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Kumho Ecsta PS91 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Kumho Ecsta PS91 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (PS4) - Test Data

Here are the key stats for the Kumho Ecsta PS91 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, at a glance.
Ecsta PS91Pilot Sport 4
Vehicle SuitabilityPassengerPassenger
Driving StyleExtreme Performance SummerMax Performance Summer
SeasonSummerSummer
Release Date20132015
Run Flat?NoNo
Overall Score68/10077/100

Pricing

Enter your tyre size below to see the best prices for your specific size (if unsure, check placard on the driver's side door or your existing tyres).

Kumho Ecsta PS91 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 in Australia

The Ecsta PS91 has been around in Australia for about 11 years, whereas the Pilot Sport 4 has been on the market for about 9 years

The Ecsta PS91 is rated for extreme performance summer action, however the Pilot Sport 4 tyres are classified as max performance summer. Both tyres are designed for use with regular passenger (non-SUV) vehicles.

Both of these are considered summer tyres. Neither of them are runflat tyres. Kumho is considered to be a mid-range brand in the tyre market, whereas Michelin is a premium manufacturer.

Read on to see how each of these tyres stack up against each other!

How We Reviewed These Tyres

Unlike the Australian government, the European Union carries out standardised tests on all tyres sold in Europe. These tests are carried out in identical conditions, making them a reliable way to compare tyres.

For this review, we use averaged results from tests done on 214 sizes of these tyres by the European Union.

Fuel Efficiency

EU Grade
(A - E)
Compared to an A grade tyre?
Ecsta PS91D0.3L/100km extra fuel consumption. ~$72 extra per year
Pilot Sport 4C0.2L/100km extra fuel consumption. ~$52 extra per year

The US Department of Energy estimates that around 25% of the fuel consumption of a vehicle is attributable to the tyres. That's a lot, and it means that choosing fuel efficient tyres can save you quite a bit of money.

The Ecsta PS91 tyres rank a D on a scale of A to E in the official fuel efficiency tests carried out by the EU (they call these rolling resistance tests).

The Pilot Sport 4 tyres get a grade of C.

Expect the lower grade tyre to consume an extra 0.1L/100km. This works out to $20 extra spent on petrol per year, based on a typical 12,000 km driven per year.

Here's a graph comparing the Ecsta PS91 and Pilot Sport 4 tyres for fuel efficiency (1 = Grade E, 5 = Grade A).

Grip & Handling

EU Grade
(A - E)
Compared to an A grade tyre?
Ecsta PS91AThis is an A grade tyre for wet grip
Pilot Sport 4AThis is an A grade tyre for wet grip

We'll now take a look at how these tyres compare in terms of grip and handling.

A good measure of this is 'wet grip', which is an indication of how well the tyres will allow the vehicle to come to a stop in wet conditions.

The Ecsta PS91 tyres rank a A on a scale of A to E in the official fuel tests carried out by the EU.

The Pilot Sport 4 tyres, on the other hand, get a grade of A.

As their wet grip grade is the same, expect negligible differences in terms of braking distance.

Here's a graph comparing the Ecsta PS91 and Pilot Sport 4 tyres for wet grip (1 = Grade E, 5 = Grade A).

Noise

EU Grade
(A - C)
Compared to an A grade tyre?
Ecsta PS91B (72.2 dB)2 times as noisy
Pilot Sport 4B (71.0 dB)2 times as noisy

Another key factor to consider when choosing a tyre is road noise. Once you're over about 40 km/h, the dominant source of noise you hear is from the contact of your tyres on the road.

There is a surprisingly wide variation in the amount of noise each tyre makes.

The Ecsta PS91 tyres produce 72.2 dB of road noise, which corresponds to a rank of B on a scale of A to C in the standardised testing done by the EU.

On the other hand, the Pilot Sport 4 tyres produce 71.0 dB of road noise, which means a grade of B.

