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  • KumhoSolus KL21
  • KumhoSolus KL21
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The SOLUS KL21 is Kumho's Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire developed for the driver of crossovers, sport utility vehicles and prestigious pickups looking for year-round capabilities. Many of the SOLUS KL21 tires meet Kumho's eco* standard for low rolling resistance that confirms the tire's contribution to reducing vehicle fuel consumption and emission of CO2 gases. The Solus KL21 is designed to combine ride comfort and low noise with year-round handling and traction, even in light snow.

The SOLUS KL21 uses Kumho's High Dispersible Silica (HDS) tread compound to reduce rolling resistance and strengthen the rubber to promote even wear. The compound is molded into a symmetric bamboo‑inspired tread design that provides all-season traction in dry, wet and wintertime conditions.

The tire's internal structure features twin, high-tensile steel belts reinforced by spirally wrapped nylon to combine strength and low rolling resistance while a High Intensity Body Ply reduces heat generation and casing energy losses.

*Specific sizes featuring Low Rolling Resistance technology are identified as such on the Sizes tab, as well as on the tire's Specs tab.

Tire Rack Test Results Kumho Solus KL21

Testing Eco-Focused CUV/SUV All-Season Tires in Real World Conditions(02:48)

Tires designed to be eco-friendly were initially offered to drivers of small hybrid or ultra-efficient cars. This trend evolved to include everyday passenger cars and has continued into the crossover/SUV market.

We compared several eco-friendly CUV/SUV tires to see how they drive in everyday conditions. Here are the results of our testing.

Read the Full Test Report

Ratings Charts & Reviews Kumho Solus KL21

Tire Category: Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season

Consumer Surveys

 
Best in Category
Miles Reported
Recommended
Treadwear
Kumho Solus KL21
Good
72%
8.2M
4.6 - Fair
7.1 - Good
7.1 Hydroplaning Resistance
7.2 Wet Traction
7.9 - Good
7.7 Corner Stability
8.1 Dry Traction
7.8 Steering Response
4.5 - Poor
5.2 Light Snow Traction
4.3 Deep Snow Traction
4.0 Ice Traction
7.3 - Good
7.4 Ride Quality
7.2 Noise
6.3 - Fair

Kumho Solus KL21 Reviews

Ratings highlight excellence in comfort with high marks for a smooth, quiet ride, and strong treadwear showing durable performance despite some inconsistency. Winter traction raises concerns, with many scores in the 0-4 range indicating limited capability in snow and ice. Wet traction delivers reliable grip (7-10 scores), while dry handling earns consistent praise for confident cornering and stability. As a crossover/SUV touring all-season tire, it excels in everyday conditions but may fall short in severe winter environments.

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Customers Like:

Customers Dislike:

260 reviews mention "Wet Traction"

  • 174 positive
  • 86 negative

Most customers rate wet traction highly, with scores between 7-10. Many report confident grip and reliable hydroplaning resistance, though a few note reduced performance in heavy rain.

September 14, 2017
4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
4.8 out of 5

...We rarely get snow so i snow so i can not testcan not testto testify to that, to that,,, but rain is plifulentiful and... the tires hold the road well with no hydroplaning. I am going to buy going to buy another set another set.

These were the oem tires and we live in the mountains. I have no complaints about these tires, wear is exceptional, no uneven treadwear,
hard cornering is confident.....just a good all around tire and price is good too. We rarely get snow so i can not testify to that, but rain is plentiful and the tires hold the road well with no hydroplaning. I am going to buy another set.

Vehicle: 2015 Kia Sorento LX
Miles Driven on Tires: 55,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: HIAWASSEE, GA
Driving Style: Spirited

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269 reviews mention "Dry Traction"

  • 232 positive
  • 37 negative

Dry traction receives strong ratings, with most scores between 8-10. Customers praise responsive handling and confident grip, making it a reliable choice for all-season touring. Some lower scores indicate minor inconsistencies, but overall performance excels in intended use.

