P5 of 11
Beat 60% of the field
Continental Premium Contact 5 Test Results
Tested 2012 to 2021
11 publications
Tested 36 times by independent publications, the Continental Premium Contact 5 has taken 10 test wins with an average finish of 4th. Its strongest discipline is Wet Braking, beating 68% of the field across 5 tests; its weakest is Noise, at 43% across 5 tests.
- 36Independent tests
- 10Test wins
- 22Podium finishes
- 4thAverage finish
- 80%Field beaten on average
- 11Publications
36 tests, 2012 to 2021
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 80%
Record by discipline
Where the Continental Premium Contact 5 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 5 | P6.8 of 13.6 | 54% | 1 |
| Dry Handling | 5 | P7.6 of 13.6 | 47% | - |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 1 | P8 of 11 | 30% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking Strong | 5 | P4.8 of 13.6 | 68% | - |
| Wet Handling | 5 | P5.6 of 13.6 | 62% | - |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 1 | P4 of 11 | 70% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 4 | P5.3 of 12.8 | 70% | 1 |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 1 | P9 of 9 | 0% | - |
| Snow Handling | 1 | P9 of 9 | 0% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 1 | P2 of 11 | 90% | - |
| Noise Weak | 5 | P7.2 of 13.6 | 43% | - |
| Tire Weight | 1 | P3 of 11 | 80% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 1 | P11 of 20 | 47% | - |
| Value | 1 | P15 of 20 | 26% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 4 | P7.5 of 12.8 | 50% | 1 |
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Continental Premium Contact 5. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
28 shared: 15 ahead, 13 behind
|
28 | 15 | 13 | - | 54% |
 Dunlop Sport BluResponse
23 shared: 16 ahead, 7 behind
|
23 | 16 | 7 | - | 70% |
 Vredestein Sportrac 5
22 shared: 18 ahead, 4 behind
|
22 | 18 | 4 | - | 82% |
 Bridgestone Turanza T001
17 shared: 15 ahead, 1 behind
|
17 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 94% |
 Nokian Line
15 shared: 13 ahead, 2 behind
|
15 | 13 | 2 | - | 87% |
 Fulda EcoControl HP
15 shared: 12 ahead, 3 behind
|
15 | 12 | 3 | - | 80% |
 Michelin Energy Saver+
12 shared: 10 ahead, 2 behind
|
12 | 10 | 2 | - | 83% |
 Michelin Primacy 3
12 shared: 8 ahead, 4 behind
|
12 | 8 | 4 | - | 67% |
 Hankook K425 Kinergy Eco
11 shared: 10 ahead, 1 behind
|
11 | 10 | 1 | - | 91% |
 Apollo Alnac 4g
10 shared: 10 ahead, 0 behind
|
10 | 10 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue
10 shared: 6 ahead, 4 behind
|
10 | 6 | 4 | - | 60% |
 Pirelli Cinturato P1 Verde
10 shared: 5 ahead, 5 behind
|
10 | 5 | 5 | - | 50% |
 Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
10 shared: 5 ahead, 5 behind
|
10 | 5 | 5 | - | 50% |
 Nexen N Blue HD+
9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind
|
9 | 9 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7
9 shared: 7 ahead, 2 behind
|
9 | 7 | 2 | - | 78% |
 Hankook Ventus Prime2
9 shared: 7 ahead, 2 behind
|
9 | 7 | 2 | - | 78% |
 Sava intensa hp
8 shared: 8 ahead, 0 behind
|
8 | 8 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Semperit Comfort Life 2
8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind
|
8 | 7 | 1 | - | 88% |
 Kleber Dynaxer HP 3
8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind
|
8 | 7 | 1 | - | 88% |
 Toyo Proxes CF2
8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind
|
8 | 7 | 1 | - | 88% |
Against its own line
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental Premium Contact 2 Predecessor | 9 | 3 | 4th | 63% |
| Continental Premium Contact 5 This tire | 36 | 10 | 4th | 80% |
| Continental Premium Contact 6 Successor | 60 | 19 | 3rd | 75% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 36 tests. Updated September 18, 2025.
