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Last updated 6/27/2024 - Originally published 6/27/2024
Written by SimpleTire
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Founded in 1960, Kumho produces next-generation tires for coupes, sedans, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, minivans, and commercial trucks. Tire families such as the Ecsta and Solus (for passenger cars) and Crugen (for light trucks and SUVs) offer exceptional value and performance, with extended wear, superb handling, and year-round grip. Established more than 80 years ago, Nexen currently provides tires such as the N'Fera and N'Priz families for passenger cars, as well as the Roadian series for light trucks and SUVs, making them an excellent choice for American drivers.
The Ecsta PS31 is Kumho's ultra-high-performance summer tire, which offers great handling and performance in both dry and wet conditions for sports cars, sporty coupes, and performance sedans. Engineered for sport-performance SUVs, the Nexen N’Fera RU1 is an ultra-high-performance summer tire that offers a comfortable ride and excellent in-car performance.
However, which tire gives the best performance? If both tires perform well, which is better? Let us compare the Kumho Ecsta PS31 vs Nexen N’Fera RU1 using SimpleScore to help you determine which tire is the best.
The Kumho Ecsta PS31 features a state-of-the-art summer compound that has High Grip Resin to improve wet and dry traction and High Dispersible Micro Silica to distribute silica more evenly over the contact patch. While a robust central rib improves high-speed stability, heat dimples from the 3D Dimple Design reduce heat buildup within the tread blocks. Its directional tread pattern reduces wear while the circumferential grooves and diagonal-sipe microgrooves remove water from the footprint to reduce the risk of hydroplaning. In addition, the Kumho Ecsta PS31 has a computer-simulated structure and has an overall SimpleScore of 8.1 out of 10.
The Nexen N’Fera RU1 features 3+1 asymmetric grooves that provide water drainage to reduce the risk of hydroplaning. While N’Fera RU1’s silent sipes minimize pattern noise, its thin groove and in/out balanced rib improve handling and provide stability. All these features contribute to an overall SimpleScore of 7.5.
UHP summer tires have a stickier compound which helps them to provide maximum traction on the road, and both the tires - the Ecsta PS31 and the N’Fera RU1 - lend great traction.
The Kumho Ecsta PS31 features a state-of-the-art summer rubber compound that has high-grip resin to improve wet and dry traction and high-dispersible micro-silica to distribute silica more evenly over the contact patch. To boost wet traction, diagonal-sipe microgrooves in conjunction with optimized lateral groove angles and four broad, circular main grooves remove water from the footprint and increase hydroplaning resistance giving it a traction score of 8.5 out of 10.
The Nexen N'Fera RU1 has a unique 3+1 asymmetric groove design that improves drainage, boosts wet traction, and reduces hydroplaning, giving it an 8.6 traction score. The combination of grooves and sipes not only provide enhanced grip and traction but also boosts stability.
In terms of traction, the Nexen N’Fera RU1 has a slight edge over the Kumho Ecsta PS31.
ADVANTAGE: Nexen N’Fera RU1
UHP summer tires are expected to provide great handling while gripping the road at faster speeds, and both the Ecsta PS31 and the N’Fera RU1 offer great handling on the road at higher speeds.
With an 8.7 traction score, the Kumho Ecsta PS31’s interior construction is reinforced with a two-ply polyester casing beneath twin wide steel belts and two full layer nylon caps for high-speed handling. Its 3D dimple design reduces heat buildup for improved vehicle handling, while the directed tread pattern makes high-speed control easier.
Scoring the same 8.7 in handling, the Nexen N’Fera RU1 features a narrow outside groove that increases handling and steering stability, while a unique in/out balanced rib assures stability at high speeds. The solid shoulder design allows increased control and stable rides over longer distances.
ADVANTAGE: TIE
UHP summer tires tend to wear faster, and the majority of them do not come with a mileage warranty. Naturally, both the Kumho Ecsta PS31 and Nexen N’Fera RU1 do not have impressive longevity scores.
The Kumho Ecsta PS31’s rubber compound is molded into a directional tread pattern, while 3D Dimple Design thermal dimples decrease heat buildup in the tread blocks, boosting durability and reducing wear. With a longevity score of 7.6, the Kumho tire features reinforced internal construction that consists of a two-ply polyester casing under twin wide steel belts and two full-layer nylon top plies for greater impact resistance and endurance. Its computer-simulated structure assures uniform contact pressure for even wear.
With an average 6.1 longevity score, the Nexen N'Fera RU1 features special rubber compound for improved wear resistance and stability. The Nexen’s low score in durability and tread life gives the Kumho the well-deserved brownie points.
When it comes to longevity the Kumho Ecsta PS31 outlives the Nexen N’Fera RU1.
ADVANTAGE: Kumho Ecsta PS31
High-end sports vehicles are more likely to have ultra-high-performance summer tires since they are just more capable of withstanding the vehicle's higher torque, speed, and g-forces. As with other UHP tires, driving in weather close to freezing, in snow, or on ice is not recommended for the Ecsta PS31 and the N’Fera RU1 as these are not Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified.
Which of these ultra-high-performance tires is best suited for you? According to SimpleScore, the Kumho Ecsta PS31 has a better score than the Nexen N’Fera RU1 (8.1 vs. 7.5) thanks to Ecsta PS31’s superior longevity scores. However, the N’Fera RU1 has a slight edge over the Ecsta PS31.
Now let's look at their costs to see whether they have any bearing on the choice of tire to buy. Kumho Ecsta PS31 tires cost $78.99 per tire, while the N’Fera RU1 tires cost at least $258, and the difference in the rates is at least $179.01. This implies that four Kumho Ecsta PS31 tires will cost at least $315.96, and four N’Fera RU1 tires will cost at least $1032.
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Kumho Ecsta PS31 if you:
On the other hand, you should go for the Nexen N’Fera RU1 if you:
Ultra-high-performance summer tires, the Kumho Ecsta PS31 and the Nexen N’Fera RU1 offer reliable performance. Nonetheless, the tire you choose will be determined by the type of vehicle you drive and the features that are most important to you, such as handling, traction, price, and longevity.
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help, and our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.
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