276 reviews mention "Ride Quality"

  • 190 positive
  • 86 negative

Most customers rate comfort highly with scores of 9-10, highlighting smooth ride and low noise. The Solus KL21 excels in crossover/SUV touring, though some report minor noise inconsistencies.

November 30, 2010
4.4 out of 5 Star Rating
4.4 out of 5

...Ride is very quiet and comfortable. They have a somewhat soft feel going into turns but are very stable through them...

Haven't got a lot of miles but very pleased so far. Wet traction is superior to the previous Michelins. No snow or icy road tests yet. Ride is very quiet and comfortable. They have a somewhat "soft" feel going into turns but are very stable through them. No indication of wear yet but shouldn't be.

Vehicle: 2003 Lincoln Town Car
Miles Driven on Tires: 1,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: KANSAS CITY, MO
Driving Style: Average

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253 reviews mention "Treadwear"

  • 148 positive
  • 105 negative

Most customers rate treadwear highly with scores of 9-10, emphasizing long-lasting performance ideal for crossover/SUV touring. While some scores vary, the majority highlight durable all-season capability.

December 29, 2018
4.2 out of 5 Star Rating
4.2 out of 5

...They just work, and the treadwear has been fantastic. They're just about to the wear bars now at just over 72000 miles. We could definitely push them further, but a trip up north that's going to likely involve snow and we'd prefer a bit more tread depth...

By far the best OE tires we've had yet. They just work, and the treadwear has been fantastic. They're just about to the wear bars now at just over 72000 miles. We could definitely push them further, but a trip up north that's going to likely involve snow and we'd prefer a bit more tread depth. If we weren't doing that trip, we'd run these through this winter and likely next summer as well. These tires seem to like a little bit higher pressure than the car recommends, especially in the front - 40-ish instead of 35psi. Wear is even across the tread on all four tires and at all four corners.

These tires are used mostly in city driving day to day, but have gone on multiple 1000-2000 mile road trips. We've been caught in snow with them a couple times and they performed fine - as well as I would expect an all-season tire to perform.

For clarity, ratings are in the context of/relative to all-season CUV type tires, not specialized tires. They're not winter snow/ice tires that will let you plow through 18" drifts over ice without issue. They're not summer UHP tires, they're not mud terrains. They're a great compromise tire for a daily driven small SUV that performs well and lasts a LONG time.

This is probably the first time when replacing tires that we didn't even bother to shop around - no questions asked going with the same thing.

Vehicle: 2015 Jeep Compass 4WD Latitude
Miles Driven on Tires: 72,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: NEWARK, DE
Driving Style: Average

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May 17, 2022
(Verified Purchase)
N/A out of 5 Star Rating
Not Yet Rated

This brand was original equipment on the car and they wore very well, they had 55,000 miles with plenty of tread left...

This brand was original equipment on the car and they wore very well, they had 55,000 miles with plenty of tread left. I was advised to get new tires because they were 10 years old so I replaced them with the same tire. The new tires appear to be holding up just as well, I am happy with the purchase.

Vehicle: 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited
Miles Driven on Tires: 3,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: RIDGE MANOR, FL
Driving Style: Easy Going

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March 12, 2018
3.8 out of 5 Star Rating
3.8 out of 5

...I am at a little more than 53,000 miles and they are right at 4/32; I rotate tires every 5000 miles and do alignments regularly...

These tires came new on my 2014 Sportage and despite my lack of experience with Kumho tires, these were probably the best OEM tires I have ever had on vehicles I have purchased (which is a lot to say, since most OEM tires are underwhelming). This is not to say they are perfect, but overall they have been good tires and worn really well...I am at a little more than 53,000 miles and they are right at 4/32; I rotate tires every 5000 miles and do alignments regularly.

