Kumho Ecsta V730 vs Yokohama Advan A052 tires

The sub-brand of the Chinese Doublestar, Kumho Tire, was introduced in 1960 and has been involved in the production of tires for minivans, coupes, sedans, SUVs, CUVs, and light trucks under various categories like all-season, all-terrain, winter, mud-terrain, and rugged-terrain tires. On the other hand, the Japanese tire manufacturer Yokohama has been a well-known tire brand, thanks to its racing pedigree and several motorsports sponsorships. Today, we’ll take two ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires from these brands and put them to the test, on paper.

The Kumho Ecsta V730 and the Yokohama Advan A052 are both UHP summer tires, designed with a strong emphasis on track day prowess and ultimate grip in dry and damp conditions. Both tires feature aggressive, low-void tread patterns to maximize contact with the pavement, translating to exceptional levels of traction for acceleration, braking, and cornering.

However, they often differ in their specific compound formulations and construction. The Yokohama Advan A052 is lauded for its exceptional grip and consistent performance right out of the box, often exhibiting impressive handling characteristics and precise steering response. It's known to offer a good balance of grip and respectable wear for a tire in its category.

The Kumho Ecsta V730, while also focused on extreme grip, might lean towards a slightly more track-oriented rubber compound. This could potentially translate to ultimate dry grip at its peak, but might come with a trade-off in terms of quicker wear or performance consistency over longer track sessions. Both tires exhibit higher noise levels and a firmer ride compared to street-oriented tires due to their stiff sidewalls and minimal tread void.

So, which one is the best for you? Let’s compare Kumho Ecsta V730 vs Yokohama Advan A052 tires based on our SimpleScore, which rates each tire on traction, handling, and longevity parameters to know the best option.

Kumho Ecsta V730 tires

Introduced in 2021, the Kumho Ecsta V730 is a UHP summer tire engineered for drivers who prioritize maximum grip and precise handling, particularly on the track and during spirited driving. Its aggressive, low-void tread pattern is designed to optimize contact with the road surface, delivering exceptional levels of traction for acceleration, braking, and cornering.

The tire utilizes a rubber compound formulated for high levels of dry grip, allowing drivers to push their vehicles to the limit. While excelling in dry conditions, it can also offer a respectable grip in the wet. Due to its track-focused nature, the Ecsta V730 typically features stiff sidewalls for enhanced responsiveness, which may result in a firmer ride on regular roads. Treadwear is more rapid compared to street tires, given its softer compound.

With an 8.4 overall SimpleScore, the Kumho Ecsta V730 promises great performance on the street and track with improved handling and control.

Get Kumho Ecsta V730 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Yokohama Advan A052 tires

Launched in 2016, the Yokohama Advan A052 is also a UHP summer tire engineered for enhanced grip and handling. Its asymmetric tread pattern, featuring a wide outer shoulder, is designed to maximize contact with the pavement, providing outstanding cornering capabilities and precise steering response.

The Advan A052 is known for its consistent performance and predictable behavior, making it a popular choice for track days and autocross events. Its rubber compound is formulated to deliver high levels of grip in dry and damp conditions, inspiring driver confidence. With a focus on performance, it also offers adequate wear for a tire in its category. Expect a firmer ride and increased road noise compared to standard street tires due to its track-oriented design.

Boasting an 8.4 score, the Yokohama Advan A052 assures consistent performance with confident cornering and handling in dry and wet conditions.

Get Yokohama Advan A052 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Kumho Ecsta V730 vs Yokohama Advan A052 tires on traction

UHP tires are expected to offer a ‘sticky’ grip to the surface for exceptional traction on paved roads. The Kumho and the Yokohama tires live up to their UHP status and provide decent traction in warmer conditions. However, one of the tires has a slight edge here.

The Kumho Ecsta V730 achieves an 8.5 in traction, assuring better interlocking of the rubber with the road surface for effective grip. Thanks to the innovative tread design, the Kumho UHP tire returns improved traction as the asymmetric tread design with wide shoulder blocks provides more rubber for great traction. Similarly, the circumferential grooves help evacuate water from the surface to resist hydroplaning and boost wet traction.

On the other hand, the Yokohama Advan A052 nudges ahead with an 8.6 average score. The Yokohama tire features a new motorsports-inspired rubber compound for a solid grip in dry and wet conditions. The rounded rib profile of the Advan A052 lends a more cohesive contact patch that resists heat build-up during fast drives and boosts better interlocking of the rubber with the surface.

