The Continental Premium Contact 5 is a safe, well-balanced premium summer touring tire with a particularly strong reputation in the wet. It combines confident braking, secure grip and good aquaplaning resistance with a comfortable, refined ride. Its biggest drawback is longevity, with many drivers reporting fast wear and some loss of refinement and wet grip over time.
The quick answer
Owners say75%from 119 owner reviews57% would buy againRead the reviews
Strengths & weaknessesWet, ValueDryRelative to its rivals across every test we hold
Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tire - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated March 2026.
In 195/65 R15, the Continental Premium Contact 5 is projected to cost €25.95 per 1,000 miles to buy and run - about €649 over 25,000 miles - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tire Test.
Tire purchase + fittingExtra fuel vs the most efficient tirecost per 1,000 miles
Assumes a typical car doing 29 mpg (rolling resistance causing 20% of fuel use), fuel at €6.25 per gallon and €70 fitting per set of four. Purchase prices are from the time of the 2018 test; financing costs are excluded.
How good is the Continental Premium Contact 5 in the wet?
Across the 5 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Continental Premium Contact 5 stops 0.7% longer than premium rivals, 4.3% shorter than mid-range rivals and 9.7% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews wet score of 73/100, and owners rate it 8.3/10 in the wet from 119 reviews.
How good is the Continental Premium Contact 5 in the dry?
Across the 5 dry-braking tests it has featured in, the Continental Premium Contact 5 stops 0.6% shorter than premium rivals, 4.2% shorter than mid-range rivals and 12.4% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews dry score of 47/100, and owners rate it 8.7/10 in the dry from 119 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Continental Premium Contact 5?
Across the 4 tests measuring rolling resistance, the Continental Premium Contact 5's rolling resistance is 4.5% higher than premium rivals, 3.7% lower than mid-range rivals and 5.4% higher than budget rivals.
How many miles does the Continental Premium Contact 5 last?
Based on test and owner data, the Continental Premium Contact 5 is expected to last around 24,161 miles (38,883 km).
What do owners say about the Continental Premium Contact 5?
Across 119 owner ratings the Continental Premium Contact 5 averages 75%. Owners rate Dry Grip highest at 8.7 out of 10 and Wear lowest at 5.8. 49 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 68% of owners score it 70% or better.
More questions about the Continental Premium Contact 5(11)
How much does the Continental Premium Contact 5 cost to run?
In 195/65 R15, the Continental Premium Contact 5 is projected to cost €25.95 per 1,000 miles to buy and run - about €649 over 25,000 miles - based on the price, wear and rolling resistance measured in the 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tire Test. The cheapest to run in that test is the Bridgestone Turanza T005, at €18.23.
What is the Continental Premium Contact 5's EU tire label rating?
Across its range, the Continental Premium Contact 5 most commonly carries EU label ratings of C for fuel efficiency, A for wet grip and 71 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Continental Premium Contact 5?
Owners rate the Continental Premium Contact 5 7.9 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 101 reviews.
How well do the Continental Premium Contact 5 wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Continental Premium Contact 5 5.8 out of 10 for wear across 101 reviews. 49 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 10,000 miles.
Would owners buy the Continental Premium Contact 5 again?
57% of owners say they would buy the Continental Premium Contact 5 again, based on the 117 owner reviews that answered the question. 21% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What do owners say about the Continental Premium Contact 5's dry grip?
Of the 99 owner reviews analyzed for the Continental Premium Contact 5, 59 mention dry grip: 52 praise it (strong dry grip) and 7 criticise it (limited dry grip). One owner wrote: "Very good dry and wet grip and braking". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Continental Premium Contact 5's tread life?
Of the 99 owner reviews analyzed for the Continental Premium Contact 5, 55 mention tread life: 15 praise it (long-lasting) and 40 criticise it (wears quickly). One owner wrote: "If it wasn't for the minimal mileage - 12,000miles (18,000km) and they are done". Read those reviews
What do owners say about the Continental Premium Contact 5's wet grip?
