53
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
52/100
11 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Hankook Ventus K104 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 wet, handling and comfort. 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 20
Why this score
| Source | Ventus K104 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 68 | 87 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Ecsta HS51 leads by 43
Why this score
| Source | Ventus K104 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 42 | 83 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Ecsta HS51 leads by 23
Why this score
| Source | Ventus K104 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 61 | 84 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Ventus K104 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 70 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Ecsta HS51 leads by 22
Why this score
| Source | Ventus K104 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 55 | 77 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Ecsta HS51 leads by 36
Why this score
| Source | Ventus K104 | Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 44 | 80 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 82 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook Ventus K104 | Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 53 | 82 |
| Dry | 68 | 88 |
| Wet | 42 | 85 |
| Comfort | 61 | 84 |
| Noise | – | 70 |
| Treadwear | 55 | 77 |
| Handling | 44 | 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
53
/ 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 Hankook Ventus K104 is generally regarded as a budget-oriented performance tire that offers acceptable dry-weather handling for enthusiasts with specific suspension setups, but it suffers from significant deficiencies in wet-weather traction. While some users appreciate its responsiveness and longevity, the consensus points toward inconsistent performance, high road noise, and a lack of confidence-inspiring grip in damp or rainy conditions.
Pros
- Responsive and crisp handling characteristics in dry conditions
- Competitive price point for budget-conscious buyers
- Good tread life for users who maintain proper suspension geometry
- Aesthetically pleasing tread pattern
Cons
- Poor and unpredictable wet-weather traction
- High levels of road noise
- Inconsistent tread wear performance across different vehicle types
- Lack of progressive grip during cornering
Observations
- Users noted that the tire's performance is highly dependent on precise suspension tuning, with some suggesting it is better suited for performance-oriented setups than standard passenger vehicles.
- Drivers of luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes-Benz, reported that the tire's high noise levels negatively impacted the overall refinement of the vehicle.
- Light commercial vehicle users reported premature tread wear, suggesting the tire is not well-suited for heavier loads or utility applications.
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 · Hankook Ventus K104 | B · Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer High Performance tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
53
/ 100
Hankook
82
/ 100
Kumho
Winner: Kumho Ecsta HS51 — better wet, handling and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 85 vs 42 on wet.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 80 vs 44 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 84 vs 61 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Kumho Ecsta HS51 scores 77 vs 55 on treadwear.
Tire A · Hankook Ventus K104
Tire B · Kumho Ecsta HS51
More comparisons
Also compared with
Hankook Ventus K104 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.