So, it's the Yokohama Advan A052 that wins the first ‘lap’ of traction, beating the Kumho by a whisker (0.1).

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Advan A052

Kumho Ecsta V730 vs Yokohama Advan A052 tires on handling

Performance tires are all about handling, control, stability, and fast cornering abilities. Whether Ecsta V730 or Advan A052, both focus on this aspect of the tire and score great points. However, here too, one of the tires has a slight edge. Let’s check their scores.

Scoring an 8.7 in handling, the Kumho UHP tire assures great control and stability during spirited drives in dry and wet conditions. With a high-strength carcass and reinforcement on the outer layer of the tire, the Ecsta V730 limits any deformation when taking a turn during high-speed rounds. While the center rib boosts straight-line driving performance and steering response on dry surfaces, the zigzag-shaped center under-groove returns improved stability in wet conditions.

Contrarily, the Yokohama tire scores a fantastic 8.8 out of 10 in handling to underline its superb cornering, stability, and lane-changing abilities. With motorsports construction and high-stability rubber compound, the Advan A052 delivers surefooted cornering through its extra-wide outer rib. Lastly, the asymmetric tread pattern is thoughtfully designed to deliver prompt steering response, control, and stability in warm conditions.

The Yokohama Advan A052 continues to dominate the comparison and marks another win in the handling department with a better ‘lap time’.

ADVANTAGE: Yokohama Advan A052

Kumho Ecsta V730 vs Yokohama Advan A052 tires on longevity

You don’t expect the racing tires or UHP tires to last long, given the softer rubber compound they are made up of and the brutal abuse they have to go through during hard braking, sudden lane changes, and acceleration. However, the Kumho and Yokohama UHP tires turn out to be pretty good tires if you’re looking forward to long-lasting UHP tires.

At 8.0, the Kumho Ecsta V730 assures adequate tread life in different driving conditions, on dry and wet roads. Thanks to the heat dispersion technology, reinforced carcass, and sturdy construction, the Kumho tire offers solid tread life that promotes uniform wear and resists uneven wear throughout its lifecycle.

Contrarily, the Yokohama Advan A052 seems to lose some momentum here as it scores a modest 7.9 in longevity, which is still decent for a UHP summer tire. With a new motorsport-inspired rubber compound and asymmetric tread design, the Yokohama tire delivers improved wearability while ensuring regular wear.

The Kumho Ecsta V730 marks its first win in the longevity department and beats the Yokohama Advan A052 by a small margin (0.1).

ADVANTAGE: Kumho Ecsta V730

When to use each

UHP summer tires are engineered for peak performance in warm conditions. They offer exceptional dry and wet grip, along with precise handling and responsiveness. Utilizing special rubber compounds and tread patterns, these tires maximize traction and cornering capabilities in dry and wet conditions. However, their performance takes a back seat when the mercury drops to wintry levels or on snow and ice. You can look for dedicated winter tires if the temperature consistently remains below the 45 degrees Fahrenheit mark, or all-weather tires if the weather is unpredictable in your region.

Both tires are a great match in terms of performance, and you can’t go wrong with either. It’s more about preference, as technically it’s the Yokohama Advan A052 that wins the battle 2-1 with better traction and handling, while the Kumho Ecsta V730 bags the longevity section. However, the thin winning margins put them in the same performance bracket.

Which one should you choose?

In a nutshell, it’s the Yokohama Advan A052 that turns out to be better than the Kumho Ecsta V730. However, you should consider the individual traits of each tire before finalizing any one of them. With almost similar performances, it’s the price that could be a better option to ease your buying decision.

Comparing the prices for the 225/45R17 94W XL tire size, the Kumho Ecsta V730 costs around $192 per tire, while four such tires cost $768. Similarly, the Yokohama Advan A052 costs about $258 per tire, with four costing $1032 (a difference of $264).

Based on SimpleScore, you can choose the Kumho Ecsta V730 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Honda Civic, BMW 135i, and Ford Mustang
• Want a capable UHP tire that’s highly affordable
• Prefer a UHP summer tire that’s better in longevity (8.0 vs 7.9)

You can go for the Yokohama Advan A052 if you:

• Drive vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class AMG, Chevrolet Corvette, and Porsche Cayman
• Want a great grip and traction (8.6 vs. 8.5)
• Prefer enhanced handling (8.8 vs 8.7)
• Are ready to pay extra for a capable UHP summer tire ($258 vs $192 per tire)

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.