Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 vs Michelin Primacy 5
Across both shared tests, the pattern repeats: the Kumho is the more “driver's” tyre with stronger wet and dry grip-based results (braking, handling, lateral grip), while the Michelin plays the long-game with better aquaplaning security, quieter/softer road manners, and meaningfully lower rolling resistance. The result is that Kumho beats Michelin on pace and stopping power, but Michelin counters with day-to-day comfort and motorway rain stability.
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 two tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 | two |
While it might look like the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 is better than the Michelin Primacy 5 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
- Stronger dry grip performance: shorter braking and faster handling in both tests (e.g., 37.1 m vs 38.4 m dry braking; ~1-1.4 s quicker dry handling)
- Stronger wet grip performance: better wet braking and wet handling in both tests (e.g., 44.3 m vs 46.5 m wet braking in Motor)
- Higher lateral grip/feedback in the wet: clear advantage in wet circle and subjective wet confidence
- Sportier steering character: repeatedly noted as predictable and confidence-inspiring, matching its max-performance intent
- Better aquaplaning resistance in both straight and curved tests (+~7.8% straight, +~12% curved), aiding high-speed motorway rain safety
- More comfortable ride quality (subjective comfort 6.9 vs 6.1 in both tests)
- Quieter on the road (lower measured noise in both tests)
- Lower rolling resistance (~12-13% better), supporting fuel economy/EV range and relaxed touring
Dry Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 stopped the vehicle in 3.36% less distance than the Michelin Primacy 5.
Best In Dry Braking: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was 1.6% faster around a lap than the Michelin Primacy 5.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 scored 6.33% more points than the Michelin Primacy 5.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 stopped the vehicle in 4.67% less distance than the Michelin Primacy 5.
Best In Wet Braking: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was 2.68% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Primacy 5.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 scored 4.82% more points than the Michelin Primacy 5.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 had 9.21% higher lateral wet grip than the Michelin Primacy 5.
Best In Wet Circle: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 5 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 5 floated at a 7.23% higher speed than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Primacy 5
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 5 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 5 slipped out at a 10.75% higher speed than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Primacy 5
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 5 was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 5 scored 11.59% more points than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Primacy 5
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 5 was better during two noise tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 5 measured 1.45% quieter than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Noise: Michelin Primacy 5
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 5 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 5 had a 12.53% lower rolling resistance than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Primacy 5
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 Driver Reviews
Drivers generally report the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 delivers strong dry and wet grip with confident, predictable handling and very good steering precision for the price. Many describe it as comparable to premium options (e.g., Michelin Pilot Sport and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric lines) while offering standout value. Noise and comfort are often rated as good to very good, though a minority note it can be a bit firm or road-noisy depending on car/road. The main recurring complaint is vibration/balancing problems (often described as out-of-round tyres) on some sets, which can undermine an otherwise very positive experience.
Based on 27 reviews with an average rating of 84%
Michelin Primacy 5 Driver Reviews
Across 31 reviews, the Michelin Primacy 5 is most often described as a very quiet, premium-feeling touring tyre with standout ride comfort and strong wet-weather confidence, including impressive aquaplaning resistance. Many drivers also report low rolling resistance/fuel-economy benefits and early signs of good wear. The most consistent downside is a softer, more isolated steering feel with less sharp response for sporty driving; a small minority also report vibrations or unexpectedly weak grip on their specific vehicles/conditions (sometimes early in the tyre's life).
Based on 33 reviews with an average rating of 85%
They are not loud, but wouldn't they are necessarily quiet. You can hear them a bit depending on the road surface and speed.
Didn’t drive them too much in the rain, but seem to hold pretty well in wet conditions.
Mounted them in march this year and after 10-15k km I don’t see any major wear, but I would have to abstain on this one until I get them properly... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
The Michelin Primacy 5, however, makes a very rational case for touring-focused drivers. It is clearly better in aquaplaning resistance (about +7.8% in straight-line and +12% in curved aquaplaning in both tests), and it's notably more comfortable and efficient: subjective comfort is +13% in Michelin's favour (6.9 vs 6.1), and rolling resistance is ~12-13% better for Michelin in both tests. In practice, that means the Primacy 5 is the calmer, quieter, lower-consumption choice-and the safer-feeling option when standing water is the main concern. The memorable takeaway: Kumho wins the “grip and steering” argument; Michelin wins the “rain-at-speed, quiet and efficient commuting” argument.
Key Differences
- Wet grip vs wet flooding security: Kumho leads on wet braking/handling and wet circle, while Michelin clearly leads on straight and curved aquaplaning
- Sportiness vs touring refinement: Kumho delivers sharper, higher-confidence steering; Michelin is deliberately safe, stable and more understeer-leaning
- Stopping distances: Kumho is consistently shorter in both dry (~1.3 m advantage) and wet (~2.2 m advantage in Motor)
- Efficiency: Michelin's rolling resistance advantage (~12-13%) is large enough to matter for fuel/range and long-distance running costs
- Comfort & noise: Michelin is consistently more comfortable and quieter; Kumho sits in the lower part of the group for comfort
- Value proposition vs premium expectation: Kumho (mid-segment) out-ranks Michelin (premium) overall in both tests (4th vs 5th; 4th vs 6th), but Michelin still justifies itself for drivers prioritizing refinement and aquaplaning
Overall Winner: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 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
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
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.
Discussion
- No comments yet — be the first.