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Last updated 6/26/2024 - Originally published 6/26/2024
Written by SimpleTire
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Bridgestone and Kumho are two very different tire brands that cater to the needs of varied vehicle types in the American subcontinent. While Bridgestone was founded in 1931 in Japan, Kumho was established in 1960 in South Korea.
There’s no doubt that Bridgestone is one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world and utilizes world-class technologies, extensive research, advanced design, and high-quality materials to make ‘Gold Standard’ tires. Kumho, on the other hand, is also nowhere behind in the race and has an innovative approach towards product development, technical progression, market extension, and environmental awareness. The Bridgestone Potenza Sport and the Kumho Ecsta V730 are two incredible UHP tires offered by these manufacturers that further state their process in tire manufacturing.
These tires are designed for use on sports cars, supercars, and performance-oriented coupes and sedans in warmer weather and feature a wider footprint and low profile. While both of these tires are great in one or the other way, you might want to know buying which one would make more sense for you. So, using our SimpleScore, let’s compare Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Kumho Ecsta V730 tires and see where each tire stands out.
The Bridgestone Potenza Sport was launched in December 2020 and is an ultra-high-performance, summer tire that sports an asymmetric, ribbed tread design. The tire is mainly made for use on sports cars, passenger vehicles, and SUVs that have a rim diameter in the range of 16- to 23-inch. Bridgestone has engineered this tire to offer exceptional grip and handling in wet and dry conditions, reduced noise levels, enhanced ride comforts, and optimum traction and wear performance. The tire is suitable for use in warmer weather conditions or for regions where the temperature typically doesn’t drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Overall, the Potenza Sport tire scores an excellent 9.3 SimpleScore because of its outstanding traction performance, responsive handling, and good tread life.
The Kumho Ecsta V730 was introduced in January 2021 and has an asymmetrical tread design. Like its counterpart, the V730 is also an ultra-high-performance tire suitable for use in warmer weather conditions, in temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. It can be used on performance-oriented coupes and sedans, sports cars, and supercars that have a rim size ranging between 15-19 inch diameter. Kumho utilized innovative technologies and advanced engineering to ensure that the tire provides enhanced dry and wet traction and responsive handling performance.
Overall, on a scale of 10, the Ecsta V730 scores an impressive 8.4 rating, thanks to its solid traction performance, better handling, and extended tread life.
Whether you drive on- or off-the-track, traction is something that plays a very important role, especially in the case of the UHP tires. As we highlighted above, the UHP tires are designed and engineered to offer traction in warmer weather conditions, on dry and wet surfaces, and in winter weather conditions, these tires have to be changed with the relevant set of suitable winter-compatible tires.
The Bridgestone Potenza Sport boasts an outstanding 9.9 SimpleScore in traction, indicating to enthusiasts that the tire is perfectly designed and developed to provide optimum traction in warmer conditions. With the 3D sipe technology, the tire increases pattern stiffness to provide enhanced traction performance. Likewise, the specially engineered pattern geometry helps the tire maintain the contact pressure and promotes water evacuation for superior wet performance. In addition, the new-gen ultrahigh silica compound provides a confident grip to the tire in wet and dry conditions.
Contrarily, the Kumho Ecsta V730 gets an 8.4 SimpleScore rating in the traction area, which is attained because of the advanced asymmetric tread design that features wider outside shoulder blocks for enhanced traction performance, especially in wet weather conditions. The two circumferential grooves on the tread of the Ecsta V730 help in dispersing water for reduced risk of hydroplaning and additionally improve traction performance. Likewise, the rib-type center block of this tire provides better traction performance in dry conditions.
While both Potenza tires and Ecsta tires looked great on the traction front, it was the Potenza Sport that was better than the Ecsta V730.
ADVANTAGE: Potenza Sport
For an ultra-high-performance (UHP) tire, handling is the most important purchase consideration area as it relates to steering response, cornering performance, high-speed stability, turning ability, and overall controllability. In both Bridgestone and Kumho tires, the manufacturers have tried to incorporate features and technologies that boost handling performance.
