76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
77/100
10 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 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.
VS
73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
70/100
2 professional tests
User signal (40%)
76/100
160 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 — better dry, handling and comfort. Pick the Nexen N Fera SU1 if wet 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)
Ecsta XS KU36 leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta XS KU36 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 75 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 91 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 93 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
N Fera SU1 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta XS KU36 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 75 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 89 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta XS KU36 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| SimpleTire owners | – | 78 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Ecsta XS KU36 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta XS KU36 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 40 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 62 | 79 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 91 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta XS KU36 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 91 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Ecsta XS KU36 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta XS KU36 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 71 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 87 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Ecsta XS KU36 leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta XS KU36 | N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 75 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 | Nexen N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 73 |
| Dry | 91 | 78 |
| Wet | 74 | 81 |
| Snow | – | 76 |
| Comfort | 62 | 56 |
| Noise | – | 87 |
| Treadwear | 74 | 72 |
| Handling | 84 | 75 |
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
76
/ 100
Tire A
73
/ 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 XS KU36 is widely regarded as a budget-friendly, performance-oriented tire that excels in dry grip and track-day environments. While users appreciate its aggressive handling and value proposition, the consensus highlights significant drawbacks regarding road noise and steering feedback, making it better suited for dedicated weekend or track vehicles rather than daily commuters.
Pros
- Exceptional dry surface grip and cornering confidence
- Strong, rigid sidewall construction
- High value-to-performance ratio
- Surprisingly capable performance in wet conditions for a semi-slick design
Cons
- High levels of road noise that tend to worsen over time
- Lack of steering precision and on-center feel
- Rapid tread wear consistent with aggressive performance compounds
- Limited stability in heavy rain or at high speeds on wet surfaces
Observations
- Users running staggered setups (e.g., 245/40/18 front and 275/35/18 rear) report positive experiences with dry grip and cornering.
- Drivers with already loud or modified vehicles tend to be less bothered by the tire's significant road noise compared to those in stock, quieter vehicles.
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.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 | B · Nexen N Fera SU1 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Extreme Performance tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 58 |
| Rim diameters | — | 16″ – 24″ |
| Tread depth | — | 9/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 300 A A |
| Treadwear warranty | — | 25,000 mi |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 51 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Kumho
73
/ 100
Nexen
Winner: Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 — better dry, handling and comfort. Pick the Nexen N Fera SU1 if wet matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 scores 91 vs 78 on dry.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 scores 84 vs 75 on handling.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Nexen N Fera SU1 scores 81 vs 74 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Kumho Ecsta XS KU36 scores 62 vs 56 on comfort.
Tire A · Kumho Ecsta XS KU36
Tire B · Nexen N Fera SU1
More comparisons
Also compared with
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Nexen N Fera SU1 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.