Across 36 tests the Continental PremiumContact 5 delivers consistently strong summer performance with an average overall position of 3.6 and multiple overall wins. It excels especially in wet conditions and balanced all-round ability, earning frequent top-three finishes and several test victories from 2012-2017, plus strong showings in large comparison fields. As the tire aged, results trended from dominant to solid mid-upper tier, particularly when compared to newer rivals or in SUV sizes.
Key strengths are wet grip and aquaplaning resistance, with competent dry performance and past accolades for overall balance and efficiency. Main weaknesses are snow performance (as a summer tire in mixed tests), some dry braking/handling variability in later tests and sizes, elevated pricing/value scores, and occasionally higher rolling resistance and noise versus the best.
Performance Strengths
-
Wet Weather Performance
Strong
Details
- 2017 ACE SUV test winner; dominated wet and dry (1/11)
- 2019 AMS SUV: 3rd wet braking (+1.4%), 4th wet handling (+2.2%)
- 2018 Auto Bild 195/65 R15: 5th wet braking (+5%), 6th wet handling (+2.6%)
- 2013 54-tire braking test: best in wet at 42 m; overall 6/54
-
Aquaplaning Resistance
Strong
in 5 of 21 tests
Details
- 2019 AMS SUV: 1st straight aquaplaning (80.5 km/h, 1/11)
- 2018 AMS All Season mixed test: 2nd straight aquaplaning (+5.9% from best)
- 2018 Auto Bild 195/65 R15: competitive straight aqua (12/20, +6% from best) amid strong overall result (2/20)
high aquaplaning resistance
- 2019 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test (2019)High resistance to aquaplaning
- 2015 Test World Summer Tire Test (2015)good margin against aquaplaning
- 2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Summer Tire Test (2015)scored highly in the aquaplaning tests
- 2014 Auto Express Summer Tire Test (2014)Strongest aquaplaning result
- 2013 Test World Summer Tire Test (2013)
-
Overall Balance and Awards
Strong
Details
- Overall wins: 2012 ACE (1/14), 2012 Euro 205/55 R16 (1/14), 2014 AMS (1/11), 2014 Test World (1/16), 2014 Auto Review (1/16), 2015 Test World (1/15), 2015 Auto Bild Top 18 (1/18), 2017 Auto Express (1/11), 2017 ACE SUV (1/11)
- Frequent top-3 finishes: 2016 ADAC 185/65 R15 (2/16), 2018 ADAC 205/55 R16 (3/16), 2015 Euro 205/55 R16 (3/19)
-
Dry Performance (Braking/Handling) - Early to Mid Lifecycle
Moderate
Details
- 2018 AMS All Season mixed test: 1st dry braking; 2nd dry handling (+0.7%)
- 2014 AMS 205/55 R16: overall 1/11 with strong dry and wet balance
- 2017 Auto Express: overall winner with balanced dry/wet margin (~5% gap to rivals)
-
Comfort/Subjective Feel
Moderate
Details
- 2019 AMS SUV: 2nd subjective comfort (9 pts, +10% from best)
- 2015 Auto Bild Top 18: overall and eco winner, indicating refined NVH/efficiency balance
-
Wet handling
Strong
in 13 of 21 tests
Details
Safe handling balance in the dry and wet
- 2021 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test (2021)Good steering and balance in the wet, short wet and dry braking. Quiet
- 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tire Test (2018)Excellent handling and driving stability on a wet surface
- 2017 AZ Summer Tire Test (2017)Very balanced tire, top marks in the wet. Good in the dry
