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  • KumhoEcsta PS31
  • KumhoEcsta PS31
Tire Rack Test

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The Ecsta PS31 is Kumho's Ultra High Performance Summer tire developed for drivers who emphasize handling and performance in dry and wet conditions for their sports cars, sporty coupes and performance sedans. Like all summer tires, the Ecsta PS31 is not intended to be driven in near freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.

Kumho Ecsta PS31A high-technology summer compound features High Dispersible Micro Silica for a more even distribution of silica throughout the contact patch and High Grip Resin to enhance dry and wet traction. The compound is molded into a directional tread pattern with a solid center rib for improved high-speed stability and 3D Dimple Design heat dimples help minimize heat buildup in the tread blocks, increasing durability for reduced wear. Optimized lateral groove angles resist irregular wear while maximizing water displacement during wet-weather cornering, and the four wide, circumferential main grooves work with diagonal-sipe microgrooves to evacuate water from the footprint for hydroplaning resistance.

The tire features a computer-simulated structure to provide uniform contact pressure for even wear, and the reinforced internal construction includes a two-ply polyester casing beneath twin wide, steel belts and two full layer nylon cap plies for improved impact resistance, high-speed handling and durability.

Tire Rack Test Results Kumho Ecsta PS31

Does Firestone Hit the Ultra High Performance Summer Mark?(07:33)

Firestone wants to hit the bull's eye with its new Firehawk Indy 500. The target is specific: an outstanding blend of dry and wet street traction and handling.

How accurate is Firestone's aim in the Ultra High Performance Summer category ripe with contenders including the BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2, Dunlop Direzza DZ102 and Kumho Ecsta PS31?

Read the Full Test Report

Ratings Charts & Reviews KumhoEcsta PS31

Tire Category: Ultra High Performance Summer

Consumer Surveys

 
Best in Category
Miles Reported
Recommended
Treadwear
Kumho Ecsta PS31
Good
94%
1.3M
7.4 - Good
8.0 - Good
8.1 Hydroplaning Resistance
8.0 Wet Traction
8.5 - Good
8.4 Corner Stability
8.7 Dry Traction
8.4 Steering Response
N/A
N/A Light Snow Traction
N/A Deep Snow Traction
N/A Ice Traction
8.3 - Good
8.4 Ride Quality
8.2 Noise
8.1 - Good

Customers Say

Ratings data demonstrates the Kumho Ecsta PS31 excels in dry traction, with numerous 9-10 scores highlighting sharp cornering stability and responsive steering. Wet traction earns strong feedback (7-10 range), showing reliable grip and hydroplaning resistance for a summer tire. Comfort receives consistent praise, with most scores in the 7-10 range for a smooth, quiet ride. Treadwear ratings (7-10) suggest above-average longevity for an ultra-high-performance summer tire, though some variability exists. Customers emphasize its alignment with intended summer use, particularly for spirited driving in dry conditions. No significant weaknesses emerge in core categories, reinforcing its suitability for drivers prioritizing summer-focused performance.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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Customers Like:

131 customers mention "Wet Traction"

  • 113 positive
  • 18 negative

Most customers rate wet traction highly with scores 8-10, highlighting confident wet grip and hydroplaning resistance. While a few lower scores exist, the majority praise its secure handling in rainy conditions as expected from a summer performance tire.

July 30, 2018

4.6 out of 5 Star Rating
4.6 out of 5

...PS31 were recommended as they are firm tires, more complain to my OEM tire feeling, and wow, I'm amazed, the change was night and day... Tires brake on a breath, corner as good as the OEM Dunlop Sports and have grip on wet pavemente...

Astonished bythe performance of this tires either on the dry and on wet pavement, before this set I had chinese A1 Antares tiresc that slipped all over the place, had less than 200 miles on 'em, changed them st the tire desler less than 2 weeks after as they felt horrible in general. PS31 were recommended as they are firm tires, more complain to my OEM tire feeling, and wow, I'm amazed, the change was night and day. Tires brake on a breath, corner as good as the OEM Dunlop Sports and have a grip on wet pavemente, so far I' aamazed at this tires, and woul by them again on a hearthbeat.

