66
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
64/100
9 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Kumho KL33 vs Kumho Solus KL21 — 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.
VS
76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
76/100
26 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Kumho Solus KL21 — better treadwear, wet and dry. Pick the Kumho KL33 if handling matters most to you.
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Category breakdown
7 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)
Solus KL21 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | KL33 | Solus KL21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 79 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 73 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Solus KL21 leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | KL33 | Solus KL21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 71 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 67 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | KL33 | Solus KL21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 45 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Solus KL21 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | KL33 | Solus KL21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 73 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 65 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Solus KL21 leads by 22
Why this score
| Source | KL33 | Solus KL21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 63 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 59 | 73 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
KL33 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | KL33 | Solus KL21 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 61 |
| DriverReviews owners | 84 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho KL33 | Kumho Solus KL21 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 66 | 76 |
| Dry | 73 | 83 |
| Wet | 65 | 76 |
| Snow | – | 72 |
| Comfort | 73 | 76 |
| Noise | – | 86 |
| Treadwear | 59 | 81 |
| Handling | 65 | 61 |
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
66
/ 100
Tire A
76
/ 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 Kumho KL33 presents a polarizing ownership experience, often serving as an OEM choice that delivers competent dry-weather performance and comfort when new. However, the consensus is significantly marred by reports of premature tread degradation, including chunking and delamination, alongside inconsistent long-term durability and poor manufacturer warranty support.
Pros
- Strong initial dry traction and braking performance
- Competitive price point offering good value for money
- Generally comfortable and quiet ride quality when new
- Satisfactory handling characteristics for standard suburban driving
Cons
- Significant reports of tread block chipping, chunking, and premature wear
- Concerns regarding structural integrity and potential delamination
- Increased road noise as the tire reaches mid-life
- Unresponsive customer service regarding warranty claims
Observations
- Users on heavier SUVs and minivans like the Kia Carnival and Audi Q5 reported faster tread wear and lack of cornering feedback.
- Drivers of diesel-powered SUVs noted better longevity and satisfaction compared to those with gasoline-powered or luxury-segment vehicles.
The Kumho Solus KL21 is a polarizing tire that frequently serves as original equipment on SUVs and crossovers. While many owners report exceptional tread life and value, a significant subset of users expresses concerns regarding road noise, inconsistent grip in adverse weather, and premature structural degradation.
Pros
- Exceptional tread longevity and durability, with some users reporting over 60,000 miles of use.
- Strong value proposition as a cost-effective alternative to premium tire brands.
- Generally reliable performance in dry, warm-weather conditions.
- Consistent ride comfort for daily commuting and long-distance driving.
Cons
- Reports of excessive road noise and a harsh ride quality.
- Poor traction and braking performance in snow, ice, or cold conditions.
- Inconsistent quality control, with isolated reports of tire deformation or premature wear.
- Lack of confidence-inspiring grip during emergency braking maneuvers.
Observations
- Users with mid-size SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento report highly variable experiences, ranging from extreme longevity to early failure.
- The tire is frequently noted as a standard OEM fitment for Korean-manufactured SUVs, which influences user expectations regarding replacement intervals.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho KL33 | B · Kumho Solus KL21 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | All Season Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
66
/ 100
Kumho
76
/ 100
Kumho
Winner: Kumho Solus KL21 — better treadwear, wet and dry. Pick the Kumho KL33 if handling matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Kumho Solus KL21 scores 81 vs 59 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Kumho Solus KL21 scores 76 vs 65 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Kumho Solus KL21 scores 83 vs 73 on dry.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Kumho KL33 scores 65 vs 61 on handling.
Tire A · Kumho KL33
Tire B · Kumho Solus KL21
More comparisons
Also compared with
Kumho KL33 also compared with
Kumho Solus KL21 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.