Cooper vs Kumho: a clash of tire titans.
In this post, I’ll delve into the fascinating world of these two renowned brands, exploring their history, dissecting their dry, wet, and snow performances, analyzing their mileage warranties, average lifespan, and prices.
Strap in as we weigh the pros and cons, eventually unveiling which brand emerges victorious in the battle for tire supremacy.
Prepare to be captivated and intrigued as we uncover the ultimate winner.
Cooper vs Kumho – Comparison Table
| Cooper | Kumho | |
| Country of Origin | United States of America | South Korea |
| Year Founded | 1914 | 1960 |
| Made In | Mississippi, Ohio, and Arkansas but could also be made in China | South Korea, or in China or Vietmnam |
| Parent | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (USA) | Doublestar (China) |
About the Brands
1. Cooper
Cooper Tire is an American brand that was founded in 1914 and is currently owned by the The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company bought Cooper in 2021 for about $2.8 billion worth in cash and shares.
With its headquarters in the United States, Cooper has a rich history in the tire industry.
Over the years, it has become renowned for its quality and innovative tire designs.
From its humble beginnings, Cooper Tire has steadily grown, establishing itself as a leading player in the industry.
The brand has consistently focused on manufacturing tires that deliver exceptional performance, durability, and safety.
Cooper has also expanded its product range to cater to various vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, and motorsports.
Through its commitment to excellence, Cooper Tire has built a strong reputation among drivers worldwide.
The brand’s dedication to research and development has allowed it to introduce cutting-edge technologies, enhancing traction, handling, and fuel efficiency.
Cooper’s tire offerings are widely recognized for their reliability, making them a popular choice among consumers.
With a century-long legacy, Cooper Tire continues to thrive, providing drivers with high-quality tires that deliver a smooth and comfortable ride while ensuring safety on the road.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Commercial trucks
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 Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 vs the Kumho Ecsta PS91.
In my evaluation, I rate the dry performance of the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 at 4.3 out of 5.
With positive feedback regarding its grip, handling, braking, and comfort, this tire showcases commendable dry performance, ranking 3rd in dry braking.
On the other hand, the Kumho Ecsta PS91 earns a dry performance rating of 4.6 out of 5.
It excels in grip, braking, handling, high-speed durability, and offers track-inspired performance.
Considering these factors, the Kumho Ecsta PS91 emerges as the winner in terms of dry performance, albeit by a narrow margin.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring vs the Kumho Solus TA71.
In my assessment, I would rate the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring tire with a wet performance score of 4.8 out of 5.
Positive reviews consistently praise its exceptional wet performance, highlighting its excellent wet traction, short stopping distances, and the benefits of its asymmetric tread pattern.
On the other hand, the Kumho Solus TA71 tire receives an overall wet performance rating of 4.1 out of 5.
While some users report good traction in wet conditions, mixed reviews express concerns about sudden breakaway.
Based on these ratings, the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring emerges as the better tire for 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 – Cooper Discoverer True North vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71.
In my opinion, after considering the research, I would rate the Cooper Discoverer True North tire with a snow performance score of 4.7 out of 5.
This tire excels in snow performance, offering reliable traction and performance in various winter conditions.
With its studless design and integration of Cooper’s winter tire technology, it manages tough winter commutes effectively.
The positive reviews mentioning excellent winter traction, good handling and braking, and its sure-footed performance contribute significantly to its overall snow performance rating.
On the other hand, the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 also provides reliable snow performance with a rating of 4.4 out of 5.
It features a uniform block design, premium touring winter tire classification, directional tread pattern, and good handling and stability.
Based on these ratings, the Cooper Discoverer True North tire seems to have a slight advantage in snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Cooper | 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 | Cooper tires are known for their durability and are typically guaranteed to last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles. | Kumho tires are known for their long-lasting performance, with most of their tires lasting from 60,000 to 80,000 miles. |
After conducting research, I found that Cooper and Kumho tires differ in terms of their mileage warranty and average lifespan.
Cooper tires come with a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles, indicating their potential longevity.
On the other hand, Kumho tires offer a replacement for unserviceable tires with more than 2/32″ tread remaining, without specifying a specific mileage warranty.
In terms of average lifespan, Cooper tires generally last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles, while Kumho tires are known for their long-lasting performance, often lasting from 60,000 to 80,000 miles.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Cooper 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:
| Cooper | Kumho | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $73 to $585 /ea | $54 to $550 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Evolution Winter Studded goes from $73 – $225 /ea | Solus TA11 goes from $54 – $158 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Discoverer STT Pro goes from $220 – $585 /ea | Road Venture MT71 goes from $222 – $550 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Cooper
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Excellent performance and handling characteristics | ❌ Cooper tires may not be as widely available as other tire brands |
| ✔ Designed to be durable and long-lasting | |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options to suit different vehicles and driving needs |
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 Cooper:
- Discoverer STT Pro
- Discoverer AT3 4S
- Evolution Tour
Some of Kumho’s best tires are shown below:
- Ecsta PS31
- Solus TA71
- Road Venture AT51
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After carefully considering the performance ratings, it is clear that Kumho outperforms Cooper in terms of dry performance, with the Kumho Ecsta PS91 tire earning a higher rating.
However, when it comes to wet performance, the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring tire takes the lead.
In terms of snow performance, the Cooper Discoverer True North tire holds a slight advantage.
Although Kumho offers good value for money and long-lasting tread life, Cooper’s wider range of tire options and excellent performance characteristics make it the better pick overall.
Therefore, I declare Cooper as the winner in this comparison.
