72
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
73/100
20 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Dunlop Direzza DZ102 vs Kumho Ecsta HS51 — Compared (September 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
82
/ 100
Objective (60%)
78/100
3 professional tests
User signal (40%)
80/100
38 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Kumho Ecsta HS51 — better comfort, wet and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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Category breakdown
6 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 HS51 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 87 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Ecsta HS51 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 83 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Ecsta HS51 leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 84 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 70 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Ecsta HS51 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 77 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Ecsta HS51 leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | Direzza DZ102 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 69 | 80 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 82 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Direzza DZ102 | Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 82 |
| Dry | 82 | 88 |
| Wet | 73 | 85 |
| Comfort | 70 | 84 |
| Noise | – | 70 |
| Treadwear | 67 | 77 |
| Handling | 69 | 80 |
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
72
/ 100
Tire A
82
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Direzza DZ102 is widely regarded as a high-value, entry-level Ultra-High Performance summer tire that balances impressive dry grip and comfort with an attractive price point. While many users praise its handling and road manners, consensus is split regarding its longevity and wet-weather performance, with some users reporting rapid tread wear and inconsistent traction in heavy rain.
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Strong dry pavement grip and cornering stability
- Surprisingly high levels of ride comfort for a performance tire
- Low road noise levels compared to competitors in the segment
Cons
- Rapid or inconsistent tread wear
- Inconsistent wet weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
- Increased road noise as the tire ages
- Difficult to balance for some users
Observations
- Users with high-torque or tuned vehicles (300hp+) report that the tire provides sufficient grip to manage power delivery effectively.
- Drivers on 17-inch and 18-inch setups frequently highlight a significant improvement in comfort compared to previous touring or OEM tires.
- Some users noted that the tire's performance is highly sensitive to correct inflation pressures, with improper settings leading to immediate degradation in feel.
The Kumho Ecsta HS51 is widely regarded as a high-value, budget-friendly tire that offers performance comparable to premium brands for daily driving. While most users praise its wet and dry grip, comfort, and longevity, a subset of reviewers reports inconsistent experiences regarding sidewall stiffness and rapid tread wear.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium competitors
- Strong wet and dry traction for daily commuting
- High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
- Impressive tread life for many users, often exceeding 30,000 miles
Cons
- Reports of soft sidewalls leading to handling 'wobble' or lack of feedback
- Inconsistent tread wear, with some users reporting premature failure
- Occasional issues with aquaplaning in heavy rain
- Not recommended for high-performance or aggressive cornering
Observations
- Users with heavier vehicles or those driving at high speeds noted concerns regarding sidewall stability and cornering precision.
- Drivers of compact and mid-sized sedans generally report the highest satisfaction regarding noise levels and overall comfort.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Direzza DZ102 | B · Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Extreme Performance tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Dunlop
82
/ 100
Kumho
Winner: Kumho Ecsta HS51 — better comfort, wet and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 84 vs 70 on comfort.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 85 vs 73 on wet.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 80 vs 69 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 77 vs 67 on treadwear.
Tire A · Dunlop Direzza DZ102
Tire B · Kumho Ecsta HS51
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Direzza DZ102 also compared with
Kumho Ecsta HS51 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.