Kumho Road Venture RT51 vs Kenda Klever R/T (KR601) tires

Kumho vs Kenda: Which rugged-terrain tire is right for you?

Established in 1960 in South Korea, Kumho has a global footprint and a good brand reputation in the USA. The tire manufacturer is admired for its advanced engineering and innovative features. Advanced material science and optimized patterns make Kumho tires a viable option for value seekers. Its reliable range of rugged-terrain tires used on SUVs, Jeeps, and light trucks allows drivers to enjoy confident driving in different seasons and terrains at an accessible price point.

Founded in 1962, Kenda is known for its capable off-road, racing, and passenger car tires. Its rugged-terrain range of tires is a great choice for use on light trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps, and with heavy-duty toughness and competitive pricing, Kenda off-road compatible tires are a great choice. What makes Kenda rugged-terrain tires worth considering is their aggressive pattern, innovative features, and proprietary carcass engineering to combat off-road environments. These tires are also suitable for commuting on highways, offering the best of both worlds.

Coming from these brands, the Kumho Road Venture RT51 and the Kenda Klever R/T (KR601) are the two capable rugged-terrain tires picked for the comparison here. The Road Venture RT51 is a rugged-terrain (R/T) tire that combines the ability of all-terrain and mud-terrain tires and offers all-season versatility along with the comfort of less noisy highway drives. In contrast, the Kenda Klever R/T (KR601) is a heavy-duty rugged-terrain tire that features a proprietary "Triple Threat" 3-ply sidewall, high-void mud ejectors, and stud-compatible blocks for impressive performance in harsh rocky trails, thick mud, and severe winter weather conditions, respectively.

If you are looking for a set of rugged-terrain tires, this Road Venture RT51 vs Klever R/T (KR601) tires comparison will help you choose a better tire depending on your driving needs, preferences, and budget. Using our proprietary tire rating system, SimpleScore, let’s take a look at the traction, handling, and longevity abilities of both tires on a scale of 0-10.

Kumho Road Venture RT51 tires

The Road Venture RT51 is a solid rugged-terrain tire made for use on light trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs and features an all-season rubber compound. The tire is tuned for superior cut-and-chip resistance and features a multi-directional block pattern with aggressive side biters for increased surefootedness in ruts and loose soil. The pattern is also optimized for hydroplaning resistance and can flush out water, mud, and slush for highly efficient off-road and winter performance. Additionally, this tire is also engineered for increased highway stability and commanding off-road performance in rugged conditions.

Overall, the Road Venture RT51 is rated a great 8.4 SimpleScore because of its lasting service, great controllability, and solid traction.

Get Kumho Road Venture RT51 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Kenda Klever R/T (KR601) tires

The Kenda Klever R/T (KR601) is suitable for use on light trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs, and can be relevant for enthusiasts who want to explore terrains without compromising on road manners. The proprietary "Triple Threat" 3-ply polyester sidewall construction is the key highlight of the tire that provides puncture resistance and defence against sharp rocks and trail debris. Its pattern is aggressive, and the tread ensures increased stability on the road. There are features like massive grooves to eject stones, mud, and debris. Additionally, its studdable pattern provides confident driving in icy conditions.

Overall, the Klever R/T (KR601) achieves a great 8.1 SimpleScore, thanks to its great durability, confident handling, and impressive traction.

Get Kenda Klever R/T (KR601) tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Kumho Road Venture RT51 vs Kenda Klever R/T (KR601) tires on traction

First, let’s discuss the traction performance of both rugged-terrain tires to find out which one outperforms in surface grip, crawls more confidently in mud, climbs rocks better, and can tackle dirt, gravel, and loose soil better, while ensuring confident highway rides.

Beginning with the Road Venture RT51, the tire is rated an 8.2 SimpleScore for its dependable traction performance on- and off-road. Its optimized multi-directional tread pattern boosts surface-holding ability in diverse terrain conditions while zigzag drainage grooves and saw-tooth sipes provide increased grip in rain, slush, and mud. These grooves also resist hydroplaning in wet conditions, and the silica-rich rubber compound offers solid grip in rain and mild snow conditions. A satisfactory all-season traction performance is achieved with the optimized placement of sipes and sharper block edges.

On the other hand, the Kenda Klever R/T (KR601) secures an 8.0 SimpleScore in traction. Thanks to high-void shoulder voids, deep mud ejectors, and aggressive sidewall lugs, this tire maintains grip and traction in thick mud, loose sand, and gravel. With the use of studs (wherever permitted by law), the Klever R/T (KR601) also offers increased grip on ice and snow-covered roads. Additionally, a wider footprint allows a larger tread area to come in contact with the surface for consistent grip.

