Kumho Crugen HT51 Review: Best Highway All-Season Tire for Light Truck

Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!

The Kumho Crugen HT51 is an all-season highway terrain tire designed for drivers of light trucks, SUVs, and crossover vehicles. It combines the rugged capability of an off-road tire with the comfortable ride and handling of a highway touring tire.

The Crugen HT51 features an aggressive tread pattern with deep grooves and beefy tread blocks, allowing it to tackle light off-road conditions while still providing a smooth and stable ride on the pavement.

This versatile tire is engineered to deliver year-round traction and reliable performance in various weather conditions, from dry and wet roads to light snow. It’s suitable for a wide range of vehicles, including popular models like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Wrangler, and Honda Pilot.

With its balanced combination of on-road comfort, off-road capability, and all-season versatility, the Kumho Crugen HT51 caters to drivers who demand a tire that can handle their daily driving needs while also accommodating occasional adventures on unpaved terrain.

Tire Construction and Design

The Kumho Crugen HT51 is an all-terrain tire designed for pickup trucks, SUVs, and other rugged vehicles. Its construction features a robust casing and reinforced sidewalls to withstand the demands of off-road driving.

The tread compound is formulated with a unique blend of polymers and silica, providing a balance of durability and grip on various surfaces.

The tread pattern on the Crugen HT51 is designed to excel in both on-road and off-road conditions. It features a symmetric pattern with large, interlocking tread blocks that provide excellent traction and stability.

The tread blocks are siped for enhanced grip on wet surfaces and snow. Additionally, the tire features wide circumferential grooves to evacuate water and mud effectively, reducing the risk of hydroplaning.

One of the standout features of the Crugen HT51 is its advanced tread design, which incorporates Kumho’s 3D Sipe Technology.

This technology involves creating three-dimensional sipes that interlock and provide increased biting edges, enhancing traction on loose or slippery surfaces. The 3D Sipe Technology also contributes to improved handling and braking performance.

Furthermore, the Crugen HT51 utilizes Kumho’s Dual Tread Compound Technology, which combines a durable outer compound for long treadwear with a softer inner compound for improved grip and traction.

This dual-compound design helps optimize the tire’s performance and longevity, ensuring a well-rounded driving experience.

Dry Road Performance

The Kumho Crugen HT51 delivers impressive dry road performance, thanks to its advanced tread compound and optimized tread design.

The tire’s silica-enhanced tread compound provides excellent grip and traction on dry pavement, ensuring confident handling and responsive steering.

During dry conditions, the HT51 exhibits remarkable stability and cornering prowess. The tire’s rigid tread blocks and wide circumferential grooves work together to enhance road contact and lateral grip, allowing for precise steering inputs and predictable handling characteristics.

Whether navigating tight corners or executing lane changes, the HT51 maintains its composure, providing drivers with a sense of control and security.

Straight-line tracking is another area where the Kumho Crugen HT51 shines. The tire’s continuous center rib and variable-pitch tread pattern contribute to exceptional directional stability, minimizing wandering and ensuring a smooth, consistent ride.

This feature is particularly beneficial for highway driving, where maintaining a steady course is crucial for safety and comfort.

Overall, the Kumho Crugen HT51 delivers exceptional dry road performance, combining outstanding traction, responsive handling, and excellent stability.

Whether navigating city streets or cruising on the open highway, this tire provides drivers with the confidence and control they need to tackle any dry road condition with ease.

Wet Road Performance

The Kumho Crugen HT51 delivers reliable wet traction thanks to its specialized tread compound and design.

The tire’s four circumferential grooves effectively evacuate water from the contact patch, reducing the risk of hydroplaning.

The siped tread blocks enhance grip on slick surfaces, providing confident handling during heavy rain or on wet roads.

The tire’s tread pattern features a high number of lateral grooves and biting edges, maximizing traction on wet surfaces.

The Crugen HT51 maintains its composure in the rain, offering predictable and responsive handling. Even during sudden maneuvers or hard braking on wet pavement, the tire remains stable and inspires confidence.

While not intended for extreme off-road use, the Crugen HT51’s tread design also provides decent performance on muddy or flooded roads.

The tire’s ability to self-clean and resist clogging with mud or debris contributes to its wet traction capabilities in various conditions.

Overall, the Kumho Crugen HT51 delivers reliable wet weather performance, ensuring a safe and controlled driving experience on rain-soaked roads.

Snow and Ice Traction

The Kumho Crugen HT51 is marketed as an all-season tire, designed to provide decent performance in light winter conditions.

However, it’s important to note that this tire is not intended for extreme winter weather or prolonged use on ice and deep snow.

In moderate snow, the Crugen HT51 performs reasonably well. The tread pattern features deep grooves and sipes that help provide some traction on packed snow.

The tire can handle light snowfall and slushy conditions without too much slippage or loss of control.

However, when it comes to deep snow or icy conditions, the Crugen HT51 starts to struggle. The tread compound is not optimized for extremely low temperatures, and the tire lacks the aggressive tread design and specialized sipes found in dedicated winter tires.

As such, drivers may experience reduced traction, longer stopping distances, and decreased handling capabilities on ice and in heavy snowfall.

If you live in an area with frequent heavy snowfall or icy roads during the winter months, it’s recommended to consider dedicated winter tires for optimal safety and performance.

The Kumho Crugen HT51 can handle light winter conditions, but it may not provide the level of traction and control required for more extreme winter driving scenarios.

Comfort and Noise Levels

The Kumho Crugen HT51 delivers a comfortable and quiet ride, making it an excellent choice for daily driving and long road trips.

The tire’s advanced tread design and construction work together to minimize road noise and vibrations, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable driving experience.

