Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Kumho Ecsta PS71
- TR Score
- 8.4/10
- Owners say
- 77% · 94
- TR Score
- 8.5/10
- Owners say
- 77% · 94
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Kumho Ecsta PS71 finished ahead 5 times and the SportMaxx RT 2 4 times, with 2 level. The SportMaxx RT 2 lasted 20.4% longer in the wear tests; the Ecsta PS71 stopped 5.9% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Kumho Ecsta PS71 if you prioritize wet-grip safety, short stopping distances, and best value. Choose Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 if you want a quieter, more refined ride with superior curved aquaplaning stability and better mileage for long-term ownership.
Where the SportMaxx RT 2 is stronger
- Outstanding curved aquaplaning resistance (best-in-test lateral aquaplaning in 2025)
- Lower noise and better ride comfort in multiple tests
- Generally stronger wear/mileage and often better efficiency
Where the Ecsta PS71 is stronger
- Dominant wet performance (wet braking and handling wins across most tests)
- Competitive dry braking in newer tests
- Excellent price/performance and often lower cost per 1,000 km
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
SportMaxx RT 2 vs Ecsta PS71 at a glance
| Category | SportMaxx RT 2 | Gap | Ecsta PS71 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won11 shared tests | 4 | 2 level | 5 |
| Dry15 measurements | 9 | 6 | |
| Wet28 measurements | 8 | The Ecsta PS71 stopped 5.9% shorter in the wet (11 tests) | 20 |
| Comfort8 measurements | 6 | The SportMaxx RT 2 was 1.1 dB quieter (6 tests) | 2 |
| Value11 measurements | 7 | The SportMaxx RT 2 lasted 20.4% longer in the wear tests (5 tests) | 4 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.4/10 | The Ecsta PS71 by 0.1 | 8.5/10 |
| Owner rating94 and 94 reviews | 77% | Too close to call | 77% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 63% | Too close to call | 63% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | +17.4% | The SportMaxx RT 2 was dearer in 5 of 5 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 61 | 48 sizes made in both | 133 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 11 tests, 2018 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 | SportMaxx RT 2 | Field | Ecsta PS71 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test | P9 of 20 | P4 of 20 | |
| 2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P9 of 18 | P13 of 18 | |
| 2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout | P19 of 52 | P4 of 52 | |
| 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test | P5 of 20 | P5 of 20 | |
| 2023 Summer Tire Market Overview | P13 of 50 | P12 of 50 | |
| 2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 225/50 R17 | P6 of 17 | P3 of 17 | |
| 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test | P14 of 20 | P17 of 20 | |
| 2020 Tire Market Overview Braking Test | P17 of 50 | P5 of 50 | |
| 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test | P13 of 20 | P20 of 20 | |
| 2019 Summer 53 Tire Braking Shootout | P11 of 53 | P18 of 53 | |
| 2018 Test World Summer Tire Test | P8 of 16 | P8 of 16 |
Performance profile
10 measurements from the 11 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
SportMaxx RT 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 85%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 7 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
SportMaxx RT 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
SportMaxx RT 2
Ecsta PS71
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 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. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | SportMaxx RT 2 | Gap | Ecsta PS71 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | 0.4% | 115 | 7-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 72.5 | 0.1% | 72.6 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 16.7% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 118 | 5.9% | 110 | 2-9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 125 | 5.5% | 118 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 27.9 | 0.4% | 27.8 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 44.6 | 2.8% | 45.8 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 33.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 14.98 | 1.7% | 14.73 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 56.1 | 1.4% | 56.9 | 2-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.8 | 11.6% | 10.6 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 121.8% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 71.12 | 1.1 dB | 72.17 | 5-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 24,141 | 20.4% | 20,785 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.67 | 6.5% | 9.34 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | 1.8% | 5.7 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 91 | 5.8% | 85.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportMaxx RT 2 scores 8.4 and the Ecsta PS71 8.5 out of 10.
| SportMaxx RT 2 | Category | Ecsta PS71 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Dry | 73 | ||
| 83 | Wet | 92 | ||
| 33 | Comfort | 11 | ||
| 37 | Value | 18 | ||
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.
What owners say
| SportMaxx RT 2 | Category | Ecsta PS71 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 8.5 | ||
| 7.8 | Wet Grip | 8 | ||
| 7.7 | Road Feedback | 8 | ||
| 7.6 | Handling | 8 | ||
| 7.5 | Wear | 7 | ||
| 7.9 | Comfort | 7.4 | ||
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the Ecsta PS71 77% from 94. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
- 77%from 94 reviews
- 63%would buy again
- 788,854 milesdriven by reviewers
Across reviews, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is most often described as a quiet, comfortable UHP tire with strong all-round grip-especially in the wet-and good aquaplaning resistance, giving many drivers high confidence in everyday and motorway use. Wear is frequently reported as good to very good versus several competing premium tires, and many consider it strong value for money. A notable minority, however, report overly soft or inconsistent sidewalls leading to vague/“wobbly” steering and reduced precision when cornering hard, and some users say grip (particularly in wet conditions) can fall off as the tire wears.
- Strong wet grip and reassuring stability in heavy rain
- Good resistance to aquaplaning
- Good dry grip/traction for normal to spirited road driving
- Low road noise and generally comfortable ride
- Soft sidewalls causing vague steering, squirm, or reduced precision under hard cornering/load changes
- Some reports of poor wet grip or reduced confidence (often as the tire wears)
- Noise can increase as the tire wears or on rough road surfaces
Summarised by AI from 81 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 94 SportMaxx RT 2 reviewsI've had several sets of these on my car now as they have proven to be reliable and confidence inspiring in the wet. They've survived pot holes, debris, and the odd curb. I've never found myself wishing for more grip in the dry. The response is perhaps slightly muted compared to more expensive tires, but personally don't have an issue as my driving is 90% motorway/major A roads.