As their noise grade is the same, don't expect many differences in terms of cabin noise.

Here's a visual representation of how the Ecsta PS91 and Pilot Sport 4 tyres stack up for noise (1 = Grade C, 3 = Grade A).

Comfort

Based on the results of a number of tyre benchmarks, the Ecsta PS91 scores 4 out of 5 for comfort and the Pilot Sport 4 scores 3 out of 5.

UTQG Data

Introduced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA, the Uniform Tire Grading System (UTQG), is a system for comparing one tyre product to another on the basis of some standardised tests.

Ecsta PS91Pilot Sport 4
Treadwear260320
Traction
(AA - C)
AAAA
Temperature Resistance
(A - C)
AA

Treadwear

As per the UTQG guidelines, the Ecsta PS91 tyres have a treadwear rating of 260, whereas the Pilot Sport 4 tyres have a rating of 320. This means that the Ecsta PS91 tyres will theoretically last only 81% as long as the Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

Traction

The UTQG system measures traction as straight-line braking in dry conditions. The scale is AA, A, B, C, with AA being the best grade, and C the worst.

As per the, the Ecsta PS91 and Pilot Sport 4 tyres both have a traction grading of AA.

Temperature Resistance

The UTQG temperature resistance tests measure how well tyres can dissipate heat that builds up due to friction with the road. The scale is A, B, C, with A being the highest grade.

As per the UTQG system of tyre grading, the Ecsta PS91 and Pilot Sport 4 tyres both have a temperature resistance grading of A.

Warranty

The Pilot Sport 4 tyres have a warranty of 6 years. There is no time-based warranty available for the Ecsta PS91.

Comparisons With Similar Tyres

Still on the fence about these tyres? Check out how they compare to other similar tyres on the market in Australia!

Summary

Let's now take a look at the main differences between these two sets of tyres.

All in all, the Ecsta PS91 tyres get a score of 68 out of 100, while the Pilot Sport 4 tyres get a score of 77 out of 100.

For fuel efficiency, Ecsta PS91 score a grade of D, which is below average. Pilot Sport 4 end up with a grade of C, which is more or less average.

More important is the wet grip, which gives you an indication of their traction and handling. In this regard, both the Ecsta PS91 and the Pilot Sport 4 get a score of A, which is outstanding.

More important is the wet grip, which gives you an indication of their traction and handling. In this regard, Ecsta PS91 get a score of B, which is about typical. Pilot Sport 4 end up with a grade of B, which is about typical.

The Ecsta PS91 tyres have a UTQG treadwear rating of 260, whereas the Pilot Sport 4 tyres have a rating of 320.This means that you can expect the Ecsta PS91 to last only 81% as long as the Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

The Ecsta PS91 have a UTQG traction grading of AA, while the Pilot Sport 4 tyres having a grading of AA.

The Ecsta PS91 have a UTQG temperature grading of A, while the Pilot Sport 4 tyres having a grading of A.

Full Size List (click to show)

Below is a list of all 96 sizes of the Ecsta PS91, and all 150 sizes of the Pilot Sport 4 tyres sold in Australia, sorted by tyre width.

