Comparison: Kumho Ecsta HS52 vs. Kumho Ecsta PS71 vs. Michelin Primacy 4+ vs. Falken e.Ziex

Upper-middle

Kumho

Ecsta HS52

VS

Also compare with

SportContact 7

UltraContact NXT

Ventus Evo

HS52 stops shorter on dry; PS71 dominates standing water and covers far more sizes.

Kumho's Ecsta summer range covers a surprisingly broad spread of driver needs, and the Kumho Ecsta HS52 and Kumho Ecsta PS71 illustrate that clearly. Both sit in the brand's upper-middle passenger tyre tier, but they serve noticeably different briefs. The HS52 is Kumho's balanced everyday performer — designed to deliver confident safety across dry and wet conditions at a price that consistently surprises testers. The PS71 is the wet-weather and aquaplaning specialist, a more performance-oriented tyre built for a wider range of fitments including larger, more demanding vehicles. If you're choosing between them, you're really deciding whether your priority is all-round value and braking confidence, or maximum resistance to standing water and a broader size choice.

Ecsta HS52

Good for

Everyday drivers wanting strong dry braking confidence Budget-conscious buyers seeking competitive wet safety Owners of smaller cars on 14–17 inch wheels Drivers prioritising balanced all-round performance

Not ideal for

Drivers needing rim sizes above 20 inches Those who frequently drive through standing water Buyers prioritising long tread life

Ecsta PS71

Good for

Drivers regularly encountering heavy rain and standing water Owners of larger vehicles needing 18–22 inch fitments Higher-mileage motorway drivers prioritising fuel efficiency Those wanting Kumho's widest summer size selection

Not ideal for

Drivers prioritising short dry stopping distances Those sensitive to road and tyre noise Buyers looking for the sharpest price-to-performance ratio

Test Profile

Ecsta HS52

Ecsta PS71

Primacy 4+

e.Ziex

Number of tests

10

15

13

3

Best position

#2

#1

#2

Average position

6.0

9.0

4.3

3.7

Latest test

2026

2025

Available sizes

109

226

123

36

Verdict

Choose the Ecsta HS52 if you drive a smaller or mid-size car, want the strongest possible dry braking for confident everyday safety, and appreciate genuinely strong value for money. It is the more balanced package for mixed urban and country driving, and its EU wet grip A rating means it handles ordinary wet roads with confidence. Choose the Ecsta PS71 if you drive a larger vehicle, regularly encounter standing water or motorway spray, and need a bigger size selection — particularly if your car sits in the 18-to-22-inch range. Its aquaplaning resistance is its standout quality, and for drivers who spend significant time on fast, wet roads that advantage is real and meaningful. Just go in knowing it will be noisier. Both are credible choices within Kumho's lineup — the HS52 as the everyday value pick, the PS71 as the wet-road specialist for more demanding fitments.