As a tire enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the endless options available in the market.
Today, I want to delve into the intriguing world of Continental vs Kumho tires.
In this post, I’ll be taking a deep dive into their rich histories, examining their performance on dry, wet, and snowy roads, exploring their mileage warranties and average lifespan, dissecting their prices, and ultimately determining which brand reigns supreme.
So buckle up and join me on this captivating journey as we uncover the pros and cons of these tire giants.
Continental vs Kumho – Comparison Table
| Continental | Kumho | |
| Country of Origin | Germany | South Korea |
| Year Founded | 1871 | 1960 |
| Made In | mostly in Germany but they have manufacturing facilities in the United States and possibly China | South Korea, or in China or Vietmnam |
| Parent | Schaeffler Group (Germany) | Doublestar (China) |
About the Brands
1. Continental
Continental, a renowned tire brand, has a rich history that dates back to its founding in Germany in 1871.
Originally known as Continental-Caoutchouc und Gutta-Percha Compagnie, the company started as a rubber manufacturer and soon diversified into producing bicycle tires.
Over the years, Continental expanded its product range, delving into automobile tires and becoming a leading tire manufacturer globally.
Under the umbrella of its parent company, Schaeffler Group, the brand has continued to innovate and excel.
Renowned for its commitment to safety, performance, and quality, Continental has become a trusted choice for drivers worldwide.
With a legacy spanning over a century and a half, Continental has earned a reputation for excellence and has become synonymous with German engineering and precision.
Today, it stands as one of the world’s leading tire brands, offering a wide range of products for various vehicles, from passenger cars to motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Trucks
- Buses
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Vans
- Motorcycles
- Bicycles
2. Kumho
Kumho Tire is a renowned tire brand founded in 1960 in South Korea. It is a subsidiary of the Chinese tire conglomerate Doublestar.
The company has a rich history of innovation and excellence in the tire industry.
Over the years, Kumho has established itself as a global leader, providing high-quality tires for various vehicles.
Since its inception, Kumho has focused on research and development to create cutting-edge tire technologies.
They have continuously invested in improving performance, safety, and environmental sustainability.
The brand’s commitment to quality has earned them recognition and numerous awards.
Kumho’s tire range covers a wide spectrum of applications, including passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, and racing vehicles.
They offer a diverse selection of tires known for their durability, traction, and excellent handling capabilities.
With a strong global presence, Kumho has built a reputation for delivering reliable and innovative tires that meet the needs of drivers worldwide.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- High-performance cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Crossovers
- Light trucks
Differences
1. Dry Performance
I’m going to compare the performance of two summer tires as they are the ideal type in dry weather.
I’m taking a look at the Continental ExtremeContact Sport vs the Kumho Ecsta PS91.
As someone who rates dry performance on a scale of 1 to 5, I’ve researched both the Continental ExtremeContact Sport and the Kumho Ecsta PS91.
Based on my findings, I rate both tires equally at 4.6.
The Continental ExtremeContact Sport boasts superior dry handling and good dry braking, thanks to its SportPlus Technology and two-ply sidewall construction.
Similarly, the Kumho Ecsta PS91 showcases enhanced grip, responsive handling, and high-speed durability, emphasizing traction, control, agility, and track-inspired performance.
Therefore, I declare this comparison a tie, as both tires offer similar levels of impressive dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs the Kumho Solus TA71.
Based on my research and personal rating, I would assign the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus a wet performance rating of 4.4 out of 5.
This tire has consistently received positive reviews for its faultless, magnificent wet performance, relentless grip, and great wet handling.
Although it has relatively long braking distances on wet roads, its excellent grip, stability, and handling make it a strong performer.
On the other hand, the Kumho Solus TA71 receives a wet performance rating of 4.1 out of 5.
While it offers somewhat reliable wet traction, mixed reviews suggest concerns about sudden breakaway.
Therefore, the Continental tire emerges as the winner in terms of wet performance.
3. Snow Performance
We all know that you need dedicated winter tires if you’re going to be driving on harsh winter conditions.
That’s why I’ll be comparing the snow performance of two specialized winter tires – Continental WinterContact SI vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71.
Based on my research and snow performance rating, I would rate both the Continental WinterContact SI and the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 tires equally at 4.4 out of 5.
They both offer improved snow and ice traction, making them suitable for snowy and icy conditions.
The Continental WinterContact SI features structured siping and an advanced tread compound, while the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 boasts a uniform block design and directional tread pattern.
Both tires offer good handling and stability.
Therefore, I declare it a tie, as both tires exhibit similar levels of snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Continental | Kumho | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | Replacement for unserviceable tires with more than 2/32″ tread remaining |
| Average Tread Life | Continental tires are expected to have a lifespan of 20,000 to 70,000 miles. | Kumho tires are known for their long-lasting performance, with most of their tires lasting from 60,000 to 80,000 miles. |
Based on my research, the mileage warranty and average lifespan of Continental and Kumho tires differ.
Continental offers a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles, but their average lifespan ranges from 20,000 to 70,000 miles.
On the other hand, Kumho tires have a warranty that replaces unserviceable tires with more than 2/32″ tread remaining.
Their average lifespan is impressive, lasting from 60,000 to 80,000 miles.
Kumho tires are known for their long-lasting performance, while Continental tires offer a wider range of mileage warranty.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Continental vs Kumho.
I’ll be using one of the biggest tire and wheel retailers in the US for this comparison – Discount Tire.
Here is a comprehensive table that showcases each brand has to offer:
| Continental | Kumho | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $81 to $614 /ea | $54 to $550 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Control Contact Tour A/S PLUS goes from $81 – $192 /ea | Solus TA11 goes from $54 – $158 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Scandinavia HD3 goes from $614 /ea | Road Venture MT71 goes from $222 – $550 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Continental
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Advanced technologies that provide maximum fuel-saving, noise reduction, and performance | ❌ Fewer options compared to other brands |
| ✔ Strong reputation in the tire industry | |
| ✔ They are known for their reliability, comfort, and quietness |
Kumho
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ They can last a long time aka their tread life is amazing | ❌ Limited market presence |
| ✔ Good value for money | |
| ✔ They offer good performance |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Continental:
- ExtremeContact DWS 06
- TrueContact Tour
- TerrainContact A/T
Some of Kumho’s best tires are shown below:
- Ecsta PS31
- Solus TA71
- Road Venture AT51
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the comparison of dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, average lifespan, and pros and cons, the overall better pick between Continental and Kumho tires is Continental.
Continental tires offer superior wet performance, a wider range of mileage warranty, and advanced technologies for better fuel-saving and noise reduction.
While Kumho tires have good performance and a long tread life, their limited market presence and slightly lower ratings in wet performance make Continental the winner.
