Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 vs Toyo Proxes Sport 2
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 41
- TR Score
- 9.1/10
- Owners say
- 92% · 9
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 finished ahead 2 times and the Proxes Sport 2 not once, with one level. The Ecsta Sport PS72 stopped 6% shorter in the wet; the Proxes Sport 2 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 3.8% higher speed.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 if you prioritise safer stopping (especially in the wet), longer life, and overall value-it's the more complete real-world performer in this data set. Choose the Toyo Proxes Sport 2 if your driving involves frequent heavy rain/high-speed motorway conditions where aquaplaning reserves and lower noise matter most, and you're willing to trade off wet braking performance and mileage.
Where the Ecsta Sport PS72 is stronger
- Consistently shorter braking distances: wins wet braking in all shared tests (e.g., 42.4 m vs 46.1 m; 27.1 m vs 29.5 m) and also edges dry braking (34.4 m vs 34.6 m)
- Strong ownership proposition: better projected wear (48,230 km vs 38,420 km) and best value metric in the shared Autobild test (12.44 vs 16.4 price/1000)
- Efficient rolling performance: lower rolling resistance in both tests reported (e.g., 8.15 vs 8.61 kg/t; 7.62 vs 8.25 kg/t)
Where the Proxes Sport 2 is stronger
- Stronger aquaplaning reserves: higher straight aquaplaning speeds in both shared handling tests (e.g., 94.9 vs 91.0 km/h) and better lateral aquaplaning metrics
- Dry handling edge: slightly higher dry handling speeds and higher subjective dry handling score (8.7 vs 8.0 points in Autobild)
- Lower external noise in shared tests (e.g., 71.3 dB vs 74.1 dB; 71.0 dB vs 72.9 dB)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Ecsta Sport PS72 vs Proxes Sport 2 at a glance
| Category | Ecsta Sport PS72 | Gap | Proxes Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 2 | 1 level | 0 |
| Dry6 measurements | 3 | Level between the two. | 3 |
| Wet12 measurements | 6 | The Ecsta Sport PS72 stopped 6% shorter in the wet (3 tests) | 5 |
| Off road4 measurements | 4 | 0 | |
| Comfort3 measurements | 0 | The Proxes Sport 2 was 2.4 dB quieter (2 tests) | 2 |
| Value4 measurements | 4 | The Ecsta Sport PS72 had 6.5% lower rolling resistance (2 tests) | 0 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.2/10 | The Ecsta Sport PS72 by 0.1 | 9.1/10 |
| Owner rating41 and 9 reviews | 84% | The Proxes Sport 2 by 8 points | 92% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 82% | The Proxes Sport 2 by 18 points | 100% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Proxes Sport 2 was dearer in 2 of 2 | +7.5% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 86 | 70 sizes made in both | 113 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 3 tests in 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Ecsta Sport PS72 | Field | Proxes Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | P6 of 9 | P6 of 9 | |
| 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test | P6 of 20 | P17 of 20 | |
| 2026 Summer Braking Super Tyre Test - How do 52 Tyres Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? | P4 of 50 | P16 of 50 |
Performance profile
9 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Ecsta Sport PS72
Proxes Sport 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. 9 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Ecsta Sport PS72
Proxes Sport 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Ecsta Sport PS72
Not ahead in any category
Proxes Sport 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Ecsta Sport PS72 84% from 41 reviews and the Proxes Sport 2 92% from 9. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Ecsta Sport PS72 | Gap | Proxes Sport 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.4 | 0.6% | 34.6 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 102.3 | 0.5% | 102.8 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.7% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 41.3 | 6% | 43.67 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 84.55 | 0.5% | 84.15 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 45% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 17.7 | 2% | 18 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 89.05 | 3.8% | 92.4 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 2.92 | 4.5% | 3.04 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 63.8 | 1.6% | 62.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 10,810 | 4.1% | 10,387 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 10,019 | 18.1% | 8,487 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 2,584 | 2.8% | 2,514 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 73.5 | 2.4 dB | 71.15 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 48,230 | 25.5% | 38,420 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 7.89 | 6.5% | 8.43 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 1,605 | 7.4% | 1,734 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Ecsta Sport PS72 scores 9.2 and the Proxes Sport 2 9.1 out of 10.
