Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 and Kumho Ecsta HS52 appear in 23 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.
How the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, noise / comfort. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 88/100, based on 16 tests.
How the Kumho Ecsta HS52 performs. It takes the win in mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 89/100, based on 7 tests.
What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.
Verdict
The Kumho Ecsta HS52 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in mileage and Tire Lab Score. The Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise noise / comfort
Choose Kumho Ecsta HS52 if
- You prioritise mileage
- You prioritise efficiency
Test profile
| Metric | Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 | Kumho Ecsta HS52 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Touring | Touring |
| Type | Summer | Summer |
| Tests used | 16 | 7 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 6.4 | 10.2 |
| Latest test | 2021 | 2026 |
| Tire Lab Score | 87.9 | 89.4 |
Tire Lab Score
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
Kumho Ecsta HS52
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 | Kumho Ecsta HS52 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 5.6 336 | Avg rank 9.9 32 | Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 4.2 924 | Avg rank 5.6 213 | Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 6.6 132 | Avg rank 13.6 1 | Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 11.0 | Avg rank 9.8 1 | Kumho Ecsta HS52 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 6.4 111 | Avg rank 4.3 12 | Kumho Ecsta HS52 |
💧 Wet: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
The Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 wins this category with an average rank of 5.6, compared to 9.9 for the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
☀️ Dry: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
The Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 wins this category with an average rank of 4.2, compared to 5.6 for the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
The Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 wins this category with an average rank of 6.6, compared to 13.6 for the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
📏 Mileage: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
The Kumho Ecsta HS52 wins this category with an average rank of 9.8, compared to 11.0 for the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125.
🔋 Efficiency: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
The Kumho Ecsta HS52 wins this category with an average rank of 4.3, compared to 6.4 for the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 or Kumho Ecsta HS52?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 ranks higher on average than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Kumho Ecsta HS52 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 ranks better than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 shows better mileage performance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 appears in 16 independent tests, Kumho Ecsta HS52 in 7.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →
