Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S vs Kumho Ecsta STX KL12 tires

Performance that lasts only for a certain season becomes boring over a long period. Therefore, drivers who want their tires to perform throughout the year must consider UHP all-season tires. Two such tires that we would be looking at during this comparison are Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S and Kumho Ecsta STX KL12. Though both have established themselves in America, Falken is originally from Japan and Kumho belongs to South Korea. While the Ziex ZE960 A/S is available with a variable warranty, the Ecsta STX KL12 loses out by not offering a warranty. However, the Ecsta STX KL12 makes up by sporting a higher tread depth. Both tires sport different tread patterns as per their requirements, and more details are available in this Ziex ZE960 A/S vs Ecsta STX KL12 tires comparison.

Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S tires

Ever since it arrived in North America in the mid-1980s, Falken has developed tires across several categories. You can expect the Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S to offer drivers remarkable traction and a solid warranty. The tire’s sleek black sidewalls would look great on a vehicle like Mazda MPV. There’s an up to W-speed rating for rapid pace and the Ziex ZE960 has been designed for long tread life. It features Canyon Groove Technology for better braking and traction on icy routes. Additionally, there’s an integrated flask siping system in place that fortifies resistance against hydroplaning, leading to safe traction on wet surfaces. A special rubber compound enhances flexibility in cold weather and improves traction further. Based on the above, we found the Ziex ZE960 A/S suitable for an average SimpleScore of 8.6.

Kumho Ecsta STX KL12 tires

The Kumho Ecsta STX KL12 has been designed for use on light trucks, SUVs, and CUVs. This is a tire with its price dependent on the size that is chosen. It offers low noise, comfort, and a steady ride all year round and has the backing of the reputable South Korean tire manufacturer Kumho behind it. Kumho has always been known for making products that represent high quality and advanced technology. There are wide grooves here to prevent hydroplaning and enable quick water evacuation. Despite being a UHP all-season tire that is built for speed, it sports variable pitch tread blocks that reduce cabin noise and offer a quiet ride. This is a tire that drivers will love to use while cruising down highways. Drivers won’t have to worry about accelerating hard as rim protectors on the sidewall prevent extensive wheel damage. The Kumho Ecsta STX KL12 would be a great fit if you own an SUV like the Volkswagen Touareg that can be occasionally pushed to its limits. As per our observations, the Kumho Ecsta STX KL12 is good enough for an average SimpleScore of 8.4.

Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S vs Kumho Ecsta STX KL12 tires on traction

The Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S is equipped with various features for boosting traction, including Canyon Groove Technology for better grip on icy surfaces and an integrated flask siping system that extracts water to reduce hydroplaning and generate wet grip. The use of a special rubber formula increases flexibility in cold weather and increases traction, though all UHP all-season tires are suitable only for light winters. This is a tire that must be considered for fitting premium sedans and coupes. Based on the above, the Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S deserves a healthy average traction SimpleScore of 8.5.

On the other hand, wide grooves on the Kumho Ecsta STX KL12 remove water and prevent hydroplaning, resulting in safe traction over wet surfaces. The directional tread pattern here provides better traction than the asymmetrical tread pattern on the Falken tires. A large contact patch and higher tread depth ensure more rubber on the road for better traction, resulting in an average SimpleScore of 8.6.

ADVANTAGE: Kumho Ecsta STX KL12

Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S vs Kumho Ecsta STX KL12 tires on handling

You’ll be able to drive a Mazda MPV with assurance at high speeds in dry, wet, and snowy conditions with a set of this tire installed. The Canyon Groove Technology of the Ziex ZE960 A/S tires plays an important role in improving braking performance, and the Flask Siping System ensures suitable wet handling performance. The combination of an optimized tread pattern and robust construction results in dynamic handling performance. The Ziex ZE960 A/S offers good handling performance year-round, earning an average handling SimpleScore of 8.6.

In contrast, the jointless cap construction and a larger contact patch on the Ecsta STX KL12 result in better steering responses. Wider grooves in the tread pattern not only boost wet traction but also improve handling performance on wet roads. With a high speed rating of up to level ‘W’, this tire is meant for a quicker pace than the Ziex ZE960 A/S and achieves an average handling SimpleScore of 8.7.

ADVANTAGE: Ecsta STX KL12

Falken Ziex ZE960 A/S vs Kumho Ecsta STX KL12 tires on longevity

The Falken tire receives a limited manufacturer tread life warranty of up to 65,000 miles. Though the tread depth is high, it is less than that of the Kumho Ecsta STX KL12. Although the Ecsta STX KL12 has a higher tread depth, it does not feature a limited manufacturer tread life warranty. The large contact patch and directional tread pattern of the Ecsta KL12 help prevent uneven wear for a longer tread life. Based on the above, we see the Ziex ZE960 A/S receiving an average longevity SimpleScore of 8.7 and the Ecsta STX KL12 scoring an 8.4.

ADVANTAGE: Falken ZE960 A/S

When to use each

Both, the Falken tires and the Kumho tires discussed in this comparison belong to the all-season category. These tires are suitable for year-round use in dry, wet, and light wintry conditions. However, they aren’t Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and shouldn’t be used in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Which one should you choose?

Both tires are very evenly matched, as seen in the parameters above. When it comes to prices, the Falken ZE960 A/S begins at $81 per tire ($324 for 4) and the minimum price for the Kumho Ecsta STX KL12 is $148.87 per tire ($595.88 for 4). That being said, here are the reasons you should look at the ZE960 A/S as the better option:

• You want the cheaper tire
• You want a tread life warranty
• You want a tire that serves for a longer period

In contrast, the reasons for selecting the Ecsta STX KL12 are as follows:

• You want the better-looking tire
• You want the faster tire
• You want a tire that protects its wheel from damage
• You want a tire that’s good in terms of traction performance
• You want a tire that offers better handling performance

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help, and our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.