Vehicle: 2011 BMW 135i Coupe M Sport Package Built Before 9/10
Miles Driven on Tires: 50
Driving Conditions: Mostly City
Location: Indio, CA
Driving Style: Spirited
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August 29, 2023 (Verified Purchase)

4.1 out of 5 Star Rating
4.1 out of 5

...These Kumho's are... very stable in the wet...

Really great tire. The OEM Goodyear tires were awful - poor dry traction, lethal in the wet and noisy.

These Kumho's are really quiet, have great dry traction and are very stable in the wet. The ride is also improved over the OEM tires. I don't have a lot of miles on them but so far I could not be happier given the price/performance tradeoff. Highly recommended and I would purchase them again for sure.

Vehicle: 2014 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV
Miles Driven on Tires: 6,000
Driving Conditions: Mostly City
Location: CARY, NC
Driving Style: Average
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October 09, 2018 (Verified Purchase)

3.9 out of 5 Star Rating
3.9 out of 5

...It shines in the wet and has pretty good dry grip, but does give up grip much sooner than the OEM Bridgestone...

My plan when purchasing these tires was to buy them along with 15" wheels to downsize the OEM wheels on my Fiesta ST, as the OEM 17" wheels required a short sidewall which caused the car to "crash" over bumps. I chose the Kumho tires based on price and reviews (specifically those pertaining to wet weather performance). These tires have been almost exactly what I thought they'd be, a jack of all trades for summer perormance. The Kumho probably doesn't have the highest rating in any one category, but I'd say it's above average in almost all ways. It shines in the wet and has pretty good dry grip, but does give up grip much sooner than the OEM Bridgestone. Overall, I like them and feel that they do it all well with no glaring faults - especially considering the price. I'd recommend them to budget minded shoppers, but probably not to someone who wouldn't mind spending more for higher levels of performance and ultimate grip.

Vehicle: 2016 Ford Fiesta ST
Miles Driven on Tires: 2,500
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: MIDDLETOWN, NY
Driving Style: Spirited
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157 customers mention "Dry Traction"

  • 145 positive
  • 12 negative

Most customers rate dry traction as excellent, with scores of 9-10 highlighting strong grip and responsive handling. The PS31 delivers confident dry-road performance expected from an Ultra High Performance Summer tire.

November 09, 2016

4 out of 5 Star Rating
4 out of 5

On my first Autocross with these tires on, I broke my personal best... I took seconds off my time...

On my first Autocross with these tires on, I broke my personal best. Some track. Worse conditions than the month before, because rain had washed some sand across some of the turns. I took seconds off my time. The ride is soft, which is great for my back. They are definitely less responsive than the Bridgestone Pole Positions that they replaced. BUT, in actual track lap time, they are faster. Incredible bargain!

Vehicle: 1999 Mazda Miata
Miles Driven on Tires: 2,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: CINCINNATI, OH
Driving Style: Spirited
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August 11, 2020

4.2 out of 5 Star Rating
4.2 out of 5

...The grip is great, in wet or dry and the comfort is on point with the Arizonians... So compliant over bumps and dips but the grip is there when you need it...

Love these tires! I 've only owned them for two weeks but the difference from the 16" Arizonians I had are astonishing! The grip is great, in wet or dry and the comfort is on point with the Arizonians. The Arizonians are an All-Season passenger tire, built for a comfortable ride and good fuel mileage. The Kumho's are the most comfortable Summer Performance tire I have ever seen! So compliant over bumps and dips but the grip is there when you need it. For my Civic LX, they're the best buy.

Vehicle: 2011 Honda Civic Sedan LX
Miles Driven on Tires: 200
Driving Conditions: Mostly City
Location: CHICAGO, IL
Driving Style: Spirited
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December 03, 2020

4.6 out of 5 Star Rating
4.6 out of 5

...Although ultimate grip levels aren't as high as some top name uhp summer tires unless you track your car or drive canyon roads daily at 11/10ths you probably won't notice...

Performance bargain. Replaced a set of Cooper zeons after 2 of them were worn out and one picked up a nail. Although the Cooper's had a much more direct, faster initial turn in these are much more progressive and seem better moderated under hard driving. Although ultimate grip levels aren't as high as some top name uhp summer tires unless you track your car or drive canyon roads daily at 11/10ths you probably won't notice. They do have a bit of a hum when new, but that seems to go away after they get some miles on them. If you can get these when a rebate and a sale are going on at the same time it is possible for these to be close to 50% cheaper than the competition. Something to keep in mind as they can do 90% of what the top tires can do on the road.

