Kumho Ecsta PS71

The Kumho Ecsta PS71 is a Ultra High Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Tire review data from 70 tire reviews averaging 78% over 490,411 miles driven, and 12 tests with an average result of 9th.

Dry Grip 86%
Wet Grip 82%
Road Feedback 80%
Handling 80%
Wear 74%
Comfort 74%
Buy again 69%

The Ecsta PS71 is ranked 57th of 147 Summer Ultra High Performance tires.

Tests Included

12

Best Result

2nd

Worst Result

20th

Average Result

9th

Latest Tire Test Results

2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test
5th of 21 tires
  • Balanced high performance potential, good handling qualities, short wet and dry braking distances, fair price.
  • Increased driving noise.
View Full Test >>
2022 Tire Reviews UUHP Summer Tire Test
6th of 10 tires
  • Highest aquaplaning resistance on test, low rolling resistance.
  • Poor grip in the dry and wet.
  • The Kumho Ecsta PS71 seems to have put all its eggs in the deep water basket, where it excelled, however a tire needs to perform well in more than a single category, and unfortunately the PS71 struggled in the dry and wet, in both braking and handling.
View Full Test >>

2023 Tire Tests

2022 Tire Tests

2021 Tire Tests

2020 Tire Tests

2019 Tire Tests

2018 Tire Tests

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Questions and Answers for the Kumho Ecsta PS71

2019-08-19 - Which pressure do You recommend for track. I use 2.9 kg on road.

Start with your road pressure and keep adjusting back to it as the tires heat up, then you can balance the car once everything is warm.


2021-05-14 - Hi! Is PS71 or PS91 better for a use on a Hobby-car only in the summer? The rim is 8x18 and the car is an Alfa Romeo Spider MY2001.

I would say the PS91 is the more sport focused and newer pattern, however if it's a summer only hobby car you could also consider something like the Cup 2.


2023-11-16 - Does the Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV come with rim protection?

Rim protection varies by size, we don't store data for each side so you would have to contact Kumho with your tire size to find out.


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YouTube Review

Top 3 Kumho Ecsta PS71 Reviews

Given 83% while driving a Vauxhall Insignia CDTI SRI 160 (225/45 R17) on mostly motorways for 500 spirited miles
same kumho problem... balancing & egg shape. 245/45/18 100Y XL
I've always used kumho because the price well reflects in proformance if only they didn't need constant rebalencing.
I've had 4 duff pairs, ku31 x 2 pair, ku 39 x 2 pair that had to come off in the end they were so bad.
No amount of balencing can sort an egg shape tire.
These new ps71 are very soft, squishy, feel like running on 20psi with 30g wheel wobble even after twice rebalencing them & 1 of them is egg shape.
I am worn out with trying to get them right & think after years of kumho on various different cars I'm giving up on them.
Changing to Dunlop.
I always feel bad going back to the shop to moan they must think it's me lol but kumho have let themselves down & I will say so.
PS71 is more expensive, lower spec & lower quality, not for me, I like a tire to be not thought about coz it's getting on with it's job instead of feeling there's a 60mph side wind blowing me around & the steering wheel hammering out of ny hands not to mention the amount spent on rebalencing & hanging around tire shop waiting for my turn.
Helpful 300 - tire reviewed on March 25, 2017
Given 61% while driving a Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk5 (225/45 R17) on mostly town for 1,000 miles
These replaced Continental premium tires. Generally they seem pretty good but there are time the car loses grip and bring on the traction control light, in slightly damp conditions it wouldn't with the Continental. That said they are a pretty cheap tire.
Helpful 63 - tire reviewed on August 7, 2023
Given 90% while driving a Mazda MX5 (205/45 R16) on a combination of roads for 3,000 spirited miles
The PS71's are joy in the dry and the wet, warm or cold.
First let's give a comparison. I bought my MX5 with Dunlop Sport Maxx RT (these only had 3mm of tread so only had them on for about a month) and they were outstanding in the dry, the wet not so good but I put this down to the age of they tires and the fact that they had only 3mm of tread so lets not put down those amazing Dunlops.
Compared to those, the PS71's have slightly less maximum grip in the high speed stuff and maybe not as fast turn in. Discarding those very subjective points I cannot fault these. In the dry they are outstanding and cannot spin the wheels at all, tight country corners taken fast these are absolutely amazing. medium speed corners id say the Dunlops are better but in High speed the Kuhmo's take over again.
In the wet the PS71's have so much damn grip it is unbelievable. I have so much confidence in the car and the only way I've lost traction in them is doing a standing wheel spin launch on purpose. Other than that they have never done anything I didn't expect them to and for the price of (£80 fitted each) I bought them for, these tires are such such great value considering all the premium brands start at around 110 per tire and that only goes up from there for some decent UHP tires in this kinda odd 205/45/16 size that my MX5 has.
Honestly id buy them again and again. Amazing tires that are very very underrated.
Helpful 53 - tire reviewed on November 22, 2023
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Latest Kumho Ecsta PS71 Reviews

