Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Linglong Sport Master
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 71
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 75% · 14
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 7 times and the Sport Master twice. The PremiumContact 7 lasted 76.6% longer in the wear tests; the Sport Master stopped 0.8% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental PremiumContact 7 if you want the best all-round summer tire for daily driving with high safety margins, predictable handling, strong aquaplaning protection, and much lower long-term cost through significantly better wear and efficiency. Consider the Linglong Sport Master primarily if your priority is maximum wet braking performance per euro and you accept shorter tread life and a less forgiving handling/stability profile-especially in hot, demanding dry driving or abrupt evasive maneuvers.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Most consistently balanced performance across the full test envelope (regular top-10 finishes; ADAC winner in 2024 and 2026)
- Superior dry handling and controllability: wins dry handling 4-0 and leads subjective dry handling where measured (e.g., 9 vs 6 in Sport Auto 2026)
- Much stronger longevity and lower wear/abrasion (often ~60-100% higher predicted mileage than Linglong in shared tests)
Where the Sport Master is stronger
- Outstanding wet braking capability, including multiple test-leading results (e.g., 25.2 m vs 27.3 m in 2026 braking super test; 39.3 m wet braking in AutoBild 2026)
- Strong straight-line braking for the price: edges Continental in dry braking in most shared tests (5-4)
- Often lower external noise in the shared comparisons (noise wins 4-1, with several 1-3 dB advantages)
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 Sport Master at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Sport Master |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won9 shared tests | 7 | 2 | |
| Dry15 measurements | 10 | The PremiumContact 7 averaged a 1.2% higher speed on the dry handling course (4 tests) | 5 |
| Wet32 measurements | 19 | The PremiumContact 7 held 6.7% more grip in curved aquaplaning (6 tests) | 10 |
| Comfort8 measurements | 2 | The Sport Master was 0.9 dB quieter (5 tests) | 4 |
| Value14 measurements | 13 | The PremiumContact 7 lasted 76.6% longer in the wear tests (5 tests) | 0 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 0.6 | 8.9/10 |
| Owner rating71 and 14 reviews | 82% | The PremiumContact 7 by 7 points | 75% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The Sport Master by 5 points | 79% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | +76.6% | The PremiumContact 7 was dearer in 5 of 5 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 22 sizes made in both | 62 |
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 9 tests, 2023 to 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 | Sport Master |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test | P4 of 7 | P6 of 7 | |
| 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test | P6 of 20 | P16 of 20 | |
| 2026 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P1 of 16 | P16 of 16 | |
| 2026 Summer Braking Super Tire Test - How do 52 Tires Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? | P6 of 50 | P1 of 50 | |
| 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test | P4 of 20 | P11 of 20 | |
| 2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout | P8 of 52 | P5 of 52 | |
| 2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P1 of 16 | P15 of 16 | |
| 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test | P3 of 20 | P16 of 20 | |
| 2023 Summer Tire Market Overview | P5 of 50 | P7 of 50 |
Performance profile
16 measurements from the 9 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
PremiumContact 7
Sport Master
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. 2 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
PremiumContact 7
Sport Master
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
Sport Master
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Sport Master 75% from 14. 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 | Sport Master | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 113 | 0.3% | 114 | 4-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.3 | 1.2% | 69.4 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 30.8% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 109 | 0.8% | 108 | 3-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 110 | 3.4% | 114 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44.7 | 1.1% | 44.2 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 16.7% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 18.8 | 1.1% | 18.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 14.83 | 0.8% | 14.71 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 53.2 | 0.4% | 53 | 4-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 10.6 | 6.7% | 10 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.4% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.46 | 0.9 dB | 71.52 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 32,212 | 76.6% | 18,547 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.31 | 10.2% | 9.27 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.65 | 5% | 5.95 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 64.55 | 31% | 100.7 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,302 | 35.6% | 2,022 | 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 Sport Master 8.9 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Sport Master | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 86 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 94 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 70 | ||
| 67 | Value | 3 | ||
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 | Sport Master | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 7.7 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 7.9 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 6.6 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 7.4 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 7.1 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 8.1 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Sport Master 75% from 14. 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.
Linglong Sport Master
- 75%from 14 reviews
- 79%would buy again
- 130,544 milesdriven by reviewers
Most owners find the Linglong Sport Master offers strong dry and wet grip for the money, with several calling its braking particularly impressive for a budget tire. Value for money is a clear highlight, though overall sentiment is mixed-to-positive (7/10 positive reviews). The most common criticisms are a lack of progressive behavior at the limit and vague steering feel (raised by around one in three and around one in five owners respectively), with some also reporting higher road noise. Tread life feedback is split, with as many owners criticising wear as praising durability.
