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Head-to-head Updated May 2026

Kumho Solus KH21 vs Nitto NT 01 — 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.

Tire A Kumho

Kumho Solus KH21

All Season Touring tires

Kumho Solus KH21 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
58/100
3 owner reviews
Dry
63
Wet
57
Comfort
57
Treadwear
70
Handling
37

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VS
Nitto NT 01 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
74/100
9 owner reviews
Dry
94
Wet
46
Comfort
46
Treadwear
73
Handling
83

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VerdictWinner: Nitto NT 01 — better handling, dry and treadwear. Pick the Kumho Solus KH21 if wet and comfort matter most to you.
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Category breakdown

5 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

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) NT 01 leads by 31
A — Kumho Solus KH21
63
B — Nitto NT 01
94
Why this score
SourceSolus KH21NT 01
Tyre Reviews owners 63 94

Wet

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Solus KH21 leads by 11
A — Kumho Solus KH21
57
B — Nitto NT 01
46
Why this score
SourceSolus KH21NT 01
Tyre Reviews owners 57 46

Comfort

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Solus KH21 leads by 11
A — Kumho Solus KH21
57
B — Nitto NT 01
46
Why this score
SourceSolus KH21NT 01
Tyre Reviews owners 57 46

Treadwear

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) NT 01 leads by 3
A — Kumho Solus KH21
70
B — Nitto NT 01
73
Why this score
SourceSolus KH21NT 01
Tyre Reviews owners 70 73

Handling

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) NT 01 leads by 46
A — Kumho Solus KH21
37
B — Nitto NT 01
83
Why this score
SourceSolus KH21NT 01
Tyre Reviews owners 37 83

Scores at a glance

Kumho Solus KH21 vs Nitto NT 01: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryKumho Solus KH21Nitto NT 01
Relative Score 58 66
Dry 63 94
Wet 57 46
Comfort 57 46
Treadwear 70 73
Handling 37 83

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

Tire A

Tire B

From owners

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Kumho Solus KH21

The Kumho Solus KH21 receives a mixed reception, with users divided between those who appreciate its value and durability for daily commuting and those who find its performance lacking under spirited driving conditions. While some drivers report satisfactory grip in varied weather, others highlight significant concerns regarding wet-weather traction and audible noise levels as the tire ages.

Pros

  • Competitive price point compared to premium alternatives
  • Acceptable dry and wet grip for standard, non-aggressive driving
  • Decent tread longevity for daily use

Cons

  • Significant loss of wet-weather performance after initial wear
  • High levels of road noise and audible squealing during cornering
  • Inconsistent grip levels on varying asphalt surfaces
  • Noticeably stiff ride quality during the initial break-in period

Observations

  • Users driving older, economy-focused vehicles like the Renault Scenic reported satisfactory performance for standard commuting needs.
  • Drivers transitioning from premium all-season tires noted a firmer ride quality and increased noise levels.
Tire B Nitto NT 01

The Nitto NT01 is widely regarded as a high-value, track-focused semi-slick tire that excels in dry conditions, offering impressive longevity compared to its competitors. While it provides exceptional grip and consistent performance for track enthusiasts, users must exercise extreme caution in wet conditions due to a significant risk of hydroplaning.

Pros

  • Exceptional dry traction and grip levels
  • Outstanding tread life and durability for a track-oriented tire
  • Quick warm-up times, even on heavier vehicles
  • High value-for-money proposition for track day participants

Cons

  • Severe hydroplaning risk in standing water or heavy rain
  • High levels of road noise
  • Poor traction on painted road markings, especially when wet
  • Limited communication/feedback compared to top-tier racing slicks

Observations

  • Lightweight FWD vehicles, such as modified MINIs, benefit from rapid heat-up and high confidence during hillclimbs and circuit use.
  • Heavy, high-torque vehicles (approx. 2 tons) report that the tires handle power well, though they may experience heat saturation after 6-7 consecutive laps.
Specifications

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Kumho Solus KH21 B · Nitto NT 01
CategoryAll Season Touring tires—
Vehicle typePassenger Car / Crossover—
Sizes available—17
Rim diameters—14″ – 19″
Tread depth—6.3/32″
UTQG—100 A A
Sidewall—Blackwall
Max pressure—51 psi
Final verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

Kumho

Nitto

Winner: Nitto NT 01 — better handling, dry and treadwear. Pick the Kumho Solus KH21 if wet and comfort matter most to you.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Nitto NT 01 scores 83 vs 37 on handling.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Nitto NT 01 scores 94 vs 63 on dry.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Kumho Solus KH21 scores 57 vs 46 on wet.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Kumho Solus KH21 scores 57 vs 46 on comfort.

Tire A · Kumho Solus KH21
Tire B · Nitto NT 01

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.