Fulda SportControl 2 vs Kumho Ecsta PS71
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Kumho Ecsta PS71 finished ahead 4 times and the SportControl 2 3 times. The SportControl 2 was stronger in dry, comfort and value, the Ecsta PS71 in wet.
Performance profile
8 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
SportControl 2
Ecsta PS71
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. 2 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
SportControl 2
Ecsta PS71
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
SportControl 2
Ecsta PS71
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the SportControl 2 82% from 30 reviews and the Ecsta PS71 77% from 94. 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 | SportControl 2 | Gap | Ecsta PS71 | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry SportControl 2 ahead | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 115 | 1.5% | 116 | 6-1 |
| Dry Handling mph | 72.3 | = | 72.3 | 2-1 |
| Wet Ecsta PS71 ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 119 | 7.9% | 109 | 0-7 |
| Wet Handling mph | 45 | 1.7% | 45.8 | 0-3 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 59.7 | 3.4% | 61.7 | 0-3 |
| Curved Aquaplaning ft/s² | 12.2 | 2.8% | 11.9 | 1-0 |
| Comfort SportControl 2 ahead | ||||
| Subj. Comfort pts | scored | 16.7% | scored | 0-1 |
| Noise dB | 72.2 | 1.7 dB | 73.93 | 3-0 |
| Value SportControl 2 ahead | ||||
| Wear miles | 21,957 | 23.4% | 18,179 | 3-0 |
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 8.13 | 12.6% | 9.39 | 2-1 |
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 7 tests, 2019 to 2025
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 | SportControl 2 | Field | Ecsta PS71 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout | P30 of 52 | P4 of 52 | |
| 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test | P10 of 20 | P5 of 20 | |
| 2023 Summer Tire Market Overview | P18 of 50 | P12 of 50 | |
| 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test | P9 of 20 | P17 of 20 | |
| 2020 Tire Market Overview Braking Test | P12 of 50 | P5 of 50 | |
| 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test | P6 of 20 | P20 of 20 | |
| 2019 Summer 53 Tire Braking Shootout | P12 of 53 | P18 of 53 |
SportControl 2 vs Ecsta PS71: your questions
Is the Fulda SportControl 2 or the Kumho Ecsta PS71 the better tire?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Kumho Ecsta PS71 finished ahead 4 times and the SportControl 2 3 times. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportControl 2 scores 8.2 and the Ecsta PS71 8.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the SportControl 2 or the Ecsta PS71?
The Ecsta PS71 led 13 of the 14 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 7.9% shorter in the wet across 7 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The SportControl 2 led 8 of the 10 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.5% shorter in the dry across 7 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The SportControl 2 lasted 23.4% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and had 12.6% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 7.8/10 for the SportControl 2 and 7/10 for the Ecsta PS71.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The SportControl 2 was 1.7 dB quieter (3 tests). Owners rate comfort 9/10 for the SportControl 2 and 7.4/10 for the Ecsta PS71.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the SportControl 2 82% from 30 reviews and the Ecsta PS71 77% from 94. 77% of SportControl 2 owners would buy it again, against 63% for the Ecsta PS71.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the SportControl 2 was the dearer tire in 3 of them, by 12.9% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The SportControl 2 is made in 44 sizes (17 to 20 inch) and the Ecsta PS71 in 133 (16 to 22 inch). 40 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the SportControl 2 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Ecsta PS71 A and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The SportControl 2 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the Ecsta PS71 in 2016. The SportControl 2 replaced the Fulda SportControl.
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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.