Kumho Tyres ECSTA LX KU27 Reviews

These KU27's are our 2nd set of tyres for our Subi, which we have owned from new. They have a US tyre rating of: Treadwear = 600, Traction = A, Temperature = A and replaced the Yokohama Geolander OEM's which achieved 55,000k. However, the Yoki's became very slippery in the wet and also very noisy in the last 15,000kms of their life. These Ecsta's have stayed same noise level and same grip from new to end of life, which is in the next 3,000k. Yes, we will get around 70,000k from a passenger tyre, on an all wheel drive SUV! The KU27's are a softer more supple ride than the Geo's, with gentler steering feedback and are perfect for the spirited around town rush to work and also relaxing family highway holiday cruising. The centre rib provides excellent straight line tracking and even with high side winds and water on road: the car stays on the line you point it at. The 4 deep lateral grooves and deep siping cuts in the tread blocks give excellent confidence in steering and braking in both pouring rain or 41 degree summer days, and as you can see last until the end of tread life. The tyres are quiet on freeway / highways with smooth construction, but can transmit mild noise on coarser stone. However, even now they are much lower noise than the Yoki's - which became very loud on all surfaces and had high pitch whine at end of life. These KU27's are date stamped 0712, but over their near 9 year life have suffered no delamination, tread separation, major wall cracking or run out of round, (also see photo's). I have had one puncture, which was a builders screw which I repaired at 40,000km, no other problems. They are rotated every 10,000km's, and maintained at 38psi. They also have an excellent, deep rim protector lip, which has saved our 8 spoke OEM alloys from expensive damage from the occasional highway pothole or kerb strike. I would love to replace with a new set, but unfortunately Kumho no longer import these KU27's into Australia, despite being still available in Europe & America. I like them so much that I was even tempted to import these myself... however, when supply of the newer Ecsta HS51 or Solus HS61's are renewed I may opt for them, or try Conti's or even Pirelli's, pending more research into these other brands.

When first fitted they were great , however the ride quality and handling has dropped off considerably since then , tyres have always been balanced and rotated , had new front & rear shocks fitted recently , but the car still wanders all over the road at speeds more than 80k/hr , gets very tiring .

These are good Tyers. Very comfortable low noise and look really good. The only problem is that my powerful front wheel drive tens to spin very easily. Probably will need to choose UHP next time.