Continental PremiumContact 7 Test Results

The Continental PremiumContact 7 is beaten but not embarrassed, losing the overall win by the narrowest of margins while still owning the single most important test in the programme. It is the tire to buy if wet braking is the thing you care about above all else, and its dry performance and refinement are close to the best here too. The aquaplaning results are the caveat, and they are the main reason a newer rival got past it.

The Continental PremiumContact 7 delivers strong performance across all tests on both wet and dry surfaces. It offers stable handling and very good grip in corners, with short braking distances regardless of conditions. It also scores highest for lateral aquaplaning resistance. The main weakness is average rolling resistance, which could affect fuel consumption.

Continental PremiumContact 7 is the most balanced tire in the test, sitting right in the middle between sport and comfort. It delivers high steering precision, quick turn-in response, safe balance, and low sensitivity to weight transfer, all paired with pleasant ride comfort. Aquaplaning protection is good in both directions. It has no major weaknesses, but equally no single standout result - it does everything well without excelling in any one area. Pass-by noise is slightly elevated.

Continental PremiumContact 7 takes the overall win with the best balance of properties across all tests. The character leans sporty with sharp steering response, yet the tire stays calm and predictable when pushed to the limit, remaining easy to control in emergency maneuvers. Straight-line stability and everyday driving feel are good. It delivers the shortest stopping distances on both wet and dry surfaces. The main trade-off is ride comfort, which is on the firm side. Noise levels are surprisingly low, especially on coarse surfaces where it is the quietest in the group.

The Continental PremiumContact 7 finishes sixth with a balanced all-round profile across wet and dry tests. Wet handling and braking are both strong, and dry braking is competitive. Tread wear after 2,485 miles is one of the lowest in the test, which contributes to longevity. The main downside is the highest purchase price of any tire in the test.

The Continental PremiumContact 7 finished a joint test winner with the Pirelli Cinturato C3. The PC7 set the quickest wet handling time and was also 1st on the wet circle, while staying very close to the best in wet braking and near the top for curved aquaplaning. Dry results were still competitive, but it only managed 4th in dry handling and my notes describe a safe balance without the body control of the more enthusiast-focused tires. Comfort was solid rather than standout, and rolling resistance sat towards the back of the group.

The PremiumContact 7 was the clear test winner. ADAC praise its “balanced” performance: it offers the best safety on dry and wet roads, high reserves in the limit range and short braking distances, while also delivering high efficiency and long life. It gives a precise steering response and high grip on dry pavement, making the car easy to control even at the limit. On wet roads it delivers very short braking distances and secure, easily controlled handling; aquaplaning behavior is judged good in both directions. The environmental balance is also good thanks to high predicted mileage, low abrasion and good efficiency, although the rolling noise is slightly above average.

The Continental Premium Contact 7 is the clear winner of this test, and its advantage comes mainly from wet performance. It collects the highest scores in almost every wet test, including the shortest wet braking distance, the fastest wet handling lap, and the best subjective safety rating. At the grip limit on wet roads it remains predictable and balanced, with a neutral steering character that doesn't demand much from the driver to keep the car on line. If the rear does start to slide, the tire has a natural tendency to stabilise itself rather than requiring quick corrections. On dry roads the Continental isn't the most sporty-feeling tire in the group - it doesn't turn in with the same sharpness as the Goodyear - but it still delivers short braking distances and high safety margins through corners. Comfort is good, with decent noise levels and an ability to absorb road surface imperfections without transmitting harsh impacts through the steering. Predicted tread life and abrasion are both solid, sitting in the upper half of the field. There are no significant weak points anywhere in the test programme.

The Continental PremiumContact 7 is the test winner and the most expensive tire in the group. Grip is high on both wet and dry surfaces, with direct steering response and good feedback. The balance is neutral and the tire remains predictable at the limit. Braking performance leads the field on both surfaces. Aquaplaning resistance is average. Ride comfort is firm, with some harshness over larger expansion joints. Interior noise is low. Rolling resistance sits mid-pack, which is acceptable given the high grip levels.

The PremiumContact 7 was mid-field for wear in this test.

The Continental performed competently yet fell short of the leaders. The tire exhibited a pronounced tendency to understeer, and testers said it was occasionally a bit too eager, pressing the rear end during load changes. ESP kept these traits manageable and overall stability remained good, so it still earned a “Good” rating.

