79
/ 100
Objective (60%)
84/100
13 professional tests
User signal (40%)
77/100
84 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Kumho Ecsta PS71 vs Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 — 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
83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
89/100
13 professional tests
User signal (40%)
77/100
189 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 — better dry, comfort and treadwear. Pick the Kumho Ecsta PS71 if noise 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)
Cinturato P7 C2 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Cinturato P7 C2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 79 | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 90 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 95% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Cinturato P7 C2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 82 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 81 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 88% | 94% |
| Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best) | 65% | 67% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 99% | 98% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 92% | 98% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Cinturato P7 C2 leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Cinturato P7 C2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 85 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Ecsta PS71 leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Cinturato P7 C2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 92 | 72 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Cinturato P7 C2 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Cinturato P7 C2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 71 | 80 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Cinturato P7 C2 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Ecsta PS71 | Cinturato P7 C2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 84 |
| DriverReviews owners | 82 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Ecsta PS71 | Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 79 | 83 |
| Dry | 81 | 91 |
| Wet | 83 | 83 |
| Snow | – | 88 |
| Comfort | 74 | 83 |
| Noise | 92 | 79 |
| Treadwear | 71 | 79 |
| Handling | 79 | 84 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
79
/ 100
Tire A
83
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Test data
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curved Aquaplaning | Curved | 100% #1/10 · 2022 Tyre Reviews UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 91% #10/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | +9 | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #15/48 · 2023 Summer Tyre Market Overview | 100% #2/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test | -5.1 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #7/10 · 2022 Tyre Reviews UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 99% #6/8 · 2023 Motor Summer Tyre Test | -1 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 97% #4/10 · 2022 Tyre Reviews UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 79% #7/10 · 2020 New 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | +17.5 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 98% #17/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 97% #13/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | +1.7 | Different tests |
| Abrasion | Other | 88% #14/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 65% #36/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | +22.6 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 100% #17/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 98% #3/10 · 2020 New 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | +1.7 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 69% #6/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test | 96% #5/8 · 2023 Motor Summer Tyre Test | -27.4 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 81% #11/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 72% #42/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | +9.1 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 50% #14/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 47% #14/15 · 2021 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 | +2.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 6% #18/45 · 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout | 33% #3/14 · 2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tyre Test | -27.8 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 96% #6/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 90% #6/12 · 2020 Tyre Reviews Ultimate Summer Tyre Test | +6.3 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 78% #10/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 82% #12/12 · 2020 Tyre Reviews Ultimate Summer Tyre Test | -4.2 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 70% #7/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 90% #2/14 · 2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tyre Test | -20 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 60% #13/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 90% #3/14 · 2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tyre Test | -30 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #20/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 0% #19/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 88% #6/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 94% #3/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test | -6.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | Wet | 65% #5/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 67% #19/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | -1.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 99% #5/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 98% #6/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test | +0.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 92% #7/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 98% #9/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | -5.6 | Different tests |
From owners
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 Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 is widely regarded as a premium touring tire that excels in ride comfort, low noise levels, and balanced dry-weather handling. While many users praise its refined road manners and efficiency, there is a notable divide in user experience regarding tread longevity and wet-weather performance, with some reporting exceptional durability and others experiencing premature wear or noise degradation over time.
Pros
- Excellent ride comfort and noise suppression
- Strong dry-weather grip and predictable handling
- Low rolling resistance contributing to fuel efficiency
- High-quality construction suitable for daily commuting
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life reported across different driving styles and road conditions
- Increased road noise as the tire wears down
- Mixed performance in wet conditions, with some users reporting a loss of confidence
- Susceptibility to sidewall damage from potholes
Observations
- Users with BMW and Audi vehicles often note the tire's ability to improve ride quality compared to harsher OEM run-flat alternatives.
- Drivers of high-torque electric vehicles (EVs) report varying results, with some noting impressive longevity while others cite faster wear due to instant torque.
- Performance on 18-inch and larger wheels is frequently praised for comfort, though some users note a 'squirrely' sensation on grooved highway pavement.
Community buzz
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Mixed
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.
r/tires
·5 upvotes ·2022-10-17
“Those are Kumho Ecsta PS71s, thread width is supposed to be 245mm, the actual one is hardly 235. How so?”
r/TyreReviews
·3 upvotes ·2026-03-08
“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.”
r/TyreReviews
·2 upvotes ·2024-10-25
“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.”
r/TeslaUK
·2 upvotes ·2026-08-28
“go with Kumho Ecsta PS71 EV around £140 – £165. Good value for money”
Top themes
#Wet and dry grip#Value for money#Tire wear and longevity#UHP performance characteristics#Comparison with premium brands#Sidewall width and markings#Tire pressure management
Based on 19 community posts
Tire B
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta PS71 | B · Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
79
/ 100
Kumho
83
/ 100
Pirelli
Winner: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 — better dry, comfort and treadwear. Pick the Kumho Ecsta PS71 if noise matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Kumho Ecsta PS71 scores 92 vs 79 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 scores 91 vs 81 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 scores 83 vs 74 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 scores 79 vs 71 on treadwear.
Tire A · Kumho Ecsta PS71
Tire B · Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Kumho Ecsta PS71 also compared with
Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 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.