Ecsta PS91 Sizes

Size
225/45 R18 95Y XL
225/40 R19 (93Y) XL
225/40 R18 92Y XL
225/35 R19 88Y XL
225/40 R19 93Y XL
225/40 R18 (92Y) XL
225/45 R18 (95Y) XL
225/35 R19 (88Y) XL
235/35 R19 (91Y) XL
235/35 R20 92Y XL
235/35 R20 (92Y) XL
235/35 R19 91Y XL
235/40 R18 95Y XL
235/40 R18 (95Y) XL
245/40 R19 (98Y) XL
245/45 R20 103Y XL
245/45 R20 (103Y) XL
245/45 R19 (102Y) XL
245/40 R19 98Y XL
245/35 R18 (92Y) XL
245/35 R19 (93Y) XL
245/40 R18 97Y XL
245/35 R18 92Y XL
245/40 R18 (97Y) XL
245/40 R20 (99Y) XL
245/45 R19 102Y XL
245/35 R19 93Y XL
245/45 R18 (100Y) XL
245/35 R20 95Y XL
245/45 R18 100Y XL
245/35 R20 (95Y) XL
255/35 R20 (97Y) XL
255/40 R18 99Y XL
255/30 R19 91Y XL
255/45 R19 104Y XL
255/35 R19 (96Y) XL
255/35 R19 96Y XL
255/35 R18 94Y XL
255/40 R18 (99Y) XL
255/30 R19 (91Y) XL
255/40 R20 (101Y) XL
255/40 R19 (100Y) XL
255/40 R20 101Y XL
255/45 R19 (104Y) XL
255/35 R20 97Y XL
255/40 R19 100Y XL
255/35 R18 (94Y) XL
265/40 R20 104Y XL
265/30 R19 93Y XL
265/35 R19 98Y XL
265/35 R20 99Y XL
265/40 R18 101Y XL
265/30 R19 (93Y) XL
265/40 R18 (101Y) XL
265/40 R20 (104Y) XL
265/35 R20 (99Y) XL
265/35 R18 97Y XL
265/35 R19 (98Y) XL
265/35 R18 (97Y) XL
275/35 R20 (102Y) XL
275/35 R18 99Y XL
275/35 R19 100Y
275/40 R19 (105Y) XL
275/30 R21 (98Y) XL
275/40 R20 (106Y) XL
275/40 R18 (103Y) XL
275/30 R19 96Y XL
275/35 R19 (100Y) XL
275/35 R19 100Y XL
275/30 R19 (96Y) XL
275/40 R18 103Y XL
275/40 R20 106Y XL
275/30 R20 97Y XL
275/35 R18 (99Y) XL
275/40 R19 105Y XL
285/30 R20 (99Y) XL
285/30 R19 (98Y) XL
285/30 R20 99Y XL
285/40 R19 107Y XL
285/35 R18 (101Y) XL
285/30 R19 98Y XL
285/35 R19 (103Y) XL
285/35 R20 104Y XL
285/40 R19 (107Y) XL
285/35 R19 103Y XL
285/35 R20 (104Y) XL
295/30 R19 (100Y) XL
295/30 R20 101Y XL
295/30 R20 (101Y) XL
295/35 R20 (105Y) XL
295/35 R20 105Y XL
295/30 R19 100Y XL
305/30 R19 (102Y) XL
305/30 R19 102Y XL
305/30 R20 (103Y) XL

