When it comes to choosing the right tires for my vehicle, I find myself often torn between options.
Recently, I’ve been exploring the Kumho vs Yokohama debate.
In this post, I’ll be delving deep into both tire brands, examining their histories, assessing their dry, wet, and snow performances, comparing their mileage warranties, average lifespans, prices, and uncovering their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
So, buckle up and let’s dive into this captivating comparison!
Kumho vs Yokohama – Comparison Table
| Kumho | Yokohama | |
| Country of Origin | South Korea | Japan |
| Year Founded | 1960 | 1917 |
| Made In | South Korea, or in China or Vietmnam | Salem, VA, West Point, MS, or Tokyo, Japan |
| Parent | Doublestar (China) | Furukawa Group (Japan) |
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. Yokohama
Yokohama is a renowned tire brand with a rich history that dates back to 1917.
Founded in Japan in a joint venture between Yokohama Cable Manufacturing and B.F. Goodrich, Yokohama tires have become synonymous with quality and performance.
The brand is now a subsidiary of the Furukawa Group.
Over the years, Yokohama has established itself as a global leader in the tire industry, offering a wide range of products for various vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs.
With a focus on cutting-edge technology and tire engineering, Yokohama has consistently delivered high-performance tires that provide excellent traction, durability, and fuel efficiency.
The brand’s commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a loyal customer base worldwide, making Yokohama a trusted choice for drivers seeking reliable and high-performing tires.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Performance cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Mini vans
- Crossovers
- Trucks
- Vans
- High-performance vehicles
- Commercial vehicles
- Tractors
- Bicycles
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 Yokohama Advan Sport V105.
In my evaluation, I rate the Kumho Ecsta PS91’s dry performance at 4.6 out of 5.
It excels in grip, braking, handling, speed durability, and track-inspired performance.
However, the Yokohama Advan Sport V105 surpasses with a rating of 4.8 out of 5.
Its wider tread blocks, superior handling, maximum grip, and positive reviews make it an excellent choice for performance-oriented drivers.
Therefore, the Yokohama Advan Sport V105 emerges as the winner, offering slightly better dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Kumho Solus TA71 vs the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT.
In my evaluation, as the one giving the wet performance rating from 1 to 5, the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT tire stands out with an impressive rating of 4.6.
This tire demonstrates excellent wet performance, boasting exceptional hydroplaning resistance and stable handling on rainy roads.
Its TriBLEND compound technology contributes to extraordinary handling and powerful braking on wet surfaces.
On the other hand, the Kumho Solus TA71 tire, with a rating of 4.1, offers somewhat reliable wet traction, but mixed reviews raise concerns about sudden breakaway.
Therefore, the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT 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 – Kumho WinterCraft WP71 vs Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c.
In my evaluation, as someone who rates snow performance on a scale of 1 to 5, the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 receives a rating of 4.4.
This tire offers reliable snow performance with its uniform block design, premium touring winter tire classification, directional tread pattern, and good handling and stability.
On the other hand, the Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c receives a slightly higher rating of 4.5.
This tire boasts features like the extra-wide center rib, large control blocks, slush grooves, deep treads, and optimal traction, making it well-suited for snowy conditions.
Considering the ratings, the Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c takes a slight lead in snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Kumho | Yokohama | |
| Treadwear Warranty | Replacement for unserviceable tires with more than 2/32″ tread remaining | up to 80,000 miles 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. | Yokohama tires can last anywhere between 50,000 to 85,000 miles. |
Based on my research, Kumho tires offer a treadwear warranty that replaces tires with more than 2/32″ tread remaining.
On the other hand, Yokohama tires come with a tread life warranty of up to 80,000 miles.
In terms of average lifespan, Kumho tires typically last between 60,000 to 80,000 miles, while Yokohama tires can endure anywhere from 50,000 to 85,000 miles.
Both brands provide decent mileage warranties and offer tires that can deliver long-lasting performance.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Kumho vs Yokohama.
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 | Yokohama | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $54 to $550 /ea | $68 to $805 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Solus TA11 goes from $54 – $158 /ea | Iceguard IG53 goes from $68 – $197 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Road Venture MT71 goes from $222 – $550 /ea | Advan Sport goes from $255 – $805 /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 |
Yokohama
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Reasonable pricing, offering good value for their cost | ❌ None |
| ✔ Excellent traction, particularly in dry conditions | |
| ✔ Stable and safe handling |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Kumho:
- Ecsta PS31
- Solus TA71
- Road Venture AT51
Some of Yokohama’s best tires are shown below:
- Advan Apex V601
- Avid Ascend GT
- Geolandar A/T G015
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the evaluation of dry performance, the Yokohama Advan Sport V105 emerges as the winner.
For wet performance, the Yokohama Avid Ascend GT takes the lead.
In terms of snow performance, the Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c has a slight advantage.
Both brands offer decent mileage warranties and long-lasting tires.
Considering these factors, the overall winner is Yokohama, providing excellent traction, stable handling, and reasonable pricing.
