Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Kumho Ecsta KH11 vs Toyo Proxes TR1 — 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.
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.
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 | Ecsta KH11 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 71 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 84 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta KH11 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 73 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 64 | 75 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta KH11 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 67 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta KH11 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 96 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta KH11 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 71 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta KH11 | Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 66 | 81 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 84 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Ecsta KH11 | Toyo Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 75 |
| Dry | 72 | 76 |
| Wet | 64 | 74 |
| Comfort | 73 | 76 |
| Noise | – | 96 |
| Treadwear | 83 | 71 |
| Handling | 66 | 81 |
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.
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Kumho Ecsta KH11 presents a polarized user experience, with feedback ranging from high praise for longevity and value to significant criticism regarding handling and wet-weather performance. While some drivers report exceptional tread life and reliable grip, others express concerns over sidewall stability and inconsistent performance, particularly on performance-oriented vehicles.
Pros
- Exceptional tread longevity and durability
- High value-for-money compared to premium brands
- Reliable dry and wet road traction for daily commuting
- Consistent fuel economy
Cons
- Weak sidewall construction leading to poor handling feedback
- Inconsistent grip levels in wet conditions
- Rapid tread wear reported by some users
- Lack of confidence during spirited driving
Observations
- Users driving heavier executive sedans reported high satisfaction with long-distance comfort and tread life.
- Performance-oriented vehicle owners noted significant dissatisfaction with sidewall stiffness and handling precision.
The Toyo Proxes TR1 is widely regarded as a high-value, budget-friendly performance tire that excels in dry grip and provides a sporty, responsive driving experience. While many users praise its ability to transform vehicle handling, the consensus is tempered by frequent reports of significant road noise, soft sidewalls, and rapid tread wear, particularly under spirited driving conditions.
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Strong dry pavement grip and cornering stability
- Predictable and progressive handling at the limit
- Aesthetically pleasing tread pattern
- Improved steering feedback compared to standard touring tires
Cons
- High levels of road noise, often described as a 'humming' or 'wheel bearing' sound
- Soft sidewalls leading to a wobbly feel or lack of precision under heavy load
- Rapid tread wear and potential for uneven cupping
- Inconsistent wet weather performance, with some users reporting aquaplaning issues
- Performance degradation as the tire reaches the end of its tread life
Observations
- Mid-engined vehicle owners reported dissatisfaction with the soft sidewalls, noting a lack of stability during cornering compared to front-engined setups.
- Users with lightweight hatchbacks and compact cars frequently cited the tire as a significant upgrade in handling and confidence for daily spirited driving.
- Drivers of heavier or higher-horsepower vehicles noted faster tread wear and increased susceptibility to understeer when pushing the tires to their limits.
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Kumho Ecsta KH11
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Toyo Proxes TR1
Community opinions on the Toyo Proxes TR1 are mixed, with users highlighting its affordable price, progressive limit handling, and good dry grip for spirited driving or sliding. However, critics frequently point out issues with soft sidewalls that reduce steering precision, increased road noise over time, and mixed performance in wet or cold weather.
“Avoid TR1.. the sound will become unbearable.. I suggest Yokohama ES32..”
“Tr1s are great for sliding and are very progressive at the limit but they have very sloppy sidewalls and do not have a lot of grip, it's very easy to lock up and can easily make you do a 4 wheel slide. Even the ancient PS3s have way more grip.”
“Tr1 is a solid choice for relatively cheap grip They do suffer in the cold and wet but if it's a summer car that shouldn't be an issue”
“Bekomme ich mit unterschiedliche Reifen Modelle Probleme mit dem Verteiler Getriebe? Hallo, ich habe mal eine Frage bezüglich Reifen und dem Verteilergetriebe. Ich habe vor ein paar Jahren einen gebrauchten Felgensatz gekauft auf dem Reifen aus dem Jahr 2016 waren Profiltiefe der Reifen war bei allen neuwertig. Anfang diesen Jahres habe ich mir dann hinten links einen Platten gefahren. Ich habe dann die Reifen hinten achsweise getauscht mit dem selben Reifen was verbaut war (neue toyo proxes tr1 Reifen. Unglücklicherweise habe ich jetzt wieder einen platten Reifen, allerdings vorne. Nun wollte ich wieder 2 neue Reifen für vorne bestellen (ebenfalls toyo proxes tr1). Leider läuft dieses Modell wohl aus und sind nicht mehr verfügbar. Meine Frage jetzt, kann ich andere Reifen Modelle nutzen (toyo comfort in den selben Maßen wie den Proxes tr1) oder sind diese problematisch? Vielen Dank im Voraus 🙂 Read more”
Based on 16 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta KH11 | B · Toyo Proxes TR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer High Performance tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Kumho
Toyo
Winner: Toyo Proxes TR1 — better handling, wet and dry. Pick the Kumho Ecsta KH11 if treadwear matters most to you.
Toyo Proxes TR1 scores 81 vs 66 on handling.
Kumho Ecsta KH11 scores 83 vs 71 on treadwear.
Toyo Proxes TR1 scores 74 vs 64 on wet.
Toyo Proxes TR1 scores 76 vs 72 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.