| Ecsta Sport PS72 | Category | Proxes Sport 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | Dry | 92 | ||
| 88 | Wet | 81 | ||
| 35 | Comfort | 48 | ||
| 49 | Value | 14 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Ecsta Sport PS72 | Category | Proxes Sport 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Dry Grip | 9.4 | ||
| 8.8 | Wet Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 8.6 | Road Feedback | 9 | ||
| 8.6 | Handling | 9.4 | ||
| 8.3 | Wear | 8.8 | ||
| 7.7 | Comfort | 8.5 | ||
Owners rate the Ecsta Sport PS72 84% from 41 reviews and the Proxes Sport 2 92% from 9. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
- 84%from 41 reviews
- 82%would buy again
- 160,312 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 highly overall (average 81.6%), most often praising its strong value for money and genuinely impressive dry performance, with confident handling and high-speed stability. Wet grip also comes through as a notable strength for around a third of reviewers, helping it feel safe and predictable in poor weather. Comfort and road noise are generally seen as good for a performance tyre, though a smaller but meaningful group find it noisier or less refined than expected. The main recurring downside is vibration or balancing/out-of-round issues mentioned by around one in six owners, with tread life only getting mixed, limited commentary so far.
- Excellent value for money versus premium rivals
- Strong dry grip with lots of confidence
- Sharp, capable dry handling through corners
- Stable and planted at motorway/high speeds
- Vibration/balancing or out-of-round issues at speed
- Can be noisy on some surfaces or at higher speeds
- Tread life concerns from a minority (seems to wear quickly for some)
Summarised by AI from 38 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 41 Ecsta Sport PS72 reviewsBought them to replace Hankook ventus prime 4 (Touring type of tyres), did a bunch of research before buying, they were really cheap ! So i bought them, you notice the difference in handling and cornering immediately, yes they are UHP and they deliver on that, not that the hankook's were inferior but the Kumhos are a different experience during fast cornering. I drive mainly on mountain passes, they stick like glue on the tarmac they hold well on the wet, haven't drove hard yet on really heavy rain but they seem to do great, no aquaplaning as of now. Sidewalls are not hard as a rock but they aren't soft, they don't deform during cornering, riding on them is nice and comfortable. The only negative as a first impression is this, went from a 68db tyre to a 71db on the highway noise is significant worse with those Kumho, you can feel and hear every imperfection of the road, if you care about the noise buy the version with the foam inside I think they call it K version or something.
Toyo Proxes Sport 2
- 92%from 9 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 88,100 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers report the Toyo Proxes Sport 2 delivers standout performance for the price, with consistently strong dry and wet grip, high confidence at speed, and sharp, predictable handling/steering response. Many comparisons against premium competitors (Michelin/Goodyear/Continental/Bridgestone) describe the Toyo as matching or exceeding them in real-world traction and stability while offering excellent value. Wear/longevity feedback is generally very positive where reported, with several users noting robust tread life. A smaller number of drivers mention trade-offs such as limited rim-protection and a sport-tyre firmness (and occasional noise) depending on vehicle setup.
- Strong dry grip and traction
- Excellent wet grip and confidence in the rain
- Sharp handling, steering response, and stability at speed
- Predictable behavior under hard braking/cornering
Summarised by AI from 9 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 9 Proxes Sport 2 reviewsI have had these tyres on my Audi TT 2.0 TFSI Quattro for a year and a half now and coming from an avid PS4S user I must say I'm shocked at how good these are for the money! They were about £70 per corner cheaper than the PS4S' for the TT in 255/35/19 so initially I was sceptical but I am amazing at the handling, dry AND wet grip they provide and the longevity of the tyres! I have covered a good mix of country roads, motorways and long trips across Europe in the year and a half I have had these on and they have never missed a beat! I'm so confident in the wet, even when driving very "spiritedly"! Granted they aren't as comfortable as a BluEarth GT AE51 for example but the car is lowered on coil overs so its not all the tyres fault. 10/10 would defiantly purchase again and recommend to others.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 86 sizes of the Ecsta Sport PS72 and 113 of the Proxes Sport 2, 70 of them made in both.