Of the 99 owner reviews analyzed for the Continental Premium Contact 5, 51 mention wet grip: 43 praise it (confident wet grip) and 8 criticise it (weak wet grip). Read those reviews
What does the Continental Premium Contact 5 replace?
Questions and Answers for the Continental Premium Contact 5
Is there any difference between Continental Premium Contact 5 205/55/16 91V and 205/55/16 91H ? Show moreIs there any difference between Continental Premium Contact 5 205/55/16 91V and 205/55/16 91H ?
Also why's there more than one 205/55/16 91V tire for the same manufacturer ? Show less
November 4, 2018
There might be some construction differences in order for the V rated tire to have the higher rating. Sometimes there is more than one option due to OE specific fitments or an updated version of the tire with a newer part number.
Show all questions(3)
Just noticed on my Premcontact 5's that there are several "TWI" and "x" markings on the circumference of the sidewall. Show moreJust noticed on my Premcontact 5's that there are several "TWI" and "x" markings on the circumference of the sidewall. These mark the levels of the 1.6 mm TWI bars and another higher bar respectively. I am now down to the "higher" bar and have around 2.5 mm of tread left. Can't find info as to what these secondary "x" markings signify but seems to be a secondary TWI perhaps set at 2.6 mm or even 3 mm. Anyone know about this and what the depth is?? Show less
September 2, 2018
I don't know officially but I know Continental do recommend changing tires at 3mm due to the reduction in aquaplaning resistance so it would make sense it's somewhere around this depth.
Why does the Continental Premium Contact 5 have a different tire label rating in the size 195/50r15 when compared to more popular/conventional sizes? Show moreWhy does the Continental Premium Contact 5 have a different tire label rating in the size 195/50r15 when compared to more popular/conventional sizes? Is this an indication that in the less popular size 195/50r15 continental are supplying the last generation tire? I recall that the previous generation tire did not rate so well in Autoexpress's 2016 summer tire test. Show less
May 26, 2018
The tire manufacturers update their patterns in staged rollouts. Like you suggest, it's most likely the fact the 195/50 R15 is a low volume size and hasn't had the latest updates the more popular sizes have had.
Across 101 reviews, the Continental PremiumContact 5 is most often described as a safe, confidence-inspiring summer tire with strong wet and dry grip and very good braking performance. Many drivers also praise its comfort and generally low-to-moderate noise levels when new. The dominant recurring complaint is rapid tread wear/short lifespan, and a notable minority report soft sidewalls or vague steering/feedback (sometimes described as a “floating” feel), with some also noting increased noise and reduced wet grip as the tire wears.
What owners mention most counted across 99 reviews
Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.
Owner ratings averaged from 119 ratings
Owner score75%
Dry Grip87%
Wet Grip83%
Comfort79%
Handling77%
Road Feedback76%
Wear58%
Featured reviews
Most helpful 46%
“Original Equipment on all Kia Stonic models since 2017. Mine is a 2021 Stonic with a mild hybrid engine, but I mostly drive on Eco mode so acceleration is very gentle even with a heavy foot. I have done just under 2,500...”
“Like driving on ice. I can not imagine worst tire than this one. I have them for about 2000km and I am thinking of replacement, or asking my dealer to change them for Michelin, if possible. The sidewalls are so soft...”
“I had two set of these at my golf, and have driven 170000km with two sets together. If you have enough money this tires are the best what you can wish from your tires at dry or wet road. You cannot get bad tires at...”
Wet and Dry grip is not noticeable, very well made tire for the price. Too much negative understeer and swinging on the road. Feels like I'm driving on an air bubble, won't buy this ture again.
+:
1)Komfort
1)Soft
2)Road Grip
3)Braking distances
4)All is well in the wet
5)A little better for premium.
////
-:
1)Noisy
2)Easy to cut
3)swinging
4)easily deformed
5)no choice R17-R18
Original Equipment on all Kia Stonic models since 2017.
Mine is a 2021 Stonic with a mild hybrid engine, but I mostly drive on Eco mode so acceleration is very gentle even with a heavy foot.
