Table of Contents
Introduction
Kumho Road Venture AT51 Review: Tires are an integral component of any vehicle, acting as the only point of contact between the car and the road. Therefore, the importance of choosing the right tire that can perform well in various conditions while offering durability cannot be overstated. In this article, we turn our focus to a tire model that has garnered significant attention – the Kumho Road Venture AT51. Known for its all-terrain capabilities and the excellent performance it delivers, the Road Venture AT51 has been applauded by drivers around the globe. This review will dive into the intricacies of this tire, evaluating its key features, performance, pros and cons, and overall value for money.
Overview of Kumho
Kumho Tire Co. Inc., established in 1960, has established a strong global footprint in the tire industry over the past six decades. Hailing from South Korea, the brand’s reputation for producing high-quality tires has allowed it to cement a firm position in the global market.
Kumho is recognized for its innovation and technology-driven products. The company has consistently invested in research and development to create tires that meet diverse driving conditions, ensuring that they cater to a broad spectrum of drivers. One such product of their technological prowess is the Road Venture AT51, a tire designed to deliver superior performance on both on and off-road conditions.
Next, we’ll take a deeper look into the Kumho Road Venture AT51, focusing on its specific features such as tread life, noise level, ride comfort, and handling among others. Stay tuned as we delve into why this tire is held in such high regard by many.
Detailed Features of Kumho Road Venture AT51
One of the standout features of the Kumho Road Venture AT51 is its comprehensive set of specifications that enhance its performance in various road conditions. Let’s delve into the intricacies of these features, with an understanding of how they contribute to the tire’s overall function.
Tread Life:
The AT51 features a dual silica compound that enhances the tire’s tread life. This compound not only improves the tire’s grip on wet surfaces but also reduces rolling resistance, making it more fuel-efficient. This design also contributes significantly to the durability of the tire, meaning it can take on both rough terrains and daily commutes with ease.
Noise Level:
Thanks to its symmetric tread design, the AT51 offers a quiet and smooth ride. The tire’s design decreases noise levels by utilizing variable pitch tread blocks, ensuring the noise is evenly distributed and thereby mitigating the overall sound produced during the drive.
Ride Comfort:
The Road Venture AT51 is designed with ride comfort in mind. Its tread design allows for even weight distribution and shock absorption, contributing to a smooth ride. This, combined with the low noise level, makes for a comfortable driving experience, regardless of the distance covered.
Handling:
The Kumho Road Venture AT51 is well-recognized for its impressive handling capabilities. The tire has interlocking tread blocks and a unique stone ejector bar that helps maintain contact with the road, enhancing the tire’s grip and stability. This leads to better control over the vehicle, particularly in off-road conditions or on slippery surfaces.
3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) Certification:
One of the most notable features of the AT51 is that it’s 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified. The 3PMSF symbol is only awarded to tires that have been tested and meet specific snow traction performance requirements by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC). Therefore, this certification implies that the AT51 provides reliable performance in severe snow conditions, providing drivers with confidence and peace of mind when traversing winter landscapes.
As we move forward, we will explore how these features play out practically in different driving conditions, providing an in-depth performance analysis of the Kumho Road Venture AT51.
Chapter 4: Performance Analysis
In this chapter, we delve into the performance of the Kumho Road Venture AT51. Based on actual tested mileage and ratings from Consumer Reports, we’ll review how the AT51 performs in various conditions. Remember, the ratings are on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the best.
Dry Braking (3/5):
In terms of dry braking, the Kumho Road Venture AT51 earns a solid 3. This rating indicates that the tire performs averagely when braking on dry surfaces, providing satisfactory grip and control, but there may be room for improvement when compared to top-performing tires in this category.
Wet Braking (2/5):
The AT51’s wet braking score is 2, meaning it has room to improve in terms of performance on wet surfaces, particularly during braking. This score, however, does not imply that the tire’s performance is poor. It’s adequate but compared to some competitors, its wet braking performance falls a bit short.
