Bridgestone Turanza 6 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52: Welcome to an exciting tire showdown in the touring segment: Bridgestone Turanza 6 vs. Kumho Ecsta HS52! Launched in 2023, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 enters the scene with the reputation of a giant, bringing cutting-edge technology and proven performance. On the other hand, the Kumho Ecsta HS52, launched in 2022, has undergone vast improvements, ready to challenge the established champion. This is a true David vs. Goliath battle. Can the revamped Kumho Ecsta HS52 stand a chance against the formidable Bridgestone Turanza 6? Buckle up as we dive into this thrilling comparison!
Table of Contents
Results: Bridgestone Turanza 6 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
Results below were taken from the 2024 Auto Bild Summer independent Tire Test which includes 21 top tires in the market. The graph below shows the comparison between Bridgestone Turanza 6 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52 based on the relevant performance category. The Bridgestone Turanza 6 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for both wet & dry handling evaluation, the average lap speed was used instead of the standard lap time & subjective rating. The tire size of interest is a 205/55R16 which is a common tire size for Volkswagen Golf & Toyota Corolla . You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Volkswagen Golf
Wet
In wet conditions, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 surprised us with its impressive performance, especially in wet braking, stopping in 40.8 meters compared to Bridgestone Turanza 6’s 43.6 meters. This 2.8-meter difference highlights Kumho’s superior wet braking. For wet handling, Kumho also has a slight edge, averaging 75.7 km/h versus Bridgestone’s 74.7 km/h. However, in the wet circle test, Bridgestone slightly outperformed Kumho, with 6.29 m/s against 6.27 m/s.
In straight aquaplaning resistance, Bridgestone leads with a slipping speed of 84.5 km/h, slightly better than Kumho’s 82.4 km/h. Overall, Kumho Ecsta HS52’s wet performance stands strong against the Bridgestone Turanza 6.
Ecsta HS52 :
- +7% in wet braking
- +1% in wet handling (average speed)
- ~0% in wet circle
- -2% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In dry conditions, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 leads with superior performance. In dry braking, it stops in 35.4 meters, outperforming the Bridgestone Turanza 6’s 36.9 meters by 1.5 meters. For dry handling, Kumho averages 116 km/h, ahead of Bridgestone’s 114.7 km/h. Once again, Kumho demonstrates its dominance in dry performance.
Ecsta HS52 :
- +4% in dry braking
- +1% in dry handling (lap time)
Mileage
In terms of mileage, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 clearly outperforms the Kumho Ecsta HS52. The Turanza 6 lasts up to 34,400 km, whereas the Ecsta HS52 manages only 27,150 km. This 7,250 km difference highlights the trade-off between wet performance and mileage. The Kumho’s stronger wet performance comes at the cost of reduced mileage, showcasing the classic conflict between wet braking efficiency and wear resistance.
Ecsta HS52 :
- -21% in mileage
Noise
In terms of exterior noise, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 has a slight advantage. It produces 73.1 dB, which is quieter compared to the Bridgestone Turanza 6’s 74.1 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Kumho Ecsta HS52 the quieter option on the road.
Ecsta HS52 :
- +1% in exterior noise (-1 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In terms of rolling resistance, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 performs better with a lower value of 7.98 N/kN compared to the Kumho Ecsta HS52’s 8.46 N/kN. This difference of 0.48 N/kN indicates that the Bridgestone tire is more efficient, potentially offering better fuel economy than the Kumho.
Ecsta HS52 :
- -6% in rolling resistance
Price
When comparing prices for the 205/55 R16 tire size, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 is significantly cheaper at €59, whereas the Bridgestone Turanza 6 costs €85. This makes the Kumho Ecsta HS52 44% less expensive than the Bridgestone Turanza 6.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
- Turanza 6 : € 85
- Ecsta HS52 : € 59
Difference: -44% more cheaper for Ecsta HS52.
Summary
As a tire expert, I conclude that both the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and Kumho Ecsta HS52 have distinct advantages. The Bridgestone Turanza 6 excels in durability and fuel efficiency, making it ideal for long-lasting use. It’s slightly noisier but offers reliable performance. The Kumho Ecsta HS52 stands out with superior wet and dry handling, quieter operation, and a more affordable price, though it has a shorter lifespan. Choose the Turanza 6 for durability and efficiency, or the Ecsta HS52 for better performance and cost savings.
Dr Edwin Pang