Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
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 WinterContact TS 870 | seven | |
| Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | one | |
| one draws in one tests | ||
While it might look like the Continental WinterContact TS 870 is better than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 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 grip and aquaplaning resistance (often 8-10% advantage)
- Short, consistent braking across dry, wet, and ice
- Low noise with high overall comfort
- Multiple overall test wins indicating balanced all-round performance
- Strong snow performance (traction/handling frequently ahead or equal)
- High predicted mileage and low wear
- Lower rolling resistance and good fuel efficiency
- Better purchase price/value in several tests
Dry Braking
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 2.82% less distance than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 1.64% faster around a lap than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 1.23% less distance than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 7.67% less distance than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.34% faster around a wet lap than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.24% faster around a wet circle than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 floated at a 8.3% higher speed than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 slipped out at a 5.92% higher speed than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during three snow braking tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 0.54% less distance than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Snow Braking: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during three snow traction tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 had 0.9% better snow traction than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Snow Traction: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.85% faster around a lap than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was 0.91% faster through a slalom than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Snow Slalom: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two ice braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle 5.97% shorter than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Ice Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during four noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 measured 2.53% quieter than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wear tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 is predicted to cover 1.8% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Wear: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one value tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 proved to have a 3.72% better value based on price/1000km than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Value: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during two price tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 cost 8.23% less than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Price: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 had a 3.55% lower rolling resistance than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 used 1.85% less fuel than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 emitted 1.61% less particle wear matter than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Abrasion: Dunlop Winter Sport 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Continental WinterContact TS 870 Driver Reviews
Drivers of the Continental WinterContact TS 870 overwhelmingly praise its exceptional wet grip and braking, superb aquaplaning resistance, and confident dry-road handling for a winter tire. Comfort and low noise are frequently highlighted, and many report strong traction in fresh or soft snow. A minority note that traction can be weaker on hard-packed snow or ice-particularly on steep hills or heavier vehicles-compared to expectations. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with most users feeling safe and confident in varied winter conditions.
Based on 22 reviews with an average rating of 84%
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 for outstanding snow and ice traction, strong wet grip in cold conditions, predictable handling, good comfort/low noise (for a winter tire), and excellent tread life. A minority report softer sidewalls and reduced dry performance or understeer as temperatures rise, with a few notes on noise increase over time and isolated quality/balance issues. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with most buyers willing to repurchase.
Based on 43 reviews with an average rating of 84%
Conclusion
Dunlop's Winter Sport 5 shines for value and ownership costs: higher predicted mileage, lower rolling resistance, competitive fuel use, and often the better purchase price. On snow it's frequently neck-and-neck or slightly ahead in traction and braking, and its aquaplaning resistance is solid, though usually a step behind the Continental. If you prioritize economy and frequent snow use over ultimate wet-road performance, the Dunlop remains a smart, confidence-inspiring choice.
Practical takeaway: Choose Continental for the safest all-rounder-especially where wet roads and slush dominate. Choose Dunlop to stretch your budget and mileage in colder, snow-reliable regions without giving up core winter security.
Key Differences
- Overall dominance: TS 870 wins 7 of 9 shared tests vs 1 for Winter Sport 5 (plus 1 draw)
- Wet safety: TS 870 repeatedly shorter wet braking (e.g., ADAC 2024 −5.7% to −7.7%) and higher aquaplaning limits (~+9-10%)
- Snow emphasis: Winter Sport 5 edges snow traction/braking in several tests; TS 870 often leads snow handling
- Ice braking: TS 870 consistently shorter (e.g., −8.5% ADAC 2024; −3.5% ADAC 2023)
- Ownership costs: Dunlop delivers higher mileage and lower price; TS 870 typically costs more
- Comfort/efficiency: TS 870 is quieter; Dunlop often posts slightly lower rolling resistance/fuel use
Overall Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 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 WinterContact TS 870 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 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.