Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Kumho Ecsta HS52
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 72
- TR Score
- 9.0/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 30
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 5 times and the Ecsta HS52 not once. The PremiumContact 7 stopped 5.4% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental PremiumContact 7 for the more consistent overall result and stronger wet braking. The Kumho Ecsta HS52 is a reasonable fit if its close dry-road performance appeals more than the Continental's extra wet-braking margin.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Shorter wet braking in all five shared tests
- Precise, secure handling in ADAC's 2026 test
- Higher predicted mileage in two of three shared estimates
Where the Ecsta HS52 is stronger
- Matched Continental's dry braking in Auto Bild's 2024 tests
- Good wet braking and handling in ADAC's 2026 test
- Slightly lower external noise in two shared tests
Conclusion
The Continental PremiumContact 7 is the stronger all-round choice on these results. It finished ahead of the Kumho Ecsta HS52 in all five shared tests, taking first in both ADAC summer tests and Tyre Reviews' 2023 summer touring test. Its wet-braking lead is consistent, but not always large: the stops were only about 1% shorter in Auto Bild's two 2024 tests, compared with about 13% in ADAC's 2024 test and 8% in Tyre Reviews' 2023 test. ADAC also praised the Continental's precise steering and control at the limit in 2026.
The Kumho deserves more credit than its ninth place in ADAC's 2026 test alone suggests. It was third in ADAC's 2024 test and fourth in Auto Bild's 2024 summer test. Auto Bild measured identical dry-braking distances, and its dry- and wet-handling laps were effectively level. Tyre Reviews likewise found only a tiny dry-handling time difference, despite rating the Continental higher for handling feel and wet grip. Aquaplaning does not produce a simple verdict: the Continental had a substantial advantage in bends in ADAC's 2026 and Auto Bild's 2024 summer tests, but the Kumho did better in ADAC's 2024 test.
The longer-term measures vary too. The Continental had higher predicted mileage in Auto Bild's 2024 summer test and ADAC's 2026 test, while the Kumho lasted about 15% longer in ADAC's 2024 estimate, an unusual reversal. The Kumho was slightly quieter in Auto Bild's 2024 summer test and Tyre Reviews' 2023 test, but ADAC's 2024 measurement favoured the Continental. Choose the Continental if dependable wet braking, steering precision and the most consistent overall results matter most. The Kumho suits a driver happy with close dry-road performance and good wet ability, while accepting that its overall placing and aquaplaning results have varied more between tests.
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.
PremiumContact 7 vs Ecsta HS52 at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Ecsta HS52 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 5 | 0 | |
| Dry8 measurements | 4 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 2.2% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 2 |
| Wet20 measurements | 17 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 5.4% shorter in the wet (5 tests) | 3 |
| Comfort4 measurements | 2 | Level between the two. | 2 |
| Value9 measurements | 6 | The PremiumContact 7 had 2.8% lower rolling resistance (2 tests) | 2 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 0.5 | 9.0/10 |
| Owner rating72 and 30 reviews | 83% | Too close to call | 82% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | Too close to call | 75% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | +42.2% | The PremiumContact 7 was dearer in 3 of 3 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 24 sizes made in both | 54 |
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 5 tests, 2023 to 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 | PremiumContact 7 | Field | Ecsta HS52 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 16 | P9 of 16 | |
| 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | P2 of 20 | P4 of 20 | |
| 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 16 | P3 of 16 | |
| 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview | P1 of 55 | P2 of 55 | |
| Tyre Reviews Best Summer Touring Tyres | P1 of 13 | P8 of 13 |
Performance profile
10 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
PremiumContact 7
Ecsta HS52
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. The scale stops at 92%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 9 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
PremiumContact 7
Ecsta HS52
Not ahead in any category
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
PremiumContact 7
Ecsta HS52
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 83% from 72 reviews and the Ecsta HS52 82% from 30. 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 | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Ecsta HS52 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35.29 | 2.2% | 36.1 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 51.73 | 0.3% | 51.58 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 115.5 | 0.4% | 116 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 31.26 | 5.4% | 33.03 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 33.45 | 6.7% | 35.85 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 84.85 | 2.5% | 87 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 75.5 | 0.3% | 75.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.53 | 4.1% | 6.27 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.5 | 1.5% | 11.68 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 77.78 | 0.5% | 77.42 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.58 | 5% | 3.39 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 2.2% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.53 | 0.2 dB | 72.33 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 45,250 | 0.6% | 46,550 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.23 | 2.8% | 8.47 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.65 | 3.4% | 5.85 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 64.55 | 7.8% | 73 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Ecsta HS52 9 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Ecsta HS52 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 89 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 85 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 21 | ||
| 67 | Value | 65 | ||
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
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Ecsta HS52 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 8.1 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 8.6 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 8.3 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 7.8 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 7.1 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 83% from 72 reviews and the Ecsta HS52 82% from 30. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental PremiumContact 7
- 83%from 72 reviews
- 74%would buy again
- 720,352 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners are largely impressed with the Continental PremiumContact 7, rating it 82.9% on average with no outright negative reviews, and the standout theme is strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both dry and wet conditions. Nearly half of owners mention excellent dry and wet grip, often backed up by praise for secure handling and stability. The main drawback is refinement: around a quarter to a third of owners report notable road noise, and a similar share are disappointed by tread life, with wear sometimes described as quicker than expected. Comfort is generally viewed positively overall, though opinions vary, and steering feel is more mixed than the outright grip levels suggest.