Wet Handling (3/5):
With a rating of 3 for wet handling, the Kumho Road Venture AT51 demonstrates decent control and stability on wet surfaces. It indicates that drivers can expect a fairly reliable performance in wet conditions, although there are tires with higher ratings in this area.
Hydroplaning (4/5):
The AT51 shines in its resistance to hydroplaning, scoring a 4. This score suggests that the tire is quite proficient at maintaining contact with the road surface in wet conditions, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and offering a safer driving experience in rain or wet conditions.
Snow Traction (4/5):
Reflecting its 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, the AT51 scores a 4 in snow traction. This score suggests excellent performance in snowy conditions, providing drivers with confidence when driving in winter landscapes.
Ice Braking (4/5):
The AT51 also scores well in ice braking, with a rating of 4. This is a critical factor for winter driving and the high score shows that the tire can deliver reliable stopping power even on icy surfaces.
Noise (3/5):
In terms of noise, the AT51 scores a 3. This rating indicates an average noise level during the drive. It isn’t the quietest tire on the market, but the noise level is acceptable for most drivers.
Ride Comfort (3/5):
For ride comfort, the AT51 earns a 3. This suggests a comfortable ride, absorbing most shocks from the road, although there may be other options in the market that offer an even smoother experience.
Rolling Resistance (3/5):
With a rating of 3 for rolling resistance, the AT51 offers moderate fuel efficiency. While not the most fuel-efficient tire on the market, it provides a decent balance between performance and efficiency.
In the next chapter, we will compare the Road Venture AT51 with other tires in the market to provide a more comprehensive understanding of its positioning in the industry.
Comparison with Other Tires in the Market
A tire’s performance is better understood when it is compared against its competitors. In this chapter, we compare the off-road performance of the Kumho Road Venture AT51 against the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, a highly recognized all-terrain tire in the market. The data used for comparison is based on specific off-road metrics, and it will offer valuable insights into how these two tires stack up against each other. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Gravel Braking:
When comparing the braking distance on gravel, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 stops at 35.02 meters while the Kumho Road Venture AT51 stops at 36.69 meters. The shorter stopping distance of the BFGoodrich tire suggests it might have a slight edge in braking performance on gravel surfaces. However, the Kumho tire still performs commendably, with the difference being relatively small.
- Kumho Road Venture AT51: -5%
Gravel Traction:
In terms of traction on gravel surfaces, the BFGoodrich tire clocks a time of 7.33 seconds, whereas the Kumho Road Venture AT51 achieves it in 8.33 seconds. Lower times indicate better performance, suggesting that the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 has slightly better traction on gravel.
- Kumho Road Venture AT51: -12%
Sand Traction:
Regarding sand traction, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 manages to cover 35.8 meters before getting stuck, while the Kumho Road Venture AT51 impressively covers 32.7 meters. Here, higher scores are better, indicating that the Kumho tire outperforms the BFGoodrich tire on sandy surfaces.
- Kumho Road Venture AT51: -9%
Overcoming the Slope:
Both the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 and the Kumho Road Venture AT51 score 47.5 on the scale for overcoming a slope. This subjective score indicates that both tires perform equivalently when it comes to tackling slopes, providing drivers with good control and grip in such challenging situations.
- Kumho Road Venture AT51: 0%
In conclusion, while the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 demonstrates marginally better performance on gravel surfaces, the Kumho Road Venture AT51 holds its own, especially in sandy conditions. Both tires exhibit comparable performance in overcoming slopes, indicating their suitability for off-road adventures. For more head to head comparison you could also check out our Michelin vs Kumho comparison.
Next, we will discuss the pros and cons of the Kumho Road Venture AT51 to provide a balanced view of its overall performance and value proposition.
Pros and Cons of the Kumho Road Venture AT51
Every tire comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks, and the Kumho Road Venture AT51 is no exception. To help you better understand this tire’s suitability for your driving needs, we’ve compiled a list of its main pros and cons.
Pros:
- All-Terrain Capability: The AT51 offers impressive all-terrain performance. Its noteworthy traction on gravel and sand, as well as its ability to overcome slopes, make it a reliable choice for off-road adventures.
