Kumho Ecsta PA31 Review

Best discount tires

 Pros

• Great value
• Excellent tire warranty
• Long tread life

 Cons

• Slips a little for dry handling

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Bottom line

The budget-priced Kumho Ecsta PA31 doesn't skimp much on performance, delivering a "nice blend of road handling and comfort, along with good traction, especially in the wet," say TireRack.com's experts. Reviewers say it has good road manners on dry pavement -- with responsive steering and handling -- but really shines in the wet, where it outperforms on cornering and braking. Kumho's six-year, 50,000-mile tread coverage is one of the longest passenger tire warranties.

Breaking it down

Performance

Extra traction on wet roads. On dry pavement, TireRack.com editors say the Kumho Ecsta PA31 "felt stable and controlled during everyday driving," with responsive steering that's "predictable and reasonably composed during quick maneuvers." After TireRack.com added water to the test track, the Ecsta outperformed the competition, maintaining its grip and stability across the course. Reviewers say its design does a good job shedding water away from the tire to prevent hydroplaning. Owners also say the Ecsta has excellent traction in both wet and dry conditions, though some handling doesn't quite match a competing Michelin tire. The Kumho's rolling resistance isn't quite as low as similar tires, however. TireTrack.com estimates that these tires may cause your car to use about 20 gallons more fuel (per 15,000 miles) in a year of driving when compared to fuel-efficient brands like Goodyear and Yokohama.

Comfort

Low tread noise. In comparison to a competing high-performance tire, , TireRack.com editors say, "The ride comfort of the Ecsta PA31 is just a little firmer É while producing less impact noise." The Kumho transmits bumps in the road through to the cabin more than some, but still proves to be more comfortable than average. Most owners are pleased with ride comfort on the Ecsta PA31. "You will be amazed by how quiet and steady your Kumho tires will be on your car," says one reviewer at TireRack.com.

Durability

Excellent tread warranty. The Kumho Ecsta PA31 includes a six-year, 50,000-mile warranty on tread life, which is very good for this category and price point. At TireRack.com, owners say its treadwear is one of the best, rating it significantly higher than similar all-season tires from brands like Michelin, Dunlop and Goodyear.