Kumho Ecsta HS52 - Test Results

Test Statistics

8

Tests Completed

5^th

Average Position

2^nd

Best Result

9^th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Across 8 summer tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 shows a clear pattern of strong dry braking and competitive wet braking/handling on standard wet grip metrics, regularly placing near the top of large AutoBild and ADAC fields. Overall rankings are usually upper-mid pack to strong (e.g., 2/55, 3/16, 4/21, 6/22), but results are dragged down by recurring weaknesses in aquaplaning (especially curved) and efficiency metrics like rolling resistance/fuel consumption, plus some variability in noise/comfort.

Its durability/value picture is mixed: it can be exceptional in wear and cost-per-km in ADAC's methodology (notably 1st in wear and 1st in value in 2024 ADAC), but other tests show only mid-pack mileage. Net-net, HS52 is a very capable touring summer tire for braking-focused safety, but buyers in heavy-rain/high-water conditions or prioritizing low energy consumption should be cautious.

Performance Strengths

Dry Braking & Dry Dynamics Strong Details
• 1st place dry braking in 2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test (35.4 m, 1/21)
• 1st place dry braking in 2024 Summer Tire Market Overview (35.4 m, 1/55)
• 1st place dry braking in 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (35.7 m, 1/22) and 2022 Market Overview (35.7 m, 1/44)
• 1st place dry handling in 2023 Tire Reviews Best Summer Touring Tires (51.58 s, 1/13)
Wet Braking (incl. concrete) & General Wet Grip Strong Details
• 2nd place wet braking in 2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test (40.8 m, 2/21, +1.2% from best) and 2nd place wet handling (75.7 km/h, 2/21, +0.7%)
• 3rd place wet braking in 2026 ADAC Summer Tire Test (31.1 m, 3/16, +3.3% from best)
• 2nd place wet braking (concrete) in 2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test (35.8 m, 2/16, +11.9% from best)
Wear / Cost per km (Value) in ADAC testing Moderate Details
• 1st place wear in 2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test (69,300 km, 1/16) and 1st place value (1.77 price/1000, 1/16)
• Upper-mid wear noted elsewhere: 5th place wear in 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (39,440 km, 5/21, +23.2% from best)
• Top-10 overall in large ADAC field with decent value context: 8/50 overall in 2023 ADAC with value 13/50

Performance Weaknesses

Aquaplaning Resistance (especially curved) & Standing Water Strong Details
• Last place curved aquaplaning in 2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test (4.18 m/s², 21/21, +18.4% from best)
• Bottom-tier curved aquaplaning in 2026 ADAC Summer Tire Test (3.2 m/s², 13/16, +13.5% from best) and 2023 ADAC (3.3 m/s², 33/50, +17.5%)
• Straight aquaplaning extremes include 16/16 in 2024 ADAC straight aqua (73.8 km/h, +6% from best) and 16/22 in 2022 Auto Bild (83.6 km/h, +5.2%)
Efficiency: Rolling Resistance / Fuel Consumption Strong Details
• 15/16 fuel consumption in 2026 ADAC (5.8 l/100km, +7.4% from best) and 43/50 fuel consumption in 2023 ADAC (5.9 l/100km, +7.3%)
• Rolling resistance consistently lower-tier: 16/21 in 2024 AutoBild (8.46 kg/t, +13.1%), 14/22 in 2022 Auto Bild (8.51 kg/t, +49.6%), 9/13 in 2023 Tire Reviews (+25.4%)
NVH/Comfort Variability Minor Details
• Last place noise in 2024 ADAC (72.6 dB, 16/16, +3.7% from best)
• Below-average subjective comfort in 2023 Tire Reviews (90 pts, 11/13, +10% from best)

Performance Over Time

Test History

of 16

2026 ADAC Summer Tire Test

2026
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

The updated Ecsta HS52 scores well on wet roads but only fair overall because of weak dry-road performance and increased weight. According to the summary, dry-road steering feedback and precision a...

Weak:
Fuel Consumption

View Test

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

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

of 55

2024 Summer Tire Market Overview

2024
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

Strong:
Dry Braking, Wet Braking

View Test

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...

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of 13

Tire Reviews Best Summer Touring Tires Recommended

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

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