When it comes to choosing the right tires for your vehicle, the options can be overwhelming.
That’s why I’ve decided to delve into the world of tires and compare two popular brands: Kumho vs Uniroyal.
In this post, we’ll explore their fascinating histories and examine their performance in dry, wet, and snowy conditions.
We’ll also take a look at their mileage warranties, average lifespan, prices, and weigh the pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
So, let’s dive in!
Kumho vs Uniroyal – Comparison Table
| Kumho | Uniroyal | |
| Country of Origin | South Korea | United States |
| Year Founded | 1960 | 1892 |
| Made In | South Korea, or in China or Vietmnam | United States, with their main manufacturing facility located in Woodburn, Indiana |
| Parent | Doublestar (China) | Compagnie Générale des Établissements Michelin SCA (France) & Continental AG (Germany) |
About the Brands
1. 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
2. Uniroyal
Uniroyal is an iconic tire brand with a rich history that spans over a century.
Founded in 1892 in the United States, it quickly established itself as a leading manufacturer of high-quality tires.
The Uniroyal brand has been under the ownership of Continental AG since 1979, a result of their acquisition of Uniroyal Europe, previously recognized as Englebert.
In 1990 Uniroyal became part of the Michelin Group for North America, Colombia and Peru production.
This acquisition provided Uniroyal with access to global markets and cutting-edge technology, further enhancing its reputation for reliability and innovation.
Over the years, Uniroyal has built a strong presence in the automotive industry, delivering tires known for their superior performance, durability, and safety.
As a subsidiary of Michelin and Continental AG, Uniroyal continues to benefit from the parent company’s extensive resources and expertise, ensuring the brand’s continued success in meeting the evolving needs of drivers worldwide.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- CUVs (Crossover Utility Vehicles)
- Light trucks
- Pickup trucks
- Minivans
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 Kumho Ecsta PS91 vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2.
In my opinion, the Kumho Ecsta PS91 demonstrates superior dry performance with a rating of 4.6 out of 5.
This tire has received highly positive reviews for its enhanced grip, quick and responsive handling, and high-speed durability.
Its track-inspired performance suggests strong capabilities in dry conditions.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2 performs well with a rating of 4.0, offering good dry traction and a balanced performance.
Considering the higher rating and the tire’s specific features, the Kumho Ecsta PS91 emerges as the better option for dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Kumho Solus TA71 vs the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S.
Based on my research and analysis, I would rate the Kumho Solus TA71 tire’s wet performance at 4.1 out of 5.
The tire offers decent wet traction, but there are mixed reviews regarding sudden breakaway in wet conditions.
Its asymmetric tread design with wide grooves contributes to wet performance, although the mixed opinions affect the overall rating.
On the other hand, the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S tire scores slightly higher with a rating of 4.2 out of 5.
It provides traction in wet conditions due to its all-season compound and high sipe density, enhancing grip on wet surfaces.
While there are mixed opinions about its wet performance compared to dry roads, its focus on comfort and suitability for long drives contributes to its overall score.
Considering the higher rating, I believe the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S tire edges out the Kumho Solus TA71 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 – Kumho WinterCraft WP71 vs Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3.
As someone who has personally evaluated the snow performance of the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 and the Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 tires, I would rate the former at 4.4 and the latter at 4.3 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Both tires are designed to provide reliable snow performance, with features like enhanced traction, improved grip, and good handling.
However, the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 stands out with its premium touring winter tire classification and uniform block design.
Thus, it edges slightly ahead in terms of snow performance.
Therefore, I declare the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 as the better tire for snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Kumho | Uniroyal | |
| Treadwear Warranty | Replacement for unserviceable tires with more than 2/32″ tread remaining | up to 75,000 mile tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Kumho tires are known for their long-lasting performance, with most of their tires lasting from 60,000 to 80,000 miles. | Uniroyal tires are expected to last anywhere between 50,000 to 75,000 miles on average. |
Based on my research, the mileage warranty and average lifespan of Kumho and Uniroyal tires differ slightly.
Kumho tires come with a treadwear warranty that covers replacement for tires with more than 2/32″ tread remaining.
On the other hand, Uniroyal tires offer a tread life warranty of up to 75,000 miles.
In terms of average lifespan, Kumho tires are known for lasting between 60,000 to 80,000 miles, while Uniroyal tires typically last between 50,000 to 75,000 miles.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Kumho vs Uniroyal.
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:
| Kumho | Uniroyal | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $54 to $550 /ea | $78 to $307 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Solus TA11 goes from $54 – $158 /ea | Tiger Paw Touring A/S DT goes from $78 – $176 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Road Venture MT71 goes from $222 – $550 /ea | Laredo A/T goes from $139 – $307 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
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 |
Uniroyal
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Good value for the money | ❌ They are mostly considered as a second-tier brand |
| ✔ Good traction | |
| ✔ Durable and long-lasting |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Kumho:
- Ecsta PS31
- Solus TA71
- Road Venture AT51
Some of Uniroyal’s best tires are shown below:
- Tiger Paw Touring A/S
- Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2
- Laredo Cross Country Tour
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the comparison between Kumho and Uniroyal tires, taking into account factors such as dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, average lifespan, and price range, I declare Kumho as the better overall pick.
While Uniroyal offers good value for the money and durability, Kumho tires demonstrate superior dry performance, have a longer average lifespan, and offer good value for the money.
Therefore, Kumho emerges as the winner in this comparison.