- Snow Performance: The AT51 holds the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, indicating its excellent snow and ice performance. This makes it a great choice for drivers who often face snowy conditions.
- Hydroplaning Resistance: The AT51 scores well in hydroplaning resistance, providing a safer driving experience during wet conditions.
- Durability: The AT51’s tread life is enhanced by a dual silica compound, offering a long-lasting tire that can withstand both rough terrains and daily commutes.
Cons:
- Wet Braking: The AT51’s wet braking performance could use improvement. While adequate for most situations, there are other tires on the market that offer better wet braking performance.
- Noise Level: Although the noise level of the AT51 is acceptable for most drivers, it isn’t the quietest tire on the market. For those seeking a particularly quiet ride, there may be other better-suited options.
- Fuel Efficiency: While the AT51 provides a decent balance between performance and efficiency, it’s not the most fuel-efficient tire in its category.
Customer Feedback and Ratings
Customer feedback and ratings provide valuable insights into the real-world performance of a product. Looking at various online platforms, it’s clear that the Kumho Road Venture AT51 has been largely well-received by its users.
Most users appreciate the AT51 for its excellent all-terrain capabilities and snow performance. Its durability and resistance to hydroplaning have also garnered praise. Many users have found the tire to offer a comfortable ride, with adequate noise levels. However, some users have noted room for improvement in wet braking performance. A few users have also mentioned that while the noise level is generally acceptable, it could be quieter for their preference.
In the next chapter, we will analyze the price range of the Kumho Road Venture AT51 and evaluate whether it offers good value for money.
Pricing and Value for Money
The price of a tire can often be the deciding factor when choosing between different models. To provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the Kumho Road Venture AT51’s value for money, we’ll compare its price with a well-known competitor in the all-terrain tire market – the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.
Price:
Tire size: LT275/70R17
- Kumho Road Venture AT51: $272
- BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 : $325
For the tire size LT275/70R17, the Kumho Road Venture AT51 is priced at $272, while the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is priced significantly higher at $325. It’s important to note that prices may vary based on the retailer and location, but the AT51 consistently has a lower price tag compared to the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.
While the BFGoodrich tire may perform marginally better in some areas, such as gravel traction and braking, the Kumho Road Venture AT51 holds its own, especially considering its significantly lower price. In terms of sand traction, the AT51 even outperforms the BFGoodrich model. Furthermore, the AT51’s 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, which attests to its excellent snow and ice performance, makes it an attractive option for those who frequently drive in winter conditions.
When considering the performance attributes, customer reviews, and the price point of the Kumho Road Venture AT51, it offers good value for money. This tire is an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable and durable all-terrain tire that performs well in various conditions, without breaking the bank. In the next and final chapter, we will draw our conclusions based on the information provided throughout this review.
Conclusion
Choosing the right tire can be a challenging task given the multitude of factors to consider and the wide range of options available in the market. However, a detailed and thorough review can go a long way in aiding this decision. Having analyzed the Kumho Road Venture AT51 review in-depth, we’ve gathered substantial insights into its performance, strengths, weaknesses, and overall value proposition.
The Kumho Road Venture AT51 stands out with its excellent all-terrain capabilities, snow and ice performance, hydroplaning resistance, and durability. While it may not be the absolute top performer in every category, such as wet braking and noise level, its performance is commendable and well-balanced across the board. Its robust performance combined with its lower price point compared to some of its key competitors makes it a compelling choice for consumers.
Customer feedback aligns with this assessment, further solidifying the AT51’s reputation as a reliable and capable all-terrain tire. Its competitive pricing and strong feature set make it a strong contender for anyone in the market for an all-terrain tire that delivers in diverse driving conditions, without being excessively costly. However, it’s important to consider your specific driving needs and conditions before making a decision. Factors like the surfaces you typically drive on, your local weather conditions, and your vehicle type should all be taken into account when selecting the right tire.
In conclusion, the Kumho Road Venture AT51 proves to be a solid choice for those seeking a tire that offers a harmonious blend of performance, durability, and value for money. While it has some room for improvement in certain areas, its overall capabilities and lower price point make it a worthy consideration for your next tire purchase.