Kumho tyres are a good mid-range choice, with independent test results that are often close to the best and occasionally middle of the pack. The Kumho Ecsta HS52 was rated good by the ADAC in 2023 and finished third in the ADAC's 2024 summer test, and the Ecsta PS71 earned an exemplary rating from Auto Bild in 2025. Car makers including Volkswagen and Skoda now fit Kumho from new. For most family cars Kumho offers strong value, as long as you check the results for the pattern and size you are buying.
This review covers who owns and makes Kumho, the ranges you will be offered, EU label grades, what named testers found and which cars come on Kumhos. For the wider comparison between tiers, see our guide to choosing a tyre brand.
Are Kumho tyres any good?
Yes, for most drivers. Kumho's everyday and performance summer tyres have produced good results in German tests that are known for being demanding, and in some categories they have beaten more expensive brands. The Ecsta PS71 was the only tyre in Auto Bild's 2025 summer test final to receive the top score for wet handling.
The record is not flawless. In the ADAC's 2026 summer test the Ecsta HS52 finished 10th of 16 with a satisfactory grade, and the ADAC found the Solus 4S HA32+ all-season tyre weaker on dry and wet roads than on snow. Kumho is a strong mid-range brand, not a premium one, and its results move around by test and size.
- Strengths: wet handling and braking on its summer tyres, good predicted mileage on the HS52, growing original equipment use.
- Weaker spots: dry handling on some patterns, and a mixed all-season record.
- Best fit: everyday family cars and drivers who want test-proven value.
Who owns Kumho and where are Kumho tyres made?
Kumho Tire is a South Korean tyre maker founded in 1960 as Samyang Tire and based in Gwangju, South Korea. In July 2018 the Chinese tyre company Doublestar completed a deal that gave it a 45 percent stake, according to Kumho's Wikipedia entry.
The same source lists Kumho's factories as:
- South Korea: Gwangju, Gokseong and Pyeongtaek.
- China: Tianjin, Nanjing and Changchun.
- Vietnam: Binh Duong province.
- United States: Macon, Georgia.
Kumho also has research and development centres in Gwangju, in Akron in the United States and in Birmingham, England.
Kumho does not yet build tyres in Europe. In December 2025 it announced a new European factory at Opole in Poland, with initial operations planned for August 2028 and a first-phase capacity of six million tyres a year. Until then, tyres sold here come from its Asian and US plants, and the country of manufacture is moulded into the sidewall.
Which Kumho ranges are sold in the UK?
Kumho's UK car range is split between the Ecsta summer family, the Solus all-season tyres and the WinterCraft winter tyres. The names you are most likely to be quoted:
| Range | Type | Built for |
|---|---|---|
| Ecsta Sport | Summer performance | Sporty cars; Kumho says it is progressively replacing the Ecsta PS71 |
| Ecsta PS71 (and PS71 SUV) | Summer performance | Faster cars and SUVs, including electric models |
| Ecsta HS52 | Summer touring | Everyday family cars; Kumho describes it as a comfort and performance tyre |
| Solus 4S HA32 and HA32+ | All-season, 3PMSF marked | Year-round driving without a seasonal swap |
| WinterCraft WP52 and WP52+ | Winter | Dedicated winter use |
Kumho's UK website also lists SUV, 4x4 and van tyres, plus a dedicated EV category. As with any brand, a result for one pattern does not tell you how another will perform, so ask for the pattern name with your quote. Our guide to what to ask before buying tyres has the full list of questions.
What does the EU tyre label show for Kumho?
The EU tyre label grades rolling resistance and wet grip from A to E and gives external noise in decibels, and each size of each pattern has its own grades. Every registered tyre's label is published on the European Commission's EPREL database.
For one of the most common family car sizes, the Ecsta HS52 in 205/55 R16 91V is listed with a C for rolling resistance, an A for wet grip and 71 dB, noise class B. That A wet grip grade is the top of the scale and fits with the HS52's good wet results in ADAC testing. The C for rolling resistance is middling, which matches the ADAC's satisfactory marks for fuel efficiency.
The Solus 4S HA32 carries the three-peak mountain snowflake marking, according to Black Circles, which means it has passed a standard snow traction test. The marking shows a minimum level of snow grip, not a competitive one.
Label grades do not cover tread life or dry handling, so treat them as a first filter and then look at tests. Our EU tyre label guide explains each grade.
How have Kumho tyres done in independent tests?
