Tested 8 times by independent publications, the Kumho Ecsta PS91 averages a finish of 7th. Its strongest discipline is Dry Braking, beating 49% of the field across 6 tests; its weakest is Dry Handling, at 31% across 6 tests.
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test P8 of 11
The PS91 is a quiet tire but has weaknesses in wet and dry grip.
Where the Kumho Ecsta PS91 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 Strong | 6 | P5.3 of 9.5 | 49% | - |
| Dry Handling Weak | 6 | P7 of 9.5 | 31% | - |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 1 | P6 of 8 | 29% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 6 | P6 of 9.5 | 42% | - |
| Wet Handling | 5 | P6.2 of 9.6 | 38% | - |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 1 | P6 of 8 | 29% | - |
| Wet Circle | 2 | P8 of 10.5 | 27% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 3 | P6 of 9.7 | 40% | - |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1 | P3 of 11 | 80% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 1 | P6 of 8 | 29% | - |
| Noise | 3 | P4.3 of 9.7 | 60% | 1 |
| Tire Weight | 1 | P7 of 8 | 14% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Rolling Resistance | 3 | P8 of 9.7 | 17% | - |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Kumho Ecsta PS91. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pirelli P Zero PZ4
5 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind
|
5 | 0 | 5 | - | 0% |
 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind
|
3 | 1 | 2 | - | 33% |
 Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind
|
3 | 1 | 2 | - | 33% |
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kumho Ecsta PS91 This tire | 8 | 0 | 7th | 23% |
| Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 Successor | 10 | 1 | 4th | 61% |
Drawn from 8 tests. Updated October 13, 2025.
Across eight summer UHP tests, the Kumho Ecsta PS91 delivers mid-pack to lower-mid results with one standout early showing. It shows occasional competence in dry braking/handling and aquaplaning resistance, plus notably low external noise and aggressive pricing in some sizes. However, persistent deficits in wet braking/handling and efficiency (rolling resistance) hold it back, keeping average overall positions around 7th.
Overall, the PS91's performance skews toward acceptable dry-road capability with comfort/noise benefits, but it struggles to convert that into strong overall placings due to recurrent wet grip shortfalls and high rolling resistance, especially in later tests with tougher competition.
Decent water drainage- 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test (2023)
Acceptable handling on dry surfaces (although nervous behavior), good resistance to aquaplaning- 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test (2017)
Good resistance to aquaplaning- 2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tire Test (2017)
Good deceleration values on dry roads- 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test (2023)
short braking distances on dry roads- 2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tire Test (2017)
Good dry braking- 2015 AZ 225/40 R18 Summer Tire Test (2015)
Very quick on first dry handling lap, with good steering feel and car balance- 2019 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test (2019)
Acceptable handling on dry surfaces (although nervous behavior), good resistance to aquaplaning- 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test (2017)
Good performance on dry surfaces- 2015 Sport Auto 235/35 R19 UHP Tire Test (2015)
Longer braking distances and significant understeer in the wet- 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test (2023)
which changed the balance to high levels of oversteer- 2019 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test (2019)
strong understeer on wet roads- 2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tire Test (2017)
Acceptable handling on dry surfaces (although nervous behavior), good resistance to aquaplaning- 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test (2017)
Poor handling and a strong tendency to understeer on wet surfaces- 2015 Sport Auto 235/35 R19 UHP Tire Test (2015)
Longer braking distances and significant understeer in the wet- 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test (2023)
Very poor wet braking- 2019 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test (2019)
Poor handling and a relatively long braking distances on wet surfaces- 2015 AZ 225/40 R18 Summer Tire Test (2015)
Sluggish steering- 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test (2023)
slow response to steering- 2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tire Test (2017)
increased rolling resistance- 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test (2023)
increased rolling resistance- 2017 Auto Bild Sports Cars Tire Test (2017)
Every tester write-up on the Kumho Ecsta PS91 (7 tests) and 42 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The PS91 is a quiet tire but has weaknesses in wet and dry grip.
The Kumho Ecsta PS91 SC doesn't do anything wrong, but it's no longer up to date - a successor is in the works. Currently, however, the low price is the strongest argument for this tire.
The Kumho PS91 initially felt like a strong tire with good steering and balance, but this soon changed as the tire heated up, resulting in instability and low levels of grip. Conditionally Recommended.
Conditionally recommended
Satisfactory
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Kumho tires