In the wet the car feels stable in the rain at motorway speeds up until about 3mm tread depth, at which point the front started to feel nervous. Braking has been fine in the wet but pulling away briskly in anything other than a straight line will set off the traction control. Hard to say if this would be reduced with a more expensive tire.
Front tires have lasted about 11k miles before reaching the wear line after. Rears are over 20k and still have a while to go.
Kumho Ecsta PS71
- 77%from 94 reviews
- 63%would buy again
- 686,811 milesdriven by reviewers
Most owners rate the Kumho Ecsta PS71 as a strong budget performance tire, with a clear majority praising its dry grip and handling and nearly half calling the wet grip confidence-inspiring. Value for money is a consistent highlight, with many feeling it runs pricier brands close for everyday road use. The main drawback is refinement: around a third of owners mention road noise, and opinions on tread life are mixed rather than conclusive. A smaller but notable group also report vibration/balancing niggles, with a few mentioning tramlining.
- Strong dry grip with plenty of confidence
- Very capable wet grip for the price
- Secure, enjoyable dry handling
- Excellent value for money versus premium rivals
- Road noise can be intrusive, especially at speed
- Tread life is inconsistent, with some reporting faster wear
- Can be hard to balance or develop vibrations
Summarised by AI from 87 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 94 Ecsta PS71 reviewsJust looking around for replacements in a couple of thousand miles. Unless I hear outstanding reviews from other Elroq owners I'm going to stick with Kumho Ecsta PS71 EV and stick with the different width/ profiles front and rear. These Kumhos have completely out performed the Bridgstones I had on my ID.3 - I coudln't wait to get rid of them when they had to be replaced at 8,000miles.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 61 sizes of the SportMaxx RT 2 and 133 of the Ecsta PS71, 48 of them made in both.
| Category | SportMaxx RT 2 | Ecsta PS71 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 61 sizes, 17 to 21 inch | 133 sizes, 16 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 48 sizes 205/40 R17205/45 R17205/50 R17215/40 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17235/45 R17245/40 R17and 36 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A85%B15% | A71%B24%C5%D0% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C79%D19%B3% | C41%B22%D21%A17% |
| EU label noise | 69-73 dB B93%A7% | 68-75 dB B96%A4% |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2016 |
| Replaced | Dunlop SportMaxx RT (2014) | - |
| Replaced by | - | Kumho Ecsta Sport S PS72 |
| Awards | Winner: Ultra High Performance Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2021) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The SportMaxx RT 2 was the dearer tire in 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 17.4% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This head-to-head pitches the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2, a max-performance summer tire with a reputation for dry grip and comfort, against the Kumho Ecsta PS71, an ultra-high-performance summer tire known for wet prowess and sharp value. Across 11 shared tests from 2018-2025 in 17-18-inch fitments, both tires show balanced capabilities but distinct personalities.
Kumho repeatedly delivers shorter braking and quicker laps in the wet, while Dunlop counters with superior curved aquaplaning reserves, lower noise, and often better wear and efficiency. Recent 2025 results tilt toward the PS71 in overall ranking and cost-per-km, yet the RT 2 remains compelling for drivers prioritizing refinement and aquaplaning stability.
Conclusion
Pattern-wise, the Kumho Ecsta PS71 owns the wet: 9 wins in wet braking, clean advantages in wet handling, and strong straight-line aquaplaning; it also tends to stop shorter in the dry in newer tests. This shows up in big results like 4/21 vs 9/21 at Auto Bild 2025 and 4/52 vs 19/52 in the 2025 shootout. It further strengthens its case with better rolling resistance in some tests and consistently stronger price/performance.
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 answers with class-leading curved aquaplaning reserves, quieter running, and typically better wear and efficiency, making it the calmer, longer-lasting option. If you drive in frequent heavy rain or want maximum wet braking security at a sharp price, choose the Kumho. If you value low noise, aquaplaning stability in bends, and longevity with solid all-round dry performance, the Dunlop is the safer long-term bet. The practical takeaway: PS71 for wet-grip confidence and value; RT 2 for refinement and mileage.
SportMaxx RT 2 vs Ecsta PS71: your questions
Is the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 or the Kumho Ecsta PS71 the better tire?
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Kumho Ecsta PS71 finished ahead 5 times and the SportMaxx RT 2 4 times, with 2 level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportMaxx RT 2 scores 8.4 and the Ecsta PS71 8.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the SportMaxx RT 2 or the Ecsta PS71?
The Ecsta PS71 led 20 of the 28 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.9% shorter in the wet across 11 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The SportMaxx RT 2 led 9 of the 15 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The SportMaxx RT 2 lasted 20.4% longer in the wear tests (5 tests). Owners rate wear 7.5/10 for the SportMaxx RT 2 and 7/10 for the Ecsta PS71.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The SportMaxx RT 2 was 1.1 dB quieter (6 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.9/10 for the SportMaxx RT 2 and 7.4/10 for the Ecsta PS71.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the Ecsta PS71 77% from 94. 63% of SportMaxx RT 2 owners would buy it again, against 63% for the Ecsta PS71.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the SportMaxx RT 2 was the dearer tire in 5 of them, by 17.4% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The SportMaxx RT 2 is made in 61 sizes (17 to 21 inch) and the Ecsta PS71 in 133 (16 to 22 inch). 48 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the SportMaxx RT 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 SportMaxx RT 2 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the Ecsta PS71 in 2016. The SportMaxx RT 2 replaced the Dunlop SportMaxx RT.
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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.
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