In the modern world, there are a large number of enterprises in the automobile market that produce car tires. Their large number does not mean that the market is full of exclusively high-quality products - most models have, to put it mildly, not the best characteristics and performance. And when buying car tires, you need to look not only at the physical condition of the wheels, but also pay attention to who exactly produced these products.
Today, two corporations occupy a special place in the consumer market - Kumho and Nokian. These companies produce the highest quality tires, which are in excellent demand all over the world. But buying two sets for a season from different manufacturers is impractical and expensive, and choosing one of the two is quite difficult. Let's try to figure out which car tire models from different manufacturers are the best.
ATTENTION! A completely simple way to reduce fuel consumption has been found! Don't believe me? An auto mechanic with 15 years of experience also didn’t believe it until he tried it. And now he saves 35,000 rubles a year on gasoline!
Tires from the Japanese manufacturer Kumho are the most purchased tires in Japan - here these products are sold at incredible speed and with a fairly large volume. In its homeland, the Kumho manufacturer is almost a monopolist, despite the presence of other tire manufacturers. Also, Kumho gradually began to develop the European market and now this company is recognized all over the world, thanks to the excellent activity of sales specialists and, of course, manufacturing engineers. So why is Kumho so popular?
Here it is necessary to understand that the quality of products manufactured by the Japanese is truly at the highest level. Everything looks optimal in car tires - tread pattern, side and main parts, rubber compound composition, etc. Whatever aspect you take, whatever nuance you consider, it is quite difficult to find any shortcomings in virtually every component in any model of Kumho tires. But this does not mean that they do not exist at all.
First of all, it is worth noting the excellent road grip characteristics. It's no secret that the roads in Japan are of the highest quality and are perhaps the best in the world. Therefore, it would seem that tires should be quite “fragile”, subject to wear and not have the highest service life and safety margin.
In reality, everything turned out to be completely wrong - Kumho car tires have incredibly high service life: they are reliable, durable, and have the highest safety class. The most interesting thing is that most models from the Japanese manufacturer can also be used off-road, although it would seem that it makes no sense to create such tires on Japanese roads.
It is also worth saying that tires from this manufacturer behave perfectly on wet asphalt or when driving on a dirty, slippery surface, because the grip on the road is excellent. This is due to the unique construction of the tires, as well as thanks to the optimized tread pattern, for the development of which the Japanese use the most modern computer technologies. It is also worth noting that the Japanese are working on the release of new models very carefully and precisely.
For example, Japanese summer tires cannot be used in winter, no matter how good the road grip is. The onset of cold weather and a strong drop in temperature can seriously affect the quality of car tires in the future. This lack of versatility for tire models, on the one hand, is a credit to the manufacturer, because such a nuance contributes to more painstaking and high-quality work on the product. Well, the disadvantage of non-universality is very clear, without further ado.
If we talk about Nokian tires, then first of all it is worth noting that tires from this manufacturer are among the most popular, well-known and sold in Europe. The Finnish manufacturer's winter models are especially successful, and some drivers even then convert winter tires to summer tires in order to drive longer on high-quality tires. What's so great about these tires?
The Finnish manufacturer Nokian has always been famous for producing and still producing tires with incredibly high quality rubber. Rubber is manufactured for all models using special technologies, using a large number of absorbent gels, and it is this fact that gives Finnish-made tires excellent performance characteristics. The margin of safety has become more serious, and the degree of resistance to wear and deformation has been increased.
Also, the Finnish manufacturer has done a great job of ensuring that the speed characteristics of all Nokian tire models are at the highest level, and over the course of several years this has indeed become the case - cars on such tires not only pick up speed faster, but also contribute to faster braking. We also note that the braking qualities of Nokian car tires allow cars to significantly reduce the braking distance. This measure indicates a higher safety class of these tires and reliability while driving.
I would also like to additionally note the tread pattern of Nokian tires and its features. The most key point here is the construction of grooves and increasing their width, which allows water masses to be removed from the contact patch as quickly as possible while driving on a slippery and wet road. This is another factor that has a great effect on the degree of adhesion of the wheel to the road surface.
Model range Kumho and Nokian
If we consider the model ranges of both manufacturers, we can note the following - the Finnish manufacturer has a slightly wider and more interesting range. Nokian has many more types of tires - summer, winter, all-season. A large number of independent experts evaluated Nokian tires and more than once recognized some models as the highest quality for any particular period.
Despite the fact that the Finnish manufacturer has many more models than Kumho, Japanese tires cannot be called lower quality than tires from Nokian. The Japanese have done a great job on such qualities as braking properties, road grip, tread pattern and others. The rubber compound of Kumho tires is made on the basis of natural rubber, while the Finnish manufacturer also uses silica for rubber. This means that the environmental class of Kumho tires is slightly higher than that of tires from the Finnish manufacturer.
But if you look more at speed qualities, here Japanese products are inferior to Finnish ones. The tread profile is designed in such a way that vehicle acceleration actually occurs faster on those vehicles that are equipped with Nokian tires. This is due to both the composition of the rubber mixture and the very construction of the cord and the main part of the tire.
Acceleration and braking properties are implemented perfectly in Nokian models, and this is what contributes to the effect of reducing fuel consumption. The engine spends less effort to accelerate the car, and less effort is required to stop abruptly due to the fact that the rubber compound includes excellent stopping components.
The most interesting and best-selling model in the Kumho series is the Gripmax 745, known to the entire world community. This model of car tires is an all-season tire designed for passenger cars. It stands out among all other models because it has the highest characteristics and operational features. These properties provide the driver and passengers in the car with a high degree of reliability and safety.
Interesting here is the tread profile, which is checkered. This construction guarantees excellent grip both when driving on a wet road and on a dry heated surface. The central longitudinal tubules promptly and quickly drain the water mass from the contact patch. Such features not only improve grip, but also significantly reduce noise levels. This means that the level of driving comfort is correspondingly increased. 
The best model of car tires from the Finnish manufacturer Nokian can be called Hakka green. These tires are intended for use in the summer season, however, many people leave these tires in the winter, without even performing tire stud operations. All thanks to the optimal composition of the rubber mixture in these tires, which makes it possible to enjoy excellent grip on the road. This model is also characterized by excellent speed characteristics, making the car accelerate much faster than when using tires of other modifications.
This model also has excellent braking properties, as a result of which, when stopping at high speeds, the braking distance will be much shorter than when using tires of any other model. Such braking properties are excellent for high-speed driving in bad rainy weather.
Also worthy of special attention are the properties of the model of Finnish origin, such as rolling resistance and aquaplaning. Both of these properties are at the highest level, which gives excellent grip during fast movement, and also increases the reliability and safety of movement.
Comparison of the best models
If you objectively look at all the best qualities and disadvantages of the presented models and add up the resulting result, then the Japanese model, after all, loses quite a bit to its Finnish counterpart. The Nokian model has more developed strength characteristics, despite the fact that the Japanese model was universal, all-season, and the Finnish one was exclusively summer.
The Finnish model also has better grip and better speed characteristics. This model is inferior to Japanese tires in that the braking characteristics and overall safety of use are slightly worse. Also, the Japanese model is more environmentally friendly due to the fact that natural rubber is used to produce rubber.
There are few disadvantages in both models - in fact, there are none. In general, based on the totality of advantages, we can give the leadership palm to the Nokian Hakka Green model. And if we judge the model range as a whole and evaluate each model, there will probably be a model of Japanese origin that will be superior to its Finnish counterpart. But in general, the quality of Nokian tires produced is still higher.
Summary
We can say that Nokian tires are better than Kumho tires. However, the advantage in this matter for Finnish-made car tires is not too large and certainly not overwhelming, which suggests that over time, Japanese models can overtake Finnish ones in terms of quality, since the progressiveness of tire production at the Kumho company is much higher than that of Nokian. However, there is no point in thinking ahead in such matters.
The best model Nokian sells much better than the Kumho model. And this suggests that not only experts consider Finnish tires better than Japanese ones - ordinary people in Europe and the world think the same way.
Manufacturer:
Kumho Tires Co. Inc.
A country:
South Korea
Company `s logo
President and CEO
Yong Ho Kim
HQ (headquarters) Gwangju plant555, Sochon-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, Korea (TEL: 062-940-2114)
Address of representative office in Russia
MOSCOW
OFFICE# 604, ENTRANCE 3,
WORLD TRADE CENTER
KRASNOPRESNENSKAYA NAB. 12,
123610 MOSCOW, RUSSIA
TEL: 7-495-258-1133
FAX: 7-495-258-1133
Electronic mail (E-mail)
About company
In Korea, in 1946, in the city of Gwanggyu, in the south of the Korean Peninsula, an enterprising local resident, In-Chun Park, founded a transport company. At first, its fleet consisted of only two old Ford trucks, but the company developed quickly.
Soon a new war began, lasting from 1950 to 1953, as a result of which Korea was divided into two states. Mr. Park's business was destroyed. However, he created a new company, which eventually grew into Korea's largest intercity bus company, Kwang Ju Highway Lines.
In 1960, Ying-Chun Park decided to create a tire manufacturing company, Kumho Tires. In 1965, the first Kumho tires were exported to Thailand.
In the mid-60s, the company entered the US tire market, receiving permission to operate from the Department of Transportation. Tire production volumes are constantly increasing, and in 1974 a new plant in Gwangyu was put into operation, where the production of the first radial tires began.
In 1975, Kumho developed a brand for the European market - Marshal. Tires are developed by the European Technical Center (Birmingham).
In 1976, the company received a certificate allowing the production of tires for the US Air Force. In addition to the fact that this contract significantly improved the financial situation of the company, it served as a wonderful advertising campaign for Kumho. And in 1978, the company opened its first representative office in Europe and took part in the largest Essen exhibition of automobile tires, where its products received high praise.
In order to keep up with the times, in the early 80s, the newest research center at that time was created in the city of Gwangyu, where all the company’s developments were tested. The continued growth in sales of Kumho tires led to the construction of another plant in Goksaenggon in 1989.
In 1991, Kumho was one of the top ten most popular car tire manufacturers. At the same time, the production of tires for aircraft continues.
During the 90s, Kumho received almost all the world's quality certificates for its products. All of the company's factories also received environmental certificates. In 1999, the company was one of the first in the world to develop a tire that can be used for some time after a puncture.
By 2002, the Kumho was ranked second in a survey conducted by a reputable automotive publication in popularity among consumers.
In 2003, an automatic tire production plant was built in Pyung Tak, and Kumho became one of the top nine tire companies in the world.
As an advertising campaign, in 2005 the world's first colored tire, Smoke Tire, was released, which, in addition to having its own color, emits red smoke during active braking and acceleration, which street racers really liked.
In 2007, Kumho entered into a contract with the Mercedes-Benz automaker for the supply of tires. In the same year, two more important events take place for the company: a car shod with Kumho tires becomes the winner of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race, and the company presents the world's first aromatic tire.
In 2008, tires produced by the company received the “Recommended Tire” category in Germany.
In Russia, the popular magazine “Behind the Wheel” constantly conducts tests of various tires. In 2008 and 2009, Kumho summer tires showed the best results. In terms of sales volume, Kumho confidently competes with Michelin and Continental. Volkswagen has chosen Kumho tires for some models.
A South Korean company included in the list of largest tire manufacturers. It was founded in 1960 in the city of Gwangju, South Korea. Just 6 years after its creation, the company's products entered the international market. The company has 7 factories in different countries:
- South Korea - 3 factories;
- China - 3 factories;
- Vietnam - 1 plant.
In 2007, Kumho Tire developed a prototype tire for Formula 1. Kumho Tire's annual production volume is between 60 million.
Kumho tires include a number of popular lines.
Kumho Ecsta
This includes summer tire brands Ecsta PS31 and Ecsta HS51.
Ecsta PS31- car tires intended for use in warm conditions. Ecsta PS31 is a sports brand. It features a unique new pattern for a comfortable ride. A distinctive feature of the tires is a high level of balancing, stability and maneuverability at high speed. While driving, good stability is ensured by placing a hard rib in the middle of the tread.
Most user reviews for these tires are positive. The advantages include high-quality grip and braking during active driving, and minimal noise. The disadvantage is low wear resistance. Soft tires are sensitive to the road surface and become unsettled.
Ecsta HS51- automobile tires intended for use on passenger cars. This brand is designed for use during the warm season. The tire category belongs to the "comfort" class, but exceeds the necessary characteristics and is equivalent to the sports class. The main advantage is the easy, dynamic handling provided by the highly elastic steel cord. Good handling is maintained at high speed due to the central stiffening ribs. There is minimal noise while driving.
Most user reviews for this brand are positive. The advantages include softness during driving, stability on the road rut, good balancing and braking. The list of shortcomings includes: slight drift when cornering, steering and braking sharpness is reduced due to softness.
Kumho Ecowing
Ecowing KH27- tires for the warm season, intended for use on passenger vehicles. Using these tires allows you to save on fuel. They differ in average cost. With low weight they can withstand mechanical damage.
Reviews for tires are mixed. Among the advantages are: high wear resistance, minimal noise while driving, good control on wet roads. Some users noted a number of disadvantages, including: soft sidewall, difficulty balancing, problems with control when cornering. The described type of tire is not recommended for use when driving off-road.
Ecowing ES01- summer tires for passenger cars, with a characteristic asymmetric tread pattern. Tires belong to the "medium" class. They are recommended for use on small and medium-sized passenger cars and crossovers. In almost all respects, this brand has average results. There is good braking on wet roads. Minor criticisms relate to noise levels and ride smoothness.
The tire received mixed reviews from users. Most buyers noted that this brand is represented by standard tires for normal use. On the negative side, it was revealed that braking on a wet surface is worse than on a dry surface.
What do we know about Kumho tires
In January 2020, PartReview had a positive opinion about Kumho tires.
PR score - 82 out of 100, based on 90 reviews and 278 votes. 72 reviews have a positive rating, 7 are neutral, and 11 are negative. The average review rating is 4.1 (out of 5). The votes were distributed as follows: 230 - for, 48 - against.
Users also made an opinion about the qualities of Kumho tires:
- Wear resistance - a property of a spare part that determines the rate of wear - is assessed positively. 3.6 points out of 5.
- Noise - the ability of a part to produce noise - is assessed positively. 4.3 points out of 5.
- Handling - the ability of a spare part to influence the handling of a car - is assessed positively. 4.3 points out of 5.
Kumho tires in car ratings
Here you can find out the owners of which brands and models installed Kumho tires on their cars. Below is a list of auto ratings in which this spare part is included in the TOP 3 best.
Despite the high popularity of European tire manufacturers, a lot of products from Central Asia are supplied to the Russian market, which, as a rule, are not much inferior to competitors in terms of technical characteristics, but have a more flexible pricing policy. A clear confirmation of this example is the products of the Kumho company, the demand for which among Russians has recently begun to rapidly increase.
Kumho tires: what's special?
ATTENTION! A completely simple way to reduce fuel consumption has been found! Don't believe me? An auto mechanic with 15 years of experience also didn’t believe it until he tried it. And now he saves 35,000 rubles a year on gasoline!
The Kumho manufacturing concern has been manufacturing automobile tires since 1960. The South Korean company regularly conducts its own technological research and molds rubber for its products, which allows both to reduce production costs and increase the quality of the final product. It was the company’s unique autonomy that allowed the brand to survive several major economic crises and enter the international market.
