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Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 vs Kumho Ecowing ES01 KH27 — 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 | Ventus Prime 3 K125 | Ecowing ES01 KH27 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 76 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Ventus Prime 3 K125 | Ecowing ES01 KH27 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 62 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Ventus Prime 3 K125 | Ecowing ES01 KH27 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 60 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 80 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Ventus Prime 3 K125 | Ecowing ES01 KH27 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 65 | – |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Ventus Prime 3 K125 | Ecowing ES01 KH27 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 77 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Ventus Prime 3 K125 | Ecowing ES01 KH27 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 61 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 82 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 | Kumho Ecowing ES01 KH27 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 71 |
| Dry | 88 | 76 |
| Wet | 83 | 62 |
| Comfort | 68 | 80 |
| Noise | 65 | – |
| Treadwear | 80 | 77 |
| Handling | 79 | 61 |
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 | 13% #8/18 · 2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tyre Test | 4% #28/47 · 2018 AutoBild Summer Tyre Overview | +8.9 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 is widely regarded as a high-value touring tire that excels in dry conditions and offers a comfortable, quiet ride for daily commuting. While it is frequently praised for its competitive pricing and balanced performance, some users report inconsistent wet-weather confidence and accelerated tread wear when subjected to heavier vehicle loads or aggressive driving styles.
Pros
- Excellent dry road grip and braking performance
- High value-for-money ratio compared to premium competitors
- Comfortable ride quality with effective vibration absorption
- Predictable and stable handling for touring applications
Cons
- Increased risk of hydroplaning as tread depth decreases
- Accelerated tread wear on heavier vehicles or under high-torque conditions
- Noise levels can increase noticeably after several thousand miles
- Sidewall durability concerns, including reports of cracking
Observations
- Users with heavier vehicles (e.g., MPVs like the Sharan or SUVs) report significantly faster tread wear and reduced longevity.
- Drivers noted that the tire performs best as a comfort-oriented touring tire, with some users finding it less responsive or 'dull' on smaller 16-inch rim sizes compared to 17-inch variants.
- Performance is highly sensitive to tread depth; wet-weather grip and aquaplaning resistance drop off noticeably once the tire reaches the 3-4mm wear mark.
The Kumho Ecowing ES01 KH27 presents a highly polarized user experience, often described as either an excellent value-oriented eco-tire or a dangerous liability. While many owners praise its fuel efficiency, low noise levels, and comfort for daily commuting, a significant segment of users reports severe concerns regarding wet-weather traction and unpredictable handling during cornering.
Pros
- High fuel efficiency and rolling resistance improvements
- Low road noise and quiet operation
- Good ride comfort and bump absorption
- Strong value for money for casual, non-aggressive driving
Cons
- Unpredictable and poor wet-weather grip
- Tendency to slip or lose traction on roundabouts and corners
- Soft sidewalls leading to a 'jelly' or unstable handling feel
- High-pitched screeching noise when pushed in dry conditions
Observations
- Users driving smaller hatchbacks like the Honda Jazz or VW Up report significant confidence issues with rear-end stability on roundabouts.
- Drivers on rougher road surfaces, such as those in Kenya, noted that while tread life is impressive, the sidewalls are susceptible to damage from potholes.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 | B · Kumho Ecowing ES01 KH27 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Hankook
Kumho
Winner: Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 — better wet, handling and dry. Pick the Kumho Ecowing ES01 KH27 if comfort matters most to you.
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 scores 83 vs 62 on wet.
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 scores 79 vs 61 on handling.
Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 scores 88 vs 76 on dry.
Kumho Ecowing ES01 KH27 scores 80 vs 68 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.