Quick Verdict
A budget-friendly, quiet, and comfortable all-season touring tire that handles everyday driving well but struggles in serious winter conditions. Best For daily commuters, families, and mild-climate drivers who want a reliable OE replacement without breaking the bank.
The Good
- Very quiet and comfortable ride, especially on highways
- Solid wet traction with excellent hydroplane resistance
- Good dry grip and confident highway stability
- Affordable price with a 60,000 mile tread warranty
- Low rolling resistance that supports better fuel economy
- Wide fitment range across 14 to 18 inch rim sizes
The Bad
- Poor snow and ice performance, not 3PMSF certified
- Uneven and faster-than-expected wear on FWD vehicles
- Limited cornering grip in aggressive or emergency handling
- Below-average compared to class leaders in most performance categories
- Mileage warranty not valid for OE (original equipment) tires
- Some sizes discontinued, so availability can be an issue
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Dry Performance8
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Wet Performance7
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Snow and Ice4
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Ride Comfort and Noise8
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Tread Life6
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Fuel Efficiency7
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Value for Money7
If you drive a sedan, crossover, or minivan and need a solid all-season tire that won’t drain your wallet, the Kumho Solus TA31 is probably already on your radar. It comes as original equipment on a lot of popular cars, including the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Soul, and Kia Seltos. Many drivers simply re-buy it when their stock tires wear out.
But is the Kumho Solus TA31 actually a good tire, or is it just familiar? That’s the question this review answers. After digging through real owner experiences, forum discussions, and professional evaluations, here’s the honest picture.
The short answer: it’s a competent everyday tire at a fair price. It won’t blow you away, but it won’t let you down on a regular commute either. The caveats are real though, and some drivers will want to look elsewhere.
Kumho Solus TA31: Key Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Tire Type | Grand Touring All-Season |
| Season | All-Season (M+S rated; NOT Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified) |
| UTQG Rating | 600 AA A (Treadwear 600, Traction AA, Temperature A) |
| Speed Rating | H and V (depending on size) |
| Rim Size Range | 14 to 18 inches |
| Common Sizes | 195/65R15, 205/60R16, 215/55R17, 225/55R17, 225/60R17 |
| Tread Warranty | 6 years / 60,000 miles (not valid for OE fitments) |
| Road Hazard Warranty | 1 year / first 2/32″ of tread wear |
| Construction | Twin steel belts, spiral-wrapped nylon cap, polyester cord ply |
| Price Range | ~$65 to $130 per tire |
| Common OE Vehicles | Hyundai Sonata, Kia Soul, Kia Seltos, Chrysler Pacifica, and others |
Note: The mileage warranty is reduced by half if you run different sizes front and rear. OE tires (the ones that came with your car) do not qualify for the mileage warranty on replacement.
Kumho Solus TA31 Performance Breakdown
This is where it matters most. Let’s go through every performance category based on what real drivers and reviewers have reported.
Dry Performance
On dry roads, the Kumho Solus TA31 does its job with quiet confidence. The symmetrical tread pattern with a continuous center rib delivers predictable braking and a stable feel at highway speeds. You get good on-center steering response and a planted sensation on straight roads.
In independent testing, dry traction and braking came in as strengths. One reviewer who pushed a Nissan Maxima V6 hard on dry pavement reported no unexpected loss of grip. For everyday commuting and highway cruising, this tire feels composed and trustworthy.
Where dry performance gets a little shaky is in hard, aggressive cornering. The tire doesn’t quite have the lateral grip you’d expect from a performance-oriented tire. It’s a touring tire, not a sport tire, so that’s expected. But it’s worth knowing if you like to push through corners.
Wet Performance
Wet performance is actually one of this tire’s better qualities. The four circumferential grooves channel water away from the contact patch effectively, and the siped tread blocks add biting edges on wet asphalt. Hydroplane resistance is rated as excellent by most expert reviewers.
Real owner feedback on wet roads is mostly positive. Drivers report confident wet grip and good stability through corners when it’s raining. Wet braking is described as average to slightly above average for the class, which isn’t a complaint at this price point.
One owner who drove a Chrysler Pacifica on these tires did report poor wet grip at higher speeds after some wear, so keeping an eye on tread depth in wet climates is important. Fresh tires perform noticeably better than worn ones in the wet, as expected with any all-season tire.
