Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus: 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 Michelin Primacy 4 Plus appear in 16 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 noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 87/100, based on 6 tests.
How the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus performs. It takes the win in wet, dry. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, based on 10 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 Michelin Primacy 4 Plus is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Kumho Ecsta HS51 still wins on noise / comfort, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise noise / comfort
- You prioritise mileage
- You prioritise efficiency
Choose Michelin Primacy 4 Plus if
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
Test profile
| Metric | Kumho Ecsta HS51 | Michelin Primacy 4 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Touring | Touring |
| Type | Summer | Summer |
| Tests used | 6 | 10 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 8.8 | 6.5 |
| Latest test | 2021 | 2025 |
| Tire Lab Score | 87.2 | 92.3 |
Tire Lab Score
Kumho Ecsta HS51
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Kumho Ecsta HS51 | Michelin Primacy 4 Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 7.4 11 | Avg rank 5.6 264 | Michelin Primacy 4 Plus |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 8.7 3 | Avg rank 4.6 45 | Michelin Primacy 4 Plus |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 8.0 | Avg rank 8.3 215 | Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 9.8 1 | Avg rank 12.7 11 | Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 1.5 11 | Avg rank 7.7 | Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
💧 Wet: Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The Michelin Primacy 4 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 5.6, compared to 7.4 for the Kumho Ecsta HS51.
☀️ Dry: Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The Michelin Primacy 4 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 4.6, compared to 8.7 for the Kumho Ecsta HS51.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The Kumho Ecsta HS51 wins this category with an average rank of 8.0, compared to 8.3 for the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
📏 Mileage: Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The Kumho Ecsta HS51 wins this category with an average rank of 9.8, compared to 12.7 for the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
🔋 Efficiency: Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The Kumho Ecsta HS51 wins this category with an average rank of 1.5, compared to 7.7 for the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Kumho Ecsta HS51 or Michelin Primacy 4 Plus?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus ranks higher on average than the Kumho Ecsta HS51.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Michelin Primacy 4 Plus 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 Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Kumho Ecsta HS51 shows better mileage performance than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Kumho Ecsta HS51 appears in 6 independent tests, Michelin Primacy 4 Plus in 10.
Also compare
Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs…
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus vs…
Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →
