Continental SportContact 7 vs Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
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 three tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental SportContact 7 | one | |
| Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 | two |
While it might look like the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 is better than the Continental SportContact 7 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
- Class-leading dry braking (wins both tests; ~5% shorter than Kumho in Auto Express)
- Strong aquaplaning resistance, especially straight-line (wins both tests)
- Precise, composed handling in the dry with high grip and stability
- Demonstrated efficiency potential (lower rolling resistance in Die Reifentester)
- Outstanding overall results and value (1/8 and 5/9 overall in shared tests)
- Competitive lap pace, including a wet-handling win (Auto Express) and strong traction/stability
- Excellent refinement: lowest noise and high comfort in Auto Express
- Efficient in real terms (second-lowest rolling resistance in Auto Express)
Dry Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 3.42% less distance than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 was 0.36% faster around a lap than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental SportContact 7 and Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 performed equally well in subj. dry handling tests.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one wet braking tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 stopped the vehicle in 0.87% less distance than the Continental SportContact 7.
Best In Wet Braking: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was 0.98% faster around a wet lap than the Continental SportContact 7.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental SportContact 7 and Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 performed equally well in subj. wet handling tests.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 was 0.7% faster around a wet circle than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 floated at a 0.86% higher speed than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental SportContact 7 and Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 performed equally well in curved aquaplaning tests.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental SportContact 7 and Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 scored 9.29% more points than the Continental SportContact 7.
Best In Subj. Noise: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 had a 0.12% lower rolling resistance than the Continental SportContact 7.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Continental SportContact 7 Driver Reviews
Across 87 reviews, the Continental SportContact 7 is overwhelmingly praised as a top-tier UUHP summer tire, with standout dry grip, exceptional wet traction, and very strong braking that inspires high confidence on road and occasional track use. Many drivers also highlight predictable handling and good feedback, often comparing it favourably to Michelin and Pirelli alternatives. The most consistent drawback is fast tread wear (and resulting cost-per-mile), with a notable minority also reporting higher road noise/harshness or slightly less sharp steering response than their preferred benchmark tires.
Based on 96 reviews with an average rating of 83%
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 Driver Reviews
Drivers generally report the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 as a highly grippy, confidence-inspiring tire with strong wet and dry performance, good braking and stable, predictable handling at speed. Many also highlight excellent value versus premium rivals, often describing performance close to top-tier tires for much less money. The main recurring complaint is highway-speed vibration (often linked to balancing or possible out-of-round tires), with a smaller set noting it can be a bit noisier or firmer than some competitors.
Based on 24 reviews with an average rating of 84%
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
Key Differences
- Dry braking: Continental consistently shorter (≈1.6% in Die Reifentester; ≈5.2% in Auto Express).
- Wet braking: Mixed-Kumho leads by 5.8% in Die Reifentester; Continental ahead by 2.5% in Auto Express.
- Wet handling: Kumho posts the faster wet lap in Auto Express (by ~0.98%); subjective parity elsewhere.
- Aquaplaning (straight line): Continental holds a small but repeatable edge in both tests.
- Refinement: Kumho is notably quieter (+~15% subjective noise score in Auto Express) and rides well.
- Rolling resistance: Split results-Continental better in Die Reifentester (~2.6%); Kumho better in Auto Express (~3.5%).
Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Continental SportContact 7 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
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.