- Strong dry grip
- Good wet grip for a budget tire
- Very good dry braking
- Excellent value for money
- Not progressive at the limit; can understeer when pushed
- Vague or slow steering response
- Can be noisy
Summarised by AI from 10 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 14 Sport Master reviewsI literally dont have anything to complain about. For the price, I don't think you can get more value for your money.
Good grip, never had a slip, not in dry nor wet circumstances.
I've had tires that cost 3x more money that dont feel nowhere near as premium.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 56 sizes of the PremiumContact 7 and 62 of the Sport Master, 22 of them made in both.
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Sport Master |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch | 62 sizes, 16 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 22 sizes 205/55 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17235/45 R17225/40 R18and 10 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A90%B4%C3%D3% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B26% | C79%D13%B6%A3% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 68-72 dB A91%B9% |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2020 |
| 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 76.6% 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 fascinating “premium all-rounder vs budget headline-grip” matchup. The Continental PremiumContact 7 is a premium-touring summer tire designed to blend safety, comfort, and efficiency with strong dynamic ability. The Linglong Sport Master positions itself as a high-performance summer tire and, across multiple independent tests, repeatedly posts eye-catching braking numbers-often at a much lower purchase price.
Across 9 shared professional tests, the pattern is consistent: Linglong can match or beat premium brands in straight-line braking (especially wet), but Continental is the more complete tire when you include dry handling behavior, aquaplaning resilience, efficiency, and-crucially-wear. The result is that Continental tends to finish far higher overall (including ADAC wins), while Linglong's best moments come in braking-only comparisons and value-at-checkout conversations.
Conclusion
If you want the safest, most predictable tire across real-world scenarios, the Continental PremiumContact 7 is the clear pick. It dominates the categories that make a tire easy to live with and easy to drive fast: dry handling (4-0 in shared tests), strong wet handling, consistently better aquaplaning performance (curved aquaplaning wins 5-0), and markedly better efficiency and longevity. The wear gap is not subtle-examples include 56,350 km vs 35,570 km (AutoBild 2026), 44,700 km vs 26,100 km (ADAC 2026), and 46,250 km vs 22,570 km (Auto Bild 2025). That kind of difference changes the true cost of ownership and helps explain why the Continental regularly finishes near the top overall (e.g., 1st/16 ADAC 2026 and 1st/16 ADAC 2024), while Linglong can finish last (16th/16 ADAC 2026) despite great wet metrics.
The Linglong Sport Master is the “braking specialist” of this pair and it earns that reputation: it wins dry braking 5-4 and wet braking 5-3 across the shared set, including standout wet stops like 25.2 m vs 27.3 m in the 2026 braking super test, and a class-leading 39.3 m wet braking result in AutoBild 2026 (the only finalist under 40 m). The trade-off is that multiple test reports describe a narrower, less forgiving limit behavior (sluggish steering response, poorer stability in lane changes/evasive maneuvers), and its mileage/abrasion results are consistently weak-meaning the low purchase price can be offset by more frequent replacement and higher energy losses (rolling resistance typically higher than the Continental). The practical takeaway: Linglong can deliver impressive emergency-stop numbers for the money, but Continental is the tire you'd choose when you care about the full envelope-especially stability, wet safety margins beyond braking, and long-term costs.
PremiumContact 7 vs Sport Master: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Linglong Sport Master the better tire?
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 7 times and the Sport Master twice. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Sport Master 8.9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the Sport Master?
The PremiumContact 7 led 19 of the 32 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 6.7% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 6 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 10 of the 15 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 1.2% higher speed on the dry handling course across 4 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The PremiumContact 7 lasted 76.6% longer in the wear tests (5 tests), had 10.2% lower rolling resistance (4 tests), used 5% less fuel (2 tests) and shed 31% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 7.1/10 for the Sport Master.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Sport Master was 0.9 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 8.1/10 for the Sport Master.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Sport Master 75% from 14. 74% of PremiumContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 79% for the Sport Master.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tire in 5 of them, by 76.6% 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 Sport Master in 62 (16 to 22 inch). 22 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 Sport Master A and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The PremiumContact 7 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2022, the Sport Master in 2020. 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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