Pilot Sport 4 Sizes

Size
195/45 R17 81W
205/40 R17 84Y XL
205/55 R16 91W
205/45 R17 88V XL
205/45 R17 88Y XL
205/45 R17 (88Y) XL
205/55 R16 (91Y)
205/40 R18 (86Y) XL
205/55 R16 94Y XL
205/40 R18 86Y XL
205/40 R18 86W XL
205/40 R17 (84Y) XL
205/50 R17 93Y XL
205/50 R17 (93Y) XL
205/55 R16 (94Y) XL
205/55 R16 91Y
205/45 R17 88W XL
215/45 R17 (91Y) XL
215/40 R18 85Y
215/45 R18 (93Y) XL
215/40 R18 89Y XL
215/40 R18 (89Y) XL
215/55 R17 (98Y) XL
215/50 R17 (95Y) XL
215/45 R18 89Y
215/55 R17 98Y XL
215/40 R17 87Y XL
215/50 R17 95Y XL
215/45 R18 93Y XL
215/40 R17 (87Y) XL
215/45 R17 91Y XL
215/60 R16 95V
225/55 R17 (101Y) XL
225/45 R17 94W XL
225/45 R18 95W XL
225/45 R18 (95Y) XL
225/50 R18 (99Y) XL
225/40 R19 93Y XL
225/50 R17 98W XL
225/55 R19 103Y XL
225/40 R18 (92Y) XL
225/45 R17 (91Y)
225/45 R17 91V
225/40 R18 92Y XL
225/45 R17 (94Y) XL
225/50 R16 92Y
225/50 R17 (98Y) XL
225/45 R19 96W XL
225/45 R17 94Y XL
225/40 R19 (93Y) XL
225/50 R16 (92Y)
225/50 R18 99Y XL
225/45 R18 91W
225/50 R17 98Y XL
225/45 R18 95Y XL
225/45 R17 91Y
225/55 R17 101Y XL
225/40 R18 92W XL
235/45 R18 98Y XL
235/40 R19 96Y XL
235/35 R19 87Y
235/45 R19 99Y XL
235/40 R18 95Y XL
235/50 R18 101Y XL
235/45 R19 (99Y) XL
235/40 R18 91W
235/50 R18 (101Y) XL
235/35 R19 (91Y) XL
235/35 R19 91Y XL
235/40 R18 (95Y) XL
235/45 R17 (97Y) XL
235/45 R18 (98Y) XL
235/35 R19 (87Y)
235/45 R17 97Y XL
235/40 R19 (96Y) XL
245/40 R19 98Y XL
245/40 R18 93Y
245/40 R18 97Y XL
245/45 R17 99Y XL
245/45 R19 102Y XL
245/35 R18 (92Y) XL
245/40 R19 101Y XL
245/35 R20 95Y XL
245/35 R18 92Y XL
245/50 R18 (100Y)
245/40 R17 (95Y) XL
245/45 R18 (100Y) XL
245/35 R20 95W XL
245/40 R18 (97Y) XL
245/40 R19 (98Y) XL
245/45 R17 (99Y) XL
245/40 R17 95Y XL
245/45 R20 103Y XL
245/50 R18 100Y
245/40 R18 (93Y)
245/45 R19 (102Y) XL
245/45 R18 100Y XL
255/40 R18 (99Y) XL
255/45 R18 103Y XL
255/35 R18 94Y XL
255/40 R19 100W XL
255/45 R19 (104Y) XL
255/35 R20 97W XL
255/35 R20 97Y XL
255/40 R19 (100Y) XL
255/40 R19 100Y XL
255/35 R19 96Y XL
255/40 R20 101Y XL
255/35 R19 (96Y) XL
255/40 R17 98Y XL
255/40 R18 99Y XL
255/45 R17 (98Y)
255/45 R18 (103Y) XL
255/35 R18 (94Y) XL
255/45 R17 98Y
255/45 R19 104Y XL
255/40 R17 (98Y) XL
265/35 R18 97Y XL
265/45 R19 105Y XL
265/45 R19 (105Y) XL
265/40 R18 (101Y) XL
265/35 R18 (97Y) XL
265/40 R18 101Y XL
275/35 R19 (100Y) XL
275/40 R20 (106Y) XL
275/45 R18 (107Y) XL
275/40 R20 106Y XL
275/35 R18 99Y XL
275/40 R18 (103Y) XL
275/35 R21 (103Y) XL
275/40 R19 105Y XL
275/35 R19 100Y XL
275/35 R21 103Y XL
275/40 R19 (105Y) XL
275/45 R18 107Y XL
275/40 R18 103Y XL
275/35 R18 (99Y) XL
275/45 R19 108Y XL
285/40 R19 (107Y) XL
285/40 R22 110Y XL
285/40 R19 107Y XL
285/40 R20 108Y XL
295/40 R19 108Y XL
295/40 R19 (108Y) XL
315/30 R21 105Y XL
315/35 R20 110Y XL
315/30 R21 (105Y) XL
315/35 R20 (110Y) XL
325/30 R21 (108Y) XL
325/30 R21 108Y XL
Louis from Tyre Geek

Louis

I'm Louis, an engineer passionate about helping Australians choose better tyres for their vehicles!