At the moment, the South Korean brand is among the TOP 20 global manufacturers of car tires and sells its products on 6 continents. The company regularly produces tires for the Russian Federation, the development of which used Avtodor statistics.
Advantages of Kumho rubber: briefly about the main thing
The popularity of the South Korean brand is due to the wide range of rubber produced, but in most cases all rubber has a similar form factor and technological solution.
The distinctive advantages of Kumho summer tires compared to competitors are:
- Symmetrical tread pattern - directional tread is necessary to stabilize the tire when driving at high speeds. The identical tread pattern on each side of the tire increases the vehicle's directional stability and reduces the risk of skidding;
- The presence of moisture-removing lamellas - channels for moisture removal completely prevent the likelihood of the car going into hydroplaning. The structure of the moisture-wicking lamellas ensures the removal of moisture from the contact patch, which also has a beneficial effect on braking efficiency;
- Additional reinforcement of the side of the tire - the reinforced side prevents the risk of tire cuts when driving on rough roads. The special design of the tire involves strengthening the side part without changing the structure of the working surface - a durable cord does not affect the performance characteristics of the rubber.
Among the advantages of Kumho winter tires, we need to highlight:
- Increased number of lamellas - in winter tires the number of lamellas has increased both on the working surface of the tire and in the side part. The functional purpose of the sipes is to clean the tread pattern from moisture, dirt and snow, which ensures more comfortable vehicle handling, regardless of the type of road surface;
- Soft outer rubber layer - Kumho engineers took advantage of European technology and also made most tire models two-component. The soft outer layer of rubber increases the tire's grip on the road surface, while the hard casing provides rigidity to the structure itself;
- Stud resistance to wear - the geometric shapes of the studs prevent the risk of premature spalling and improve grip with the road surface. The average service life of studs on Kumho tires is 2-3 seasons - the rubber will not crumble in the first turn after purchase.
Note! The South Korean brand also produces friction winter tires, but this tire has not found much popularity among drivers in the Russian Federation due to its low technology.
Kumho friction tires are significantly inferior in grip tenacity to both the studded version of the brand and friction tires from other manufacturers.
Sizes and form factor of Kumho tires for the Russian market
The South Korean manufacturer sells tires in all popular sizes for the Russian market. Also on the company’s official website it is indicated that less common tire sizes can be ordered from the company’s official distributor in the Russian Federation, even at small retail - Kumho promise to organize delivery of tires of any size to any corner of the country through its dealer network.
| R12 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 145/80 | 145/80 | 155/80 |
| R13 | ||
| 145/80 | 155/65 | 155/80 |
| 155/70 | 165/70 | 175/70 |
| R14 | ||
| 155/65 | 165/65 | 165/70 |
| 175/65 | 185/70 | 185/60 |
| R16 | ||
| 195/55 | 205/65 | 205/60 |
| 205/55 | 215/70 | 215/60 |
| R17 | ||
| 215/50 | 215/60 | 215/55 |
| 225/45 | 225/50 | 235/65 |
| 235/55 | ||
| R18 | ||
| 225/45 | 225/60 | 225/55 |
| 225/40 | 235/55 | 245/40 |
| R19 | ||
| 235/55 | 245/40 | 245/45 |
| 255/35 | 255/40 | 255/50 |
| R20 | ||
| 235/55 | 245/45 | 255/50 |
| 265/45 | 275/45 | 275/40 |
Note! Before purchasing tires for your car, be sure to check the recommended standard sizes of the vehicle manufacturers - this information can be found on the official website or in the service book. Installing a non-recommended standard size seriously changes the technical handling of the car, which can cause an emergency on the road.
Diagnostic tests: is Kumho suitable for RF?
