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Goodyear Assurance MaxLife vs Kumho Solus KH21 — 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.
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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
Why this score
| Source | Assurance MaxLife | Solus KH21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 91 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 63 |
| SimpleTire owners | 85 | – |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Assurance MaxLife | Solus KH21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 30 | 57 |
| SimpleTire owners | 80 | – |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | Assurance MaxLife | Solus KH21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 73 | – |
| SimpleTire owners | 80 | – |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Assurance MaxLife | Solus KH21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 86 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 57 |
| SimpleTire owners | 95 | – |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Assurance MaxLife | Solus KH21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 70 |
| SimpleTire owners | 90 | – |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Assurance MaxLife | Solus KH21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 48 | 37 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear Assurance MaxLife | Kumho Solus KH21 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 65 | 58 |
| Dry | 79 | 63 |
| Wet | 42 | 57 |
| Snow | 74 | – |
| Comfort | 71 | 57 |
| Treadwear | 85 | 70 |
| Handling | 48 | 37 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Goodyear Assurance MaxLife is widely regarded as a high-longevity tire that excels in daily commuting and highway driving, though it sacrifices performance in wet conditions. While users appreciate the exceptional tread life and quiet ride, the consensus indicates significant concerns regarding traction in rain and standing water.
Pros
- Exceptional tread longevity and durability
- Quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Reliable performance for standard daily commuting
Cons
- Poor traction and handling in wet conditions
- Noticeable reduction in fuel efficiency compared to OEM alternatives
- Lack of sidewall protection for rim safety
Observations
- Tesla Model 3 owners reported significant safety concerns regarding wet-weather handling and a lack of rim protection.
- High-mileage drivers, such as rideshare operators, report high satisfaction with noise levels and tread endurance over long distances.
The Kumho Solus KH21 receives a mixed reception, with users divided between those who appreciate its value and durability for daily commuting and those who find its performance lacking under spirited driving conditions. While some drivers report satisfactory grip in varied weather, others highlight significant concerns regarding wet-weather traction and audible noise levels as the tire ages.
Pros
- Competitive price point compared to premium alternatives
- Acceptable dry and wet grip for standard, non-aggressive driving
- Decent tread longevity for daily use
Cons
- Significant loss of wet-weather performance after initial wear
- High levels of road noise and audible squealing during cornering
- Inconsistent grip levels on varying asphalt surfaces
- Noticeably stiff ride quality during the initial break-in period
Observations
- Users driving older, economy-focused vehicles like the Renault Scenic reported satisfactory performance for standard commuting needs.
- Drivers transitioning from premium all-season tires noted a firmer ride quality and increased noise levels.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear Assurance MaxLife | B · Kumho Solus KH21 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Premium Touring Summer tire | All Season Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 46 | — |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 20″ | — |
| Tread depth | 11 - 13/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 820 A B | — |
| Treadwear warranty | 85,000 mi | — |
| Sidewall | Vertical Serrated Band | — |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
Goodyear
Kumho
Winner: Goodyear Assurance MaxLife — better dry, treadwear and comfort. Pick the Kumho Solus KH21 if wet matters most to you.
Goodyear Assurance MaxLife scores 79 vs 63 on dry.
Goodyear Assurance MaxLife scores 85 vs 70 on treadwear.
Kumho Solus KH21 scores 57 vs 42 on wet.
Goodyear Assurance MaxLife scores 71 vs 57 on comfort.
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.