Hankook Ventus Prime 4 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
The pattern that emerges is a classic trade-off. The Kumho more often posts the sharper braking numbers (especially in the wet) and frequently ranks higher overall, while the Hankook tends to claw points back on operating costs with lower rolling resistance/fuel consumption and often lower abrasion. However, specific ADAC commentaries also highlight that each tire can stumble in different places depending on size and test focus-Kumho with “only adequate” dry precision in one ADAC cycle, and Hankook with notable wet-performance deficits in another.
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 eight tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Hankook Ventus Prime 4 | three | |
| Kumho Ecsta HS52 | five |
While it might look like the Kumho Ecsta HS52 is better than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 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
- Lower rolling resistance / better fuel consumption across multiple tests (e.g., 5.4 vs 5.8 l/100 km in ADAC 2026; 7.65 vs 8.46 kg/t in AutoBild 2024)
- Often lower abrasion (e.g., 75 vs 91 mg/km/t in ADAC 2026; 67.6 vs 79.3 in ADAC 2023), supporting a better environmental balance
- Strong or competitive dry dynamics in several reports (e.g., AutoBild 2022 dry handling win; described as safe at the limit on dry roads)
- Can be more comfortable subjectively (Tire Reviews 2023 comfort score advantage)
- Stronger wet braking in the most recent head-to-head evidence (ADAC 2026: 31.1 m vs 34.5 m; wet concrete 35.9 m vs 42.1 m) and often ahead in other wet metrics
- Frequently edges dry braking (wins 6/7 shared dry-braking comparisons), even when margins are small
- Usually better purchase price and cost-per-distance value (wins price and value categories across tests)
- Often higher overall rankings in shared tests (e.g., ADAC 2024: 3/16 vs 8/16; AutoBild 2024: 4/21 vs 7/21)
Dry Braking
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during six dry braking tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 stopped the vehicle in 0.77% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Dry Braking: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was 0.39% faster around a lap than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was 0.43% faster around a lap than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 scored 5.26% more points than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 stopped the vehicle in 0.94% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Braking: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during two wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 stopped the vehicle in 6.35% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was 0.61% faster around a wet lap than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was 0.34% faster around a wet lap than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 scored 5.26% more points than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was 0.26% faster around a wet circle than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Circle: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 floated at a 2.36% higher speed than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Straight Aqua: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 slipped out at a 1.73% higher speed than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 scored 5.26% more points than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during three noise tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 measured 0.39% quieter than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Noise: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Tire Weight
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 and Kumho Ecsta HS52 performed equally well in tire weight tests.
Best In Tire Weight: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Tire Weight winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during three wear tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 is predicted to cover 8.42% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wear: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during one value tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 has a 36.1% better value based on dollars per 1000 warranted miles than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Value: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 was better during five price tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta HS52 cost 10.52% less than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Price: Kumho Ecsta HS52
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 had a 8.14% lower rolling resistance than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during three fuel consumption tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 used 4.09% less fuel than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during two abrasion tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 emitted 10.65% less particle wear matter than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Best In Abrasion: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Hankook Ventus Prime 4 Driver Reviews
Across 71 reviews, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 is generally seen as a strong value-focused touring tire, most often praised for being quiet, smooth and confidence-inspiring with strong dry handling and good wet grip when new. Many drivers also highlight stable braking/handling and an overall “premium feel” for the price compared with more expensive rivals. The most repeated drawback is faster-than-expected wear, with several owners reporting that wet grip (and sometimes noise) deteriorates noticeably as tread depth drops; a smaller but recurring group also finds the ride a bit stiff/harsh on some cars.
Based on 75 reviews with an average rating of 82%
Kumho Ecsta HS52 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Kumho Ecsta HS52 positively, praising its strong dry grip, confident wet braking, predictable handling, and good value. Many report low to moderate wear with some high-mileage success, though a minority cite faster front wear or abnormal wear. Noise is generally acceptable but occasionally noted as higher, and comfort is mid-firm. Overall, the HS52 delivers balanced performance with standout braking and dry grip, while a few users report wet lateral grip limits and isolated wear issues.
Based on 22 reviews with an average rating of 80%
Conclusion
Choose the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 if your priority is lower energy consumption and a cleaner environmental/efficiency profile over time. Hankook repeatedly wins rolling resistance / fuel consumption (e.g., ADAC 2026 5.4 vs 5.8 l/100 km; AutoBild 2024 rolling resistance 7.65 vs 8.46 kg/t) and often shows lower abrasion (e.g., ADAC 2026 75 vs 91 mg/km/t). The practical takeaway: HS52 is the better pick for drivers who want extra wet-braking confidence and strong value, while Prime 4 suits drivers who rack up miles and want to minimise fuel/EV consumption-provided you're comfortable with the fact that wet performance can be the limiting factor in some ADAC assessments.
Key Differences
- Wet-braking trend favors Kumho: the biggest real-world-relevant gap appears in ADAC 2026 (31.1 m vs 34.5 m), with an even larger spread on wet concrete (35.9 m vs 42.1 m).
- Efficiency trend favors Hankook: it consistently posts lower rolling resistance / better fuel consumption (e.g., ADAC 2026 5.4 vs 5.8 l/100 km; AutoBild 2024 7.65 vs 8.46 kg/t).
- Value proposition favors Kumho: it is typically cheaper up-front (multiple tests show ~8-12% price advantage) and repeatedly wins “price per 1000 km” style value metrics.
- Wear results are mixed by test, but Kumho can be outstanding in ADAC 2024 wear (69,300 km vs 49,900 km), while Hankook leads in some other wear datasets (e.g., ADAC 2026 44,700 vs 43,200 km).
- Aquaplaning is a wash overall: straight-line aquaplaning often favors Kumho, while curved aquaplaning splits and can favor Hankook depending on the test (no consistent universal winner).
- Test narrative differs: ADAC notes Hankook's wet handling/braking can be the limiting factor in some sizes, while Kumho is sometimes criticized for only “adequate” dry precision/steering feel despite good braking numbers.
Overall Winner: Kumho Ecsta HS52
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 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:
Hankook Ventus Prime 4 Top Comparisons
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Kumho Ecsta HS52 Top Comparisons
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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.