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Continental SportContact 7 vs Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72

This head-to-head pitches a proven ultra-high-performance benchmark, the Continental SportContact 7, against an upstart value contender, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72, in identical 225/40 R18 summer fitment. Across two independent 2025 tests, the Kumho stunned by topping overall rankings (1/8 and 5/9) while the Continental landed mid-pack (3/8 and 8/9), despite its premium pedigree.
SportContact-7 VS Ecsta-Sport-PS72

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 three tests which compare both tyres directly!

Summary of three total tests comparing both tyres directly
TyreTest WinsPerformance
Continental SportContact 7one
one wins
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72two
two wins

While it might look like the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 is better than the Continental SportContact 7 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

  • Class-leading dry braking (wins both tests; ~5% shorter than Kumho in Auto Express)
  • Strong aquaplaning resistance, especially straight-line (wins both tests)
  • Precise, composed handling in the dry with high grip and stability
  • Demonstrated efficiency potential (lower rolling resistance in Die Reifentester)
  • Outstanding overall results and value (1/8 and 5/9 overall in shared tests)
  • Competitive lap pace, including a wet-handling win (Auto Express) and strong traction/stability
  • Excellent refinement: lowest noise and high comfort in Auto Express
  • Efficient in real terms (second-lowest rolling resistance in Auto Express)

Dry Braking

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 3.42% less distance than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.

Continental SportContact 7
34.5M
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
35.72M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Continental SportContact 7

Continental SportContact 7
34.9M
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
36.8M (+1.9M)
Continental SportContact 7
34.09M
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
34.64M (+0.55M)

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 was 0.36% faster around a lap than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.

Continental SportContact 7
82.5s
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
82.8s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental SportContact 7

Continental SportContact 7
82.5s
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
82.8s (+0.3s)

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 and Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 performed equally well in subj. dry handling tests.

Continental SportContact 7
5 Points
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
5 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Both tyres performed equally well

Continental SportContact 7
5 Points
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
5 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one wet braking tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 stopped the vehicle in 0.87% less distance than the Continental SportContact 7.

Continental SportContact 7
29.75M
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
29.49M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72

Continental SportContact 7
35M
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
35.9M (+0.9M)
Continental SportContact 7
24.49M (+1.42M)
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
23.07M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was 0.98% faster around a wet lap than the Continental SportContact 7.

Continental SportContact 7
91.8s
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
90.9s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72

Continental SportContact 7
91.8s (+0.9s)
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
90.9s

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 and Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 performed equally well in subj. wet handling tests.

Continental SportContact 7
5 Points
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
5 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Both tyres performed equally well

Continental SportContact 7
5 Points
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
5 Points

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 was 0.7% faster around a wet circle than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.

Continental SportContact 7
28.4s
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
28.6s
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Continental SportContact 7

Continental SportContact 7
28.4s
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
28.6s (+0.2s)

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 floated at a 0.86% higher speed than the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72.

Continental SportContact 7
81.45Km/H
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
80.75Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Continental SportContact 7

Continental SportContact 7
84.8Km/H
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
83.6Km/H (-1.2Km/H)
Continental SportContact 7
78.1Km/H
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
77.9Km/H (-0.2Km/H)

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 and Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 performed equally well in curved aquaplaning tests.

Continental SportContact 7
0.7m/sec2
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
0.7m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Both tyres performed equally well

Continental SportContact 7
0.7m/sec2
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
0.7m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 and Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.

Continental SportContact 7
4 Points
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
4 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tyres performed equally well

Continental SportContact 7
4 Points
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
4 Points

Subj. Noise

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 scored 9.29% more points than the Continental SportContact 7.

Continental SportContact 7
6.35 Points
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
7 Points
Subjective in car noise levels, higher is better

Best In Subj. Noise: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72

Continental SportContact 7
8.7 Points (-1.3 Points)
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
10 Points
Continental SportContact 7
4 Points
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
4 Points

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 had a 0.12% lower rolling resistance than the Continental SportContact 7.

Continental SportContact 7
8.26kg / t
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
8.25kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72

Continental SportContact 7
7.63kg / t (+0.27kg / t)
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
7.36kg / t
Continental SportContact 7
8.89kg / t
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
9.13kg / t (+0.24kg / t)

Real World Driver Reviews

Continental SportContact 7 Driver Reviews

Drivers overwhelmingly praise the Continental SportContact 7 for outstanding grip and confidence in both wet and dry conditions, with exceptionally strong braking and traction that often surpass rivals. Handling feel and balance are widely lauded, and many note excellent wet safety and aquaplaning resistance. The main trade-offs reported are faster-than-average wear and, for some vehicles, higher noise/firm ride and slightly less immediate steering response versus certain competitors. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, especially from higher-scoring reviews.

Based on 92 reviews with an average rating of 84%

Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 Driver Reviews

Most drivers rate the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 highly, praising its strong dry and wet grip, predictable/stable handling, and short braking distances, all at excellent value versus premium brands. Several note good high-speed stability and early signs of slow wear, with noise and comfort generally acceptable. A minority reported vibration or out-of-round issues that balancing did not fix, which impacted satisfaction for those users.

Based on 20 reviews with an average rating of 83%

Best Review for the Continental SportContact 7
Given 93% 305/35 R19 on a combination of roads for 2,500 spirited miles
Bought these based on the group test results and was not disappointed. The wet grip is at a new level! I've tracked them several times both in dry and wet and they didn't fail. I was especially impressed with how they held up during the day and the tread that was left afterwards. These tyres transformed the driving experience both on the road and track.
Helpful 1420 - tyre reviewed on August 19, 2022
View all Continental SportContact 7 driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72
Given 87% 245/40 R18 on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
Bought these tyres dur to the very good reviews of ps71. I do not have a sporty car, but the dry grip and braking it’s excellent. Never felt the tyres struggling for grip.

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
Helpful 986 - tyre reviewed on June 22, 2025
View all Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

Synthesis across both tests shows a clear pattern: Continental retains a measurable edge in dry stopping and aquaplaning resistance, with precise, confidence-building handling. Kumho counters with competitive wet and dry lap pace, superior refinement (notably lower noise), and an excellent value proposition-enough to secure both overall test wins in this size. The biggest swing factor is wet braking, which flipped between tests: Kumho led by 5.8% in one, while Continental led by 2.5% in the other.
Key Differences
  • Dry braking: Continental consistently shorter (≈1.6% in Die Reifentester; ≈5.2% in Auto Express).
  • Wet braking: Mixed-Kumho leads by 5.8% in Die Reifentester; Continental ahead by 2.5% in Auto Express.
  • Wet handling: Kumho posts the faster wet lap in Auto Express (by ~0.98%); subjective parity elsewhere.
  • Aquaplaning (straight line): Continental holds a small but repeatable edge in both tests.
  • Refinement: Kumho is notably quieter (+~15% subjective noise score in Auto Express) and rides well.
  • Rolling resistance: Split results-Continental better in Die Reifentester (~2.6%); Kumho better in Auto Express (~3.5%).

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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.