| Category | Ecsta Sport PS72 | Proxes Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 86 sizes, 17 to 21 inch | 113 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 70 sizes 205/45 R17205/50 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17235/45 R17235/55 R17235/65 R17245/40 R17and 58 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A95%B5% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C77%B10%A8%D5% | C72%D28% |
| EU label noise | 70-74 dB B100% | 71-72 dB B80%A20% |
| Replaced | Kumho Ecsta PS91 | - |
| Awards | Winner: Summer Value Performer (17in and above) (WhatTyre, 2026/27) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The Proxes Sport 2 was the dearer tyre in 2 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 7.5% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Kumho's Ecsta Sport PS72 and Toyo's Proxes Sport 2 sit in the “serious summer road tyre” space, aimed at drivers who want confident grip and sharp responses without moving to semi-slick territory. Across three shared 2026 tests (including a large 245/45 R19 group test and a dedicated 50+ tyre braking shootout), these two show a clear split in priorities: braking security and running costs versus hydroplaning reserves and refinement.
On paper their headline results can look similar in places (both shared 6th in a summer SUV test), but the detailed data reveals a consistent pattern. The Kumho repeatedly delivers shorter wet (and dry) stopping distances and better test economics, while the Toyo tends to feel and score stronger in dry handling and stands out for straight-line and lateral aquaplaning resistance-yet often doesn't convert that into equally strong wet handling or braking outcomes.
Conclusion
If you value stopping performance and cost-of-ownership, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 is the more convincing all-round buy in this head-to-head. It wins dry braking in every shared comparison (34.4 m vs 34.6 m) and is decisively ahead on wet braking across all tests, including a large-margin result in Autobild (42.4 m vs 46.1 m, ~8% shorter) and the braking super test (27.1 m vs 29.5 m, ~8% shorter). It also brings tangible day-to-day advantages: longer projected wear (48,230 km vs 38,420 km, ~26% more) plus better value metrics and lower rolling resistance in the reported results.
The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 is the pick for drivers who prioritise high-speed water evacuation margins and a quieter, more comfort-oriented feel. It consistently posts higher aquaplaning thresholds (e.g., straight aquaplaning 94.9 vs 91.0 km/h in Autobild, and the best-in-test straight aquaplaning noted by testers), and it edges the Kumho in dry handling speed/subjective feel (e.g., 8.7 vs 8.0 subjective dry handling points). The practical takeaway: choose the Kumho for safer, shorter stops and better overall value; choose the Toyo if your priority is aquaplaning reserves, lower noise, and crisp dry-cornering feel-accepting that wet braking and longevity are the trade-offs.
Ecsta Sport PS72 vs Proxes Sport 2: your questions
Is the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 or the Toyo Proxes Sport 2 the better tyre?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 finished ahead 2 times and the Proxes Sport 2 not once, with one level. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Ecsta Sport PS72 scores 9.2 and the Proxes Sport 2 9.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Ecsta Sport PS72 or the Proxes Sport 2?
The Ecsta Sport PS72 led 6 of the 12 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 6% shorter in the wet across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
Across the shared tests the dry measurements are split 3-3 between the Ecsta Sport PS72 and the Proxes Sport 2.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Ecsta Sport PS72 had 6.5% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.3/10 for the Ecsta Sport PS72 and 8.8/10 for the Proxes Sport 2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Proxes Sport 2 was 2.4 dB quieter (2 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.7/10 for the Ecsta Sport PS72 and 8.5/10 for the Proxes Sport 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Ecsta Sport PS72 84% from 41 reviews and the Proxes Sport 2 92% from 9. 82% of Ecsta Sport PS72 owners would buy it again, against 100% for the Proxes Sport 2.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the Proxes Sport 2 was the dearer tyre in 2 of them, by 7.5% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Ecsta Sport PS72 is made in 86 sizes (17 to 21 inch) and the Proxes Sport 2 in 113 (17 to 22 inch). 70 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Ecsta Sport PS72 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Proxes Sport 2 A and C.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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