Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Nokian Powerproof 2
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 71
- TR Score
- 8.8/10
- Owners say
- 95% · 1
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 3 times and the Powerproof 2 not once. The PremiumContact 7 stopped 5.2% shorter in the wet; the Powerproof 2 had 4.4% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental PremiumContact 7 if your priority is maximum everyday safety and confidence-especially frequent wet driving where braking and wet-cornering grip matter most. Choose the Nokian Powerproof 2 if you want a more cost/efficiency-leaning option and you regularly deal with standing water, but accept that its wet braking and overall wet grip package is typically a step behind the Continental in these shared tests.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Consistently shorter braking distances, especially in the wet (e.g., 25.1 m vs 27.8 m in Auto Express; 27.3 m vs 28.1 m in the braking shootout)
- Strong, well-rounded wet performance: wins wet handling and wet circle in the 245/45 R19 Autobild test and is near the top in Auto Express wet metrics
- Competitive dry performance with crisp, neutral handling feel (podium-level dry handling in Auto Express; best dry braking across all shared tests)
Where the Powerproof 2 is stronger
- Deep-water strengths in Auto Express, leading both straight and curved aquaplaning (83.1 km/h vs 76.9 km/h; 3.75 vs 3.31 m/s²)
- Better rolling resistance in both main tests (e.g., 7.48 vs 7.83 kg/t in Autobild), supporting fuel/EV efficiency
- Stronger subjective dry-handling score in Autobild (8.0 vs 6.7 points) and a small objective dry-handling edge (100.1 vs 99.5 km/h)
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.
PremiumContact 7 vs Powerproof 2 at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Powerproof 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 3 | 0 | |
| Dry6 measurements | 4 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 1.1% shorter in the dry (3 tests) | 2 |
| Wet12 measurements | 10 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 5.2% shorter in the wet (3 tests) | 2 |
| Comfort3 measurements | 1 | Level between the two. | 1 |
| Value4 measurements | 2 | Level between the two. | 2 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 0.7 | 8.8/10 |
| Owner rating71 and 1 reviews | 82% | The Powerproof 2 by 13 points | 95% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | +42.3% | The PremiumContact 7 was dearer in 2 of 2 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 38 sizes made in both | 77 |
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 3 tests in 2026
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 | PremiumContact 7 | Field | Powerproof 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Express Summer Tire Test | P2 of 8 | P7 of 8 | |
| 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test | P6 of 20 | P11 of 20 | |
| 2026 Summer Braking Super Tire Test - How do 52 Tires Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? | P6 of 50 | P10 of 50 |
Performance profile
7 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
PremiumContact 7
Powerproof 2
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 94%: 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
PremiumContact 7
Powerproof 2
Not ahead in any category
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.
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 | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Powerproof 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | 1.1% | 116 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 53.99 | 0.5% | 54.26 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 61.8 | 0.6% | 62.2 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 19.4% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 104 | 5.2% | 109 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 88.89 | 0.8% | 89.61 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 51.1 | 0.7% | 50.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 9.6% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 13.12 | 8.3% | 14.26 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 52.3 | 3% | 53.7 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 11.1 | 0.8% | 11.2 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 70.55 | 0.2 dB | 70.75 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 35,014 | 12.5% | 31,118 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 8.13 | 4.4% | 7.77 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 1,302 | 6.1% | 1,386 | 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 PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Powerproof 2 8.8 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Powerproof 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 90 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 67 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 24 | ||
| 67 | Value | 55 | ||
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
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Powerproof 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 10 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 10 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 9 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 9 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | - | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 9 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Powerproof 2 95% from 1. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
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.
Nokian Powerproof 2
- 95%from 1 reviews
- 1,500 milesdriven by reviewers
All 1 Powerproof 2 reviewsThe initial impression is excellent, both in wet and dry conditions. For me, it's the ideal combination of feedback, directness (despite the high cross-section! - thanks to aramid-reinforced sidewalls), strong grip, and high comfort.
