Kumho Road Venture AT51 Tire Review and Rating

Written By James Hawthorne
Last Updated June 30, 2021

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Dry

Wet

Snow

Comfort

Noise

Treadwear

Pros

Balanced on-road and off-road performance
Affordable
Superb wet performance
Comfortable

Cons

Noisy at higher speeds
Will struggle in deep mud

What are the features of the Kumho Road Venture AT51?

For most people, an off-road tire is not something you’ll be able to use on the road. While in some cases that is true, Kumho managed to develop an off-road tire usable on the road – the Road Venture AT51.

Balancing two applications that don’t mix well together is something that Kumho managed to achieve.

Looking at the Road Venture AT51, the distinctive design give is it the off-road look. The aggressive tread design with deep grooves and big blocks means that the tire should have excellent performance in snow and mud. The angled chamfer help with this as it provides plenty of biting power in non-ideal scenarios.

In wet conditions, the deep grooves mean that the Road Venture AT51 can move a lot of water to the sides. The central groves also help a lot, and as a result, the tread blocks can maintain grip.

Kumho also says that despite the off-road properties, this tire has a decent touring performance. The main feature in this area is the comfort and noise levels. Kumho’s variable pitch tread works combined with the symmetric design, resulting in less vibration and relatively low noise.

Another aspect worth mentioning for a touring tire is longevity and efficiency. The rubber compound is made from dual silicone, which helps the tire cool more quickly. As a result, overheating and premature wear will not be an issue.

Both outer strips and central rib keep the Road Venture AT51 relatively stable at higher speeds and should help with responsiveness.

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

The Road Venture is decent on dry tarmac and should get the job done for most SUV or truck owners.

When you look at how the Road Venture AT51 behaves on dry tarmac, it’s easy to classify it as a not-so-good performer. The main reason for that is off-road tires are not designed for performance on paved roads.

Despite that, the performance is good enough for most people. It has a decent amount of grip and is stable enough for a safe ride. I would have like to see a bit more, mainly in corners when you carry a bit more speed. It shows off the understeer nature of an SUV and slightly increases it.

I think it’s safe and has decent braking distances unless you overdo it and start to notice the loss of traction. Another thing to point out is the sidewall flex. Off-road tires have higher sidewalls, meaning they will flex slightly when you enter a corner with higher speed.

I have to say that the driving dynamic is not too bad. The Road Venture AT51 takes inputs reasonably well and is decently quick to respond. As for feedback, it doesn’t provide too much of it, so don’t expect any performance-like steering feel.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

In terms of wet and slippery roads, the Road Venture AT51 doesn’t behave too badly. The performance is similar as on dry roads – good enough for most drivers.

The levels of grip are about average for these kinds of conditions, and as long as you keep things civilized, you shouldn’t have any problems.

One thing that Kumho delivered on its promise is the wet performance in heavy rain conditions. The tread design and the deep grooves mean that the Road Venture AT51 can evacuate more water through the grooves. As a result, the aquaplaning resistance is excellent when compared with some of the competition.

How is it over snow?

The Road Venture AT51 performed decently on snow, which should not be a huge surprise. Despite the aggressive tread pattern, this tire won’t be a match for a dedicated winter one.

Kumho’s rubber compound is designed as an all-season one. As a result, the Road Venture AT51 can work even in freezing temperatures. You may not get as much traction as on a hot summer’s day, but it won’t be too bad. This means that even on icy surfaces, the tire will find just enough grip to get the car moving.

On snow, the performance is good, thanks to the tread design. The deep grooves and the self-cleaning technology enable the tire to find traction in light and heavier snow. When things get really snowy, you will notice the Road Venture AT51 struggling a bit.

Despite the 3PMSF rating, I feel that the deep snow performance could be better.

Is it comfortable and refined?

The Road Venture AT51 is comfortable and refined, but I think that it could use a bit more, considering the marketing from Kumho.

In terms of comfort, it’s good enough to provide you with a decently smooth riding experience. It’s not as harsh as some other off-road tires I’ve experienced in the past, but I wouldn’t classify it as class-leading.

The noise levels are surprisingly low, which should be expected, considering that Kumho designed the Road Venture AT51 with variable pitch technology. While it is decently quiet for an off-road tire, it can get a bit loud at higher speeds.

Is it good for off-roading?

The Kumho Road Venture AT51 is an excellent off-road tire, with excellent performance for its class and a few drawbacks.

In off-road conditions, sharp rocks can be a tire’s worst enemy as they can damage it quite easily. Luckily, the Road Venture AT51 has a durable rubber compound enriched with silica that can resist cuts.

The mud and sand performance is also worth mentioning. Don’t expect performance like some hard-core dedicated off-road tires, but it’s still good enough for an adventure. The self-cleaning technology helps keep the tread clean of mud or sand buildup. In the case of small rocks, it helps even out the tire’s wear.

Is the Kumho Road Venture AT51 ideal for sporty driving?

No, the Road Venture AT51 is not ideal for sporty driving. It’s not ideal for any kind of spirited driving, for that matter.

There’s not much to say about this, except that this tire doesn’t handle sporty driving. With that in mind, people who own off-road vehicles are not even interested in that kind of driving.

Should I buy the Kumho Road Venture AT51?

I can recommend the Kumho Road Venture AT51, but it’s not a tire for everyone. Even though it has all-season and touring properties, it’s still an off-road tire. That has some drawbacks.

Dirt road and rocks should not be a problem for the Road Venture AT51. The self-cleaning technology will ensure that the grooves remain rock-free, providing maximum grip.

A slight drop in performance is noticeable on sandy surfaces. At times, it feels like the tire is just digging in but not moving too much. It’s not the worst, but a dedicated off-road tire would perform better.

Mud is the tire’s worst enemy. The Road Venture AT51 seems to be doing all right in shallow mud. The deeper patches are causing the most problems, and it can struggle for grip.

Kumho Road Venture AT51 Warranty

Considering the application, the Road Venture AT51 comes with a 55,000-mile warranty, which is not too bad. I have to point out that it’s an off-road tire, so it will be abused more.

If you go with different sized tires on the front and rear, you only get 50% of the warranty.

Kumho Road Venture AT51 Pricing: Is it worth the money?

Considering what you get, I can say that the Road Venture AT51 is worth the money. The starting price is $110, which is not a lot for an off-road tire with decent performance on paved roads.

On the road, the performance is admirable, and the tire behaves better than a dedicated off-road tire.

In off-road conditions, the performance is better, and while it may not be a match for the premium tires, it is still a decent contender.

Overall, it’s an excellently balanced on-road and off-road tire aimed at SUVs and light truck owners that need a little bit of both.

Conclusion

When you compare the Road Venture AT51 with a touring tire, it will fall short. The same goes for any comparison with a dedicated off-road tire.

Combining both is not an easy task, and Kumho managed to achieve it to a certain point. The Road Venture AT51 offers decent performance on the road and excellent performance on off-road conditions.

Even though you won’t be getting the longest tread life, you are looking at a good bargain when you factor in the price. Slightly shorter life span from a tire that can perform decently in any condition.