With more than 60 years of history, Kumho is one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world and is recognized for its innovative range of tires that fulfill the requirements of passenger cars, light trucks, SUVs, CUVs, performance vehicles, and commercial vehicles. Offering different tire types such as all-season, all-terrain, winter, performance, mud-terrain, regional haul, and long haul, the South Korean tire brand has a wide variety to cater to its customers.

The Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 is the brand’s multipurpose highway all-season tire designed for use on light trucks, SUVs, and minivans, and specializes in offering a superior level of stability, comfort, and traction. Its sizes are offered for P-metric applications that carry standard loads and then, there are also sizes specifically for work truck applications that carry higher loads. Additionally, Kumho’s advanced engineering and cutting-edge technologies make this tire exceptionally great in performance. So, let’s discuss these technologies in detail in this Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 tire review, and also know the positives and negatives to give the readers a transparent and unbiased analysis.

Features and Benefits

The common attributes that are typically seen in an ideal all-season tire are there in the Kumho Road Venture APT KL51. It is optimized to perform year-round and whether you drive on dry or wet roads or cruise through light snow, the tire offers enough traction. Let’s take a look at the features and benefits of this tire:

• Strong year-round performance – The tire features an advanced symmetric all-season tread design that provides a better grip in dry and wet conditions. There are biting edges on the tread blocks that also provide required traction in light snow, making year-round commuting seamless. Additionally, its tapered tread grooves are optimized for better self-cleaning for increased wet and snow traction.
• Attractive design – Kumho has not only focused on functionality but also ensured that this tire is admired for its cosmetic appeal. The tire either has white outlined lettering on the sidewall or black outlined lettering, and both of them give a sporty look.
• Improved steering response, stability, and comfort – This tire features a continuous solid center rib that not only improves the steering response but also enhances the comfort levels. The wider tread width of this tire provides better high-speed stability and also boosts driving comfort.
• Increased wet weather traction – The tread of the Road Venture APT KL51 has four wide circumferential grooves, which are complemented by the lateral grooves and interlocking sipes to evacuate water from the contact patch area, reduce the risk of hydroplaning, and provide increased wet weather traction.
• Better steering response and more extended wear – The wide tread blocks with interlocking sipes provide better steering response and also help in long and even wear. The tread compound of this tire is also engineered to wear slowly, thus increasing the tire’s service life.
• Superior durability, high-speed performance, and cornering – The internal structure of this tire features reinforced twin steel belts, spirally wrapped in nylon. This not only increases durability but also improves the shock absorption capability of the tire, boosts high-speed performance on the highways, and enhances cornering.

The P-metric sizes of the Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 are covered by a 60,000 miles limited manufacturer tread life warranty coverage. It is offered in 15- to 20-inch rim sizes. Some of its popular sizes are listed below:

• 265/70R15
• P215/75R16
• 275/55R17
• P255/65R17

Pros and Cons

As we have covered the features and benefits of the Kumho Road Venture APT KL51, let’s discuss its pros and cons to give the buyers a better understanding. Let’s start with the pros first.

• Offers solid grip and traction in dry and wet weather conditions.
• Stylish design with outlined lettering enhances the cosmetic appeal.
• More comfortable and quiet than its peers.
• Longevity scores are better than other similar tires in the category.
• More affordable than many of its competitors.
• Better cornering and high-speed stability.

Now let’s take a look at the negatives of this tire that may divide opinions. Handling isn’t the best in the segment.

• Durability standards are not as great as some of its competitors.
• Sluggish performance in light winter conditions.

SimpleTire’s view on Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 tires

If you are looking for a reasonably priced and attractive-looking tire that can offer solid grip and traction in dry and wet weather conditions, then the Road Venture APT KL51 could be a great choice. It offers comfortable and quieter rides and even its cornering and high-speed stability are admirable. Kumho has engineered this tire to wear evenly, which is well-proven in practical conditions. It lasts longer than many competitors and its unique cosmetic appeal with outlined lettering (white lettering for many sizes) attracts the enthusiasts.

That being said, the tire might not delight the purchasers with its sluggish performance in light winter weather conditions and moderate durability. Likewise, the handling response isn’t as good as its counterparts.

The Road Venture APT KL51 has its competition with the likes of Nitto Crosstek 2, Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT, Radar Dimax AS-8, Crosswind 4X4 HP, General HTS60, Cooper Discoverer SRX, and Kenda Klever H/P (KR15).

Vehicles the Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 is a good replacement tire for

Designed for use on light trucks, SUVs, and minivans, the Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 could be a good replacement choice for vehicles like Chrysler Pacifica, Chevrolet Express, Acura RDX, Dodge Durango, Ford Escape, GMC Suburban, Honda Ridgeline, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-7, Mercury Mountaineer, Nissan Titan, Land Rover LR3, Toyota Tundra, and Volvo XC90.