73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
75/100
11 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Avon ZZR vs Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
77/100
10 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 — better wet and treadwear. Pick the Avon ZZR if comfort matters most to you.
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Category breakdown
5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Ecsta XS KU36 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ecsta XS KU36 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 91 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Ecsta XS KU36 leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ecsta XS KU36 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 61 | 74 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
ZZR leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ecsta XS KU36 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 62 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Ecsta XS KU36 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ecsta XS KU36 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 74 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
ZZR leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | ZZR | Ecsta XS KU36 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 84 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Avon ZZR | Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 73 | 76 |
| Dry | 89 | 91 |
| Wet | 61 | 74 |
| Comfort | 70 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 70 | 74 |
| Handling | 86 | 84 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
73
/ 100
Tire A
76
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Avon ZZR is a specialized track-focused tire that delivers exceptional dry-weather grip and performance, particularly for lightweight sports cars like the Caterham and Lotus Elise. While highly regarded for track use, users consistently warn that its wet-weather capabilities are severely limited, making it unsuitable for year-round road driving or inclement conditions.
Pros
- Exceptional dry grip and traction
- Strong performance consistency during consecutive track laps
- Lightweight construction ideal for track-oriented vehicles
- Good longevity and wear characteristics when used appropriately
Cons
- Poor wet-weather performance and high risk of aquaplaning
- Sensitive to low temperatures
- Thin sidewalls provide minimal rim protection
- Prone to flat-spotting if left stationary for extended periods
Observations
- Highly praised by owners of lightweight, track-focused vehicles like the Caterham 7 and Lotus Exige.
- Users noted that tire pressure management is critical for optimal performance, with some reporting significant handling improvements at higher PSI settings.
- Performance on heavier road cars is mixed, with reports of uneven wear and less predictable breakaway characteristics compared to dedicated track platforms.
The Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 is widely regarded as a budget-friendly, performance-oriented tire that excels in dry grip and track-day environments. While users appreciate its aggressive handling and value proposition, the consensus highlights significant drawbacks regarding road noise and steering feedback, making it better suited for dedicated weekend or track vehicles rather than daily commuters.
Pros
- Exceptional dry surface grip and cornering confidence
- Strong, rigid sidewall construction
- High value-to-performance ratio
- Surprisingly capable performance in wet conditions for a semi-slick design
Cons
- High levels of road noise that tend to worsen over time
- Lack of steering precision and on-center feel
- Rapid tread wear consistent with aggressive performance compounds
- Limited stability in heavy rain or at high speeds on wet surfaces
Observations
- Users running staggered setups (e.g., 245/40/18 front and 275/35/18 rear) report positive experiences with dry grip and cornering.
- Drivers with already loud or modified vehicles tend to be less bothered by the tire's significant road noise compared to those in stock, quieter vehicles.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Avon ZZR | B · Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Trackday and Competition tires | Summer Extreme Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
73
/ 100
Avon
76
/ 100
Kumho
Winner: Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 — better wet and treadwear. Pick the Avon ZZR if comfort matters most to you.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 scores 74 vs 61 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Avon ZZR scores 70 vs 62 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 scores 74 vs 70 on treadwear.
Tire A · Avon ZZR
Tire B · Kumho Ecsta XS KU36
More comparisons
Also compared with
Avon ZZR also compared with
Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.