Snow and Ice Performance
Here is where you need to manage your expectations clearly. The Kumho Solus TA31 carries the M+S (Mud and Snow) designation but does not carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. That means it is designed for light snow and slush, not serious winter driving.
In light snow, the sipes in the tread do provide some grip. Drivers in mild climates report getting by just fine. But multiple owners in regions with heavy or frequent snowfall say the tire falls short. One forum user on BobIsTheOilGuy.com described it as only slightly better than a summer tire in actual snow. Another owner in a Hyundai forum noted the tire had poor grip and was “no better than a Prius tire” in snowy conditions.
On ice, it’s even more limited. The 20% ice grip score from TyreReviews user data tells the story. If you live somewhere with regular snow and ice, dedicated winter tires are strongly recommended, regardless of what all-season label is on the tire.
Ride Comfort and Noise
Comfort is honestly one of the strongest selling points for the Kumho Solus TA31, and it’s the category where most owners are happiest. The dual compound construction and the spiral-wrapped nylon layer in the carcass do a good job absorbing road imperfections. Potholes and rough patches don’t send harsh shocks into the cabin.
Road noise is minimal on most surfaces. Multiple drivers describe these tires as “quiet” on the highway, which is exactly what you want from a touring tire. One owner on TyreReviews who drove 60,000 km on these in a Toyota Camry said the comfort was consistent throughout the tire’s life and praised the overall smoothness.
This is why the Solus TA31 works so well on sedans and family vehicles. If your priority is a relaxed, quiet ride for commuting or long road trips, this tire delivers above what its price suggests.
Tread Life
Tread life on the Kumho Solus TA31 is a mixed story, and it depends a lot on your vehicle type and driving style. The 60,000 mile warranty and a UTQG treadwear rating of 600 suggest a long-lasting tire. Some owners do hit that milestone. One Chevrolet Cruze owner reported 35,000 miles of spirited driving with good tread remaining. A Toyota Camry owner confirmed 60,000 km of solid wear with no major complaints.
However, a number of owners on front-wheel drive vehicles report faster-than-expected wear, particularly on the front tires. One owner with a Holden Cruze (front-wheel drive) flagged excessive front wear after just 5,000 miles. A Hyundai owner also noted uneven front tread wear after 30,000 to 35,000 miles.
The pattern here is consistent: if you drive aggressively or have a front-heavy vehicle, rotate these tires every 5,000 to 6,000 miles without fail. Skipping rotations on a FWD vehicle will eat up these tires much faster than the warranty mileage suggests.
Fuel Efficiency
The symmetric tread pattern on the TA31 is specifically designed to reduce rolling resistance. Kumho engineered this tire with fuel efficiency in mind, and owners do notice a benefit. One Kia Seltos owner on TyreReviews said the fuel economy exceeded the car’s rated figures significantly, partly crediting the low rolling resistance of the tires.
You won’t see dramatic fuel savings compared to top-tier eco tires like the Michelin Primacy or Bridgestone Ecopia, but the TA31 doesn’t hurt your mileage the way some budget tires do. For a daily commuter, it’s a reasonable performer in this department.
Value for Money
At around $65 to $130 per tire depending on size, the Kumho Solus TA31 sits in the budget to mid-range tier. For what you pay, the combination of quiet ride, decent wet grip, and an actual 60,000 mile warranty is hard to beat at this price point.
Where the value story gets complicated is when you compare it directly to mid-tier competitors. Tires like the General Altimax RT43 or the Hankook Kinergy PT cost around the same but score noticeably higher in independent rankings. The TA31 ranked 36th out of 54 tires in its category on Tire Rack, according to forum discussions from Hyundai owners who did deep comparisons. That’s not a number to ignore.
If your budget is tight and you need a serviceable tire with a decent warranty, the TA31 is fine. If you can stretch a few dollars more per tire, there are better options in the same price range.
Who Should Buy the Kumho Solus TA31?
1. The Budget-Conscious Daily Commuter
If you drive a sedan or small crossover in a mild climate and your priority is a quiet, comfortable ride without spending a lot, the TA31 delivers real value. You get a decent warranty, a smooth ride, and reliable everyday traction without the premium price of a Michelin or Bridgestone.
