Kumho Crugen HP71 is a touring all-season tire. This tire is specially designed for SUV and CUV drivers. Moreover, it’s a good fit for light-truck drivers who are looking for a cozy ride. It looks like 62 years of Kumho experience is finally associated with North American tough road requirements. Let’s dig into it and see if it’s worth it!
| Kumho Crugen HP71 | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Crossover/SUV owners who are looking for an affordable and cozy 3-season (not a great tire for a winter) highway tire |
| Test Report | vs Cooper Endeavor Plus (August 31, 2021) |
| Category | Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season |
| Vehicle | SUVs, crossovers, and passenger-oriented light-trucks |
| Weight | 25 – 42 lbs |
| Made In | USA |
| Warranty | 65,000 Miles |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 16”, 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 22” |
| Labels | M+S |
As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Kumho Crugen HP71 provides unique dry and wet traction. Though, what makes this tire special is its handling(steering response and cornering stability) features. Moreover, Kumho Crugen HP71 provides long-lasting rubber and a smooth ride if you pick the right size(speed and load index) for yourself. However, it’s a slightly noisy tire and tread wear isn’t acceptable for heavy vehicles(above 4,500 lbs).
Table of Contents
Dry Performance
Since most all-season tires can handle dry ground with ease, the dry performance of all-season tires isn’t a decision variable for most drivers. If we’re only talking about the traction and grip features, this might be right.
Though, as a former Bridgestone engineer, I evaluate dry ground performance under two separate headings. Dry traction and handling.
Dry Traction
Due to their over-siped patterns and sticky compound, all-season tires can handle dry traction with ease. However, things are a bit different for Kumho Crugen HP71.
So, when you see the tread, you can clearly see the high amount of sipes. However, compared to its competitors, Crugen HP71 has a relatively stiff compound. So, this doesn’t dramatically affect its dry traction. Moreover, it creates an advantage for better handling.
Kumho Crugen HP71 provides reliable dry traction.
Handling
Handling is where this tire shines.
Due to its robust center rib and symmetrical pattern design, it promises an extremely quick steering response. Moreover, its internal construction is amazing. This tire is almost as tough as an all-terrain tire regarding internal structure.
Its internal structure contains two steel belts that are reinforced by two spirally wrapped nylon cap plies. Well, that provides extraordinary cornering stability at high speeds.
Kumho Crugen HP71 is one of the best regarding handling. I strongly recommend it!
Wet Performance
Wet performance is a bit more complicated than dry performance. In that case, high-speed and low-speed wet performance should be evaluated differently.
While low-speed performance is related to traction, high-speed performance is completely related to hydroplaning resistance.
Let’s evaluate them one by one.
Wet Traction
While wet traction requires a compact tread, hydroplaning resistance needs a more void area to evacuate water. Hence, it’s hard to balance these two features.
So, I’ve already talked about the relatively stiff compound of Kumho Crugen HP71. This’s still on the table. However, Crugen HP 71 comprises tons of sipes. Even though some of them aren’t full-depth, still, this amount is enough to provide solid wet traction.
Kumho Crugen HP71 offers decent wet traction.
Hydroplaning Resistance
Hydroplaning is the water evacuation capability of the tire. In that case, the tread does all the work.
Due to its 4 circumferential tread grooves, full-depth horizontal sipes, and open shoulder design, Kumho Crugen HP71 doesn’t hold any water inside the tread. For this reason, hydroplaning isn’t something you may experience with this tire.
Winter Performance
Unlike the common knowledge, the winter performance of all-season tires is limited to only light-snow traction. In fact, a compound of all-season tires generally gets stiffer under the 7 Celcius degrees and loses its function. So, this equation is valid for Crugen HP71 also.
Regarding light-snow traction, it’s similar to wet traction. Its compound is a bit stiff and getting stiffer below 0 degrees. So, that causes a slight decrease in traction. Yet, I can confidently say that the traction level is exceedingly enough to get you out of unexpected situations.
Regarding deep-snow traction, its tread is not that shallow. Yet, the tire doesn’t comprise enough void area for trustworthy deep snow traction. So, I don’t recommend using it on deep snow. Though, let’s be a bit fair. I’m a bit perfectionist. It provides 6 out of 10 deep snow traction. Well, this isn’t enough for me.
Regarding ice traction, its stiff compound gets stiffer on the ice and the tire become as slick as snot. I don’t recommend using all-season tires on the ice.
If you’d like to read a detailed test report –> https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=278
Ride Quality
I have to admit that I’m pretty impressed by Crugen HP71’s ride quality. Well, when I made my research, I see its perfectly optimized internal structure. So, I was expecting this.
Due to its variable pitch technology and two polyester body cords, Kumho Crugen HP71 provides really satisfying ride quality. Its cords are durable and flexible. Hence, you’ll not even notice the bumps you passed.
Kumho Crugen HP71 offers a cozy ride.I strongly recommend it.
