Kumho Tire has over 60 years of expertise in making tires for passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, CUVs, and commercial vehicles. The South Korean tire manufacturer is an OE supplier to popular automotive brands in the US, including Hyundai, Kia, Fiat-Chrysler, General Motors, Nissan, Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW.

The Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 is an ultra-high-performance all-season tire that features various state-of-the-art technologies to offer excellent rides with superior levels of comforts in all weathers. But is the tire dynamic and versatile enough to manage performance as well as different weather conditions? Let’s find out in this Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 review.

Features and Benefits

The Ecsta 4X II KU22 is a high-performance all-season tire that provides traction in hot, cold, and wet conditions. It is designed for use on luxury sedans, sports coupes, sports sedans, and crossovers. Kumho has made the Ecsta 4X II KU22 using various advanced technologies for commendable results in varied weather conditions.

Its aggressive asymmetric tread design uses advanced silica compound and features large shoulder blocks and intermediate tread blocks to improve handling and grip. The multiple ribs on the tread are engineered for improved stability, whereas the four wide and deep grooves augment water dispersion for reduced rolling resistance and increased wet grip. The optimized tread pattern of the Ecsta 4X II KU22 also ensures reduced tread noise and vibrations for enhanced driving comfort.

With advanced siping technology, the tire is able to create extra biting edges that provide superior traction on dry surfaces and snow. The Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 also uses ESCOT technology to distribute pressure across the tread and keep the tire cool while driving for longer miles at higher speed. As the optimized rubber compound of the tire remains cooler than ordinary compounds, it is able to offer solid wet traction and ensures even wear so that the tire retains the same level of performance with minimal tread wear. Additionally, an oversized footprint is optimized for maximum road contact, thus ensuring outstanding traction.

The Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 is available in 15 to 20-inch rim sizes and is covered by a limited manufacturer tread life warranty of up to 40,000 miles. In addition, Kumho also offers the Ecsta 4X II KU22 with Road Hazard Protection within the first 2/32” of the original tread and one year from the date of purchase.

Pros and Cons

So, should you consider the Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 or something else? Let’s have a look at the pros and cons before we conclude with our verdict.

• The optimized tread pattern provides superior grip and traction in dry and wet conditions.
• Patented technologies boost driving comfort, handling, and stability.
• Assures peace of mind as it comes with an up to 40,000 mile limited manufacturer tread warranty.
• Offers good high-speed performance.

While Kumho claims that the Ecsta 4X II KU22 delivers top-notch performance in all seasons, some of its drawbacks may divide opinions.

• Not as good as its peers on the longevity front.
• Performance on light snow and ice is not satisfactory.

SimpleTire’s view on Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 tires

If you want an all-season tire that’s affordable, a great performer at high speeds, ensures responsive handling, and offers comfy and noise-free rides, then the Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 is certainly a tire that you must consider. That being said, it isn’t something that will offer you greater value in conditions like snow and ice. As we said, it is engineered for luxury sedans, sports coupes, sports sedans, and crossovers, and can deliver outstanding grip and traction on dry and wet surfaces. The Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 has remarkably managed to establish itself as a comprehensive low-budget tire against some of the top-rated tire models like Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS, Continental ExtremeContact DWS06, and Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus.

Vehicles the Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 is a replacement tire for

Commonly used on luxury sedans, sports coupes, sports sedans, and crossovers, the Kumho Ecsta 4X II KU22 can be a good replacement tire for cars like Audi A4, Audi TT, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Mini Cooper S, Nissan 370Z, and Scion FR-S.