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Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance vs Kumho Ecowing ES31 — 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.
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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 | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecowing ES31 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 80 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecowing ES31 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 67 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecowing ES31 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 34 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 77 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecowing ES31 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 71 | – |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecowing ES31 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 77 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecowing ES31 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 63 |
| DriverReviews owners | 84 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance | Kumho Ecowing ES31 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 73 |
| Dry | 84 | 80 |
| Wet | 86 | 67 |
| Comfort | 54 | 77 |
| Noise | 71 | – |
| Treadwear | 73 | 77 |
| Handling | 78 | 63 |
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.
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 14% #7/9 · 2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tyre Test | 11% #9/18 · 2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tyre Test | +3.2 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance is widely regarded as a premium, comfort-oriented touring tire that excels in noise reduction, ride quality, and wet-weather safety. While users consistently praise its ability to transform the driving experience into a quieter and more refined one, many report significant concerns regarding rapid tread wear and a soft sidewall construction that can negatively impact steering feedback and handling precision during spirited driving.
Pros
- Exceptional ride comfort and low road noise levels
- Strong wet-weather grip and aquaplaning resistance
- Noticeable improvements in fuel efficiency
- High levels of confidence for daily, sensible driving
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, particularly on the front axle
- Soft sidewalls leading to 'floaty' handling and reduced steering feedback
- Susceptibility to sidewall damage and bulging from potholes
- Diminished performance and grip as tread depth drops below 3mm
Observations
- Drivers of vehicles with stiffer sports suspensions often report that the soft sidewalls ruin the car's 'go-kart' handling feel.
- Users with heavier vehicles or those with high-torque engines frequently report faster-than-average tread wear and occasional traction loss.
- Owners of smaller hatchbacks and city cars generally report higher satisfaction with comfort, though some note the tires feel 'boat-like' compared to firmer alternatives.
The Kumho Ecowing ES31 is widely regarded as a high-value, budget-friendly tire that excels in comfort, noise reduction, and fuel efficiency. While many users report satisfactory performance in both dry and wet conditions, a notable segment of reviewers expresses significant concerns regarding wet-weather grip and sidewall stability, suggesting it is best suited for conservative, daily driving rather than spirited maneuvers.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium brands
- Noticeable reduction in road noise and improved ride comfort
- Positive impact on fuel economy and rolling resistance
- Strong dry-weather handling and responsiveness
Cons
- Inconsistent or poor grip in wet conditions for some users
- Soft sidewalls leading to a lack of precision during cornering or lane changes
- Reports of premature or uneven tread wear in specific cases
- Susceptibility to sidewall damage from potholes or curbs
Observations
- Users driving smaller hatchbacks and city cars frequently praise the tire for its comfort and noise levels during daily commuting.
- Drivers of heavier or more performance-oriented vehicles occasionally report that the soft sidewalls cause a 'pitching' sensation during aggressive steering inputs.
- Some users noted that the tire's performance in wet braking can feel compromised, particularly on smaller, lighter vehicles.
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
Community opinion on the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance is generally positive regarding comfort, fuel efficiency, and quietness, though some users report concerns over sidewall durability against potholes and early cracking. Reviewers note that tread design can vary slightly by size, but overall performance and smoothness remain strong compared to cheaper alternatives or all-season tires.
“GOODYEAR EfficientGrip Performance 205/55 R17 91V - reliability and resistance to damage question Hello guys! I'm driving Skoda Octavia. not a racer, just a usual 40yo man. I have a set of GOODYEAR EfficientGrip Performance 205/55 R17 91V on the car, and during the last 2 months I lost three tires, all the same way - pothole on the road, visibly small, front right wheel, instantly deflates, and a hole in tire not on tread but on the side - irreparable, new tire for 130eur, repeat again. Do you by chance know if it's the pattern for the model, or am I getting EXTREMELY unlucky? Can you maybe suggest some tire models and characteristics to look into to stop this from happening? I have only 2 out of 4 original tires left, so maybe it makes sense to change the entire set. Read more”
“goodyear efficientgrip performance notches Hello! I bought a new goodyear efficientgrip performance 215/55/18 tires for my car. And it was surprise to see so many notches on the summer tire (1st & 2nd photo). Although the internet image doesn’t have any (3rd photo). What could it be and is it normal? Read more”
“Thanks for the comments and suggestions. As it turns out I could not get the Continental PremiumContact 6 so I ordered a set of Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 225/60 R16 102W XL from local shop. I have had these Goodyears in several cars in the past and they have been very good so far. Hopefully same continues with the W140.”
“FWIW the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 225/60 R16 102W XL tyres arrived and were installed today. The difference with previous tyres is like night and day. I have a 1200 km work trip later this week and I thought I'd take the Benz out. Interesting to see how they "break in" and how much if at all difference there is in mpg.”
Based on 9 community posts
Kumho Ecowing ES31
The Kumho Ecowing ES31 is generally viewed as an affordable, budget-friendly mid-range summer tire that offers good durability and dry grip, making it popular among commuters and rideshare drivers. However, opinions are mixed regarding its wet weather performance, with some users reporting poor wet grip while others find it acceptable for cautious, everyday driving.
“Certa vez, nos comentários de um vídeo sobre pneus no YouTube, vi a galera que trabalha com Uber falando bem do Ecowing ES31, relatando que tem ótima durabilidade. Resolvi arriscar e coloquei, são ótimos mesmo, já rodei 18 mil km e estão impecáveis ainda.”
“Kumho ecowing es31 é o melhor custo benefício, tem classificação B de consumo e C de aderência, eu já tive pneu da Kumho e gostei da aderência e é um pneu macio pra conforto. Continental Power Contact 2 tbm é uma boa opção. Eu não recomendo xbri, farroad, ling long, speedmax, pois tem durabilidade baixa.”
“Tengo las kumho ecowing es31 y ninguna queja, siempre respondieron bien aunque la verdad manejo como un abuelo, solo una vez frene fuerte en la panamericana y nunca bloquearon, las volveria a poner en otro auto.”
“The es31s are utter garbage in the wet. Good in the dry, and last a long time, but awful in the wet. Don't cheap out on tyres. I'd personally avoid most 'eco' tyres, they sacrifice a lot in grip and safety. The ecopia ep150 was class leading when it launched... in 2009. It's an ancient tyre that doesn't hold up anymore. Even worse than the es31s in basically everyway. If you have to get one of those two, DON'T get the ep150s.”
Based on 12 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance | B · Kumho Ecowing ES31 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | 9/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 340 A A | — |
| Sidewall | Raised Black Lettering - Serrated Black Lettering | — |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
Goodyear
Kumho
Winner: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance — better wet, handling and dry. Pick the Kumho Ecowing ES31 if comfort and treadwear matter most to you.
Kumho Ecowing ES31 scores 77 vs 54 on comfort.
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance scores 86 vs 67 on wet.
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance scores 78 vs 63 on handling.
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance scores 84 vs 80 on dry.
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.