The Finnish organization Test World, which specializes in conducting specialized tests of automotive tires for professional suitability, conducted a comprehensive full-scale test of Kumho tires in 2018. During the test, the organization determined the following data:
- Stopping a car on wet asphalt;
- Vehicle handling performance on wet asphalt;
- Vehicle handling performance on dry asphalt;
- Vehicle resistance to hydroplaning;
- Stopping a car on dry asphalt;
- Subjective assessment of noise level.
According to statistics obtained by Test World experts, Kumho tires can be freely installed on passenger cars for civil and commercial purposes. Moreover, the Finnish organization recommends car tires from a Korean manufacturer for installation on a family car.
The reason was reports that the Chinese Kumho plant was using too much material from waste tires in the production of new tires, which could cause tread breaks, the Chinese government said in a statement.
Kumho is one of the largest tire makers in China, where the company's market share was estimated at 16% last year. China also accounts for about 30% of Kumho's total sales.
Even though Lee Han-Seop, director of Kumho China, publicly apologized on CCTV, which was the first to report the defective tires, many consumers expressed their distrust of the company, and some even demanded legal action. responsibility of those involved in the production of low-quality tires. Mr. Lee promised that the defective tires would be recalled, but did not specify when or how many tires would be recalled.
Following an inspection at the Tianjin plant, Kumho admitted that some internal standards were not fully met, prompting the dismissal of both the plant manager and employees responsible for quality control.
In a statement, Kumho said it had notified relevant organizations of the voluntary tire recall and pledged to fully cooperate with the Chinese government, adding that it would "address all product quality issues solely from the consumer's perspective."
In the same statement, Kumho emphasized that it did not use recycled rubber, but rubber residues left over from tire production, and that it did not contain chemical additives.
Kumho noted that this rubber is used by all tire manufacturers and that it fully complies with production standards. At the same time, the company admitted that the Tianjin plant used more of this rubber in production than required by internal standards. “The ratio of residuals to new tires in Tianjin reached 1/2, while according to the company’s internal standards it should not exceed 1/3,” Xinhua quoted a Kumho representative as saying.
"We acknowledge that we have had some product quality issues at the Tianjin plant, but using rubber left over from production is not unusual in the tire industry," a Kumho spokesman also said.
However, Chinese buyers were unsatisfied with Kumho's explanation, and Xinhua reports that many of them have put off purchasing a new vehicle until all the defective tires are recalled. Auto dealers in Shanghai also complain that their consumer hotlines are overwhelmed by calls from customers concerned their tires may also be faulty.
Chinese auto companies such as Chery, Great Wall, Dongfeng, as well as local branches of Hyundai, VW and GM were quick to issue statements that the Kumho tires installed on their cars were not produced at the Tianjin plant. Great Wall announced that it would refuse further cooperation with Kumho altogether.
Market analysts are confident that this scandal will inevitably damage Kumho's reputation in China, which is one of the most promising markets for the Korean company. At the same time, many experts note that it is not yet clear whether Kumho will be able to regain the trust of its Chinese customers and clients among automakers.
So far, experts say there has been no damage to the reputation of Hyundai, one of Kumho's key partners, but Hyundai may want to prevent such a risk by switching to tires from another company, such as Hankook.
“In China's original equipment (OE) sector, Kumho's market share (23%) was the largest, but due to CCTV reports, this may change,” Park Sang-won, an analyst at the Seoul-based agency, told Xinghua. Eugene Investment & Securities. – Kumho has a strong position in the OE sector, which usually contributes to increased sales in the aftermarket. Now the company can still minimize the damage to its reputation, but only on the condition that it continues to cooperate with auto companies.”
“Kumho reportedly used rubber left over from production rather than recycled materials, and if the misunderstanding is cleared up, the situation may not hurt the company as much,” added Lee Sang-hyun, an expert at NH Investment & Securities. “As for Hyundai, this company will not suffer, since it can easily start purchasing tires from other manufacturers if Chinese buyers are more distrustful of Kumho products.”
