Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Firestone RoadHawk
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Kumho Ecsta HS51 finished ahead 2 times and the RoadHawk once. The Ecsta HS51 was stronger in dry, wet and comfort.
Performance profile
8 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Ecsta HS51
RoadHawk
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 90%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow.
Where each scores higher
Ecsta HS51
RoadHawk
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Ecsta HS51
RoadHawk
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Ecsta HS51 79% from 40 reviews and the RoadHawk 68% from 45. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Wins count the tests in which each tire did better.
| Measurement | Ecsta HS51 | Gap | RoadHawk | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Ecsta HS51 ahead | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 114 | 2.5% | 117 | 2-0 |
| Dry Handling mph | 59.7 | 0.1% | 59.7 | 0-1 |
| Wet Ecsta HS51 ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 128 | 3.7% | 133 | 2-0 |
| Wet Handling mph | 49 | = | 49 | 0-0 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 53.1 | 1.4% | 52.4 | 1-0 |
| Comfort Ecsta HS51 ahead | ||||
| Noise dB | 68.7 | 1.2 dB | 69.9 | 1-0 |
| Value Level | ||||
| Wear miles | 26,197 | 51.2% | 17,324 | 1-0 |
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 9.31 | 8.6% | 8.51 | 0-1 |
Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared.
Head to head in 3 tests, 2018 to 2021
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Ecsta HS51 | Field | RoadHawk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tire Test | P1 of 20 | P9 of 20 | |
| 2021 53 Summer Tire Braking Test | P3 of 53 | P10 of 53 | |
| 2018 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16 | P8 of 16 | P4 of 16 |
Ecsta HS51 vs RoadHawk: your questions
Is the Kumho Ecsta HS51 or the Firestone RoadHawk the better tire?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Kumho Ecsta HS51 finished ahead 2 times and the RoadHawk once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Ecsta HS51 scores 8 and the RoadHawk 8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Ecsta HS51 or the RoadHawk?
The Ecsta HS51 led 3 of the 4 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.7% shorter in the wet across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Ecsta HS51 led 2 of the 3 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.5% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.3/10 for the Ecsta HS51 and 7.1/10 for the RoadHawk.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Ecsta HS51 79% from 40 reviews and the RoadHawk 68% from 45. 65% of Ecsta HS51 owners would buy it again, against 42% for the RoadHawk.
More comparisons with these tires
Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.