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Head-to-head Updated September 2026

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance vs Kumho Ecsta HS52 — 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.

Tire A Goodyear

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

Summer Premium Touring tires

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance tread pattern
Objective (60%)
74/100
8 professional tests
User signal (40%)
79/100
254 owner reviews
Dry
84
Wet
86
Comfort
54
Noise
71
Treadwear
73
Handling
78

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VS
Tire B Kumho

Kumho Ecsta HS52

Summer Premium Touring tires

Kumho Ecsta HS52 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
84/100
7 professional tests
User signal (40%)
81/100
23 owner reviews
Dry
90
Wet
78
Comfort
70
Noise
80
Treadwear
75
Handling
83

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VerdictWinner: Kumho Ecsta HS52 — better comfort, noise and dry. Pick the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance if wet matters most to you.
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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

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Ecsta HS52 leads by 6
A — Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
84
B — Kumho Ecsta HS52
90
Why this score
SourceEfficientGrip PerformanceEcsta HS52
Professional tests (TWG score) 83 90
Tyre Reviews owners 86 90
Dry Braking (% of best) 99% 95%
Dry Handling (% of best) 100% 99%

Wet

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) EfficientGrip Performance leads by 8
A — Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
86
B — Kumho Ecsta HS52
78
Why this score
SourceEfficientGrip PerformanceEcsta HS52
Professional tests (TWG score) 88 76
Tyre Reviews owners 84 80
Wet Braking (% of best) 97% 87%
Wet Handling (% of best) 99% 99%

Comfort

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Ecsta HS52 leads by 16
A — Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
54
B — Kumho Ecsta HS52
70
Why this score
SourceEfficientGrip PerformanceEcsta HS52
Professional tests (TWG score) 34 –
Tyre Reviews owners 85 70

Noise

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Ecsta HS52 leads by 9
A — Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
71
B — Kumho Ecsta HS52
80
Why this score
SourceEfficientGrip PerformanceEcsta HS52
Professional tests (TWG score) 71 80

Treadwear

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Ecsta HS52 leads by 2
A — Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
73
B — Kumho Ecsta HS52
75
Why this score
SourceEfficientGrip PerformanceEcsta HS52
Tyre Reviews owners 73 75

Handling

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Ecsta HS52 leads by 5
A — Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
78
B — Kumho Ecsta HS52
83
Why this score
SourceEfficientGrip PerformanceEcsta HS52
Tyre Reviews owners 78 83
DriverReviews owners 84 78

Scores at a glance

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance vs Kumho Ecsta HS52: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryGoodyear EfficientGrip PerformanceKumho Ecsta HS52
Relative Score 75 79
Dry 84 90
Wet 86 78
Comfort 54 70
Noise 71 80
Treadwear 73 75
Handling 78 83

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.

Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score

Tire A

Tire B

Test data

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.

DisciplineCategoryTire ATire BΔBoth?
Dry Braking Dry 99% #2/15 · 2019 Summer and All Season Tyre Test 95% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +4.4 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 100% #5/7 · 2019 NAF Summer Tyre Test 99% #12/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test +1.3 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 99% #2/7 · 2019 NAF Summer Tyre Test 67% #14/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test +32.2 Different tests
Noise Other 94% #3/14 · 2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test 100% #16/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test -5.6 Different tests
Price Other 91% #17/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test 68% #5/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +23.2 Different tests
Value Other 98% #19/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test 57% #2/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test +40.4 Different tests
Wear Other 70% #15/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test 75% #8/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test -4.4 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 33% #3/13 · 2019 Swedish Summer Tyre Test 11% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +22.2 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 98% #4/12 · 2018 Gute Fahrt Summer Tyre Test 97% #5/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +0.6 Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Total 0% #9/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test 0% #12/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test 0 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 97% #6/13 · 2019 Swedish Summer Tyre Test 87% #5/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +10.6 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 99% #6/9 · 2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tyre Test 99% #2/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test -0.6 Different tests
From owners

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

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.
Tire B Kumho Ecsta HS52

The Kumho Ecsta HS52 is widely regarded as a high-value summer tire that delivers impressive dry and wet grip, often punching above its price point. While most users praise its handling and braking capabilities, opinions on comfort and noise levels are polarized, and there are notable inconsistencies regarding tread longevity.