Vehicle: 2011 Hyundai Sonata GLS
Miles Driven on Tires: 7,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: FREDERICTON, NB
Driving Style: Spirited
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153 customers mention "Ride Quality"

  • 141 positive
  • 12 negative

Customers praise the Kumho Ecsta PS31's ride comfort with most scoring 8s and 9s, highlighting smooth performance. Noise levels show some variability but generally receive positive ratings, aligning well with its ultra-high-performance summer focus.

November 08, 2021 (Verified Purchase)

4.7 out of 5 Star Rating
4.7 out of 5

...They are holding up well tread-wise and are super quiet and comfortable on the highway where I do most of my driving...

Bought the Kumho's for my mk6 Golf TDI on the recommendation of users of a mk6 GTI forum � over the course of 10,000 miles with them, I'm happy with my purchase and they provide fantastic value for the money. They are holding up well tread-wise and are super quiet and comfortable on the highway where I do most of my driving. Make no mistakes though, these tires still handle well when going for a B-road blast through the twisties. My Golf is lowered on H&R sport springs and the Kumho's match the performance well and inspire confidence when going on a spirited drive, although they feel a little softer when compared to my mk5 GTI's tires which are stiffer, but far noisier when cruising; this could also be down to suspension differences/tuning between the two however. For a daily driver summer tire, especially for highway cruising, I'd absolutely recommend these tires.

Vehicle: 2014 Volkswagen Golf TDI
Miles Driven on Tires: 10,000
Driving Conditions: Mostly Highway
Location: EAST HAVEN, CT
Driving Style: Average
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June 27, 2017

4.1 out of 5 Star Rating
4.1 out of 5

...The Kumho PS31 is good everyday driver tire because they are quiet and comfy to ride on...

*** I will update after some miles driven and during the rainy season ***

Pros:
Good looking sidewall
None road noise
Very comfortable
Good price

Cons:
Sidewall too soft
Steering is lazy

I am living in the San Francisco Bay Area, and the road condition is bad. The Kumho PS31 is good everyday driver tire because they are quiet and comfy to ride on.

Handling of the PS31 is actually disappointing because I am switching from Hankook Ventus V2 Concept 2 to them, and I even feel more stable cornering with my old tires since the sidewall is so soft on the PS31. I feel like the car doesn't want to turn when turning in. My old tires are 205/50, and the PS31 are 205/55, and I think it matters. I pumped up the tire pressure a little to get a sharper steering response, and hopefully, it will not affect how the tire wear.

I have the same size (205/55) Kumho KU22 on another car, and the sidewall feels a lot stiffer than the PS31. Also, the KU22 provide the same grip level as the PS31. I will only rate the PS31 a high performance summer tire instead of ultra high performance.

Vehicle: 1986 BMW 325es
Miles Driven on Tires: 100
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: SAN PABLO, CA
Driving Style: Spirited
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May 10, 2021

4.3 out of 5 Star Rating
4.3 out of 5

...The Kuhmo tires are extremely quiet, provide a very comfortable ride and are quite grippy as well. I did notice that the sidewall does seem a bit softer than other summer tires that I've had, but I would gladly take this trade-off with the comfort and quietness that these tires provide...

I replaced a set of Dunlop Direzza 102 tires with the PS31 Kuhmo tire and it has been a night and day difference. The Kuhmo tires are extremely quiet, provide a very comfortable ride and are quite grippy as well. I did notice that the sidewall does seem a bit softer than other summer tires that I've had, but I would gladly take this trade-off with the comfort and quietness that these tires provide. Compared to the Dunlop tires, the Kuhmo's have an increased and noticeable amount of grip when cornering. In all, I feel like the PS31 is a perfect combination of comfort and performance, especially for those of us that spend a lot of time commuting, but also want a tire that can provide confidence and fun in cornering when the opportunity presents itself.

Vehicle: 2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI With Rubber Valve Stems
Miles Driven on Tires: 1,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA
Driving Style: Spirited
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116 customers mention "Treadwear"

  • 101 positive
  • 15 negative

Most customers rate treadwear highly with scores of 9-10, highlighting excellent durability for summer performance driving. While a few lower ratings exist, the majority praise its long-lasting grip in dry and wet conditions.

