Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Continental PremiumContact 7
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 80% · 139
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 71
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 4 times and the Potenza Sport twice, with one level. The Potenza Sport stopped 1.6% shorter in the dry; the PremiumContact 7 lasted 36.9% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Bridgestone Potenza Sport if you prioritize sharp steering, shortest dry stops, and track-adjacent feel on spirited road drives. Choose Continental PremiumContact 7 for daily driving, wet-weather safety, comfort, long life, and efficiency-especially for EVs or high-mileage users.
Where the Potenza Sport is stronger
- Class-leading dry braking and dry/wet handling precision (multiple wins, e.g., 1/52 shootout; dry brake −5.8% vs PC7 in 225/40 R18)
- Outstanding wet lateral grip and stability (frequent wet handling and wet circle wins)
- Sportiest steering feel and driver engagement (highest slalom speed; 'driver's choice' feedback)
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Best-in-class wet braking consistency and aquaplaning reserves (regular wins in straight/curved aqua)
- Superior comfort and lower noise with balanced, predictable dynamics
- Significantly better wear, rolling resistance, and operating cost (e.g., ~+21-99% mileage; −10-27% RR/energy on EV)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Potenza Sport vs PremiumContact 7 at a glance
| Category | Potenza Sport | Gap | PremiumContact 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 2 | 1 level | 4 |
| Dry13 measurements | 8 | The Potenza Sport stopped 1.6% shorter in the dry (6 tests) | 5 |
| Wet26 measurements | 13 | The Potenza Sport lapped the wet circle 2.1% faster (3 tests) | 12 |
| Comfort8 measurements | 0 | The PremiumContact 7 was 0.8 dB quieter (5 tests) | 7 |
| Value13 measurements | 3 | The PremiumContact 7 lasted 36.9% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) | 10 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.3/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 0.2 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating139 and 71 reviews | 80% | The PremiumContact 7 by 2 points | 82% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 67% | The PremiumContact 7 by 7 points | 74% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | Level | Level | |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 129 | 33 sizes made in both | 56 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 7 tests, 2023 to 2025
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Potenza Sport | Field | PremiumContact 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test | P3 of 20 | P4 of 20 | |
| 2025 AZ Summer Tire Test | P3 of 10 | P2 of 10 | |
| 2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout | P1 of 52 | P8 of 52 | |
| 2024 Auto Express Summer Tire Test | P7 of 8 | P3 of 8 | |
| 2024 EV Tire Test | P7 of 9 | P2 of 9 | |
| 2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test | P1 of 10 | P1 of 10 | |
| The BEST Performance Tires Tested | P5 of 6 | P1 of 6 |
Performance profile
13 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Potenza Sport
PremiumContact 7
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 85%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 9 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Potenza Sport
PremiumContact 7
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Potenza Sport
PremiumContact 7
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Potenza Sport 80% from 139 reviews and the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Potenza Sport | Gap | PremiumContact 7 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111 | 1.6% | 113 | 4-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.41 | 0.4% | 71.71 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56 | 0.2% | 56 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 3.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 18.8% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 121 | 1% | 120 | 2-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 103 | 11.4% | 92 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 133 | 4% | 138 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 80.55 | 0.7% | 81.13 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 41.8 | 1.4% | 41.3 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 3.2% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.85 | 2.1% | 13.11 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 52 | 1% | 52.5 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 19.9 | 3.2% | 20.5 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 29.4% | scored | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.26 | 0.8 dB | 71.5 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 18,621 | 36.9% | 23,525 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9.3 | 14.3% | 7.9 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 20.66 | 10.6% | 18.46 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.3 | 4.7% | 75.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2,093 | 48.9% | 1,069 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.11 | 0.9% | 0.11 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Potenza Sport scores 9.3 and the PremiumContact 7 9.5 out of 10.
| Potenza Sport | Category | PremiumContact 7 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | Dry | 94 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 97 | ||
| 12 | Comfort | 36 | ||
| 9 | Value | 67 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Potenza Sport | Category | PremiumContact 7 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Dry Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 8.6 | Wet Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 8.8 | Road Feedback | 8.3 | ||
| 8.9 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 6.1 | Wear | 7.3 | ||
| 7 | Comfort | 7.5 | ||
Owners rate the Potenza Sport 80% from 139 reviews and the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
- 80%from 139 reviews
- 67%would buy again
- 947,770 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the Bridgestone Potenza Sport as a very sporty road tire, with strong dry and wet grip and sharp, precise steering feel. The main drawback is longevity: around one in three owners complain about fast wear, sometimes markedly so. Road noise is another common issue (raised by around one in four), while a smaller but notable group report a big drop in grip and confidence in cold weather.