Given 79% while driving a MINI Cooper S (205/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 350 spirited miles
Premium tire attributes for good price. Wet grip is great, tire construction is very good. Sidewall stiff enough for relatively lightweight Cooper S. Michelin Pilot Sports are better, but if budget won't stretch, these are a good substitute.
Helpful 4 - tire reviewed on December 12, 2024
Given 100% while driving a Volvo V70D5 (205/60 R16) on a combination of roads for 18,000 spirited miles
Surprisingly good tires, both on dry and wet roads, I've never had a problem with braking, skidding, or aquaplaning. I can only recommend them.
Helpful 9 - tire reviewed on October 14, 2024
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Given 91% while driving a BMW 520d Tourer (265/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 23,500 average miles
Great tires for the price! 23,500 miles and 15 months driving before they were down to minimum wear markers and needed replaced, which on my BMW F11 520D rear wheel drive seems to be about average life expectancy. Tires never lost grip once, wet or dry. I would have preferred if they lasted at bit longer, but I tow a caravan about in the summer months which probably shortens their life.They seemed to get a little noiser when they were well worn down.
Helpful 7 - tire reviewed on August 26, 2024
Given 87% while driving a Honda Civic Diesel (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 20,000 average miles
I had limited budget and I study abot two weeks wich tires I will buy...read many tests and I choose Kumho ps71 after Pirelli p7 cinturato.I will just say this tire is underrated.Excellent dry grip and very good wet grip,handling and noise.I love this tire after 20k km and sure I want buy them again.My car is Civic mk8 hatchback.
Helpful 17 - tire reviewed on June 26, 2024
Given 79% while driving a Rolls Royce Cobra 427 replica (225/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
Great budget tire, been using these daily on a 310bhp Clio 4 RS and they run great. Millage is an average of 30 miles a day. Wear rates are great, fronts going to half in 12 months so rotated them for the rears. Have used them on track also, and even though they arent "slick" level performance, with the pressure kept in check they were great to drive on. Super progressive on break away and easy to balance in the corners. Will defo buy again. (car selection section not working)
Helpful 8 - tire reviewed on June 22, 2024
Given 56% while driving a Citroën C4 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 400 average miles
My two have a manufacturing defect that is worrying to say the least. See images.
Helpful 36 - tire reviewed on May 24, 2024
Tire reviews and ratingsTire Reviews Replies
This is how the tire is meant to look, it's a checkered flag to show they're a sports tire.
Given 90% while driving a Audi Q8 (265/40 R22) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
The tires are quiet and the grip is very excellent.
Helpful 21 - tire reviewed on May 7, 2024
Given 51% while driving a Mazda MX5 (205/45 R16) on mostly country roads for 2,000 spirited miles
Car this tire was fitted on was a 2000 NB MX5 with Teinz coil overs and white line sway bars set to their stiffest setting.

This tire is great, except it's one glaring flaw: once grip is lost it takes longer to regain traction than most if not all tires in its class (dry and wet). i have this on personal experience and accounts from a handful of other people who have a PS71 fitted.

