Kumho Ecsta HS51 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 Kumho Ecsta HS51 and Kumho Ecsta HS52 appear in 13 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 Kumho Ecsta HS51 performs. It takes the win in wet, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 87/100, based on 6 tests.
How the Kumho Ecsta HS52 performs. It takes the win in dry. 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 dry and Tire Lab Score. The Kumho Ecsta HS51 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 noise / comfort
- You prioritise efficiency
Choose Kumho Ecsta HS52 if
- You prioritise dry
Test profile
| Metric | Kumho Ecsta HS51 | Kumho Ecsta HS52 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Touring | Touring |
| Type | Summer | Summer |
| Tests used | 6 | 7 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 8.8 | 10.2 |
| Latest test | 2021 | 2026 |
| Tire Lab Score | 87.2 | 89.4 |
Tire Lab Score
Kumho Ecsta HS51
Kumho Ecsta HS52
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Kumho Ecsta HS51 | Kumho Ecsta HS52 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 7.4 11 | Avg rank 9.9 32 | Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 8.7 3 | Avg rank 5.6 213 | Kumho Ecsta HS52 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 8.0 | Avg rank 13.6 1 | Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 9.8 1 | Avg rank 9.8 1 | Tie |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 1.5 11 | Avg rank 4.3 12 | Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
💧 Wet: Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
The Kumho Ecsta HS51 wins this category with an average rank of 7.4, compared to 9.9 for the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
☀️ Dry: Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
The Kumho Ecsta HS52 wins this category with an average rank of 5.6, compared to 8.7 for the Kumho Ecsta HS51.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
The Kumho Ecsta HS51 wins this category with an average rank of 8.0, compared to 13.6 for the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
📏 Mileage: Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
Both tires perform similarly in mileage, with average ranks of 9.8 and 9.8.
🔋 Efficiency: Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
The Kumho Ecsta HS51 wins this category with an average rank of 1.5, compared to 4.3 for the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Kumho Ecsta HS51 or Kumho Ecsta HS52?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Kumho Ecsta HS51 ranks higher on average than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Kumho Ecsta HS52 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Kumho Ecsta HS51 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Kumho Ecsta HS51 ranks better than the Kumho Ecsta HS52.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Kumho Ecsta HS51 appears in 6 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 →