Road Noise
Regarding noise reduction, it’s not successful as it’s on ride quality. Though, for this price level, it’s exceptional.
Due to its sectional and robust center rib and shoulders, it makes slight noise at high-speed. However, the sound is minor. Probably, you’ll notice it after half of its tread life.
Tread Life
Treadwear was the only eye-opening for me. I was expecting a way much better life span.
Due to its symmetrical pattern, it wears evenly. This is a huge advantage. However, the tire is extremely heavy. Hence, even its stiff compound doesn’t provide long-lasting rubber if you have a huge SUV like Audi Q7 or Cadillac Escalade.
The tread life of Kumho Crugen HP71 is variable. If your vehicle is above 4,000lbs, don’t buy this product. Its tread life decreases significantly.
On the other hand, it’s a perfect tire for vehicles like Toyota Camry, and Mitsubishi Outlander.
Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,
If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:
Warranty
Kumho offers 65,000 miles and 6 years treadwear warranty for this product. However, the mileage decrease to half if you use different sizes on the front and rear axle.
Uniformity Warranty: You can replace your tire with a new one if you experience any uniformity issue at the first 2/32 of its tread.
For detailed information,
Kumho Warranty Document: https://www.tirerack.com/images/pdf/warranty/KU0120.pdf
Sizes
| 16” | 17” | 18” | 19” | 20” | 22” |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 215/70R16 100H SL BSW | 225/60R17 99V SL BSW | 215/55R18 95V SL BSW | 225/55R19 99H SL BSW | 235/55R20 102H SL BSW | 265/35R22 102W XL BSW |
| 225/70R16 103H SL BSW | 225/65R17 102V SL BSW | 225/55R18 98V SL BSW | 225/55R19 99V SL BSW | 245/50R20 102V SL BSW | 265/40R22 106W XL BSW |
| 235/70R16 109H XL BSW | 235/55R17 103V XL BSW | 225/60R18 104V XL BSW | 235/45R19 95H SL BSW | 245/60R20 107H SL BSW | 275/45R22 112V XL BSW |
| 245/70R16 107H SL BSW | 235/60R17 102V SL BSW | 235/50R18 97V SL BSW | 235/50R19 103V XL BSW | 255/45R20 101H SL BSW | 275/50R22 111H SL BSW |
| 255/65R16 109V SL BSW | 235/65R17 104V SL BSW | 235/55R18 104V XL BSW | 235/55R19 101H SL BSW | 255/50R20 109V XL BSW | 285/35R22 106W XL BSW |
| 245/65R17 107V SL BSW | 235/60R18 107V XL BSW | 235/55R19 101V SL BSW | 255/55R20 110H XL BSW | 285/45R22 114H XL BSW | |
| 265/60R17 108V SL BSW | 235/65R18 110V XL BSW | 245/45R19 98H SL BSW | 265/45R20 108W XL BSW | 305/40R22 114V XL BSW | |
| 245/60R18 105V SL BSW | 245/55R19 103H SL BSW | 265/50R20 111V XL BSW | |||
| 245/60R18 105H SL BSW | 255/50R19 107V XL BSW | 275/40R20 106W XL BSW | |||
| 255/55R18 109V XL BSW | 255/55R19 111V XL BSW | 275/45R20 110V XL BSW | |||
| 255/60R18 108V SL BSW | 255/60R19 109H SL BSW | 275/50R20 109H SL BSW | |||
| 255/60R18 108H SL BSW | 275/55R19 111H SL BSW | 275/55R20 113H SL BSW | |||
| 265/60R18 110V SL BSW | 275/60R20 115H SL BSW | ||||
| 285/50R20 116V XL BSW |
Most tire sizes begin with modifier letters(P, LT, etc.) that identify the type of vehicle or type of service for which they were designed. Here is a perfect guide for reading tire size –> https://tireterrain.com/how-to-read-tire-size/
Conclusion
Kumho Crugen HP71 is a tire with a dirt-cheap price. Moreover, its features are highly satisfying for this price level. However, it isn’t suitable for all vehicles. You may follow the below table for a summary.
| Go for It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Dry and wet performance is enough for you | If you have a heavy vehicle(above 4,500lbs) |
| If you want luxurious driving comfort | You’re livin in a harsh winter conditions |
| If you’re okey with slight road noise | If you want a deaf tire |
| Kumho Crugen HP71 | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Crossover/SUV owners who are looking for an affordable and cozy 3-season (not a great tire for a winter) highway tire |
| Test Report | vs Cooper Endeavor Plus (August 31, 2021) |
| Category | Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season |
| Vehicle | SUVs, crossovers, and passenger-oriented light-trucks |
| Weight | 25 – 42 lbs |
| Made In | USA |
| Warranty | 65,000 Miles |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 16”, 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 22” |
| Labels | M+S |
I hope the article was helpful. You may leave further questions below. Have a safe ride folks!