I was already quite satisfied with the Powerproof SUV. In between, I briefly used the Wetproof 1: the grip was also very good, but in direct comparison, it had significantly less direct steering.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 56 sizes of the PremiumContact 7 and 77 of the Powerproof 2, 38 of them made in both.
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Powerproof 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch | 77 sizes, 16 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 38 sizes 205/55 R16215/65 R16205/45 R17205/55 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17and 26 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B26% | B70%C30% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 69-73 dB B66%A34% |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2025 |
| Replaced | Continental Premium Contact 6 | - |
| Awards | Recommended: Best Tires for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Summer Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2024) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tire in 2 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 42.3% on average. 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.
Continental's PremiumContact 7 and Nokian's Powerproof 2 target slightly different buyers on paper-Premium-Touring versus Ultra-High-Performance-but the shared 2026 tests put them head-to-head in the areas that matter most for everyday safety and confidence: wet and dry braking, handling balance, aquaplaning, refinement and running costs.
Across three independent comparisons (Auto Express 205/55 R16, Autobild 245/45 R19, and a 50-tire braking shootout in 245/45 R19), a clear pattern emerges: the Continental repeatedly delivers the stronger “core grip” package (especially wet braking), while the Nokian's main counterpunch is efficiency/value and, depending on the test, deep-water aquaplaning resilience. The result is a comparison between a more consistent all-rounder and a tire with some specific advantages but a bigger performance spread.
Conclusion
On objective performance, the Continental PremiumContact 7 is the more dependable choice overall. It wins dry braking in all shared tests (e.g., 36.4 m vs 37.4 m in Auto Express, and 34.3 m vs 34.4 m in the two 245/45 R19 braking datasets) and, more importantly, it's consistently better in wet braking (Auto Express: 25.1 m vs 27.8 m-around a 2.7 m safety margin; braking super test: 27.3 m vs 28.1 m). It also tends to be stronger through wet handling/wet circle, aligning with both test organizations' weighting toward wet grip and control.
The Nokian Powerproof 2's case is more nuanced. In Auto Express it shines in deep-water metrics (83.1 km/h vs 76.9 km/h straight aquaplaning; 3.75 vs 3.31 m/s² curved), and it also shows benefits on running costs: it beats the Continental on rolling resistance in both major tests (e.g., 7.48 vs 7.83 kg/t in Autobild) and offers better value in Autobild (lower price per 1,000). However, those strengths don't fully compensate for the repeated wet-braking and wet-cornering deficit in the most safety-critical scenarios-especially notable given Nokian's wet-weather positioning.
Practical takeaway: if you want the tire that most consistently reduces risk in the real world-shorter stops in the wet and a more neutral, confidence-inspiring balance-the PremiumContact 7 is the safer, more complete performer (even if it can be pricey and not class-leading in all aquaplaning tests). The Powerproof 2 makes most sense for drivers prioritizing purchase value/efficiency and who regularly face standing water, but who can accept that ultimate wet grip and braking are not at the same level as the Continental.
PremiumContact 7 vs Powerproof 2: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Nokian Powerproof 2 the better tire?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 3 times and the Powerproof 2 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Powerproof 2 8.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the Powerproof 2?
The PremiumContact 7 led 10 of the 12 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.2% shorter in the wet across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 4 of the 6 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.1% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Powerproof 2 had 4.4% lower rolling resistance (2 tests).
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 9/10 for the Powerproof 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Powerproof 2 95% from 1.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 42.3% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The PremiumContact 7 is made in 56 sizes (16 to 21 inch) and the Powerproof 2 in 77 (16 to 21 inch). 38 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the PremiumContact 7 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Powerproof 2 A and B.
Which is the newer tire?
The Powerproof 2 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2025, the PremiumContact 7 in 2022. The PremiumContact 7 replaced the Continental Premium Contact 6.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
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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