Kumho Ecsta HS52 - Test Results

Test Statistics

7

Tests Completed

5th

Average Position

2nd

Best Result

8th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Kumho Ecsta HS52 - Official Image

Kumho Ecsta HS52 consistently excels in braking, especially dry, and offers outstanding wear and value. Across seven summer tests it posts multiple class-leading dry stops and frequent top-tier wet braking results, translating to strong overall finishes (avg position 4.9) including 2/55 and 3/44 in large screening tests and 3/16 at ADAC. Cost-per-1000km and wear are standout strengths, often best-in-test. Handling balance is good in the dry but less convincing in deep water, where aquaplaning resistance drags results, and rolling resistance/noise are generally mid to lower tier.

Performance Strengths
  • Dry Braking and Dry Performance Strong
    • 1st place dry braking in 2024 AutoBild (35.4 m, 1/21)
    • 1st place dry braking in 2022 AutoBild (35.7 m, 1/22) and 2022 Market Overview (1/44)
    • 3rd place dry handling in 2024 AutoBild (+0.2% from best) and 1st place dry handling in 2023 Tire Reviews
  • Wet Braking Moderate
    • 2nd place wet braking in 2024 AutoBild (40.8 m, +1.2% from best)
    • 2nd place wet braking (concrete) in 2024 ADAC (+11.9% from best ranking 2/16)
    • 5th place wet braking in 2022 Market Overview (28.6 m, +4% from best)
  • Wear and Cost per Km (Value) Strong
    • 1st place wear in 2024 ADAC (69,300 km) and 1st value (1.77 price/1000)
    • Top-tier wear/value in 2022 AutoBild (Wear 5/21; Value 2/21, +2.2% from best) and praised for low running costs in 2023 ADAC (Value 13/50, competitive)
  • Overall Competitiveness Strong
    • 2nd overall out of 55 in 2024 Market Overview braking shootout
    • 3rd overall out of 44 in 2022 Market Overview
    • 3rd overall out of 16 in 2024 ADAC; 4th/21 in 2024 AutoBild
Performance Weaknesses
  • Aquaplaning Resistance (Straight and Curved) Strong
    • 21st/21 curved aquaplaning in 2024 AutoBild (+18.4% from best)
    • 16th/16 straight aquaplaning in 2024 ADAC (+6% from best); 12th/16 curved (+14.3%)
    • Mid-lower aquaplaning ranks in 2022 AutoBild (straight 16/22; curved 18/22)
  • Noise and Rolling Resistance Moderate
    • Noise 16th/16 in 2024 ADAC (+3.7% from best)
    • Rolling resistance 16th/21 in 2024 AutoBild (+13.1% from best) and 14th/22 in 2022 AutoBild (+49.6% from best)
    • Fuel consumption 43rd/50 in 2023 ADAC (+7.3% from best)
  • Wet Handling Balance (beyond braking) Moderate
    • Wet handling 15/22 and wet circle 16/22 in 2022 AutoBild
    • Wet handling 10/13 and subjective 10/13 in 2023 Tire Reviews
    • Wet circle 6/21 (+4.4%) in 2024 AutoBild versus strong wet braking
Performance Over Time

Test History

4
of 21
2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test

2024
Winner: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus

Good.
Strong:
Dry Braking, Price, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Weak:
Curved Aquaplaning
View Test
3
of 16
2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test

2024
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

The Kumho Ecsta HS52 earns a solid rating in driving safety, providing good steering feedback and secure handling at the limit on dry roads, complemented by a short braking distance. On wet roads, ...
Strong:
Value, Wear, Wet Braking - Concrete
Weak:
Noise, Straight Aqua
View Test
2
of 55
2024 Summer Tire Market Overview

2024
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

Strong:
Dry Braking, Wet Braking
View Test
8
of 50
2023 ADAC Summer Tire Test

2023
Winner: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2

Driving safety: The Kumho Ecsta HS52 secures an overall good rating for driving safety. The HS52 offers the driver only satisfactory feedback on the steering wheel on dry roads, but is still safe a...
View Test
8
of 13
Tire Reviews Best Summer Touring Tires

2023
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

The Kumho Ecsta HS52 was the fastest tire of the group around dry handling, though the margins were so small in the dry it didn't really affect the overall result. It was also very good in dry brak...
Strong:
Dry Handling, Subj. Dry Handling
View Test
6
of 22
2022 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test

2022
Winner: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2

Strong:
Dry Braking, Value
View Test
3
of 44
2022 Summer Tire Market Overview

2022
Winner: Bridgestone Turanza T005

Strong:
Dry Braking
View Test