76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
74/100
8 professional tests
User signal (40%)
79/100
254 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance vs Kumho Ecsta KU39 — 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
78
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
79/100
125 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Kumho Ecsta KU39 — better comfort. 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
Score (0–100)
Ecsta KU39 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecsta KU39 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 86 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
EfficientGrip Performance leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecsta KU39 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 78 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Ecsta KU39 leads by 27
Why this score
| Source | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecsta KU39 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 34 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 81 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecsta KU39 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 71 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecsta KU39 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 73 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
EfficientGrip Performance leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | EfficientGrip Performance | Ecsta KU39 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 76 |
| DriverReviews owners | 84 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance | Kumho Ecsta KU39 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 78 |
| Dry | 84 | 86 |
| Wet | 86 | 78 |
| Comfort | 54 | 81 |
| Noise | 71 | – |
| Treadwear | 73 | 73 |
| Handling | 78 | 76 |
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
76
/ 100
Tire A
78
/ 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 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 Ecsta KU39 is widely regarded as a high-value, mid-range performance tire that offers a compelling alternative to premium brands. Users consistently praise its excellent dry and wet grip, comfort, and low noise levels, often noting that it outperforms more expensive tires while significantly reducing road noise and harshness. While most users are satisfied with the performance, some report concerns regarding tread longevity and a soft sidewall that can impact handling precision during aggressive cornering.
Pros
- Exceptional value for money compared to premium competitors
- Strong wet and dry traction
- Outstanding ride comfort and low road noise
- Progressive and predictable handling characteristics
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life, with some users reporting premature wear
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a lack of steering sharpness or 'squirm' under heavy load
- Performance can drop off noticeably as tread depth approaches 3mm
- Occasional reports of sidewall durability issues or blowouts
Observations
- Users transitioning from run-flat tires on BMW and Mini models reported significant improvements in ride comfort and noise reduction.
- Drivers of high-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive vehicles (e.g., BMW 330ci, Jaguar XJ) noted the tire handles power well but can be sensitive to inflation pressure to maintain optimal handling.
- Some users on heavier vehicles or those with aggressive driving styles reported faster-than-expected tread wear.
Community buzz
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Mixed
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.
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 KU39
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance | B · Kumho Ecsta KU39 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Ultra High Performance 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 | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Goodyear
78
/ 100
Kumho
Winner: Kumho Ecsta KU39 — better comfort. Pick the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance if wet matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Kumho Ecsta KU39 scores 81 vs 54 on comfort.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance scores 86 vs 78 on wet.
Tire A · Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
Tire B · Kumho Ecsta KU39
More comparisons
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Kumho Ecsta KU39 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.