In the traction run, the Road Venture RT51 excels with a slightly higher rating, beating the Klever R/T (KR601).

ADVANTAGE: Kumho Road Venture RT51

Kumho Road Venture RT51 vs Kenda Klever R/T (KR601) tires on handling

Now, let’s compare the handling performance of both tires to understand which one is better at steering response, ride control, stability, braking efficiency, and cornering.

Starting with the Road Venture RT51, this RT tire earns an 8.5 SimpleScore in handling and promises great steering response. There are wide circumferential grooves and sharp-edged tread block housing sipes for hydroplaning resistance, improved braking efficiency in wet weather, and enhanced crawling ability in mud. The presence of rigid center blocks and dual-ply polyester structure provides confident tracking on highways. Similarly, the wide and flat contact patch assures confident high-speed cruising on highways.

With an 8.0 SimpleScore in handling, the Klever R/T (KR601) also assures satisfactory handling. The Triple Threat 3-ply sidewall improves its hauling ability, especially when the payloads are high, and the wider contact patch provides stability on the highways. Additionally, the high sipe density contributes to on-time braking, enhanced ride comfort, and less noisy rides.

In handling, it is the Road Venture RT51 that excels by a significant margin, leading the comparison by a 2-0.

ADVANTAGE: Kumho Road Venture RT51

Kumho Road Venture RT51 vs Kenda Klever R/T (KR601) tires on longevity

Here, in this section, we will find out the better tire on longevity front. This analysis will help you choose a tire that excels in resisting wear, covering more miles, and returning better value on purchase.

The Road Venture RT51 is rated an 8.6 in longevity, underlining its great ability to resist wear very well. The coverage of 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty further indicates its ability to cover more miles. This tire features a cut-and-chip resistant rubber compound and a flat contact patch that controls the wear rate, especially when you are using it on highways.

Contrarily, the Klever R/T (KR601) is rated an 8.3 SimpleScore for its lasting ability. The use of Triple Threat 3-ply sidewall is a great advantage for the Kenda tire as it guards from rock cuts and trail punctures. The aggressive sidewall tread blocks prevent the tire from impacts and abrasions, while the reinforced inner construction keeps it in shape for lasting use.

In longevity, the Road Venture RT51 beats the Klever R/T (KR601) to win the battle 3-0!

ADVANTAGE: Kumho Road Venture RT51

When to use each

Both the Road Venture RT51 and the Klever R/T (KR601) are rugged-terrain tires with all-season driving abilities in conditions like mud, dirt, rocks, gravel, and loose soil. They both can be used on highways and rugged surfaces, while with Klever R/T (KR601), you get the extra ability to pin studs (use of studs is subject to your local laws) when you want to gain extra control on snow-packed surfaces. But neither tire is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certified, which means you shouldn’t use them in moderate to severe winter weather, in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Talking about rim sizes, the Road Venture RT51 is available in 17- to 22-inch rim options, while the Klever R/T (KR601) is offered in 15- to 24-inch rim options.

Which one should you choose?

Looking at overall SimpleScores, the Road Venture RT51 is a better tire than the Klever R/T (KR601) (8.4 vs 8.1). However, your decision to buy tires should be based on your driving style, needs, and budget.

As far as the prices are concerned, the Road Venture RT51 is offered at a starting price of at least $207 per tire, which means a set of four will cost you at least $828. The Klever R/T (KR601), on the other hand, is also offered at a starting price of at least $207 per tire, making a full set of four at least $828.

Based on SimpleScore, you must consider the Road Venture RT51 if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the GMC Sierra 1500, Toyota Tacoma, or Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
• Want a tire that’s better in longevity (8.6 vs 8.3).
• Want a tire that’s better in handling (8.5 vs 8.0).
• Want a tire that’s better in traction (8.2 vs 8.0).
• Need a tire that’s backed by a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
• Need a tire in the rim size range of 17- to 22-inch.

On the other hand, you should prefer the Klever R/T (KR601) if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Ford F-150, Jeep Wrangler, or RAM 2500.
• Need a tire that features a heavy-duty "Triple Threat" 3-ply sidewall construction to offer better defence against rock punctures and trail cuts.
• Need a tire that’s studdable to handle hard-packed snow.

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