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Kumho Ecsta V730 vs Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect — 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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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
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta V730 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 92 |
| Tire Rack owners | 91 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 94 | 93 |
| SimpleTire owners | 98 | – |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta V730 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 86 |
| Tire Rack owners | 53 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 48 | 70 |
| SimpleTire owners | 55 | – |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta V730 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect |
|---|---|---|
| SimpleTire owners | 65 | – |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta V730 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 73 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 66 | 76 |
| SimpleTire owners | 84 | – |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta V730 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 100 |
| SimpleTire owners | 85 | – |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta V730 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 75 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 64 | 60 |
| SimpleTire owners | 84 | – |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta V730 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 88 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Ecsta V730 | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 92 |
| Dry | 92 | 94 |
| Wet | 53 | 88 |
| Snow | 65 | – |
| Comfort | 73 | 94 |
| Noise | 85 | 97 |
| Treadwear | 75 | 90 |
| Handling | 88 | 96 |
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 | 17% #6/8 · 2021 Track Day 200TW Tyre Test | 11% #9/10 · 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test | +5.6 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Kumho Ecsta V730 is widely regarded as a high-value, 'budget-friendly' 200TW tire that excels in dry track and autocross environments. While it may not reach the absolute peak lap times of top-tier 'Super 200' competitors, it offers exceptional consistency, heat tolerance, and longevity, making it a favorite for HPDE enthusiasts and budget-conscious racers.
Pros
- Excellent dry grip and predictable handling characteristics at the limit.
- High heat tolerance with minimal 'greasy' drop-off during long track sessions.
- Superior tread life and durability compared to many direct 200TW competitors.
- Highly competitive price point offering significant value for money.
- Stiff sidewalls provide sharp, responsive turn-in and steering precision.
Cons
- Poor wet weather performance, particularly with standing water or worn tread.
- Requires significant heat to reach optimal operating temperature, making them poor for cold-weather street use.
- Harsh ride quality and high road noise due to the stiff sidewall construction.
- Inconsistent performance when cold, leading to potential traction loss on street starts.
Observations
- Users with camber-limited vehicles (e.g., stock-class FWD cars) report that the stiff sidewalls and shoulder design handle limited negative camber well, resulting in even wear.
- Heavy vehicles (3500lbs+) note that while the tire handles the weight well, it requires careful pressure management to avoid overheating or premature shoulder wear.
- Drivers of lightweight platforms (e.g., Miata) report exceptional longevity, often getting an entire season of track and autocross use from a single set.
The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect is widely regarded as a premier track-focused tire that offers a sophisticated balance between extreme dry-weather performance and surprising street-legal usability. While users praise its exceptional grip, communicative feedback, and heat tolerance during high-performance driving, it remains a specialized product that demands careful management of expectations regarding tread life and wet-weather limitations.
Pros
- Exceptional dry traction and consistent performance during track sessions.
- Improved heat tolerance and durability compared to previous generation track tires.
- Surprisingly high levels of comfort and lower noise levels for a tire in this performance category.
- Predictable and progressive breakaway characteristics at the limit.
- Stronger wet-weather performance than traditional track-only rubber.
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, particularly when subjected to aggressive track use.
- High price point, compounded by the additional cost of the optional Track Connect sensor kit.
- Sticky compound prone to picking up road debris and throwing it against the vehicle body.
- Performance significantly degrades as the tire approaches the wear bars.
- Not suitable for cold weather or heavy snow conditions.
Observations
- Users noted that vehicle-specific OE specifications (e.g., Porsche vs. BMW vs. standard) can result in noticeable differences in steering feel and grip levels.
- Drivers of lighter, agile platforms (like the Honda Fit or Subaru) reported excellent rotation and track performance, while heavier vehicles may experience faster shoulder wear.
- The 'Connect' system compatibility varies by vehicle, with some users reporting difficulty integrating the sensor kit with non-supported car models.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta V730 | B · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Extreme Performance tires | Summer Trackday and Competition tires |
| Vehicle type | — | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 6 | — |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 19″ | — |
| Tread depth | 8.5/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 200 A A | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 51 psi | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
Kumho
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect — better wet, comfort and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect scores 88 vs 53 on wet.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect scores 94 vs 73 on comfort.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect scores 90 vs 75 on treadwear.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect scores 97 vs 85 on noise.
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.