Pros
- Outstanding traction in mud
- Very good traction on rocky terrain
- Quiet and comfortable for a mud-terrain tire
- Tough and durable
Cons
- Traction on hard-packed snow is limited
- Wet traction isn’t like the best in the category
Most truck and SUV drivers never use their vehicles in off-road conditions, with gravel being the most demanding type of surface they ever encounter. However, driving in places that nobody else can has always been a fascination with a particular type of car enthusiasts. Sure, the number of these people is small, but their fascination and determination to go even further can’t go unnoticed. Thanks to these people, most popular tire manufacturers started producing a wide range of all-terrain, off-road, and mud-terrain tires, with Kumho being one of the frontrunners. In this detailed Kumho Road Venture MT KL71 review, I will inform you of all the advantages of this tire, why it is loved by off-roaders, but also on some of its disadvantages.
This tire is one of the most popular in the category not only because it provides outstanding traction in most off-road conditions, but also because it is very durable, and offers surprisingly good on-road manners for such a tire. And while it is not without compromises, the Kumho MT KL71 is strong competitors in its price range. Available in sizes ranging from 15-24 inches and load range C, D and E ratings, this tire is a great fit for owners of SUVs and trucks who plan on using their vehicles in the wilderness.
Cars that I think are best suited to this tire include Ford pickups (F-150 and Ranger), Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Tacoma, Tundra and FJ Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, Hummer H3, Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover, etc. Naturally, every SUV or pickup truck that has the ability to be driven in slippery conditions (AWD or 4X4 is a must) is a great candidate for the Kumho Road Venture MT KL71.
Kumho Road Venture MT KL71 Tire Overview
Kumho designed the Road Venture MT KL71 to offer off-roaders maximum traction in almost every condition they encounter. It is available in large rim sizes, which means that off-road tuned vehicles can also be served by the Kumho. Like most of its competitors, it features cut- and chip-resistant tread compound that is able to withstand the challenges of off-road driving. The tread has a symmetric and directional pattern with packed center blocks, alternating width shoulder lugs, mud/stone ejector bars, and aggressive sidewall lugs, all of which provide biting edges for maximum traction through a variety of terrains and surfaces, such as mud, rocks, and sand.
Interestingly, despite the focus on off-road traction, Kumho took care of comfort as well. A unique rubber compound that lies between the tread and the belts blocks impacts, thus improving ride comfort, and it also blocks most of the noise coming from the road. This is something that you won’t often see in mud-terrain tires and should be applauded.
Other things are pretty standard. Internally, the Road Venture MT KL71 has two high-tensile steel belts, reinforced by spirally wrapped nylon and two-ply polyester cord body, all of which combine for strength, durability and ride quality. Kumho even promises good traction in deep snow, but they still warn that the KL71 has limited number of small snow-biting sipes, which means that you should avoid using this tire in snowy conditions on the road (like packed snow for example).
Kumho Road Venture MT KL71 Detailed Review
Kumho doesn’t offer any warranty on the Road Venture MT KL71, but that’s normal in this class. Like most mud-terrain tires, you shouldn’t expect high mileage from these, especially if driven on the highway most of the time. On the positive side, the tread is as strong as they come, it resists puncture and cuts with aplomb, and it’s very good at cleaning itself from small stones and mud. Overall, this might be one of the toughest mud-terrain tires available on the market right now.
Dry Traction and Grip
If you expect responsive handling from a set of mud-terrain tires, you should recheck your knowledge of tires. The MT KL71 can be cumbersome to drive on the road, especially if you’re aggressive with your vehicle. Still, traction is generally okay, and high-speed stability is fine for the category.
Wet Traction
The MT KL71 is usable in wet conditions, but not more than that. If you drive carefully, the traction it provides is more than good enough to provide you with safe driving experience, but a set of highway tires will still give you much better traction and shorter braking distances.
Snow Traction and Braking Performance
By design, the Road Venture MT KL71 can churn through deep snow with ease but completely loses traction on packed snow. That’s expected from a tire with big lugs and no snow-biting sipes. This also means that you can use the MT KL71 in deep snow for fun, but not on the road. For completely safe driving experience, I recommend installing a set of winter tires, as the Kumho can be unreliable and most often than not, unsafe to drive on snow and especially on ice.
Off-road Performance
This is where the Kumho Road Venture MT KL71 truly shines. Traction is simply outstanding in mud thanks to the large and deep lugs. With a set of these tires, it is almost impossible to get stuck in the mud, even if it is around 3 feet deep. What impresses me the most about the MT KL71, though, is that it is equally good on other surfaces. I find it to be extremely usable on loose rocks and cliffs, with excellent protection against moving sideways thanks to the directional tread pattern. On top of that, the MT KL71 is even usable on sand, albeit with limited functionality.
Overall, it is very hard to find anything wrong with the Kumho when driving in the wilderness – it’s as good as it comes in this category.
Comfort & Noise
Experienced off-roaders know that mud-terrain tires aren’t the happiest choice on the highway due to worse ride quality and heightened noise levels. However, while the Road Venture MT KL71 is certainly not a highway tire in this regard, it is probably the quietest and best-riding mud-terrain tire. Using a set of these tires for longer road trips is not only possible, but it can be pleasurable in a way. Kudos to Kumho for this!
Kumho Road Venture MT KL71 Review: Conclusion
The Kumho Road Venture MT KL71 offers everything a hardcore off-road enthusiast would want, and then some. Traction is outstanding on mud and rocky terrain, and the tread is tough and durable. On top of that, the MT KL71 is quiet and comfortable for a mud-terrain tire, and the price is fair. Thanks to these qualities, it is easy to recommend the Kumho for anyone searching for a reliable off-road set of tires.