Starting with the Potenza Sport, the tire scores an excellent 9.9 rating in the handling area. The next-gen ultrahigh silica compound used in making this tire ensures confident grip and high-speed handling performance in dry and wet conditions, whereas the wider footprint, flat contact patch, and shorter sidewalls improve the tire’s maneuverability. The robust inner construction and sturdy compound hold the tire very well during driving pressures to offer impressive acceleration performance and exceptional steering response.
On the other hand, the Kumho Ecsta V730 scores an admirable 8.6 out of 10 SimpleScore on the handling front and features wide outside shoulder blocks on the asymmetric tread pattern that contributes to enhanced steering response. The rib-type center block design improves straight-line driving performance and the zigzag-shaped center under grooves provides additional stability in wet conditions. For increased durability and handling performance, the Ecsta V730 tire sports a robust internal construction that utilizes a high-strength carcass.
On the handling front, the Potenza Sport looks like an exceptional choice, however, the Ecsta V730 is slightly behind.
ADVANTAGE: Potenza Sport
The UHP tires are built for aggressive driving and faster accelerations, sharp turnings, and instant braking might impact the life of the tire. It is therefore necessary that they are optimized for a longer tread life and don’t wear too fast. While comparing the longevity SimpleScore ratings of both tires, we found there was a complete twist!
The Potenza Sport has a SimpleScore of 7.4 in the longevity area, which isn’t the best of the scores for longevity but remains on the good side. The inner construction of the tire is robust and even the tread is optimized for longer and even wear. The 3D sipe technology used in making this tire provides adequate stiffness for extended usability and longer wear.
In contrast, the Ecsta V730 scored a higher 7.8 SimpleScore rating for longevity and surprisingly has a longer tread life than the Bridgestone UHP tires. The tire features a solid internal construction and utilizes a high-strength carcass for increased durability. Additionally, the outer area of the tire is also optimally reinforced to avoid deformations and contribute to extended use.
While Potenza Sport tires have the credibility to stand as a reliable choice in the UHP category, the Ecsta V730 tires scored surprisingly more, indicating that they are more on the value side but still can offer a longer service during aggressive driving.
ADVANTAGE: Ecsta V730
Both, the Potenza Sport and the Ecsta V730 are ultra-high-performance kind of tires and therefore, they are used by drivers who want to experience quick steering response, high-speed stability, solid traction in dry and wet conditions, and faster acceleration.
These tires are not winter-compatible and should not be used on snow and ice. Rather using them in warmer weather conditions, in temperatures above 45 degrees is recommended. Both the UHP tires are designed and engineered for use on paved roads or traction, and should not be used in rough or off-the-road conditions.
We recommend you crosscheck your vehicle’s tire size with the available tire size options of both these UHP tires for a seamless and appropriate fitment.
So, which UHP tire is right for your drive? When we compared the SimpleScores of both these tires, we found that the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is slightly ahead of the Kumho Ecsta V730 with an overall score of 9.0 versus 8.2. But, as we noticed in this Potenza Sport vs Ecsta V730 tires comparison, there are key differences between these two tires and you must compare them against each other to finalize which tire is best for you.
When it comes to pricing, which is one of the most important purchase-consideration areas, the Potenza Sport comes at a starting price of at least $167.99 per tire, while the Ecsta V730 is offered at a starting price of at least $146.00 per tire. So, this means that a set of four Potenza tires will cost you at least $671.96, while a set of four Ecsta tires will cost you at least $584.00.
Based on SimpleScore, you should consider the Potenza Sport if you:
Conversely, you should choose the Ecsta V730 if you:
At first look, the Potenza Sport vs Ecsta V730 tires might not look like the ideal competitors, but when you analyze things like tire category, pricing, SimpleScore ratings, and other features, they appear to be strong competitors. While one is the #2 tire brand in the world, the other one is known for offering greater value at an affordable price. Eventually, the purchase decision depends on your vehicle type, how and where you would use the tire, budget, and your preference over longevity, handling, and longevity.
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.
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