Founded 1960 in South Korea, Kumho Tires is known for its innovative range of tires that utilize advanced technologies and high-quality materials. For the United States market, the tire manufacturer has its headquarters in Atlanta, GA. The tire manufacturer offers tires for passenger vehicles, SUVs, CUVs, pickups, and commercial applications in the subcontinent.

The Ecsta HS51 is a summer, high-performance tire suitable for use on passenger vehicles in warmer weather conditions, where the temperature doesn’t drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Optimized for comfort and performance, the Ecsta HS51 sports many great features and technologies that enhance the overall driving experience in warm weather.

In this Kumho Ecsta HS51 review, we will examine the features and benefits, pros and cons, available sizes, vehicle compatibility, and our analysis of this tire based on SimpleScore to help you decide if it is a suitable choice for you.

Features and Benefits

The summer tires are suitable for use in warm, dry, and wet conditions, and the Ecsta HS51 is also optimized for these conditions. Kumho has loaded this summer high-performance tire with an array of features that remarkably contribute to enhancing performance in one way or another. So, let’s check out these features and learn how they impact performance and ownership experience.

• Responsive handling and braking performance - The key highlight of the Ecsta HS51 is its exemplary handling performance. The tire features stronger shoulder blocks that boost the handling performance. A grooved notch improves performance while cornering on wet surfaces, and the tread design features solid ribs that improve wet braking. The asymmetric tread design and optimized compound offer solid traction performance at higher speeds.
• Solid dry and wet traction – This summer, high-performance tire is tuned to offer superior dry and wet traction. All thanks to its asymmetric tread pattern and new-gen tread compound, the tire maintains its surefootedness and contact with the surface to offer better traction performance. The wide lateral grooves of the tire maximize water displacement for a confident turning, and the four circumferential grooves improve water displacement for enhanced traction performance in wet conditions.
• Reduced noise levels and raised comforts – The tread pattern and compound of the Ecsta HS51 are optimized to reduce noise levels and enhance driving comforts by effectively absorbing road vibrations. This leads to offering a comfortable and pleasing ride experience.
• Optimum heat and high-speed driving pressure resistance - The tire is engineered to resist heat build-up and absorb high-speed driving pressures. Its reinforced structure and innovative tread pattern also contribute to absorbing driving pressures and offering more stable rides.

The Ecsta HS51 is available in 14- to 18-inch rim sizes, and some of its offered sizes include:

• 205/60R14
• 225/60R15
• 235/60R16
• 245/45R17
• 235/45R18

Pros and Cons

The features of the Kumho Ecsta HS51 look very impressive. However, you must evaluate the tire's pros and cons before making a purchase. So, let’s check out the Ecsta HS51's pros and cons.

PROS:

• Better handling performance than many of its counterparts.
• More affordable than some of its competitors.
• Solid traction performance in dry and wet conditions in warmer weather.
• Optimized for reduced tread noise levels and raised driving comforts.
• Good braking performance on dry and wet roads.

CONS:

• Doesn’t come with any limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
• Not suitable for use in winter weather conditions on thick ice or snow.
• Peers are better when it comes to longevity.

SimpleTire’s view on Kumho Ecsta HS51 tires

The Kumho Ecsta HS51 is a value-for-money choice for those drivers who need tires to drive in warmer weather conditions on dry and wet surfaces. The biggest advantage of the tire is that it is engineered to deliver exceptional performance. When it comes to handling, the tire scores an 8.2 SimpleScore rating for the same, which means with a set of these tires installed, you will enjoy exceptional steering response, great high-speed stability, and better braking performance.

Even on the traction front, the tire does a good job of allowing you to drive confidently on dry and wet surfaces. The tire's traction score is 7.7 out of 10. Likewise, the tire is also great when it comes to driving comfort. Its tread is optimized to absorb road vibrations and keep the tread noises very low.

However, some buyers might not like the fact that the Ecsta HS51 has no limited manufacturer tread life warranty. Additionally, the tire isn’t suitable for use in winter weather conditions like thick ice and snow, and also it isn’t the best choice if longevity is your priority. This tire scores an average 7.0 SimpleScore rating in longevity, which is lower than the long-lasting scores of some of its rivals.

The Ecsta HS51 has its competition with the following tires on the market:

• Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 (K120)
• Falken Azenis FK519
• Federal 595 RS-R
• Achilles ATR Sport 2
• Milestar MS932 Sport
• Lexani LX-Thirty

Vehicles the Kumho Ecsta HS51 is a good replacement tire for

Designed for passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, older sports cars, and luxury sedans, the Kumho Ecsta HS51 is a good replacement choice for vehicles like the Hyundai Sonata, Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger, Kia Sportage, BMW 5 Series, Audi TT, Lexus IS, Saab 9-3x, and Buick Regal.