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Kumho Ecsta HS51 Test Results

Tested 2016 to 2021 4 publications

Tested 10 times by independent publications, the Kumho Ecsta HS51 has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 9th.

  • 10Independent tests
  • 1Test wins
  • 2Podium finishes
  • 9thAverage finish
  • 56%Field beaten on average
  • 4Publications
Kumho Ecsta HS51

10 tests, 2016 to 2021

0%50%100%201620172018201920202021Average 56%2016 Market Overview - Braking Test (2016): P17 of 50, Beat 67% of the field2017 Auto Bild Summer Tire Shootout (2017): P13 of 51, Beat 71% of the field2017 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2017): P20 of 20, Beat 0% of the field2017 Auto Express Summer Tire Test (2017): P4 of 11, Beat 70% of the field2018 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2018): P8 of 16, Beat 53% of the field2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tire Test (2019): P9 of 10, Beat 11% of the field2020 ADAC SUV Summer Tire Test (2020): P10 of 12, Beat 18% of the field2021 53 Summer Tire Braking Test (2021): P3 of 53, Beat 96% of the field2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2021): P5 of 15, Beat 71% of the field2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tire Test (2021): P1 of 20, Beat 100% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 56%
The latest test

2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tire Test P1 of 20

Exemplary.

Strong: Wet Handling, Straight Aqua Weak: Rolling Resistance

Record by discipline

Where the Kumho Ecsta HS51 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 4 P8.3 of 25.8 53% -
Dry Handling 3 P10.7 of 16.7 35% -
Wet
Wet Braking 4 P7.3 of 25.8 59% -
Wet Handling 3 P10 of 16.7 37% 1
Straight Aqua 2 P1.5 of 15 97% 1
Comfort
Noise 2 P8.5 of 15 55% -
Value
Wear 4 P9.8 of 16.8 42% -
Value 1 P3 of 20 89% -
Rolling Resistance 2 P14.5 of 15 6% -

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Kumho Ecsta HS51. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 9 shared: 3 ahead, 6 behind 9 3 6 - 33%
Maxxis Premitra HP5 7 shared: 4 ahead, 3 behind 7 4 3 - 57%
Continental Premium Contact 6 6 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind 6 2 4 - 33%
Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue 5 shared: 2 ahead, 3 behind 5 2 3 - 40%
Bridgestone Turanza T005 5 shared: 2 ahead, 3 behind 5 2 3 - 40%
Nexen N Blue HD+ 4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind 4 3 1 - 75%
Cooper Zeon CS8 4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind 4 3 1 - 75%
Michelin Primacy 4 4 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 4 2 2 - 50%
Dunlop Sport BluResponse 4 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 4 2 2 - 50%
Michelin Primacy 3 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Bridgestone Turanza T001 Evo 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
BFGoodrich Advantage 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Apollo Alnac 4g 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Kleber Dynaxer HP 3 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Fulda EcoControl HP2 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Uniroyal RainSport 5 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Nokian WetProof 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%

Against its own line

The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.

Tire Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Kumho Ecsta HS51 This tire 10 1 9th 56%
Kumho Ecsta HS52 Successor 8 0 5th 76%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 10 tests. Updated September 15, 2025.

Kumho Ecsta HS51 shows a mixed profile with notable improvements around 2021. It achieved a test win (1/20) in Auto Bild 2021 and a podium in the 53-tire braking shootout (3/53), driven by strong wet handling, solid wet/dry braking, good aquaplaning resistance, and competitive wear and value. Earlier tests (2017-2019) were weak in dynamic handling and rolling resistance, including a last place in Auto Bild 2017 (20/20). Overall consistency remains mid-pack due to variability by size and generation, and persistent efficiency/noise drawbacks.

Performance Strengths

  • Wet Weather Performance Strong
    Details
    • 1st place wet handling in 2021 Auto Bild 16" test
    • 5th/53 wet braking (+2.7% from best) in 2021 53-tire braking test
  • Aquaplaning Resistance Strong in 3 of 6 tests
    Details
    • 2nd/20 straight aquaplaning (+0.7% from best) in 2021 Auto Bild 16" test
    • 1st/10 straight aquaplaning in 2019 Auto Zeitung
  • Braking Performance (Dry and Wet) Moderate
    Details
    • 3rd/53 dry braking (+2.1%) and 5th/53 wet braking (+2.7%) in 2021 braking test
    • 3rd/20 dry braking (+2.1%) in 2021 Auto Bild 16" test
  • Wear and Value Moderate
    Details
    • 3rd/20 wear (+12.1% from best) and 3rd/20 value in 2021 Auto Bild 16" test
    • 4th/15 wear (+26.6% from best) in 2021 ADAC 205/55 R16
  • Wet grip Strong in 3 of 6 tests
    Details

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Kumho Ecsta HS51 (6 tests) and 35 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Wet grip strength in 3 of 6 tests 14 praise, 1 criticise of 35 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Road noise strength in 1 of 6 tests 8 praise, 3 criticise of 35 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Value for money strength in 1 of 6 tests 6 praise, 0 criticise of 35 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Dry grip weakness in 3 of 6 tests 15 praise, 1 criticise of 35 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Aquaplaning resistance strength in 3 of 6 tests 0 praise, 3 criticise of 35 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Ride comfort weakness in 1 of 6 tests 5 praise, 1 criticise of 35 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 10

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2021 3 tests
P5 of 15 Beat 71% of the field

2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16

ADAC 205/55 R16

The Kumho Ecsta HS51 feels less precise in the dry compared to its peers, and only has an average dry braking result. It's better in the wet, with high aquaplaning resistance, and has reasonable levels of noise.

WinnerContinental Premium Contact 6

2020 1 test
2019 1 test
P9 of 10 Beat 11% of the field

2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 235/45 R18

StrongStraight Aqua WeakWet BrakingWet HandlingRolling Resistance WinnerContinental Premium Contact 6

2018 1 test
2017 3 tests
P20 of 20 Beat 0% of the field

2017 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test

Auto Bild 225/50 R17

WeakDry BrakingDry HandlingWet HandlingWear WinnerContinental Premium Contact 6

2016 1 test

Back to the Kumho Ecsta HS51 overview

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