Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 vs Pirelli Cinturato C3
Across four shared 2026 tests in two popular sizes (225/45 R17 and 245/45 R19), the pattern is consistent: the Pirelli repeatedly lands at or near the top overall thanks to class-leading dry braking and very strong wet handling consistency, while the Kumho repeatedly looks like a high-value disruptor-often close on lap-time style metrics and subjective sportiness-but gives away meaningful safety headroom in standing-water aquaplaning and some comfort/refinement scoring.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been four tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 | one | |
| Pirelli Cinturato C3 | three |
While it might look like the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is better than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Key Strengths
- Strong value proposition in testing (e.g., Autobild value 12.44 vs 15.69 price/1000), often delivering near-premium grip per dollar
- Competitive wet braking with multiple wins (e.g., 27.1 m vs 27.6 m in the 245/45 R19 braking test; 42.4 m vs 43.0 m in Autobild)
- Sporty, confidence-building subjective feel: wins subjective dry handling in 2 tests (e.g., 8.0 vs 7.3 in Autobild)
- Refinement advantage on measured noise in the shared data (wins noise in 3/3 occurrences, e.g., 72.3 vs 74.1 dB; 74.1 vs 75.2 dB)
- Best-in-comparison dry braking across all shared tests (4/4 wins; typically ~1.3-1.4 m shorter in 225/45 R17)
- Stronger wet handling pace and control (wins 3 wet handling comparisons; e.g., 68.09 s vs 70.46 s in 225/45 R17)
- Clearly better aquaplaning resistance (wins straight and curved aquaplaning in every shared occurrence; e.g., 76.9 vs 71.4 km/h straight aquaplaning in Motor)
- Better durability/running-cost indicators where measured (wins wear 50,350 km vs 48,230 km; lower rolling resistance 7.7 vs 8.15 kg/t in Autobild)
Dry Braking
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 2.07% less distance than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 0.53% faster around a lap than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 and Pirelli Cinturato C3 performed equally well in dry handling [km/h] tests.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 scored 3.28% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 0.42% less distance than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 1.88% faster around a wet lap than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 0.96% faster around a wet lap than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 1.73% more points than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 had 2.56% higher lateral wet grip than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 floated at a 5.21% higher speed than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 slipped out at a 2.04% higher speed than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 4.83% more points than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during three noise tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 measured 1.63% quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Noise: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one wear tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is predicted to cover 4.21% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Wear: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one value tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 proved to have a 20.71% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Value: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 had a 1.75% lower rolling resistance than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 lost 17.76% less particle wear matter than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Abrasion: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 Driver Reviews
Drivers generally report the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 delivers strong dry and wet grip with confident, predictable handling and very good steering precision for the price. Many describe it as comparable to premium options (e.g., Michelin Pilot Sport and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric lines) while offering standout value. Noise and comfort are often rated as good to very good, though a minority note it can be a bit firm or road-noisy depending on car/road. The main recurring complaint is vibration/balancing problems (often described as out-of-round tires) on some sets, which can undermine an otherwise very positive experience.
Based on 25 reviews with an average rating of 84%
Pirelli Cinturato C3 Driver Reviews
Across 12 reviews, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is described as an extremely confidence-inspiring tire with standout wet and dry grip, strong braking and very secure, responsive handling that makes the car feel easy to place and control. Most drivers also find it quiet and comfortable for a touring-focused tire, with several calling it excellent or “perfect” in mixed conditions. A smaller subset note notable road noise on certain surfaces and one user reports a significant fuel economy drop after fitting, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Based on 13 reviews with an average rating of 93%
They are not loud, but wouldn't they are necessarily quiet. You can hear them a bit depending on the road surface and speed.
Didn’t drive them too much in the rain, but seem to hold pretty well in wet conditions.
Mounted them in march this year and after 10-15k km I don’t see any major wear, but I would have to abstain on this one until I get them properly... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
The Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72, however, is not “far behind” in day-to-day grip; it often posts strong wet braking (it beats the Pirelli 27.1 m vs 27.6 m in the large braking shootout, and 42.4 m vs 43.0 m in Autobild) and it repeatedly scores better for noise in these datasets. It's also a standout on value (Autobild value index 12.44 vs 15.69 price/1000), which matters if you want near-premium braking/handling without premium pricing. The takeaway: choose the Pirelli if you want the safest, most confidence-inspiring all-rounder-especially in heavy rain and at speed-while the Kumho is the smart buy if budget/value and a sporty feel matter most, provided you accept weaker aquaplaning resilience.
Key Differences
- Overall ranking trend: Pirelli leads 3 of 4 shared tests (1/9 and 1/13 wins), while Kumho is usually a strong mid-top pack finisher (4/9, 4/13, 6/20) rather than a frequent winner
- Dry braking safety margin: Pirelli wins 4/4, including ~3.7% shorter stops in the 225/45 R17 datasets (35.7 m vs 37.1 m; 35.75 m vs 37.11 m)
- Wet handling advantage: Pirelli is repeatedly quicker and more confidence-inspiring when cornering in the wet (e.g., 68.09 s vs 70.46 s), even when wet braking can be a split decision
- Aquaplaning is the decisive wet-weather separator: Pirelli is materially better in standing water (e.g., +7.6-7.7% straight aquaplaning speed in 225/45 R17), whereas Kumho is repeatedly described as below-average/near-bottom in aquaplaning resistance
- Refinement trade-off: Kumho is consistently quieter on measured noise in the shared figures, while Pirelli is repeatedly flagged for high measured/pass-by noise despite strong grip
- Cost and efficiency balance: Kumho tends to win purchase-value metrics, while Pirelli more often wins wear/abrasion and sometimes rolling resistance (noting some test-to-test variation in rolling resistance results)
Overall Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.
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