Kumho vs Yokohama:
A Tyre Brand Comparison

Deciding which tyre brand to buy is hard. We collected hundreds of reviews and compared their performance. Buy them online, fit locally at Tyroola.

Kumho vs Yokohama Tyres

Kumho and Yokohama both originated in Asia. Kumho, founded in Korea in 1960, is a tyre conglomerate that became a subsidiary of the Chinese-based manufacturer, Double-Star. Yokohama, based in Tokyo, began as a partnership between a Japanese-based cable manufacturing company and BFGoodrich in 1917. Over 50 years later, Yokohama Tire Corporation started its operations in the US.

Both brands are familiar fixtures in the global racing scene. In 2012, a team using Kumho Tyres won its class in the Nürburgring 24h in Germany, a prestigious endurance race that required competent and durable tyres. In 2015, the Auto Grand Prix World Series chose Kumho to sponsor its racing tyres exclusively. In 2022, the TCR Europe Race Series appointed Kumho as its official tyre supplier.

Meanwhile, Yokohama has a long history with motorsport, including its victory at the Safari Rally Championship and the Southern Cross Rally from 1972 to 1976. In 1983, it became the official tyre partner of the first Macau F3 Grand Prix. Currently, Yokohama is the main sponsor of the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America. Its racing team participates in several on-road and off-road races, such as King of the Hammers, the Crandon World Cup, and GymKhana.

Yokohama tyres fall under the mid-range to premium category and are generally more expensive than Kumho tyres. Which is the best brand for you? Read on to find out.

Yokohama : Tireless Design & Development

Yokohama is the first Japanese tyre company to receive an ISO9001 certification, recognising its high-calibre products, development, manufacturing and other related processes. It also seeks to be a leader in technology and innovation as it maintains a large-scale sales network in the US, with two manufacturing plants.

While the company targets consumers with its wide range of passenger tyres, it also caters to businesses that use tyres for commercial vehicles. Proof of Yokohama's prestige and dependability is its Original Equipment (OE) status. Its tyres are chosen as OE by leading automakers, such as Porsche, Fiat, Dodge, and luxury cars Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

In 2022, Yokohama announced its largest acquisition–that of Trelleborg Wheel Systems, a Swedish engineering group that centres on polymer technology.

Choose Yokohama if you value its brand reputation and long history of manufacturing tyres.

Yokohama Tyres Product Range - starts at $80

Popular Yokohama Tyre Models

Our Top Yokohama Choices

Kumho: Conquering the Globe

Kumho has since ventured out of the East Asian market and exports tyres globally. Its sales organisations are spread out in various countries. To keep its products innovative and responsive to consumer needs, Kumho has set up research and development centres in South Korea, the US, the UK, Germany and China.

Proof of its passion for state-of-the-art technology, Kumho won the Good Design Award for its Road Venture AT52 tyre in Japan last 2022. The tyre caught the judges' attention because of its zigzag-shaped grooves that toughen up its appearance while enabling safe driving in extreme weather conditions. In the same year, Kumho garnered the top prize in Design Concept at the Red Dot Design Award in Germany.

If affordability and top-ranking innovation score high in your book, go for Kumho Tyres.

Kumho Tyre Product Range - starts at $40

Popular Kumho Tyre Models

Our Top Kumho Choices

Is Kumho better than Yokohama?

Kumho and Yokohama have impressive products and histories highlighting their experience, expertise, and business resilience. Both brands work tirelessly to continue expanding their offerings and operations.

In 2021, Kumho invested millions of dollars in its manufacturing plant in Vietnam to double its output by 2023. Once the factory is in full swing, the company hopes to produce over 9 million tyres at least annually.

Meanwhile, Yokohama continues to launch new tyres for passenger cars and commercial use. These include the BluEarth-Van All Season RY61, compatible with commercial vans, the 716U that targets fleets, and the ultra-high-performance ADVAN Sport V107 which displays superior wet and dry performance.

Whether you choose Kumho or Yokohama, you can get reliable tyres at great value for money.

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