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Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 - Test Results

Test Statistics

7

Tests Completed

5th

Average Position

1st

Best Result

7th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 - Official Image

Across six summer tire tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 shows a broadly upper-midfield to near-premium performance profile, highlighted by one overall win (1/8) and strong results in large field tests (4/50; 6/20). Its most repeatable dynamic strength is wet-road grip and driver confidence in normal wet handling/braking scenarios, where it frequently places in the top four and earns standout subjective scores.

The consistent limitation is hydroplaning resistance, where it repeatedly falls into the bottom tier for both straight-line and (especially) curved aquaplaning, which can undermine wet-security in deep-water events despite otherwise strong wet grip. Secondary drawbacks are variability in noise/comfort and only mid-pack wear/efficiency results, preventing it from being a consistently top-three all-rounder.

Performance Strengths
  • Wet Grip & Wet Handling (non-aquaplaning) Strong
    • 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test: 1st subjective wet handling (8.7 pts), 2nd wet circle (+0.6% from best), 4th wet braking (+7.9%) and 4th wet handling (+1.2%) out of 20
    • 2026 Summer Braking Super Test (52 tires): 3rd wet braking out of 50 (+7.5% from best)
    • 2025 Die Reifentester UHP test: 1st wet braking and 1st subjective wet handling out of 8 (overall 1/8 winner)
    • 2026 'BEST Summer Tires' test: consistently 4th across wet braking/handling/circle (4/12 wet braking +2.6%; 4/13 wet handling +4.1%; 4/12 wet circle +3.2%)
  • Dry Handling (control and pace) Moderate
    • 2026 'BEST Summer Tires' test: 3rd dry handling (+0.4% from best) and 1st subjective dry handling (8.4 pts) out of 13
    • 2025 Auto Express: 4th dry handling out of 9 (+1.0% from best)
    • 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test: 10th dry handling out of 20 but only +1.5% from best (close to leading pace despite mid-table rank)
  • Overall Competitiveness / Value Positioning Moderate
    • Strong overall finishes across mixed fields: 4/50 (2026 braking mega-test), 4/13 (2026 'BEST Summer Tires'), 6/20 (2026 Autobild), plus an overall win 1/8 (2025 Die Reifentester)
    • 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test: value ranking 7/20 (+13% from best), indicating competitive pricing relative to performance
Performance Weaknesses
  • Aquaplaning Resistance (straight & especially curved) Strong
    • 2026 'BEST Summer Tires' test: 11/12 straight aquaplaning (+9.4% from best) and 12/12 curved aquaplaning (+15.3% from best)
    • 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test: 14/20 straight aquaplaning (+4.1% from best) and 11/20 curved aquaplaning (+13.6% from best)
    • 2025 Auto Express: 8/9 straight aquaplaning (+5.0% from best) and 8/9 curved aquaplaning (+17.6% from best)
  • Wet Braking Consistency (test-to-test variability) Moderate
    • 2025 Auto Express: 8/9 wet braking (+19.7% from best), contrasting with top-tier wet braking elsewhere
    • 2026 Autobild vs 2026 mega braking: wet braking ranges from 4/20 (+7.9%) to 3/50 (+7.5%), indicating good peak performance but not uniformly class-leading across formats
  • Noise/Comfort & Refinement (inconsistent) Moderate
    • 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test: noise 18/20 (+5% from best) despite decent comfort 5/20 (+8.8%)
    • 2026 'BEST Summer Tires' test: subjective comfort 11/13 (+14.1% from best)
    • 2025 Auto Express: 1st subjective noise (10 pts) out of 9, showing large variability by test/vehicle/surface
  • Wear & Efficiency (not a standout) Minor
    • 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test: wear 13/20 (48,230 km, +24.4% from best) and rolling resistance 12/20 (+22.2% from best)
    • Rolling resistance results are mixed rather than leading: 6/12 (+27.2%) in 2026 'BEST Summer Tires' vs 2/9 (+5.1%) in 2025 Auto Express
Performance Over Time

Test History

6
of 9
2026 Summer SUV Tire Test

2026
Winner: Hankook Ventus Evo

The Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 finishes in a shared sixth place and is noted for a strong showing in the off-road tests combined with dynamic dry handling, posting the third-fastest time on the dry cou...
Weak:
Noise
View Test
6
of 20
2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test

2026
Winner: Hankook Ventus Evo

The Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 also finishes sixth and performs particularly well in wet conditions, with good braking and handling results. Dry performance is competitive across the board. The purchas...
Strong:
Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Circle
View Test
4
of 13
The BEST Summer Tires for 2026 Tested and Rated Recommended

2026
Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3

The Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 finished joint 4th overall and earned a Recommended award. It was consistently near the front for objective grip with top-four placements across wet and dry braking and h...
Strong:
Subj. Dry Handling
Weak:
Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua
View Test
4
of 50
2026 Summer Braking Super Tire Test - How do 52 Tires Perform in Wet and Dry Braking?

2026
Winner: Linglong Sport Master

View Test
7
of 10
2026 ACE Summer Tire Test

2026
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 took seventh on 131 points with a "recommended" rating and at €69 represented the second-cheapest tire in the test. Its dry safety score of 49 placed it in the lower half �...
View Test
1
of 8
2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tire Test

2025

The Korean newcomer shocked the established brands by performing well across almost every discipline. It delivered good to very good results in wet and dry braking, handling and aquaplaning. This b...
Strong:
Subj. Dry Handling, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Braking
View Test
5
of 9
2025 Auto Express Summer Tire Test

2025
Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ5

The new Kumho made an impressive debut with strong wet and dry handling performances and excellent refinement, despite weaknesses in other areas. It struggled in wet braking, aquaplaning, and wet c...
Strong:
Subj. Noise, Rolling Resistance
Weak:
Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking, Wet Circle
View Test