March 28, 2025 (Verified Purchase)

4.7 out of 5 Star Rating
4.7 out of 5

...Tire have higher tread wear rating so expect longer life...

Great price compared to other high performance Summer tires. Replaced OEM Bridgestone S001 which were going on 8 years old but only 15000 miles. These have more visible tread so hoping wet performance will be better. Tire have higher tread wear rating so expect longer life. I went from 205 to 215 size with no rubbing issues (stock height car). Price was very competitive with the other tires I had on list of choices.

Shipped quickly to local Navarre Firestone installer. They had modern Hunter mounting equipment with no touch tire installation. Appointment was handled on time and was great.

Vehicle: 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring
Miles Driven on Tires: 100
Driving Conditions: Mostly Highway
Location: MARY ESTHER, FL
Driving Style: Spirited
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September 07, 2022 (Verified Purchase)

3.2 out of 5 Star Rating
3.2 out of 5

I was looking for a few qualities when buying this tire as I was readying to trade my BRZ in: I wanted an inexpensive summer tire that performed well, was quiet, and had a high treadwear rating... I am thrilled with the price of these tires and the treadwear...

I wouldn't consider this an ultra high performance summer tire, especially considering what the other examples in the class perform like. These tires are very vocal-- lots and lots of squealing when cornering, relatively numb steering response and feedback, and suboptimal wet performance. I was looking for a few qualities when buying this tire as I was readying to trade my BRZ in: I wanted an inexpensive summer tire that performed well, was quiet, and had a high treadwear rating. For the most part, these tires do exactly what I purchased them to do, however I am often just looking for a little bit more performance. I am thrilled with the price of these tires and the treadwear. The poor wet performance and the low limits in the dry (especially the poor steering response) are the main things I am disappointed in with this tire. I am often breaking traction when I don't want to. I have used the Firestone Indy 500s on previous cars and absolutely loved them, however I think I will give the General G-Max RS a try next.

Vehicle: 2020 Subaru BRZ Limited Performance Pkg
Miles Driven on Tires: 10,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: BUFFALO, NY
Driving Style: Spirited
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July 06, 2024 (Verified Purchase)

3.8 out of 5 Star Rating
3.8 out of 5

...With a treadwear rating of 460, the transfer of rubber to the pavement is not to the degree of other tires in the "Ultra-high Performance" tire category, such as Yokohama Advan, or Toyo Proxes, therefore will lack the grip of these others. The trade off would be that these tires will not wear down as fast as these competitors...

I find the Kumho Ecsta PS31 to be a good budget performance tire that will support spirited driving on the street, and some hard driving on the track. I've installed these on a set of 16 inch wheels, and have used this combo on my car for about two years and 4000 Miles. For street use, these tires will have just about all of the dry grip you'll possibly need. For track use, these hold up to the abuse, but aren't quite in the league of a competitive performance tire as you would probably expect. With a treadwear rating of 460, the transfer of rubber to the pavement is not to the degree of other tires in the "Ultra-high Performance" tire category, such as Yokohama Advan, or Toyo Proxes, therefore will lack the grip of these others. The trade off would be that these tires will not wear down as fast as these competitors. They perform surprisingly well in the rain, even knocking my old Michelins out of the park in this category.

Bottom line: If you're a spirited driver who likes to blast through canyon roads every now an then, but don't want to worry about instability in rainy conditions, this tire would be a great match. If you participate in any sort of competitive driving, it would be best to go for something with a more aggressive compound.

Vehicle: 1981 Datsun 280ZX
Miles Driven on Tires: 4,000
Driving Conditions: Track/Autocross
Location: HALF MOON BAY, CA
Driving Style: Spirited
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Consumer Reviews

Media Gallery

Does Firestone Hit the Ultra High Performance Summer Mark?(07:33)

Firestone wants to hit the bull's eye with its new Firehawk Indy 500. The target is specific: an outstanding blend of dry and wet street traction and handling.

How accurate is Firestone's aim in the Ultra High Performance Summer category ripe with contenders including the BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2, Dunlop Direzza DZ102 and Kumho Ecsta PS31?

Read the Full Test Report

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