I’m back with another adventure related to testing tires. Last time, I was in the snow with eBay Motors. This time, I was in Atlanta with Kumho Tire to experience the new Ecsta Sport lineup. The new all-season tires really make a difference for drivers at all experience levels. 

Kumho Ecsta Sport tires change the game 

I went to the track on a warm, humid afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia so Kumho Tire could prove how its Ecsta Sport tires make a real difference for daily drivers and professionals at the track. 

I could get into the nerdy science of tires, but I’ll keep that part brief. The Kumho Ecsta Sport lineup is trusted among nine brands and 35 models in the United States including Hyundai, Mercedes, Tesla, and Audi. 

Each tire is available in multiple sizes and are compatible with EVs. They show exceptional grip, wet breaking, and handling while staying smooth and quiet. Plus, studies show that they have a longer thread life. 

The tires were equipped on multiple vehicles including a Mini Cooper GP3, Porsche GTS RS Weissach, Ford Mustang models, a few Mazda Miatas, and even more Porsches. 

There were four events at the track including cross sport, hot laps, wet laps, and drifting. From getting behind the wheel during each activity, my biggest takeaway for the tires includes precision. 

You can feel the grip on the pavement that boosts confidence and control. The tires will cut as needed for tight turns and cornering while operating at high speeds. You don’t feel as if you’re going to fishtail or slide off the pavement. 

In high-pressure situations, such as drifting, the tires glide across the track almost like butter without any sensation of slipping or sliding. Of course there were a few high pitched squeals, but road noise is kept to minimum. 

The tires are crafted with rounded edges on the tread block to reduce noise and minimize impacts. You can tell that theeffort put into this design truly works. 

I was most surprised by the wet laps. Water was pumped onto the track to simulate driving through heavy rain storms. I grew up in the Carolinas and Georgia, so I’ve been caught in hundreds of crazy thunderstorms. 

Plus, I was a teenager once and pushed the limits of vehicles and old tires more than I should have. There are plenty of stories I could share about hydroplaning and sliding back in the day. But I have since matured and fear traffic tickets. 

Anyway, I was stoked to play in the water in a safe and controlled environment. However, the tires wouldn’t budge. I probably did 50 wet laps, I wouldn’t stop. First of all, it was fun to glide through the water. 

Second of all, I was trying to slide and hydroplane so hard. But the tires stayed in control the whole time. Even while soaking wet, they stopped race cars on a dime. 

The tires are designed with next-generation polymers, high-grip resin, and dispersible silica that enhance wet and dry performance. The grooves are moisture-wicking with a dimple design to enhance drainage. 

After the event, I realized that the Hyundai Tucson XRT I reviewed impressed me with its traction while off-roading. Itfelt like an SUV built for off-roading rallies to be honest. 

So, I looked into it, and sure enough, the model I spent a week with was equipped with Kumho tires. Before I even knew I had experience with the brand, I was impressed by its performance.