Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
What makes this head-to-head especially useful is the consistency of the test pattern across multiple sizes and publications: the PremiumContact 7 is almost always ahead where it matters most for accident avoidance (especially wet braking and wet control), whereas the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN's strongest arguments are rolling resistance (fuel/EV range) and aquaplaning resilience in certain scenarios, plus a typically lower cost per performance point.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been nine tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental PremiumContact 7 | eight | |
| Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN | one |
While it might look like the Continental PremiumContact 7 is better than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Key Strengths
- Class-leading wet braking consistency (wins 9/9 shared wet-braking results; often ~8-14% shorter stopping distances, e.g., 53.2 m vs 60.9 m in Auto Zeitung)
- Very balanced handling character with high control at the limit; typically ahead in dry and wet handling metrics and subjective safety/precision feedback
- Stronger longevity and environmental metrics where measured (e.g., ADAC wear 44,700 km vs 36,700 km; EV test 40,890 km vs 28,510 km; lower abrasion 69 vs 95 mg/km/t in ADAC)
- Competitive comfort and refinement for a high-grip tire (often better comfort scores and similar-to-lower noise, though some tests note slightly elevated pass-by/rolling noise)
- Lower rolling resistance / higher efficiency (wins rolling resistance in 6 shared measurements; frequently ~4-14% lower, benefiting fuel economy/EV range)
- Strong aquaplaning credentials in several tests, including standout curved/lateral aquaplaning wins (e.g., Sport Auto curved aquaplaning; EV test best in straight and curved aquaplaning)
- Good price-performance/value positioning in some tests (e.g., Auto Zeitung value metric favours Firestone; described as a price-performance pick)
- Generally predictable, benign behaviour when driven within limits (multiple reports describe it as safe/easy, even if not the most precise)
Dry Braking
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during eight dry braking tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 3.04% less distance than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 0.84% faster around a lap than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 1.95% faster around a lap than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 scored 1.67% more points than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during nine wet braking tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 8.98% less distance than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 12.97% less distance than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during four wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 1.14% faster around a wet lap than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 2.46% faster around a wet lap than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 scored 3.82% more points than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 had 0.83% higher lateral wet grip than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN floated at a 1.21% higher speed than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Straight Aqua: Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 slipped out at a 1.51% higher speed than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three subj. comfort tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 scored 4.57% more points than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 scored 2.5% more points than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Subj. Noise: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three noise tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 measured 0.44% quieter than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Noise: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 and Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN performed equally well in noise tests.
Best In Noise: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three wear tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 is predicted to cover 18.97% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Wear: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN was better during one value tests. On average the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN proved to have a 7.18% better value based on price/1000km than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Value: Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN was better during six rolling resistance tests. On average the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN had a 8.86% lower rolling resistance than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 used 5.26% less fuel than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Range
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN was better during one range tests. On average the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN gives the vehicle a range of 2.33% kilometers than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Range: Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
See how the Range winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 emitted 27.37% less particle wear matter than the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Best In Abrasion: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Continental PremiumContact 7 Driver Reviews
Drivers generally rate the Continental PremiumContact 7 very highly for strong dry and especially wet grip, confident braking, and stable, planted handling that makes the car feel secure at speed. The most consistent drawbacks are higher-than-expected road noise (particularly on rough asphalt) and a softer sidewall feel that can reduce steering precision for some drivers. A meaningful minority also report faster wear than expected or a noticeable performance drop (especially in the wet) once tread depth gets lower, suggesting it prioritizes grip over ultimate longevity.
Based on 50 reviews with an average rating of 83%
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN Driver Reviews
Drivers rate the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN very highly overall, describing it as a premium-feeling touring tire at a mid-range price with strong safety and predictability. The most consistent praise is for confident wet-weather grip (including heavy rain/highway use), stable dry handling, and a comfortable ride, with many also highlighting excellent rim protection. Noise is the main recurring drawback, often described as surface-dependent and sometimes more noticeable around 50-60 km/h, though several users still find it quiet.
Based on 10 reviews with an average rating of 88%
Conclusion
The Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN's case is narrower but still real: it repeatedly posts lower rolling resistance (it wins rolling resistance 6/6 where measured), which can translate to lower fuel use or slightly improved EV range (e.g., EV test range impact 352.6 km vs 344.4 km). It can also be very strong in aquaplaning-occasionally best-in-test laterally/curved, and it frequently trades punches in straight-line aquaplaning. The practical takeaway: if you want the strongest all-weather summer safety net with strong wear and broadly top-tier test results, the PremiumContact 7 is the smarter pick; if your priority is efficiency/value and you drive conservatively (and accept longer wet stopping distances), the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN can make sense.
Key Differences
- Wet braking is the decisive separator: PremiumContact 7 wins 9/9 wet-braking comparisons, often by large real-world margins (e.g., 33.3 m vs 38.3 m; 53.2 m vs 60.9 m).
- Efficiency flips the script: Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN repeatedly delivers lower rolling resistance (6/6 wins), supporting fuel savings and slightly better EV range in the EV test (352.6 km vs 344.4 km).
- Steering precision and handling confidence generally favour Continental; Firestone is often described as less precise/impressive in feedback, with occasional notes of sluggishness or limited reserves-especially in more performance-oriented tests.
- Aquaplaning performance is mixed: Firestone can be excellent (and sometimes best) in straight/curved aquaplaning, but it is not consistently superior in every test; Continental is more uniformly “good in both directions.”
- Wear/longevity tends to favour Continental by a meaningful margin where measured (e.g., +21.8% in ADAC; +43% in the EV test), which can materially change total cost of ownership.
- Overall standings reflect the pattern: Continental places at or near the top repeatedly (including multiple test wins), while Firestone ranges from mid-pack to last depending on test emphasis, with wet braking and precision being the usual limiting factors.
Overall Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental PremiumContact 7 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Continental PremiumContact 7 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.