Kumho Ecsta PS71 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Expect a classic trade-off: Michelin delivers more complete, polished performance-with superior longevity, refinement and dry precision-whereas Kumho counters with excellent wet handling/braking showings, best-in-class straight-line aquaplaning in multiple tests, and the strongest cost-per-1,000 km in key comparisons.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been five tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | five |
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is better than the Kumho Ecsta PS71 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Excellent wet handling/braking with top-tier aquaplaning resistance
- Compelling purchase price and strong cost-per-1,000 km
- Competitive stopping distances in both wet and dry
- Balanced dynamics with secure, confidence-inspiring behavior
- Class-leading all-round performance with multiple overall test wins
- Significantly better wear and lower abrasion for long life
- Precise dry handling, shorter dry stops, and refined comfort/noise
- Efficient rolling resistance and strong wet braking consistency
Dry Braking
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 1.5% less distance than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.09% faster around a lap than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 1.13% less distance than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 1.94% less distance than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 0.27% faster around a wet lap than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta PS71 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta PS71 was 0.67% faster around a wet circle than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wet Circle: Kumho Ecsta PS71
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta PS71 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta PS71 floated at a 0.97% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Straight Aqua: Kumho Ecsta PS71
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 slipped out at a 3.57% higher speed than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 6% more points than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 measured 1.39% quieter than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Noise: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is predicted to cover 27.95% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta PS71 was better during two value tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta PS71 proved to have a 2.18% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Value: Kumho Ecsta PS71
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta PS71 was better during one price tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta PS71 cost 30.94% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Price: Kumho Ecsta PS71
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 had a 1.27% lower rolling resistance than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 used 1.75% less fuel than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 emitted 34.54% less particle wear matter than the Kumho Ecsta PS71.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Kumho Ecsta PS71 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Kumho Ecsta PS71 positively for strong wet and dry grip, predictable handling, and good value, often comparing it favorably to pricier premium options. Noise and faster wear appear as the main trade-offs, with several reports of increased road noise over time and below-average tread life for some vehicles. A minority report balancing/'egg-shaped' defects and tramlining, but these are not universal. Overall, the PS71 is a well-liked mid-range UHP tyre focused on grip and value.
Based on 82 reviews with an average rating of 78%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Driver Reviews
Across 89 reviews, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is widely described as an excellent all-round UHP summer tyre with standout wet performance, strong dry grip, and high driver confidence at speed. Many drivers also praise its comfort/refinement and generally low road noise versus rival sporty tyres, with a large portion reporting very good tread life for the category. The most repeated drawback is a less engaging steering feel (softer sidewalls, mild understeer, and reduced feedback) compared with sharper alternatives like Pilot Sport 4S/Continental SportContact 7, while price is a smaller but recurring complaint.
Based on 97 reviews with an average rating of 85%
I've always used kumho because the price well reflects in proformance if only they didn't need constant rebalencing.
I've had 4 duff pairs, ku31 x 2 pair, ku 39 x 2 pair that had to come off in the end they were so bad.
No amount of balencing can sort an egg shape tyre.
These new ps71 are very soft, squishy, feel like running on 20psi with 30g wheel wobble even after twice rebalencing them & 1 of them is egg shape.
I am worn out with trying to get them right & think after years of kumho on... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
The Kumho Ecsta PS71 impresses where it matters in daily mixed-weather driving: wet handling and braking are repeatedly excellent, and its straight-line aquaplaning resistance is often best-in-test. If you prioritize grip confidence in rain and upfront savings, the PS71 is a standout. If you want the most complete package-sportier dry response, lower noise and rolling resistance, and far better tread life-the PS5 remains the safer, longer-term bet.
Bottom line: PS71 maximizes wet security and purchase value; PS5 maximizes all-round performance and ownership value over time.
Key Differences
- Overall results: PS5 wins all 5 shared tests; PS71 has none
- Wear/longevity: PS5 +40-50% mileage advantage (e.g., 56,400 km vs 37,300 km in ADAC)
- Wet focus: PS71 often edges wet handling/braking and straight aquaplaning
- Dry precision/refinement: PS5 offers crisper steering, stability, and lower noise
- Cost dynamics: PS71 cheaper upfront and strong €/1,000 km; PS5 higher price but strong lifecycle value
- Efficiency: PS5 generally lower rolling resistance/fuel use and abrasion
Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
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Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.