed the compound now, so it may be better. Its a good tire, I don't remember any real weaknesses, it just never felt like "yeah, this sticks like glue to the road". Edit: I just remembered - it was mediocre in the city - when the tire was not warmed up, but I reckon this is shared between most sport tires with high speed rating. Once warmed up was good.”
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!”
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
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Nexen N Fera SU1 | B · Kumho Ecsta PS71 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 97 | 133 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 24″ | 16″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | 9/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 300 A A | — |
| Treadwear warranty | 25,000 mi | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 51 psi | — |
| Sizes in common | 66 | 66 |
Which one should you actually buy?
64
/ 100
Nexen N Fera SU1
68
/ 100
Kumho Ecsta PS71
Narrow edge: Kumho Ecsta PS71 — better wet, dry and handling. Pick the Nexen N Fera SU1 if noise, efficiency and treadwear matter most to you.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Nexen N Fera SU1 scores 69 vs 36 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Nexen N Fera SU1 scores 76 vs 48 on efficiency.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 85 vs 64 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 75 vs 58 on dry.
Tire A · Nexen N Fera SU1
Tire B · Kumho Ecsta PS71
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N Fera SU1 or Ecsta PS71?
Which is better in the wet, N Fera SU1 or Ecsta PS71?
Kumho Ecsta PS71, 85 vs 64 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, N Fera SU1 or Ecsta PS71?
Kumho Ecsta PS71, 75 vs 58 on our dry score.
Which is quieter, N Fera SU1 or Ecsta PS71?
Nexen N Fera SU1, 69 vs 36 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, N Fera SU1 or Ecsta PS71?
Kumho Ecsta PS71, 69 vs 65 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, N Fera SU1 or Ecsta PS71?
Nexen N Fera SU1, 66 vs 52 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, N Fera SU1 or Ecsta PS71?
Nexen N Fera SU1, 76 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