- Very strong dry grip with a predictable, confidence-inspiring feel
- Impressive wet grip for a performance-focused summer tire
- Sharp, precise steering response and good road feedback
- Strong dry handling and cornering ability
- Short tread life / rapid wear for many owners
- Loud road noise, often getting intrusive
- Noticeable performance drop in cold conditions
Summarised by AI from 129 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 139 Potenza Sport reviewsOn road it's like having a semislick which is capable of handling water showers like an UHP tire. On track you can feel it's not a semislick, but you can enjoy a stable performance allowing you 100% of fun with 80% lap time or something like that.
On the road wear on external shoulder is high, on track it's really impressive lap after lap.
Continental PremiumContact 7
- 82%from 71 reviews
- 74%would buy again
- 704,882 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners are largely impressed with the Continental PremiumContact 7, rating it 82.9% on average with no outright negative reviews, and the standout theme is strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both dry and wet conditions. Nearly half of owners mention excellent dry and wet grip, often backed up by praise for secure handling and stability. The main drawback is refinement: around a quarter to a third of owners report notable road noise, and a similar share are disappointed by tread life, with wear sometimes described as quicker than expected. Comfort is generally viewed positively overall, though opinions vary, and steering feel is more mixed than the outright grip levels suggest.
- Strong dry grip and traction
- Very confident wet grip
- Secure, planted handling in the dry
- Comfortable ride over bumps and on longer runs
- Noticeable road noise, especially on coarse surfaces
- Tread life can be disappointing for a premium tire
- Steering feel/precision can be inconsistent (some find it vague)
Summarised by AI from 58 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 71 PremiumContact 7 reviewsThe PremiumContact 7 offers a great balance of touring longevity, comfort, and sufficiently precise handling to keep you safe at higher speeds and in unexpected situations. These tires provide near-perfect grip across various conditions, performing exceptionally well on both dry and wet roads. On the other hand, they can get a bit noisy on rough surfaces.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 129 sizes of the Potenza Sport and 56 of the PremiumContact 7, 33 of them made in both.
| Category | Potenza Sport | PremiumContact 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 129 sizes, 16 to 24 inch | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 33 sizes 205/55 R16205/45 R17215/45 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17205/40 R18215/40 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18235/40 R18and 21 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A75%B21%C3%D0% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C44%D38%A9%B8%E1% | C74%B26% |
| EU label noise | 68-75 dB B81%A19% | 71-73 dB B100% |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2022 |
| Replaced | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Continental Premium Contact 6 |
| Replaced by | Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo | - |
| Awards | - | Recommended: Best Tires for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Summer Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2024) |
| Price in the shared tests | Within 1% of each other on average across the 4 tests that listed prices. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This head-to-head pits a max-performance benchmark, Bridgestone Potenza Sport, against Continental's premium touring all-rounder, PremiumContact 7. Across seven shared tests from 2023-2025 in 17-19 inch sizes (including EV and motorhome-focused rounds), we see a clear philosophy split: Bridgestone prioritizes razor-sharp dynamics and outright grip, while Continental trades a touch of edge for efficiency, comfort, and longevity.
Conclusion
Across the dataset, Potenza Sport consistently brakes shorter in the dry and feels fastest and most precise on circuit-style wet/dry handling, often topping wet handling and wet circle. However, it pays for that pace with higher rolling resistance, shorter mileage, firmer ride, and louder operation. In contrast, PremiumContact 7 repeatedly leads in wet braking, aquaplaning safety margins, comfort, noise, and-crucially-wear and efficiency, delivering lower cost per 1,000 km and notably better EV energy use. Despite differing missions, both reach the top step in certain tests and earn 'exemplary' verdicts.
Potenza Sport vs PremiumContact 7: your questions
Is the Bridgestone Potenza Sport or the Continental PremiumContact 7 the better tire?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 4 times and the Potenza Sport twice, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Potenza Sport scores 9.3 and the PremiumContact 7 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Potenza Sport or the PremiumContact 7?
The Potenza Sport led 13 of the 26 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it lapped the wet circle 2.1% faster across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Potenza Sport led 8 of the 13 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.6% shorter in the dry across 6 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The PremiumContact 7 lasted 36.9% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) and had 14.3% lower rolling resistance (5 tests). Owners rate wear 6.1/10 for the Potenza Sport and 7.3/10 for the PremiumContact 7.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The PremiumContact 7 was 0.8 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 7/10 for the Potenza Sport and 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Potenza Sport 80% from 139 reviews and the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71. 67% of Potenza Sport owners would buy it again, against 74% for the PremiumContact 7.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the two were priced within 1% of each other on average.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Potenza Sport is made in 129 sizes (16 to 24 inch) and the PremiumContact 7 in 56 (16 to 21 inch). 33 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Potenza Sport is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the PremiumContact 7 A and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The PremiumContact 7 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2022, the Potenza Sport in 2021. The Potenza Sport replaced the Bridgestone Potenza S001. The PremiumContact 7 replaced the Continental Premium Contact 6.
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Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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