The bad: they are noisy and have become more so since wearing below 6/32...sometimes obnoxiously so. And they are average in the rain; I never felt 100% confident driving in rainstorms at highway speeds, even when new. North Carolina winters are not too bad, so I cannot comment about snow or severe ice like my northern friends, but the Kumho is not happy with ice at all, even the modest icing we got this winter.

I am currently shopping for new tires as I feel 4/32 is about the the lowest I wish to go, especially with summer rains coming. While I think the KL21 is decent, I think there are other tires at the same price point which are better and I will certainly go with another replacement tire.

Vehicle: 2014 Kia Sportage LX
Miles Driven on Tires: 53,176
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: BUNNLEVEL, NC
Driving Style: Average

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193 reviews mention "Winter Traction"

  • 74 positive
  • 119 negative

Winter traction is disappointing, with many scores between 0-6 indicating slippery snow/ice performance and sketchy handling. While some rate it 7-10, numerous customers report loss of traction, getting stuck, or avoiding winter driving entirely due to poor grip.

November 28, 2016
3.2 out of 5 Star Rating
3.2 out of 5

...When it did snow, the traction was not good. In addition, the ice traction is also very poor...

This tire came with my Durango when new, but I would never buy them as replacements. Tread life is not good, as I have 25k on the tires and I will be lucky to get to 36k. Tread is getting to the wear bars already. I live in Minnesota and we've had a few mild winters, so I have been lucky. When it did snow, the traction was not good. In addition, the ice traction is also very poor. This tire is not worth the money and I would recommend not purchasing them. Spend the extra for a better quality tire.

Vehicle: 2014 Dodge Durango AWD SXT
Miles Driven on Tires: 25,432
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: ANOKA, MN
Driving Style: Average

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February 17, 2019
(Verified Purchase)
2.9 out of 5 Star Rating
2.9 out of 5

...However, they are appallingly bad in winter. The term all season should not apply to any tire that does not have the industry's mountain peak/snowflake symbol...

The Kumho's were stock on my 2016 Jeep Patriot. If I drove these outside of the snow belt I'd be quite happy with them; They show minimal, even wear at 23,000 miles and are competent enough tires on dry and wet pavement. However, they are appallingly bad in winter. The term "all season" should not apply to any tire that does not have the industry's "mountain peak/snowflake" symbol. I replaced these with tires that do have the symbol and the difference in winter performance is remarkable. Lesson learned.

Vehicle: 2016 Jeep Patriot 4X4 Latitude
Miles Driven on Tires: 23,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: PORTLAND, OR
Driving Style: Average

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February 17, 2018
2.8 out of 5 Star Rating
2.8 out of 5

These tires were so e m on my Jeep Compass 4X4. I don't know how Jeep can put this kind of tire on a four-wheel drive vehicle and say their vehicles are very good in the snow. These tires are the worst tires I have ever used in the snow even with two wheel drive...

These tires were so e m on my Jeep Compass 4X4. I don't know how Jeep can put this kind of tire on a four-wheel drive vehicle and say their vehicles are very good in the snow. These tires are the worst tires I have ever used in the snow even with two wheel drive. My daughter has a 2013 Hyundai Elantra with General ultimate Arctic snow tires and it runs circles around the Jeep. I purchased the Jeep as a second vehicle as I have a 2016 Subaru STI with snow tires in the winter and it is the best vehicle on the road snow or ice. Jeep needs to spend some money and put a decent Tire for all season to make their four wheel drive vehicles better all-around.

Vehicle: 2016 Jeep Compass FWD Latitude
Miles Driven on Tires: 25,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: WEST WARWICK, RI
Driving Style: Spirited

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Consumer Reviews

Media Gallery

Testing Eco-Focused CUV/SUV All-Season Tires in Real World Conditions(02:48)

Tires designed to be eco-friendly were initially offered to drivers of small hybrid or ultra-efficient cars. This trend evolved to include everyday passenger cars and has continued into the crossover/SUV market.

We compared several eco-friendly CUV/SUV tires to see how they drive in everyday conditions. Here are the results of our testing.

Read the Full Test Report

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