The PS71 is a good Tire if you get it for a cheap price. I payed $560 Aud for a 205/45/16 set (incl fitting and balancing) with no discount and I have reasonable confidence that no other tire will come close to the PS71 at this price point or close to it. (the good price does not seem to scale with an increase in size unfortunately)

while you can hustle the PS71 on a twisty road its lower level of grip relative to other options in its class on the market, hesitance to regain grip after it is broken and relatively soft sidewall make it a subpar option to other tires available in class and certainly to semislicks (where hard street and track driving is concerned). Make no mistake though, these have tires have more than enough grip for driving within the bounds of the law (to get them unstuck you would need to be driving in a manner your local law enforcement would be unimpressed by to say the least)

as for driving feel, it is okay but not great. it feels pretty numb but I am yet to conclude if it is an alignment or tire issue

If you just want a competent, safe, mostly reliable performance Tire for daily and spirited driving, this will do it for you. That is until you get into a situation where you loose grip. not to say that it does it to a degree that is dangerous, but when you unintentionally loose traction every moment longer the tire takes to come back is a moment that could save you, and on this reason alone if you have a Michelin pilot sport, continental MC Tire, Goodyear eagle f1 available in your size I would strongly suggest paying the premium for those options. If you stay at 8/10ths and below and have ABS I wouldn't as much about the beyond limits grip.

TLDR; If you never flirt with your cars limits, cannot find a better option for your wheel size and/or need just a 'good enough' Tire to have until you get another set of rims, this tire is a strong contender. however if you hate the idea of a tire that behaves badly past the limits of grip, I would advise looking elsewhere.
Helpful 22 - tire reviewed on April 30, 2024
Given 100% while driving a BMW 335d (275/30 R20) on mostly country roads for 300 miles
Amazing mid range tires . Give you amazimg grip especially in the wet. Also a really good looking tire wall .
Helpful 21 - tire reviewed on April 28, 2024
Given 87% while driving a Volkswagen Golf GTI 7.5 (225/35 R19) on mostly town for 200 average miles
Decided to leave a review as this very site helped me with tire choice.
Recently replaced 6 year old P Zeros with PS71’s all round on my Golf GTi 7.5 and what a massive difference. Admittedly the P Zeros were quite old, and starting to crack, but still had minimum 5mm tread.
The ride quality is massively improved. Running exactly the same pressures, the car feels more refined, quieter, and less crashy across road imperfections. Grip levels are improved, especially in the wet, although the P Zeros had clearly gone off.
At £110 fitted per corner for a 225/35/19, I’m very impressed and will certainly buy again if wear rates are good. While I don’t tear about needlessly, I do press on now and then and the PS71’s give me confidence to do so.
Helpful 24 - tire reviewed on April 23, 2024
Given 84% while driving a Fiat Cronos 1.8 AT (205/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 30 easy going miles
I have them placed in a Fiat Cronos with 17 wheel, the truth is that coming from the Pirelli P7 Cinturato, these Kumho PS71 actually pleasantly surprised me considering that they are similar in price to the Pirelli, they have low noise, excellent grip. I generally travel between 150km/h and 170km/h. The Pirellis do not provide security at all, these Kumhos transmit a feeling of grip and security at high speed. Now I put them on my other car, a Sandero RS that came from the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and I feel better comfort but when I push them to the limit they are good but not as good as the Michelin. Talking about cornering at the limit.
Helpful 24 - tire reviewed on April 5, 2024
Given 77% while driving a SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TFSI (225/40 R18) on mostly town for 1,000 average miles
These tires were already fitted when I bought my car and are brand new (front axle). They are perfectly adequate and can easily handle the 190hp of my Seat Leon. Traction is good, as is handling, and comfort seems to be quite good too. These are a sporty tire, and the car does feel quite agile and well connected to the road. The sidewalls even look pretty good I think. I can reccomend these, especially at their low price point, but will likely go with a more premium offering when the time comes to replace them.
Helpful 22 - tire reviewed on March 7, 2024