Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Maxxis Premitra HP6
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 71
- TR Score
- 8.2/10
- Owners say
- 65% · 3
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 7 times and the Premitra HP6 not once. The PremiumContact 7 lasted 36.4% longer in the wear tests; the Premitra HP6 had 9% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental PremiumContact 7 if you want the highest wet/dry braking safety, the most predictable handling in the rain, and better expected tread life (best all-rounder, especially for mixed weather and motorway use). Choose the Maxxis Premitra HP6 if you're prioritising lower rolling resistance and a sharper dry feel on a tighter budget-and you don't routinely drive fast through standing water or demand top-tier wet-limit confidence.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Class-leading braking performance (wins 7/7 in both wet and dry braking across shared tests)
- Strong wet handling and controllable, neutral balance near the limit (repeatedly top-ranked subjectively and objectively)
- Better durability and environmental metrics where measured (e.g., +20% wear in ADAC; +53% predicted life in Auto Zeitung)
Where the Premitra HP6 is stronger
- Lower rolling resistance/efficiency focus (wins rolling resistance in 4 shared tests; often among the best for fuel consumption)
- Sporty steering response and dry agility (multiple dry handling wins and strong subjective dry feel in some tests)
- Strong wet cornering grip on a circle in some sizes (wet circle wins in Auto Express and Vi Bilagare)
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 Premitra HP6 at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Premitra HP6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 7 | 0 | |
| Dry15 measurements | 12 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 5.5% shorter in the dry (7 tests) | 3 |
| Wet30 measurements | 28 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 8.1% shorter in the wet (7 tests) | 2 |
| Comfort10 measurements | 8 | 1 | |
| Value10 measurements | 5 | Level between the two. | 5 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 1.3 | 8.2/10 |
| Owner rating71 and 3 reviews | 82% | The PremiumContact 7 by 17 points | 65% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | +38.1% | The PremiumContact 7 was dearer in 5 of 5 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 29 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 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 | Premitra HP6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Express Summer Tire Test | P2 of 8 | P4 of 8 | |
| 2026 Motor Summer Tire Test | P1 of 9 | P6 of 9 | |
| 2026 Vi Bilagare Summer Tire Test | P1 of 10 | P8 of 10 | |
| The BEST Summer Tires for 2026 Tested and Rated | P1 of 12 | P8 of 12 | |
| 2026 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P1 of 16 | P8 of 16 | |
| 2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tire Test | P1 of 10 | P7 of 10 | |
| 2026 Netzwelt Mid Range Summer Tire Test | P1 of 6 | P5 of 6 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
PremiumContact 7
Premitra HP6
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 80%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
PremiumContact 7
Premitra HP6
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.
Where owners rate each higher
PremiumContact 7
Premitra HP6
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Premitra HP6 65% from 3. 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 | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Premitra HP6 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 119 | 5.5% | 126 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 65.6 | 0.2% | 65.76 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 17.9% | scored | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 123 | 8.1% | 134 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 115 | 8.4% | 125 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73.74 | 3.6% | 76.37 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 78.3% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1.8 | 9.3% | 1.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.15 | 2.4% | 12.49 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49.1 | 1.9% | 48.2 | 6-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.1 | 10.2% | 11 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 29.8% | scored | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 150% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69.4 | 0.3 dB | 69.65 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.8 | 1.1 dB | 73.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 27,635 | 36.4% | 20,567 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.42 | 9% | 5.84 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.45 | = | 5.45 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69 | 9.2% | 76 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.08 | 26.1% | 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 PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Premitra HP6 8.2 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Premitra HP6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 76 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 68 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 18 | ||
| 67 | Value | 62 | ||
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 | Premitra HP6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 7 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 7 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 6 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 6.7 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 6 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 7.3 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Premitra HP6 65% from 3. 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.
Maxxis Premitra HP6
- 65%from 3 reviews
- 31,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 Premitra HP6 reviewsTires are spongy, imprecise, indirect, and very unsporty on dry roads. They are quiet and save fuel. In wet conditions, they are average and completely okay. Despite AAA and BMW * approval, they do not fit a sporty front-wheel drive car like a Fiesta MH 155 HP. Very affordable and completely fine for everyday use. Sportiness compared to Continental PremiumContact 6 or Bridgestone Potenza Sport is non-existent.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 56 sizes of the PremiumContact 7 and 56 of the Premitra HP6, 29 of them made in both.
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Premitra HP6 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch | 56 sizes, 15 to 18 inch |
| Made in both | 29 sizes 205/55 R16205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/55 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17225/45 R17and 17 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B26% | C89%B11% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 70-72 dB B100% |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2024 |
| 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 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 38.1% 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.
This is a classic premium-vs-midrange summer touring matchup: the Continental PremiumContact 7 (Premium-Touring) is designed to be an all-round “do-everything well” tire with a big emphasis on safety margins, while the Maxxis Premitra HP6 (Touring) targets value with a sportier edge in steering response and efficiency.
Across seven shared 2026 tests in multiple sizes (205/55 R16 through 235/45 R18), the story is unusually consistent. The Continental repeatedly converts its balance into outright wins (including multiple overall victories), while the Maxxis shows flashes of genuine pace-especially in dry handling and rolling resistance-but struggles to match the Continental's wet braking/handling authority and (in several reports) its predictability at the limit.
Conclusion
Over the full set of results, the Continental PremiumContact 7 is the clear “buy for safety and completeness” choice. It wins every shared wet braking comparison (often by meaningful margins-e.g., 53.2 m vs 61.9 m in Auto Zeitung, and 30.1 m vs 33.4 m in ADAC), and it also goes 7/7 on dry braking. Add in consistently strong wet handling, generally better comfort/noise scores, and markedly better longevity where measured (e.g., 44,250 km vs 29,000 km in Auto Zeitung; 44,700 km vs 37,200 km in ADAC), and it's easy to see why it turns those strengths into 7/7 overall test wins in this head-to-head.
The Maxxis Premitra HP6 is still a credible option if your priorities are price, lower rolling resistance, and a more eager dry-handling feel. It wins rolling resistance in most shared tests (4 category wins) and can be very quick on a dry lap (including a dry handling win in two of the tests). The trade-off is that it's more variable in wet confidence and, in several tests, notably weaker in standing water/aquaplaning behavior and limit predictability-exactly the areas where the Continental builds “easy safety.” Practical takeaway: if you regularly drive in heavy rain, on motorways, or want the most dependable emergency braking, the Continental is the safer, longer-lasting choice; the Maxxis makes sense mainly as a value-leaning tire for drivers who prioritize efficiency and crisp dry responses and don't often encounter deep water at speed.
PremiumContact 7 vs Premitra HP6: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Maxxis Premitra HP6 the better tire?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 7 times and the Premitra HP6 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Premitra HP6 8.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the Premitra HP6?
The PremiumContact 7 led 28 of the 30 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 8.1% shorter in the wet across 7 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 12 of the 15 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.5% shorter in the dry across 7 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The PremiumContact 7 lasted 36.4% longer in the wear tests (2 tests); the Premitra HP6 had 9% lower rolling resistance (4 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 6/10 for the Premitra HP6.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 7.3/10 for the Premitra HP6.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Premitra HP6 65% from 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tire in 5 of them, by 38.1% 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 Premitra HP6 in 56 (15 to 18 inch). 29 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 Premitra HP6 A and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Premitra HP6 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2024, 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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