2. The OE Replacement Shopper
If your Hyundai Sonata, Kia Soul, or similar vehicle came with these tires and you were happy with them, rebuying is a simple, sensible choice. You already know what to expect. Just make sure you didn’t have major complaints about wear or winter grip before committing to another set.
3. The Mild-Climate Driver
If you live in a region where winter means light rain and occasional frost but not heavy snow or ice, this tire is a solid fit. The all-season designation will cover your needs across the year without requiring a dedicated winter setup, saving you money on a second set of tires.
Alternatives to the Kumho Solus TA31
If you’re on the fence, here are three tires worth comparing before you decide.
1. General Altimax RT43 (~$75 to $120 per tire)
The General Altimax RT43 is the most direct competitor at a similar price. It carries a 75,000 mile tread warranty (15,000 more than the TA31) and outperforms it in snow traction and overall handling stability. Forum users on BobIsTheOilGuy.com consistently rate it above the TA31 in almost every category. It’s noisier than the TA31 on some surfaces, but the extra tread life and winter capability make it a strong alternative for most buyers.
2. Hankook Kinergy PT (~$70 to $125 per tire)
The Kinergy PT matches the TA31 on comfort and quiet ride but edges it out in wet traction and tread life consistency. Hankook has invested heavily in their touring lineup and the Kinergy PT shows it. It’s similarly priced, so it’s worth a direct size comparison before you commit to the Kumho.
3. Michelin CrossClimate 2 (~$140 to $200 per tire)
This is the premium option that does everything the TA31 does, but significantly better, including carrying the 3PMSF certification for real winter use. It costs roughly double the price in most sizes, but if you live in a cold climate or simply want the best all-season tire available, the CrossClimate 2 is worth the investment. It’s TyreReviews’ top-rated all-season tire for good reason.
Kumho Solus TA31: Final Rating and Verdict
The Kumho Solus TA31 is a decent everyday touring tire that makes the most sense as an affordable OE replacement in mild climates. It rides quietly, handles wet roads respectably, and comes backed by a genuine 60,000 mile warranty at a budget-friendly price.
It is not, however, a tire for serious winter weather. It won’t impress you in the snow, and it can wear unevenly on front-wheel drive vehicles if you’re not rotating on schedule. In a head-to-head comparison with similarly priced competition, it sits in the lower half of its class by most rankings.
Buy it if: you need a quiet, affordable replacement tire for mild-weather driving and don’t push your car hard. Look elsewhere if: you live somewhere with real winters, want maximum tread life, or drive aggressively.
Frequently Asked Questions: Kumho Solus TA31
Is the Kumho Solus TA31 a good tire?
It’s a good tire for everyday driving in mild conditions. It rides quietly, handles wet roads well, and offers an affordable price with a 60,000 mile warranty. However, it ranks below many competitors in its class for overall performance, winter traction, and tread life consistency. It’s a solid “gets the job done” tire, not a class leader.
How many miles does the Kumho Solus TA31 last?
Kumho warrants the TA31 for 60,000 miles. Real-world results vary. Some drivers exceed this, particularly on rear-wheel and all-wheel drive cars with regular rotations. Front-wheel drive vehicles, especially with aggressive driving and infrequent rotations, often see faster wear. Rotating every 5,000 to 6,000 miles is essential to reaching the full mileage potential.
Is the Kumho Solus TA31 good in snow?
Only in light snow. The tire carries the M+S designation and the sipes in the tread do help in slush and minor snowfall. But it does not have the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating, which means it is not tested or certified for serious winter conditions. Drivers in areas with heavy snow or frequent ice should use dedicated winter tires instead.
What vehicles use the Kumho Solus TA31 as original equipment?
The TA31 comes as factory equipment on several popular vehicles, including the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Soul, Kia Seltos, Chrysler Pacifica, and several other Hyundai and Kia models. It is widely used as an OE tire by Hyundai Motor Group and a few other manufacturers.
How does the Kumho Solus TA31 compare to the Michelin CrossClimate 2?
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 significantly outperforms the TA31 in almost every category, especially winter traction (it is 3PMSF certified), wet grip, and tread life. The trade-off is price. The CrossClimate 2 typically costs double or more compared to the TA31. If budget is not a concern, the Michelin is the better tire. If you are looking for value in a mild climate, the TA31 is a reasonable alternative.
