Kenda KAISER KR20 review
The Kenda Kaiser KR20 is a polarizing budget-tier tire that receives highly mixed reviews, often depending on the driver's expectations and vehicle application. While many users praise its exceptional value, longevity, and acceptable dry-weather performance, a significant portion of the user base reports dangerous handling characteristics in wet conditions and excessive road noise that mimics mechanical failure.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
56%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 64 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Kenda Kaiser KR20 is a polarizing budget-tier tire that receives highly mixed reviews, often depending on the driver's expectations and vehicle application. While many users praise its exceptional value, longevity, and acceptable dry-weather performance, a significant portion of the user base reports dangerous handling characteristics in wet conditions and excessive road noise that mimics mechanical failure.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium brands
- Impressive tread life and durability
- Adequate dry-weather grip for daily commuting
- Popular choice for drifting due to longevity and low cost
Cons
- Poor wet-weather traction and hydroplaning resistance
- High levels of road noise often described as a 'droning' sound
- Inconsistent handling and lack of steering feedback
- Soft sidewalls leading to a 'sloppy' or unstable driving feel
Worth knowing
- Performance-oriented vehicles (e.g., Evo, A45, Type R) frequently report that the tire's lack of wet grip makes the vehicle unpredictable and dangerous.
- Users note that the tire's performance is highly sensitive to proper suspension health and precise tire pressure, which can mitigate some handling issues.
- Drivers of heavier or higher-torque vehicles report significant traction loss in lower gears during wet conditions.