Kumho Solus TA31 Review: Does this tire fit your vehicle?

Whereas the Kumho Solus TA71 is oriented more towards comfort and road silence, the Solus TA31 is on the other end of the spectrum. The Kumho Solus TA31 is a performance all-season tire that prioritizes wet and dry traction over refinement.

And that’s not a bad thing to have in a relatively affordable set of tires. In all honesty, I prefer the Solus TA31 over the TA71 when speaking about dry traction and wet grip. However, I am inclined to choose the TA71 over the tread design alone. The symmetrical treads in the Solus TA31 are a bit boring compared to the aggressive asymmetrical tread design in the Solus TA71, but that’s just me.

In this review, we’ll dig deeper on what makes the Kumho Solus TA31 a better choice than a humdrum set of cheap touring tires. 

What are the features of the Kumho Solus TA31?

I previously mentioned the bland symmetrical tread design in the Kumho Solus TA31, and that’s true. But since this tire is primarily designed to fit a wide array of applications, the tradeoff in styling is much easier to bear. This tire is good for both economy and luxury vehicles, but it does it with elevated levels of grip and traction in all-season driving.

The tire is equipped with wider and larger shoulder blocks. This feature is responsible for tighter handling, faster cornering, and better steering response. It is constructed using Kumho’s unique dual-compound to offer lower rolling resistance, longer wear, better fuel economy, and higher degrees of comfort.

The tread blocks are equipped with four-groove siped patterns to create more gripping surfaces. This feature is also responsible for channeling water away from the treads. The four wide central grooves will also ensure water, snow, and ice are channeled away from the biting surfaces as you drive.

Is it good on snowy or icy roads?

Yes. In fact, the Kumho Solus TA31 is better on snow than the Solus TA71. But we’re only talking about light snow. If you live in places with snow storms and blizzards, you better get your vehicle a set of proper winter tires. You can’t expect a performance all-season tire like the Kumho Solus TA31 to handle deep snow in the same way you don’t expect running shoes to protect your feet in a basketball game, right?

Which vehicles are applicable to the Kumho Solus TA31?

Kumho is offering the Solus TA31 in a wide array of sizes and applications. This tire is sold in 14-inch to 20-inch diameters. It remains a solid and safe choice for vehicles such as the Acura TL, TSX, and RSX, BMW 1-Series, 3-Series and 5-Series, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu and Impala, Nissan Altima and Maxima, Subaru Impreza, Legacy, and Outback, Toyota Camry and Avalon, Volvo S40 and S80, and Honda Civic and Accord. 

This tire is also an excellent choice for small crossovers such as the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V, and Subaru Crosstrek.

How does it behave on dry and wet roads?

The Kumho Solus TA31 is marginally better on wet and dry pavement than the Solus TA71, and I say that with high regard. The tires feel relentless on a smooth patch of dry road, but it also offers higher levels of traction on a soaking, rain-drenched highway. Hydroplaning or aquaplaning is not an issue with this tire as long as you don’t push it too much.

What I really like is the steering feel, tiller accuracy, and the overall feeling of stability. Not all tires can improve the steering feel in your vehicle, but the Kumho Solus TA31 managed to give me a more precise feel to accurately read the road ahead.

Are the tires comfortable and quiet on the highway?

In this regard, I will have to say the Kumho Solus TA71 is better than the Solus TA31, but only by a small margin. The Solus TA71 is oriented more towards comfort, so it’s no surprise it is more comfortable and quitter than the Solus TA31.

But this is not to say the Kumho Solus TA31 will give your vehicle a bumpy and raucous ride. In fact, the tires were able to exhibit the comfort and refinement levels of a proper touring tire on the highway.

But if you have an entry-level luxury car or family sedan, the Solus TA71 is a better option if you prioritize ride comfort and road silence. On the other hand, if you prefer a sportier driving feel, you can’t go wrong with the Kumho Solus TA31.

How about tire wear?

In this regard, I am proud to say the Kumho Solus TA31 is also marginally better than the Solus TA71. If you want a tire that lasts many miles of driving pleasure, the Solus TA31 is the right tire to buy. It even comes with a 60,000-mile mileage warranty similar to the Solus TA71. Not all tire brands can offer a long mileage warranty as Kumho does.

Is it worth the money?

Absolutely. One of the most endearing traits of the Kumho Solus TA31 is the friendly price, especially if you compare it to similar products from popular tire brands like Goodyear, Michelin, or Pirelli. Of course, you can expect to pay more for larger diameter sizes, but it’s still less money than what you would spend if you bought popular name brand tires.

You can see more Kumho Solus TA31 Review here: videos created by TreadReview

Should I buy the Kumho Solus TA31?

Yes! The Kumho Solus TA31 is one of the best all-season performance tires when it comes to value for money. This tire is capable of excellent wet and dry grip while still remaining comfortable and quiet at high speeds. It is also engineered to last longer than an ordinary set of cheap tires and can handle light snow and ice. It even comes with a solid treadwear warranty for added peace of mind.