Pros

  • Excellent dry and wet braking performance
  • Strong cornering grip and handling confidence
  • High value-for-money proposition
  • Responsive and direct steering feedback

Cons

  • Inconsistent tread wear reports, with some users experiencing premature degradation
  • Noise levels can be intrusive at higher speeds
  • Sensitivity to tire pressure, affecting ride comfort
  • Occasional reports of high-speed vibration or balancing issues

Observations

  • Users reported that the tire feels particularly sporty and direct on smaller 16-inch fitments.
  • SUV owners noted surprisingly strong wet-weather performance, though some experienced faster wear patterns on heavier vehicles.
  • Ride comfort is highly dependent on precise tire pressure; even slight deviations can lead to a harsh or uncomfortable experience.
Community buzz

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance

Mixed

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.

r/tires ·2 upvotes ·2026-09-16

“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”

r/tires ·2 upvotes ·2026-03-28

“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”

bobistheoilguy.com ·2018-08-17

“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.”

bobistheoilguy.com ·2018-08-27

“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.”

Top themes
#Noise levels and comfort#Sidewall durability and potholes#Fuel efficiency and rolling resistance#Tread design and variations#Longevity and wear

Based on 9 community posts

Tire B

Kumho Ecsta HS52

Mixed

Community opinion on the Kumho Ecsta HS52 is generally positive regarding its rigid sidewalls, dry grip, responsiveness, and budget-friendly pricing, though some users report mixed experiences with wet weather performance, aquaplaning, or durability over time.

r/Mazda323 ·6 upvotes ·2026-06-14

“Mini review of the Kumho Ecsta HS52 I was running some Hankook's on my GT before and the tire wall not stiff enough. Now I've mounted these Kumho Ecsta HS52's and I highly recommend them: The tire wall is nicely rigid and they grip great in the dry, took quite some intent to make them loose traction. Additionally, I've accidentally ran over a pretty big sharp looking rock at decent speed that aimed right in a tread groove (thinnest part) and the thing shrugged it off no problem. And all of this for a damn good price too! So if anyone's looking for good tires, now you know.”

r/tires ·3 upvotes ·2025-09-23

“What’s up with these tyres? Kumho ectsa hs52 date code 3923, tyres are (UK) legal regards tread but I can’t imagine this damage is normal. Both front tyres have this, looks like the tread is tearing apart in multiple places. I did not fit these tyres but it was mot’d 3 months ago and has done 2k miles since. I’ve owned the car 11 months but only noticed this very recently. I am getting them replaced on Monday with little use before then but I’m curious how this has happened. Is it just a shit brand? Wear is even across the face so I don’t think it would be the alignment or anything to do with the car and the damage is random across the contact patch. It’s a Peugeot 508 2l diesel so quite a bit of weight on the nose. Fitting Bridgestone Turanza 6. Rear tyres are good, but a different brand (horizon horace 2122 date)”

r/TyreReviews ·2 upvotes ·2026-02-07

“I had the kumho ecsta hs52's on my previous car. I was very satisfied with them. Good grip in the dry and wet and very responsive. Kumho in general makes really good tires”

r/TyreReviews ·1 upvote ·2026-01-22

“Bad i have hs52 on my audi a3 8l quattro 1.8t i have no grip with rain.. Like cant corner fast it just goes straight... Dry its fine but wet forget it. My oncle has the same experience with kuhmo on his bmw 118 diesel he got some rims and they had pretty good threats kumho on it. He said all it wanted was to drift and spin out. He said a couple of times it did a 180 he said never again i said same don't trust my car with these tyres. Im gonna get some new rim 17" and Goodyear asymmetric 6. To replace my 16" stock rims with kumho... I have had bad tyres but never this bad. Like 1 ere prix were even better in my Mercedes even doh they became ovals.”

Top themes
#Sidewall stiffness and handling#Dry and wet grip performance#Value and price comparison#Fuel consumption and rolling resistance#Magazine test inconsistencies

Based on 16 community posts

Specifications

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance B · Kumho Ecsta HS52
CategorySummer Premium Touring tiresSummer Premium Touring tires
Vehicle typePassenger Car / Crossover—
Tread depth9/32″—
UTQG340 A A—
SidewallRaised Black Lettering - Serrated Black Lettering—
Max pressure50 - 51 psi—
Final verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

Goodyear

Kumho

Winner: Kumho Ecsta HS52 — better comfort, noise and dry. Pick the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance if wet matters most to you.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Kumho Ecsta HS52 scores 70 vs 54 on comfort.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Kumho Ecsta HS52 scores 80 vs 71 on noise.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance scores 86 vs 78 on wet.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Kumho Ecsta HS52 scores 90 vs 84 on dry.

Tire A · Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
Tire B · Kumho Ecsta HS52

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.