I have done just under 2,500 miles with these and they reminded me immediately of the old Bridgestone RE040 I had as OE on my Mazda RX-8 over 16 years ago now... really precise and quick to respond in the dry and when up to temperature (track days were fun) but a deadly on cold and wet tarmac.
The OW Conti Premium Contact 5 lose grip suddenly under braking, without warning. The ABS in particular struggles to keep them from skidding even at low speeds. They feel skittish in all but the driest of conditions.
The ride is also uncomfortable compared to softer compound tires, as you would expect from a tire that was probably not really meant for this car, yet it's original equipment.
I am so unhappy with them that I have already purchased a suitable replacement thanks to reviews from other Stonic owners.
These are great tires and made me feel safe and comfortable driving in any weather conditions here in Western Australia. Driving in the heavy winter rain is often challenging, and the summer sun makes the tarmac extremely hot and tough on any rubber. If it wasn't for the minimal mileage - 12,000miles (18,000km) and they are done - I would undoubtedly fit them again on my CR-V. My next set will be again a Continental, but I will test a set of UltraContact UC6.
I am already at the second set of CPC5, I took the first set in 2015 and they lasted 4 years and about 40k km. I have never been disappointed by them regardless of the road and abuse :)
I recommend them with confidence to those who want to go on a well-established model that offers you security and a smile on your face when necessary.
2nd set of conti`s i bought for this car. I choose with conti seal because my Nissan doesn´t have a spare tire. Very strong tires, good for SUV. You forget the price you paid on the first emergency brake...
This is a review after 25kkm and 2 years of usage. I feel that after front had worn down to 5mm (4,8mm to be exact) and rear to 7mm (6,6mm to be exact) I can submit a good mid-life review. I believe these tires will be rotated next year and worn down to 3mm. I'll provide and end-use unless they get trashed before that.
Short version of this review? These are the worst summer tires I have ever used. Period. They are worse than 8-year old 5mm used Fulda's I bought second-hand in 2009.
They offered poor grip even when they were new, but with time their grip is getting even worse. These tires had been the factory fit for Kia Stonic. Maybe normal non-OEM are better but with a brand like Continental this should not be. Driving in wet conditions is straight-on dangerous. I am keeping extra distance, and get skidding on basically most cornering. Braking? Forget about it. I never, ever had a car that had constantly had ABS go off. Even with very, very worn used old tires!
And I am driving less intensively in Stonic then with other cars - just because I know the grip is so lacking and the car is outrageously noisy at higher speeds (engine noise). In dry conditions these tires provide adequate grip only with sun-heated asphalt. With September colder weather the dry grip deteriorated - at 13 degrees Celsius in the morning. Basically I will have to rotate to winter tires sooner than later, since I believe with colder weather their dry grip will be even worse.
Wear? Wear is outrageous. My driving style should bring the tires to wear down way slower. I have managed to get 110kkm out of Pirelli Cinturato P4 to 2,5-3mm thread and 60kkm out of Bridgestone ER300 to 4,5-5,5mm thread. Getting the mentioned wear in Continental tires is outrageous given that the Stonic has less HP and weight than other cars I used with the mentioned above tires. I drive mostly highways with little braking and stable speed to get the best mileage. I'd expect to be on the 6,5-7 mm at this level.
I provide good notes for handling and comfort. They are not noisy and in general the handling is OK. They are predictable when skidding, but honestly this might be the Kia TC kicking in - I see the light flicker every single day I drive this car. Because of poor grip I do sometimes feel that the car is floating like a hovercraft with wet braking.
Overall happy with the tires. Good grip in dry, excellent in the wet. Handling ok. Seem to be a bit more noisy when driving in the dry. Used all year on different types of roads, mostly motorways at moderate speed. Once, sometimes twice a year we drive on the German autobahn(2-4k miles) and only then the speeds are a bit higher. The pair at the front is worn down to the markers after 21k miles, the pair at the rear will last a bit longer. Firestones tz300 lasted 32k miles, however, weren't as good in the wet as the continentals.
