Hankook Ventus Prime 4 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52: In the battle of all-Korean tire manufacturers, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 and Kumho Ecsta HS52, both launched in 2022, go head-to-head in a clash of engineering prowess. Hankook, a premium status player with a reputation for innovation, faces off against Kumho, often seen as the underdog but determined to prove its mettle. Can Kumho’s Ecsta HS52 challenge the dominance of Hankook’s Ventus Prime 4, or will the veteran brand maintain its edge? The stage is set for an intense showdown.
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Results: Hankook Ventus Prime 4 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 Hankook Ventus Prime 4 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52 based on the relevant performance category. The Hankook Ventus Prime 4 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 braking, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 stops 2.5 meters shorter than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4, showcasing better control under harsh conditions. During wet handling, the Kumho edges out again with an average lap time speed of 75.7 km/h, slightly faster than the Hankook’s 74.3 km/h. In straight aquaplaning, Kumho maintains its lead with a slipping speed of 82.4 km/h, surpassing the Hankook’s 81.3 km/h. Overall, Kumho proves superior in wet conditions, claiming victory in this first round.
Ecsta HS52 :
- +6% in wet braking
- +2% in wet handling (average speed)
- +1% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 comes to a stop just 0.5 meters shorter than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4, showing a slight advantage. In dry handling, the Kumho continues to hold a tiny edge, with an average speed of 116 km/h compared to Hankook’s 115.6 km/h. The competition is incredibly close, with only a tiny, tiny edge for Kumho in this dry performance battle.
Ecsta HS52 :
- +1% in dry braking
- ~0% in dry handling (lap time)
Mileage
In terms of mileage, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 lasts 900 kilometers longer than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4, showcasing better durability. This slight edge in wear performance highlights Kumho’s ability to balance wet grip and mileage, a challenging feat that often reflects a tire manufacturer’s technical prowess. In this case, Kumho has managed to maintain an edge against Hankook, showcasing its superiority in both durability and wet braking performance.
Ecsta HS52 :
- +3% in mileage
Noise
In terms of exterior noise, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 is marginally quieter, producing 73.1 dB compared to the Hankook Ventus Prime 4’s 73.3 dB. The difference is minimal, making the noise levels of these two tires effectively the same.
Ecsta HS52 :
- ~0% in exterior noise (-0.2 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 performs better, with a lower resistance of 7.65 N/kN compared to the Kumho Ecsta HS52’s 8.46 N/kN, indicating more fuel efficiency. This highlights the classic trade-off between wet braking and rolling resistance, a common challenge in tire design. In this case, Kumho opted for superior wet performance, while Hankook focused on achieving lower rolling resistance.
Ecsta HS52 :
- –10% in rolling resistance
Price
In the 205/55 R16 size, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 is priced at €75, positioning it in the premium segment. Meanwhile, the Kumho Ecsta HS52 comes in at €59, reflecting its positioning in the quality segment. Despite the price difference, Kumho offers competitive performance at a more budget-friendly price.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
- Ventus Prime 4 : € 75
- Ecsta HS52 : € 59
Difference: -27% more cheaper for Ecsta HS52.
Summary
As a tire expert, it’s clear that the Kumho Ecsta HS52 outperforms the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 in key areas. It stops shorter in wet conditions, handles slightly better both wet and dry, and offers greater mileage—all while being priced lower. While Hankook excels in rolling resistance, Kumho’s ability to balance superior wet grip, durability, and overall performance makes it the better tire in this head-to-head comparison.
Dr Edwin Pang