73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
74/100
2 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Kumho Ecsta X3 KL17 ASYMMETRIC vs Nexen N FERA AU7 — 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
92
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
89/100
14 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Nexen N FERA AU7 — better handling, comfort and wet. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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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)
Ecsta X3 KL17 ASYMMETRIC leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta X3 KL17 ASYMMETRIC | N FERA AU7 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 95 | 100 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
N FERA AU7 leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta X3 KL17 ASYMMETRIC | N FERA AU7 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 90 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Comfort
Score (0–100)
N FERA AU7 leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta X3 KL17 ASYMMETRIC | N FERA AU7 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 90 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta X3 KL17 ASYMMETRIC | N FERA AU7 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | – | 90 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
N FERA AU7 leads by 55
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta X3 KL17 ASYMMETRIC | N FERA AU7 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 35 | 90 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Ecsta X3 KL17 ASYMMETRIC | Nexen N FERA AU7 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 73 | 92 |
| Dry | 95 | 94 |
| Wet | 80 | 91 |
| Snow | – | 86 |
| Comfort | 75 | 92 |
| Noise | – | 86 |
| Treadwear | – | 86 |
| Handling | 35 | 90 |
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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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
73
/ 100
Tire A
92
/ 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 Ecsta X3 KL17 Asymmetric is generally regarded as a high-value, budget-friendly tire that offers responsive handling and solid dry-weather performance. While it provides a noticeable upgrade in steering feel compared to some legacy tires, users report compromises in cabin noise and limited traction in severe winter conditions.
Pros
- High value for the price point
- Responsive steering and handling characteristics
- Reliable performance in warm, dry weather conditions
Cons
- Increased road noise on uneven or bumpy surfaces
- Limited grip on ice and steep, icy inclines
- Occasional traction loss in snow
Observations
- Users transitioning from legacy tires on older luxury SUVs (such as the Range Rover P38) noted improved responsiveness.
- Performance is perceived as adequate for light winter conditions but lacks the specialized grip required for severe ice.
The Nexen N Fera AU7 is widely regarded as a high-value all-season tire that delivers impressive comfort, quiet operation, and reliable handling across various weather conditions. While most users are highly satisfied with the performance-to-price ratio, some reports of premature tread wear and uneven wear patterns suggest inconsistent longevity for certain driving styles.
Pros
- Excellent value for the price point
- Quiet and smooth ride quality
- Strong handling and grip in dry, wet, and light snow conditions
- High level of driver confidence in inclement weather
Cons
- Reports of premature tread wear and cupping
- Potential for uneven wear patterns over time
- Minor tracking issues on specific road surfaces like bridge gratings
Observations
- Users transitioning from dedicated Ultra High Performance tires to the N Fera AU7 on sedans like the Mazda 6 noted a slight decrease in fuel economy.
- Drivers of European sedans, such as the Audi A4, report satisfactory all-season performance but note that tread life may be limited to approximately 30,000-40,000 miles.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta X3 KL17 ASYMMETRIC | B · Nexen N FERA AU7 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer High Performance tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
73
/ 100
Kumho
92
/ 100
Nexen
Winner: Nexen N FERA AU7 — better handling, comfort and wet. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Nexen N FERA AU7 scores 90 vs 35 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Nexen N FERA AU7 scores 92 vs 75 on comfort.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Nexen N FERA AU7 scores 91 vs 80 on wet.
Tire A · Kumho Ecsta X3 KL17 ASYMMETRIC
Tire B · Nexen N FERA AU7
More comparisons
Also compared with
Kumho Ecsta X3 KL17 ASYMMETRIC also compared with
Nexen N FERA AU7 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.