Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV vs Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV: In the fiercely competitive summer SUV segment, two Korean giants go head-to-head: the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV and the Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV. While Hankook has long been the dominant force, Kumho has consistently played the role of the underdog. But could this be the moment for Kumho to break free from Hankook’s shadow and make its mark? Get ready for an epic battle of performance, precision, and handling prowess as these two rivals face off to claim the throne of summer SUV supremacy!
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Results: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV vs Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV
Results below were taken from 2024 Auto Bild Summer SUV Tire Test with a total of 11 tires tested, The graph below shows the comparison between Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV vs Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV based on the relevant performance category. The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV 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 235/35 R19 which is a common tire size for Audi R8 & Volkswagen Golf R. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is an SUV in the form of Audi Q5.
Wet
In wet braking, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV stops at 50.7 meters, just 0.2 meters shorter than the Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV at 50.9 meters, making them nearly identical in this area. However, when it comes to wet handling, the Kumho takes the lead, managing a speed of 82.2 km/h, 1.6 km/h faster than Hankook’s 80.6 km/h. The advantage continues in straight-line aquaplaning, where the Kumho maintains control at 89 km/h, compared to Hankook’s 86.7 km/h. Overall, Kumho shows a slight edge in wet conditions with better handling and aquaplaning resistance.
Ecsta PS71 SUV :
- ~0% in wet braking
- +2% in wet handling (average speed)
- +3% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV stops slightly shorter at 34.9 meters, compared to the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV’s 35.6 meters—a 0.7-meter advantage for Kumho. For dry handling, Kumho continues to edge ahead, achieving a speed of 107.4 km/h, which is 0.8 km/h faster than Hankook’s 106.6 km/h. Overall, Kumho shows a slight but consistent advantage in both dry braking and handling performance.
Ecsta PS71 SUV :
- +2% in dry braking
- +1% in dry handling (average speed)
Noise
When it comes to exterior noise, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV is noticeably quieter, producing 70.8 dB, which is a significant 2 dB lower than the Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV’s 72.8 dB. This difference in noise levels makes the Hankook a much quieter option, potentially providing a more comfortable driving experience compared to the louder Kumho.
Ecsta PS71 SUV :
- -3% in exterior noise (-2 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance, the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV shows a clear advantage with a lower value of 7.83 N/kN, compared to the Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV’s 8.55 N/kN. This difference indicates that the Hankook tire requires less energy to roll, potentially offering better fuel efficiency than the Kumho, which has higher rolling resistance.
Ecsta PS71 SUV :
- -8% in rolling resistance
Price
The Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV is positioned in the premium segment with a price of €131 for a 235/35 R19 size, while the Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV is offered in the mid-quality segment at €105. This makes the Kumho tire 25% cheaper than the Hankook, providing a more budget-friendly option without compromising on performance.
Tire size: 235/35 R19
Difference: -25% more cheaper for Ecsta PS71 SUV.
Summary
As a tire expert, I’ve closely examined both the Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV and the Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV, and it’s clear that each has its strengths. Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 SUV shines in exterior noise and rolling resistance, making it a quieter and potentially more fuel-efficient choice. However, when we dive into wet and dry performances, Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV proves to be a force to reckon with. With its superior wet handling, aquaplaning resistance, and better dry braking and handling, the Kumho Ecsta PS71 SUV no longer plays second fiddle to Hankook. It’s now a strong contender in the summer SUV segment, challenging the dominance of its fellow Korean rival.
Dr Edwin Pang