When it comes to ride comfort, the Crugen HT51 excels. Its optimized tread pattern and casing design help absorb impacts and irregularities in the road surface, resulting in a plush and well-cushioned ride.

Whether you’re navigating city streets or cruising on the highway, this tire provides a smooth and compliant ride quality that keeps you comfortable mile after mile.

Road noise is another area where the Crugen HT51 shines. The tire’s advanced noise-reducing technology, including computer-optimized tread design and specialized tread compounds, work to minimize the transmission of road noise into the cabin.

This results in a remarkably quiet and serene driving experience, allowing you to enjoy your music or conversations without being disturbed by excessive road noise.

Additionally, the Crugen HT51 excels in terms of impact harshness. Its robust construction and reinforced sidewalls help absorb and dissipate the shocks and vibrations caused by potholes, bumps, and other road hazards.

This not only contributes to a more comfortable ride but also helps protect your vehicle’s suspension components from excessive wear and tear.

Overall, the Kumho Crugen HT51 offers an impressive balance of ride comfort, low road noise, and effective impact absorption, making it a standout choice for drivers seeking a smooth and refined driving experience.

Treadwear and Durability

The Kumho Crugen HT51 is designed to provide excellent treadwear and durability for highway terrains.

With its optimized tread compound and robust construction, this tire offers impressive longevity and resistance to wear and tear.

Expected tread life is a standout feature of the Crugen HT51. Kumho’s engineers have carefully formulated the tread compound to maximize tread life, ensuring that the tire maintains its traction and performance capabilities over an extended period.

Many owners report getting up to 60,000 miles or more out of a set of these tires, depending on driving habits and conditions.

In addition to its impressive treadwear, the Crugen HT51 boasts excellent resistance to cuts and chips.

The tire’s reinforced casing and sturdy shoulder blocks help protect against potential damage from road debris, potholes, and other hazards. This durability makes the tire a reliable choice for those who frequently drive on rough or unpaved roads.

Kumho backs the Crugen HT51 with a generous treadwear warranty, reflecting the company’s confidence in the tire’s longevity.

The warranty covers the tire for a specified number of miles, providing added peace of mind and protection for your investment.

Overall, the Kumho Crugen HT51 delivers exceptional treadwear and durability, ensuring that you get the most out of your tires while enjoying a comfortable and reliable driving experience.

Fuel Efficiency Ratings

The Kumho Crugen HT51 boasts impressive fuel efficiency ratings, thanks to its optimized tread design and low rolling resistance.

This all-terrain tire is engineered to minimize the energy lost through deformation and heat buildup as it rolls, translating to reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions.

While specific rolling resistance figures are not publicly available, independent tests and customer reviews consistently highlight the Crugen HT51’s ability to deliver noticeable improvements in fuel economy compared to other tires in its class.

This fuel-saving performance is particularly evident during highway driving, where the tire’s low rolling resistance pays dividends in terms of increased range and fewer stops at the gas station.

Moreover, the Crugen HT51’s fuel efficiency doesn’t come at the expense of other performance attributes.

Its advanced tread compound and carefully engineered tread pattern strike a perfect balance between low rolling resistance, excellent traction, and extended treadwear, making it a well-rounded choice for eco-conscious drivers who refuse to compromise on safety and durability.

Pricing and Sizing Options

The Kumho Crugen HT51 is available in a wide range of sizes to fit most trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. Sizing starts at 15-inch wheel diameters and goes up to 20 inches, with various width and sidewall options.

This versatility ensures most drivers can find a suitable fitment for their vehicle.

In terms of pricing, the Crugen HT51 is positioned as an affordable, budget-friendly option within the highway all-terrain tire segment.

Retail prices typically range from $90 to $200 per tire, depending on the size. While not the cheapest option on the market, the Crugen HT51 offers a compelling balance of performance and value.

Compared to premium-priced competitors from major brands, the Kumho Crugen HT51 can save consumers hundreds of dollars when outfitting a full set of four tires.

This competitive pricing makes it an attractive choice for cost-conscious drivers seeking a capable all-terrain tire without breaking the bank.

Kumho Crugen HT51 Video Review

Videos created by Tire Rack

Summary and Recommendations

The Kumho Crugen HT51 is a versatile all-season tire that delivers a well-rounded performance across various driving conditions. Its balanced design and construction make it a reliable choice for drivers seeking a tire that can handle both on-road and light off-road adventures.

Overall, the Crugen HT51 excels in providing a comfortable and quiet ride, with good dry and wet road traction. Its ability to handle light snow and ice conditions is commendable, although it may not be the best choice for extreme winter driving.

The tire’s treadwear and durability are respectable, ensuring a reasonable lifespan and value for money. The Crugen HT51 is an excellent option for drivers of SUVs, crossovers, and light trucks who prioritize a smooth and stable ride, coupled with decent off-road capabilities.

It’s particularly well-suited for those who frequently encounter varying road conditions, including occasional light snow or mud. Drivers who live in areas with harsh winters or frequently encounter deep snow or ice may want to consider dedicated winter tires for optimal performance during those conditions.

However, for most drivers seeking a reliable all-season tire that can handle a variety of driving scenarios, the Kumho Crugen HT51 is a solid choice that offers a good balance of performance, comfort, and value.

Frequently Asked Questions

LIST OF OTHER TIRE REVIEWS

• Kumho Road Venture AT51 Review
• Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Review
• Continental PureContact LS Review
• Dick Cepek Trail Country Exp Review
• Ironman Tires Review
• Top 11+ Best All-Season Tires for Snow
• Top 10 Best Jeep Patriot Tires: Buying Guide and Review
• Toyo Proxes 4 Plus Review
• Falken Wildpeak AT3W Review
• Nitto Ridge Grappler Review