Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
Across four shared 2026 tests in two popular sizes (225/45 R17 and 245/45 R19), the pattern is clear: the Continental more consistently wins the “safety-critical” objective metrics-especially wet grip at the limit and aquaplaning-whereas the Kumho repeatedly shows it can run close on lap-time-style handling measures, often with higher subjective sportiness scores, and typically at a much lower purchase price.
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 four tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental PremiumContact 7 | two | |
| Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 | one | |
| one draws in one tests | ||
While it might look like the Continental PremiumContact 7 is better than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 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
- Consistently shortest dry braking across all shared tests (4/4 wins), delivering a small but repeatable stopping-distance advantage
- Stronger wet security at higher water depths: clear, repeatable lead in straight and curved aquaplaning (3/3 wins in each metric where compared), including ~+4.8 to +4.9% in straight aquaplaning and ~+16% in curved aquaplaning in 225/45 R17
- Well-rounded wet performance with frequent wins in wet handling/wet circle (notably best-in-test wet pace in the 225/45 R17 'best summer tyres' test)
- Better longevity indicators where measured (e.g., 56,350 km vs 48,230 km; lower abrasion 1302 g vs 1605 g) and generally stronger comfort impressions
- Sportier, more confidence-inspiring subjective driving feel in multiple reports (e.g., higher subjective dry handling 8.0 vs 6.7 in Autobild; strong steering/predictability notes)
- Competitive outright grip/pace on handling-style tests, with occasional wins in dry and wet handling (e.g., Autobild dry and wet handling; near-ties elsewhere)
- Often better value at purchase, highlighted by a much lower price-per-performance metric in Autobild (12.44 vs 17.39 price/1000)
- Can be slightly better on efficiency/noise depending on the test (wins 2/3 for rolling resistance in the provided datasets; wins 2/3 on measured noise in the provided datasets)
Dry Braking
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 1.65% less distance than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 0.45% faster around a lap than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was 0.5% faster around a lap than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 scored 6.31% more points than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 0.82% less distance than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 3.08% faster around a wet lap than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was 0.36% faster around a wet lap than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 scored 2.35% more points than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
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 Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 had 5% higher lateral wet grip than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 floated at a 3.1% higher speed than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 slipped out at a 9.68% higher speed than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 scored 7.54% more points than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during two noise tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 measured 0.14% quieter than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Noise: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one wear tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 is predicted to cover 14.41% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Wear: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one value tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 proved to have a 28.46% better value based on price/1000km than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Value: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 and Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 performed equally well in rolling resistance tests.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 lost 18.88% less particle wear matter than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.
Best In Abrasion: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Continental PremiumContact 7 Driver Reviews
Drivers generally rate the Continental PremiumContact 7 very highly for strong dry and especially wet grip, confident braking, and stable, planted handling that makes the car feel secure at speed. The most consistent drawbacks are higher-than-expected road noise (particularly on rough asphalt) and a softer sidewall feel that can reduce steering precision for some drivers. A meaningful minority also report faster wear than expected or a noticeable performance drop (especially in the wet) once tread depth gets lower, suggesting it prioritizes grip over ultimate longevity.
Based on 52 reviews with an average rating of 82%
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 25 reviews with an average rating of 84%
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 Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 earns its place because it's genuinely quick and enjoyable, not just “good for the money.” It matches or slightly beats the Continental in several handling-focused results (e.g., Autobild dry handling 100 vs 99.5 km/h; wet handling 82.6 vs 82.3 km/h) and often scores higher subjectively for steering/sportiness (8.0 vs 6.7 in Autobild subjective dry handling). The trade-off is that its wet-limit safety margin is more size- and test-sensitive-especially in aquaplaning-and comfort can lag. The memorable takeaway: choose the Continental if you drive in heavy rain or want the widest safety buffer; choose the Kumho if you prioritize sporty feel and value and can accept reduced aquaplaning headroom.
Key Differences
- Wet-depth safety margin: Continental repeatedly leads aquaplaning by meaningful margins (e.g., curved aquaplaning +15.96% in 225/45 R17), while Kumho is specifically flagged as below-average/near-bottom for aquaplaning resistance in multiple insights
- Dry braking consistency: Continental wins 4/4 dry braking comparisons, even when the margin is small (e.g., 34.3 m vs 34.4 m in 245/45 R19)
- Driving character: Kumho tends to feel more sporty and earns higher subjective handling scores (e.g., 8.0 vs 6.7 subjective dry handling in Autobild), while Continental is described as safer/more supported for everyday confidence rather than “track-leaning”
- Comfort refinement: Continental has a clearer subjective comfort advantage in the 225/45 R17 tests (6.9 vs 6.1), whereas Kumho's main comfort limitation is slightly higher noise and lower comfort scoring in some reports
- Running costs split into two parts: Kumho can be much cheaper to buy (better value score), but Continental offsets with better projected wear and lower abrasion where measured
- Efficiency/noise are mixed by test and size: Kumho often edges rolling resistance in 225/45 R17 datasets, while Continental is better in Autobild's 245/45 R19 rolling resistance and also wins that test's noise measurement (72.7 vs 74.1 dB)
Overall Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental PremiumContact 7 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.
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