Kumho has a solid record in named European tests, with several good and exemplary ratings and a few middling ones.
| Test | Pattern and size | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ADAC summer test 2023, 50 tyres | Ecsta HS52, 205/55 R16 | Grade 2.4, good; wet 2.3, dry 2.4, wear 2.2 |
| ADAC summer test 2024 | Ecsta HS52, 215/55 R17 | Third overall, grade 2.3 |
| ADAC all-season test 2024 | Solus 4S HA32+, 205/55 R16 | Grade 2.8; good on snow and wear, weaker on dry and wet roads |
| Auto Bild summer test 2025, 52 tyres | Ecsta PS71, 225/40 R18 | Fourth, rated exemplary; only finalist with the top wet handling score |
| Die Reifentester 2025, 8 tyres | Ecsta Sport, 225/40 ZR18 | Rated very good; shortest wet braking distance of the test |
| Auto Bild winter test 2025, 51 tyres | WinterCraft WP52+ | Third, rated exemplary |
| ADAC summer test 2026, 16 tyres | Ecsta HS52, 225/50 R17 | 10th of 16, grade 2.8, satisfactory |
The HS52 is the tyre most family cars will be offered, and its record is the most useful. The ADAC's 2023 test rated it good in both wet and dry conditions, with a good wear score. In 2024 it completed the podium in the ADAC's 215/55 R17 test, reported by auto.news, and Stiftung Warentest highlighted its predicted mileage of 69,300 km, around 43,000 miles, as a standout. By the 2026 test, newer rivals had moved ahead and it finished 10th of 16, as summarised by Oponeo. That is still a mid-table result, not a poor one.
For performance cars, Tyre Trade News reported the Ecsta PS71's fourth place and exemplary rating in Auto Bild's 2025 test. The same tyre and size received a satisfactory rating in the ADAC's 2025 test, held back by its dry road performance, according to Tyre Reviews. Its replacement, the Ecsta Sport, stopped in 23.07 metres from 80 km/h on a wet road in Die Reifentester's 2025 test, shorter than any other tyre in that group, as What Tyre reported.
In winter tyres, Kumho says its WinterCraft WP52+ finished third of 51 in Auto Bild's 2025 winter test. For all-season buyers, the ADAC's 2024 test found the Solus 4S HA32+ strong on snow and predicted mileage but weaker on dry and wet roads, which matters on British roads where snow is rare.
Every result applies to the size and car tested, so use them as a guide to the pattern rather than a promise about your exact tyre.
Which cars come with Kumho as original equipment?
Kumho has won several recent original equipment contracts with the Volkswagen Group, which means car makers have chosen its tyres after their own testing. Verified examples:
- Volkswagen Tiguan: Ecsta PS71 SUV in 215/65 R17 and 235/55 R18, announced in March 2025.
- Skoda Enyaq and Elroq: Ecsta PS71 SUV in 235/55 R19 and 255/50 R19, announced in April 2026.
- Skoda Scala: Ecsta HS52 in 205/55 R16 and 205/50 R17, announced in July 2026.
- Volkswagen Multivan: the seventh-generation Multivan, announced by Kumho Australia in 2024.
Wikipedia also lists Kumho original equipment supply to makers including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan and Volkswagen. Fitments vary by model, size and market, so the tyres on your car are the best guide. When you replace them, match the size, load index and speed rating in the handbook.
Is Kumho a budget or mid-range brand?
Kumho is a mid-range brand. It sits alongside names such as Hankook, Falken, Nexen and Toyo on our tyre brands page, above budget brands and below the premium names such as Michelin and Continental.
That middle position is where many drivers get the best value. A good mid-range tyre often delivers most of a premium tyre's wet safety, and the gap between it and a weak budget tyre is usually bigger than the gap to premium. Our budget vs premium tyres guide explains how to weigh it up.
Who are Kumho tyres best suited to?
- Family car drivers: the Ecsta HS52 has a good ADAC record for wet grip and predicted mileage, which suits commuting and mixed driving.
- SUV and electric car drivers: the Ecsta PS71 SUV is fitted from new to the Tiguan, Enyaq and Elroq, so it is designed with heavier cars in mind.
- Winter drivers: the WinterCraft WP52+ earned an exemplary rating from Auto Bild in 2025.
- All-season buyers: worth comparing carefully. The Solus 4S HA32+ is good on snow but less convincing on dry and wet roads in the ADAC's test, so compare it carefully with a summer tyre.
What to check before you choose a Kumho
- The exact pattern: Ecsta HS52, Ecsta PS71 and Solus 4S HA32 are very different tyres.
- Label grades for your size: check the wet grip grade first.
- Size, load and speed: must meet the car maker's specification.
- Tread and the law: car tyres need at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three-quarters and around the whole circumference, under GOV.UK tyre rules.
- Tread life: real mileage depends on pressures, alignment and driving style as much as the brand.
Our verdict on Kumho tyres
Kumho is a dependable mid-range brand with test results that justify its growing reputation. The Ecsta HS52 and Ecsta PS71 have earned good and exemplary ratings from the ADAC and Auto Bild, and Volkswagen Group brands now fit Kumho from new. The weaker spots are real too: a middling 2026 ADAC result for the HS52 and an all-season tyre that is better in snow than on dry roads. If you want strong everyday safety without paying for a premium brand, Kumho deserves a place on your shortlist.
Kumho tyres fitted at home or work
If you want the Ecsta HS52 or Ecsta PS71 in your size, ask for the pattern by name when you call and we can quote it alongside another option to compare.