- 2017 ADAC 195/65 R15 Summer Tire Test (2017)good handling on wet surfaces
- 2016 AutoBild Summer Tire Test (2016)
-
Wet grip
Strong
in 9 of 21 tests
Details
especially good in the wet
- 2018 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2018)Quiet and comfortable, best in the dry and strong in the wet
- 2018 AMS All Season Tire Test (2018)top marks in the wet
- 2017 ADAC 195/65 R15 Summer Tire Test (2017)top marks in the wet
- 2015 European Tire Test 185/60R14 (2015)Equally good grip and handling in all conditions
- 2015 Test World Summer Tire Test (2015)
-
Dry handling
Strong
in 8 of 21 tests
Details
Safe handling balance in the dry and wet
- 2021 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test (2021)good feedback and lateral stability on dry roads
- 2017 AZ Summer Tire Test (2017)In the dry they behave confidently, quickly reacting to input and maintaining traction in emergency maneuvers
- 2015 Test World Summer Tire Test (2015)safe handling
- 2015 Auto Bild 215/55 R16 Technical Tire Test (2015)Very balanced tire
- 2015 European Tire Test 185/60R14 (2015)
-
Rolling resistance
Strong
in 7 of 21 tests
Details
top fuel consumption
- 2018 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2018)low rolling resistance
- 2016 AutoBild Summer Tire Test (2016)extremely low rolling resistance
- 2013 Auto Zeitung Summer Tire Test (2013)low fuel consumption
- 2013 European Summer Touring Tire Test (2013)Rolling resistance is good, but not as good as the best tires on test
- 2013 Test World Summer Tire Test (2013)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Dry Braking/Handling Variability (Later Tests/SUV sizes)
Strong
Details
- 2019 AMS SUV: 10th dry braking (+8.6%), 10th dry handling (+1.3%)
- 2018 Auto Navigator 205/55 R16: 10th dry braking (+9.3%), 10th dry handling (+11.6%)
- 2021 Sport Auto 195/55 R16: 6th dry braking (+5.3%), 8th dry handling (+1.4%)
-
Noise and Rolling Resistance
Moderate
Details
- 2019 AMS SUV: noise 10/11 (+4.1%), rolling resistance 9/11 (+15.8%)
- 2018 Auto Bild 195/65 R15: rolling resistance 14/20 (+29.4%), noise 7/20 (+1.4%)
- 2021 Sport Auto: rolling resistance 6/11 (+7.9%), noise 6/11 (+1.3%)
-
Value/Pricing
Moderate
Details
- 2018 Auto Bild 195/65 R15: value 15/20 (+67.3% from best), price 18/20 (+38.9%)
- 2021 Sport Auto: price 7/11 (+26.2%)
-
Snow Performance (Out-of-scope for Summer Tire)
Minor
Details
- 2018 AMS All Season mixed test: 9/9 snow braking (+85.6%), 9/9 snow handling (+85.7%)
-
Durability/Anomalies
Minor
Details
- 2015 Auto Bild 215/55 R16 technical test: tire started falling apart after three laps of final dry handling
-
Behavior at the limit
Moderate
in 2 of 21 tests
Details
high levels of understeer in the dry
- 2019 AMS Summer SUV Tire Test (2019)Low load change sensitivity
- 2014 AMS Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2014)
-
Tread life
Moderate
in 2 of 21 tests
Details
Very poor wear during dry track laps
- 2015 Auto Bild 215/55 R16 Technical Tire Test (2015)after six fastest laps shoulder area of the tread was worn more than the competitors tires
- 2014 Auto Review Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2014)
-
Snow traction
Minor
in 1 of 21 tests
Details
No winter performance
- 2018 AMS All Season Tire Test (2018)
Do owners agree with the tests?
