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Kumho Ecsta KU31 vs Yokohama Geolandar G900 — Compared (May 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 | Ecsta KU31 | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 88 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta KU31 | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 82 |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta KU31 | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | – | 70 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta KU31 | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 70 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta KU31 | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 72 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta KU31 | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 76 | 69 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Ecsta KU31 | Yokohama Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 76 |
| Dry | 83 | 88 |
| Wet | 75 | 82 |
| Snow | – | 70 |
| Comfort | 74 | 70 |
| Treadwear | 72 | 72 |
| Handling | 76 | 69 |
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 KU31 is widely regarded as a high-value, mid-range performance tire that offers impressive dry and wet grip for its price point. While many users report performance comparable to premium brands, consensus notes that the tire can become noisy as it wears and may exhibit inconsistent longevity depending on vehicle weight and driving style.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium brands
- Strong dry and wet weather handling
- Progressive and predictable feedback at the limit
- Quiet and comfortable ride when new
Cons
- Increased road noise and potential 'droning' as tread wears
- Inconsistent tread life, with some users reporting rapid wear
- Soft sidewalls can lead to less precise steering feel for some drivers
- Occasional reports of balancing issues or structural defects like sidewall bulges
Observations
- Heavier vehicles, such as large sedans and wagons, may experience accelerated inner-edge wear or 'feathering' if alignment is not perfectly maintained.
- Users with high-performance or remapped vehicles report that the tire handles increased torque well, though it may require more frequent rotation to maintain even wear.
- Some owners of vehicles with stiff or lowered suspension noted that the soft sidewalls provide good comfort but can feel slightly 'lethargic' during aggressive cornering.
The Yokohama Geolandar G900 is widely regarded as a highly capable, versatile all-rounder specifically engineered for Subaru Forester and Outback platforms. While users consistently praise its predictable handling, off-road traction, and comfort, the consensus is sharply divided regarding its tread longevity and value proposition compared to modern alternatives.
Pros
- Excellent all-terrain versatility including snow, gravel, and mud
- Predictable and secure handling characteristics
- High level of ride comfort compared to stiffer premium alternatives
- Strong initial grip and traction performance
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life with many reports of premature wear
- High road noise levels, particularly on motorways
- High price point relative to current market competitors
- Occasional reports of poor wet-weather performance and aquaplaning
Observations
- The tire is specifically optimized for the Subaru Forester and Outback chassis, with many users noting it complements the vehicle's suspension better than stiffer premium tires.
- Performance is highly dependent on alignment; several users noted that uneven wear patterns were mitigated by professional tracking checks.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta KU31 | B · Yokohama Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Which one should you actually buy?
Kumho
Yokohama
Too close to call: Kumho Ecsta KU31 and Yokohama Geolandar G900 are within 2 points overall. Kumho Ecsta KU31 is stronger on handling and comfort. Yokohama Geolandar G900 is stronger on wet and dry.
Kumho Ecsta KU31 scores 76 vs 69 on handling.
Yokohama Geolandar G900 scores 82 vs 75 on wet.
Yokohama Geolandar G900 scores 88 vs 83 on dry.
Kumho Ecsta KU31 scores 74 vs 70 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.