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Kumho Ecsta KU39 Test Results

Tested 2010 to 2014 5 publications

Tested 11 times by independent publications, the Kumho Ecsta KU39 averages a finish of 11th.

  • 11Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 0Podium finishes
  • 11thAverage finish
  • 31%Field beaten on average
  • 5Publications
Kumho Ecsta KU39

11 tests, 2010 to 2014

0%50%100%20102011201220132014Average 31%2010 EVO Tire Test (2010): P7 of 9, Beat 25% of the field2010 European Summer Tire Test (2010): P9 of 17, Beat 47% of the field2010 Sport Auto Ultra High Performance Tire Test (2010): P10 of 11, Beat 10% of the field2011 AMS Ultra High Performance Tire Test (2011): P11 of 11, Beat 0% of the field2012 EVO Max Performance Tire Test (2012): P9 of 10, Beat 11% of the field2012 Autobild 50 Tire Braking Test (2012): P15 of 50, Beat 68% of the field2012 Auto Bild Max Performance Tire Test (2012): P15 of 15, Beat 0% of the field2012 EVO Summer Tire Test (2012): P9 of 10, Beat 11% of the field2013 European Summer Sports Tire Test (2013): P10 of 19, Beat 47% of the field2014 Auto Bild 50 Summer Tire Shootout (2014): P13 of 50, Beat 76% of the field2014 Auto Bild Top 15 Summer Tire Test (2014): P8 of 15, Beat 50% 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 31%

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Kumho Ecsta KU39. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Bridgestone Potenza S001 7 shared: 0 ahead, 7 behind 7 0 7 - 0%
Uniroyal RainSport 2 6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind 6 3 3 - 50%
Toyo Proxes T1 Sport 6 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind 6 2 4 - 33%
Vredestein Ultrac Cento 6 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind 6 2 4 - 33%
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 6 shared: 1 ahead, 5 behind 6 1 5 - 17%
Continental Sport Contact 5 6 shared: 0 ahead, 6 behind 6 0 6 - 0%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Fulda SportControl 5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind 5 0 5 - 0%
Nexen N8000 4 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 4 2 2 - 50%
Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7 4 shared: 1 ahead, 3 behind 4 1 3 - 25%
Pirelli P Zero 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Michelin Primacy 3 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Continental Sport Contact 3 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind 4 0 4 - 0%
Falken FK453 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Wanli S1063 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Apollo Aspire 4G 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Semperit Speed Life 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Sava intensa uhp 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 11 tests. Updated October 29, 2026.

The Kumho Ecsta KU39 generally placed in the lower half across 11 tests, with steering feel and wear the clearest recurring criticisms. It was 15th of 15 in the 2012 Auto Bild Max Performance Tire Test, where comfort was the positive but steering, braking, fuel consumption and wear disappointed. It also finished 11th of 11 in the 2011 AMS Ultra High Performance Tire Test. Its 8th-of-15 finish in the 2014 Auto Bild Top 15 Summer Tire Test was better, with praise for aquaplaning, dry braking, pass-by noise and value, but poor mileage and slow steering remained concerns.

Braking and wet performance vary. The short dry stops praised by Auto Bild in 2014 are unusual beside its long dry and wet stops in 2012. EVO’s 2012 Summer Tire Test, in 225/45 R17, found relatively strong wet performance despite 9th of 10 overall; its separate 235/40 R18 Max Performance test also placed it 9th of 10 but criticised wet grip. ADAC placed it 10th of 19 in the 2013 European Summer Sports Tire Test and noted a slight wet weakness. No award is recorded. The record supports some comfort, noise and value appeal, without consistent braking, wet grip or precise steering across sizes and tests.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Kumho Ecsta KU39 (5 tests) and 114 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Road noise strength in 1 of 5 tests 39 praise, 9 criticise of 114 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Ride comfort strength in 1 of 5 tests 31 praise, 4 criticise of 114 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Value for money strength in 1 of 5 tests 29 praise, 3 criticise of 114 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Tread life weakness in 2 of 5 tests 28 praise, 12 criticise of 114 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Steering feel weakness in 3 of 5 tests 14 praise, 2 criticise of 114 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Wet braking weakness in 1 of 5 tests 8 praise, 0 criticise of 114 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire

  • Dry handling no test mentions it 20 praise, 5 criticise of 114 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Behavior at the limit no test mentions it 8 praise, 3 criticise of 114 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Wet handling no test mentions it 8 praise, 3 criticise of 114 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 11

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

2014 2 tests
2013 1 test
2012 4 tests
P9 of 10 Beat 11% of the field

2012 EVO Summer Tire Test

EVO 225/45 R17

Much closer to the tires above rather than the Nexen below, the Kumho had a relatively strong wet performance. Slow in the dry, and a dull light steering feel give the Kumho a poor subjective score overall

WinnerPirelli P Zero

P15 of 15 Beat 0% of the field

2012 Auto Bild Max Performance Tire Test

Auto Bild 225/45 R17

Poor steering feel, long wet and dry braking, high fuel consumption, poor wear.

WinnerGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

P9 of 10 Beat 11% of the field

2012 EVO Max Performance Tire Test

EVO 235/40 R18

A very average performance from the Kumho KU39 left Kumhos flagship tire in 9th. Like the Accelera in 10th, the Kumho was ok in the dry, but struggled in the wet.

WinnerContinental Sport Contact 3

2011 1 test
2010 3 tests
P7 of 9 Beat 25% of the field

2010 EVO Tire Test

EVO 205/45 r17

WinnerContinental Sport Contact 3

Back to the Kumho Ecsta KU39 overview

Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Kumho tires

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