Every tester write-up on the Continental Premium Contact 5 (21 tests) and 99 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
- Wet grip strength in 9 of 21 tests 43 praise, 8 criticise of 99 reviews · Read those reviews
- Dry grip strength in 5 of 21 tests 52 praise, 7 criticise of 99 reviews · Read those reviews
- Road noise strength in 5 of 21 tests 24 praise, 11 criticise of 99 reviews · Read those reviews
- Ride comfort strength in 5 of 21 tests 27 praise, 5 criticise of 99 reviews · Read those reviews
- High-speed stability strength in 1 of 21 tests 3 praise, 0 criticise of 99 reviews · Read those reviews
Where they disagree
- Steering feel strength in 7 of 21 tests 5 praise, 13 criticise of 99 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire
- Sidewall stiffness no test mentions it 0 praise, 9 criticise of 99 reviews · Read those reviews
- Performance when worn no test mentions it 1 praise, 7 criticise of 99 reviews · Read those reviews
Every test, newest first 36
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2021 1 test
2019 2 tests
P7 of 11
Beat 40% of the field
P9 of 16
Beat 47% of the field
2018 6 tests
P6 of 9
Beat 13% of the field
P7 of 16
Beat 54% of the field
P2 of 20
Beat 95% of the field
P5 of 51
Beat 91% of the field
P9 of 14
Beat 38% of the field
P3 of 16
Beat 87% of the field
2017 4 tests
P1 of 11
Beat 100% of the field
P1 of 11
Beat 100% of the field
P2 of 10
Beat 89% of the field
P3 of 16
Beat 87% of the field
2016 3 tests
P3 of 15
Beat 86% of the field
2016 AutoBild Summer Tire Test
Exemplary
P8 of 50
Beat 84% of the field
P2 of 16
Beat 93% of the field
2015 7 tests
P4 of 10
Beat 67% of the field
P1 of 18
Beat 100% of the field
P1 of 15
Beat 100% of the field
2015 Test World Summer Tire Test
The Continental Premium Contact 5 provides good grip in all conditions. In the wet handling is very stable with no surprises. High resistance to aquaplaning and short braking distance. In the dry they behave confidently, quickly reacting to input and maintaining traction in emergency maneuvers. Very quiet, but have too high a rolling resistance.
P2 of 54
Beat 98% of the field
P1 of 16
Beat 100% of the field
P3 of 19
Beat 89% of the field
P2 of 12
Beat 91% of the field
2014 5 tests
P5 of 10
Beat 56% of the field
2014 Auto Express Summer Tire Test
An unusually average result for Continental, with it's usual strengths, wet and dry braking, finishing eigth and seventh respectively. It performed better in both wet and dry handling tests, offering good grip and a secure feel and scored highly in the aquaplaning tests. Last in cabin noise.
P1 of 16
Beat 100% of the field
2014 Auto Review Summer Tire Test - 205/55 R16
Unconditional victory for all test on the road! On the winding roads - they have the perfect balance between grip and drift, and they start sliding in a soft, easily predictable manner. Rain tires? Not quite: in heavy rain, they will "float" on the puddles slightly before other tires. And on dry roads - the shortest braking distance and excellent comfort: this is the quietest and softest tires in our test. But on the track dry handling this softness was to the detriment of car agility. Moreover, after six fastest laps shoulder area of the tread was worn more than the competitors tires. Lovely tires for normal operating conditions. And for track days is better to choose something else.
P1 of 11
Beat 100% of the field
P13 of 17
Beat 25% of the field
P1 of 16
Beat 100% of the field
2014 Test World Summer Tire Test
The Continental Premium Contact 5 provides excellent grip and optimal handling in bad weather. They are very accurate tires with good steering response and good stability at the limit. They are also very quiet and comfortable. The Continental is almost the ideal tire for all conditions, with only a high rolling resistance letting them down
2013 5 tests
P2 of 13
Beat 92% of the field
2013 Test World Summer Tire Test
The Premium Contact 5 earnt praise for its stable reaction during emergency maneuvers in the wet, but it was noted the rear was slightly unstable in the dry. Strongest aquaplaning result and the tire has a quiet and comfortable ride. Rolling resistance is good, but not as good as the best tires on test. The main drawback, long braking on dry roads.
P3 of 12
Beat 82% of the field
2013 Auto Zeitung Summer Tire Test
While the Premium Contact 5 isn't the fastest tire in the dry or wet, it does provide a good all round ability with an extremely low rolling resistance
P6 of 54
Beat 91% of the field
P2 of 19
Beat 94% of the field
P4 of 16
Beat 80% of the field
2012 3 tests
P4 of 9
Beat 63% of the field
P1 of 15
Beat 100% of the field
P1 of 15
Beat 100% of the field
Back to the Continental Premium Contact 5 overview
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Continental tires