- Strong dry grip and traction
- Very confident wet grip
- Secure, planted handling in the dry
- Comfortable ride over bumps and on longer runs
- Noticeable road noise, especially on coarse surfaces
- Tread life can be disappointing for a premium tyre
- Steering feel/precision can be inconsistent (some find it vague)
Summarised by AI from 58 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 72 PremiumContact 7 reviewsThe PremiumContact 7 offers a great balance of touring longevity, comfort, and sufficiently precise handling to keep you safe at higher speeds and in unexpected situations. These tires provide near-perfect grip across various conditions, performing exceptionally well on both dry and wet roads. On the other hand, they can get a bit noisy on rough surfaces.
Kumho Ecsta HS52
- 82%from 30 reviews
- 75%would buy again
- 302,698 milesdriven by reviewers
Most owners rate the Kumho Ecsta HS52 highly, praising its strong dry grip and confident, direct dry handling, and many also feel it represents excellent value for money. Noise levels are often described as low and wet grip is generally considered reassuring, though a small minority report it can feel less secure in the wet at the limit. Longevity feedback is mixed: while many see good mileage, around one in seven owners mention uneven or abnormal wear and a similar share report faster-than-expected wear.
- Strong dry grip with plenty of confidence
- Direct, predictable dry handling
- Excellent value for money for the performance
- Generally low road noise for a touring summer tyre
- Reports of uneven or abnormal wear patterns
- Mixed tread life with some owners seeing quicker wear
- Can feel a bit firm over bumps on poorer surfaces
Summarised by AI from 23 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 30 Ecsta HS52 reviewsIt's a nice a comfortable and quiet tyre for road trips, and higway use. But I think lacks the peak grip both in the dry and in the wet. It loses grip quite suddenly. But if your driving far from the edge, its a really nice tyre.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 56 sizes of the PremiumContact 7 and 54 of the Ecsta HS52, 24 of them made in both.
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Ecsta HS52 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch | 54 sizes, 14 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 24 sizes 205/55 R16205/60 R16215/60 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/55 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17225/45 R17and 12 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A80%B20% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B26% | C58%D16%A14%B12% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 68-72 dB B97%A3% |
| On the market since | 2022 | - |
| Replaced | Continental Premium Contact 6 | Kumho Ecsta HS51 |
| Awards | Recommended: Best Tyres for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Summer Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2024) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tyre in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 42.2% 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.
Five independent tests put the Continental PremiumContact 7 and Kumho Ecsta HS52 side by side: ADAC's 2026 and 2024 summer tests, Auto Bild's 2024 summer test and Summer Tyre Market Overview, and Tyre Reviews' 2023 summer touring test. The Continental placed higher in all five. The gap ranged from one place in Auto Bild's market overview to eight places in ADAC's 2026 test.
Wet braking is the clearest distinction. The Continental stopped shorter in every shared test, though its advantage was only about 1% in Auto Bild's two 2024 tests. The Kumho remains capable in the wet: ADAC's 2026 test praised its braking and handling, while Auto Bild's 2024 summer test found the tyres almost level for wet handling and identical for dry braking. The Kumho was also slightly quieter in that Auto Bild test and Tyre Reviews' 2023 test.
PremiumContact 7 vs Ecsta HS52: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Kumho Ecsta HS52 the better tyre?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 5 times and the Ecsta HS52 not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Ecsta HS52 9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the Ecsta HS52?
The PremiumContact 7 led 17 of the 20 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.4% shorter in the wet across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 4 of the 8 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.2% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The PremiumContact 7 lasted 0.6% longer in the wear tests (3 tests), had 2.8% lower rolling resistance (2 tests) and used 3.4% less fuel (2 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 7.8/10 for the Ecsta HS52.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 7.1/10 for the Ecsta HS52.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 83% from 72 reviews and the Ecsta HS52 82% from 30. 74% of PremiumContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 75% for the Ecsta HS52.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 42.2% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The PremiumContact 7 is made in 56 sizes (16 to 21 inch) and the Ecsta HS52 in 54 (14 to 20 inch). 24 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the PremiumContact 7 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Ecsta HS52 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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