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Kumho Ecsta PS71 vs Nexen N Fera SU1 — 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 PS71 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 79 | 75 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 93 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 94% | 94% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 95% | 98% |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 75 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 89 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 88% | 87% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 100% | 100% |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| SimpleTire owners | – | 78 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 40 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 79 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 91 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 92 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 91 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 71 | 71 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 87 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 75 |
| DriverReviews owners | 82 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Nexen N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 79 | 75 |
| Dry | 81 | 78 |
| Wet | 83 | 81 |
| Snow | – | 76 |
| Comfort | 74 | 56 |
| Noise | 92 | 87 |
| Treadwear | 71 | 72 |
| Handling | 79 | 75 |
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 94% #6/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 94% #4/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | +0.7 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 95% #7/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 98% #4/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | -2.8 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 68% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 99% #2/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | -31.6 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 100% #7/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 99% #3/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | +0.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 17% #6/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 20% #5/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | -3.3 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 100% #2/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 92% #10/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | +7.5 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 94% #10/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 97% #4/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | -2.6 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 70% #7/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 95% #5/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | -24.6 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 60% #13/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 94% #5/6 · 2023 APAC Tyre Test | -33.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 88% #6/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 87% #10/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | +1.2 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #2/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 100% #10/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | -0.1 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Kumho Ecsta PS71 is widely regarded as a high-value, mid-range performance tire that offers impressive wet and dry grip, often rivaling more expensive premium brands. While most users praise its handling and affordability, a subset of owners reports significant issues with road noise, inconsistent manufacturing quality, and occasional balancing difficulties.
Pros
- Excellent wet and dry traction
- High value-for-money proposition
- Predictable handling and cornering feedback
- Strong aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- Reports of road noise and droning at highway speeds
- Inconsistent manufacturing quality (balancing issues and 'egg-shaped' tires)
- Soft sidewall construction leading to a 'floaty' or unstable feel for some drivers
- Variable tread life depending on vehicle type and driving style
Observations
- Users with high-torque RWD vehicles (e.g., BMW, Jaguar) generally report high satisfaction with grip levels, though some note faster rear-tire wear.
- Owners of smaller, lighter vehicles (e.g., MX-5) occasionally report a 'floaty' sensation due to tread block movement, which can be unsettling during spirited driving.
- Some users on larger rim sizes (19-20 inch) report increased road noise and sensitivity to road imperfections.
The Nexen N Fera SU1 is widely regarded as a high-value, mid-range summer tire that frequently punches above its weight class, often compared favorably to premium brands like Continental and Michelin. While most users praise its exceptional comfort, low noise levels, and reliable wet/dry grip, a notable segment of reviewers reports concerns regarding premature sidewall cracking and soft sidewall construction that can impact handling precision on heavier or performance-oriented vehicles.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium competitors
- Very low road noise and high ride comfort
- Strong wet and dry traction for daily driving
- Predictable handling characteristics for standard road use
Cons
- Reports of premature sidewall cracking and tread block degradation
- Soft sidewalls can lead to vague steering feel or instability on heavy vehicles
- Performance drop-off noted as tread depth decreases
- Not suitable for winter conditions despite occasional mislabeling
Observations
- Owners of heavier vehicles (e.g., SUVs, EVs, or large sedans) frequently report that the soft sidewalls lead to a 'floating' sensation or lack of cornering confidence.
- Users replacing factory-fitted run-flat tires on BMWs and other luxury vehicles consistently report significant improvements in ride comfort and noise reduction.
- Performance-oriented drivers note that the tire lacks the necessary rigidity for track use or aggressive spirited driving compared to dedicated UHP tires.
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Kumho Ecsta PS71
Community discussions regarding the Kumho Ecsta PS71 generally present it as a solid, budget-friendly ultra-high-performance (UHP) summer tire offering good value, though opinions on its limits vary. Some users praise its handling transformations and decent wet/dry grip for spirited driving, while others note it feels merely adequate or mediocre until warmed up, preferring premium alternatives when budget permits.
“Those are Kumho Ecsta PS71s, thread width is supposed to be 245mm, the actual one is hardly 235. How so?”
“Between those I'd go with the Premiumcontact 7 or the ZE320 if you want to save some money. The continental seems to be serious competition for premium UHP tyres, afaik it gets similar results to the PS5 in tests. I wouldn't touch any of the sporty tyres mentioned, except for the PS71 which I still wouldn't take over the Continental.”
“I've had the PS71 several years ago - it was ok, nothing spectacular. They might have changed the compound now, so it may be better. Its a good tire, I don't remember any real weaknesses, it just never felt like "yeah, this sticks like glue to the road". Edit: I just remembered - it was mediocre in the city - when the tire was not warmed up, but I reckon this is shared between most sport tires with high speed rating. Once warmed up was good.”
“go with Kumho Ecsta PS71 EV around £140 – £165. Good value for money”
Based on 19 community posts
Nexen N Fera SU1
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta PS71 | B · Nexen N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 1 | 58 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ | 16″ – 24″ |
| Tread depth | — | 9/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 300 A A |
| Treadwear warranty | — | 25,000 mi |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
Kumho
Nexen
Winner: Kumho Ecsta PS71 — better comfort, noise and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 74 vs 56 on comfort.
Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 92 vs 87 on noise.
Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 79 vs 75 on handling.
Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 81 vs 78 on dry.
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.