The Continental PremiumContact 7 delivered consistent, high-level performance across most test categories with no significant weaknesses. Like Goodyear, it excelled in the moose test, showing excellent emergency handling capabilities. However, the testers noted the tire felt slightly sluggish in everyday driving compared to the leaders, with less responsive steering and a somewhat lazier character than expected, particularly given Continental's typically sharper performance in smaller dimensions. While braking performance, wet handling, and hydroplaning resistance were all good, the Continental couldn't match the precision and engaging road feel of the test winner, making the Volvo XC60 feel less connected to the road than with the Pirelli mounted.

Continental's PremiumContact 7 takes third place with standout wet braking performance and excellent overall wet handling. It provides good aquaplaning resistance and solid lap times in wet conditions. While it offers exceptional dry braking distances, it sacrifices some rolling efficiency. Testers noted it provides good grip in all conditions but can be slightly abrupt when losing traction and produces moderate noise levels.

The Continental PremiumContact 7 offers top-class grip and handling on wet roads with precise steering feel in all situations. It achieved the best braking distance on dry roads in the test. Some tire noise and high rolling resistance are the only drawbacks of the Continental PremiumContact 7. The Continental is incomparably easy to drive and predictable in all conditions. The test noted that if you don't care about a little tire noise and higher fuel consumption, the Continental PremiumContact 7 would be your choice. It scored 9.0 points, sharing second place with the Pirelli.

Continental's PremiumContact 7 delivered the shortest wet braking distance (129ft) and strong dry performance. Despite having the highest rolling resistance in the test (7.66 kg/t) and lowest range impact (214 miles), its safety credentials remained impressive with sharp handling characteristics and a projected lifespan of 25,408 miles. This tire secured second place with minimal difference from the winner, proving standard tires can perform effectively on EVs.

The Continental PremiumContact 7, which won last year's summer tire test, continues to show good performance in SUV dimensions, though like the Goodyear, it appears to lose some grip in the low test temperatures. Its steering is responsive with exemplary linear behavior, making it easy to position precisely during sudden maneuvers while maintaining control. The Continental recorded the lowest rolling resistance among non-manufacturer-specific tires, making it the best at combining low energy consumption with high grip levels. Unfortunately, its aquaplaning properties are below average, and comfort is similarly lacking. These deficiencies result in a fifth-place finish with 72 points, despite its impressive handling characteristics and fuel efficiency. It represents a good balance of economy and performance.

The Continental PremiumContact 7 offered very good aquaplaning reserves and short braking distances in all conditions. It delivered dynamic handling characteristics with responsive steering and excellent stability at high speeds. The tire achieved impressive mileage of over 28,583 miles, resulting in very good cost performance at €8.22 per 1000 kilometers. Continental's balanced performance across all test categories with no significant weaknesses demonstrated the brand's consistent quality, earning an "exemplary" rating for this well-engineered product.

The PremiumContact 7 continues Continental's strong run of form, matching the Pirelli's overall performance. The tire clearly prioritized safety with its class-leading wet grip, but the higher noise levels and slight handling imbalance kept it from another clear win.

In dry conditions, the Continental delivers performance nearly matching dedicated sports tires while providing the best ride comfort in the test. It offers high safety reserves and excellent road feel despite its touring tire designation. On wet roads, it truly shines with the shortest braking distance and predictable, secure handling even in extreme situations. Its consistent grip inspires confidence in all conditions. The Continental achieves an impressive balance between outstanding wet safety, good handling dynamics, and excellent comfort, proving that a touring tire can compete with UHP models while excelling in everyday usability.

Summary The Continental PremiumContact 7 delivered an excellent performance, placing in the top three tires tested. It excelled in wet conditions, leading or placing second in all five wet tests. The tire demonstrated outstanding wet handling characteristics, with a balanced and adjustable feel. It also performed strongly in dry conditions, ranking second in dry braking and fourth in dry handling. However, its refinement was a weak point, particularly in terms of cabin noise and vibration on rough road surfaces. Despite this drawback, the tire's overall performance in both wet and dry conditions was impressive. Results The Continental PremiumContact 7 achieved an overall score of 99.70%, priced at £97.60. It dominated wet performance, ranking 1st in wet braking (100%), tied for 1st in wet cornering (100%), and 2nd in wet handling (99.80%). The tire also excelled in aquaplaning tests, ranking 2nd in both curved (95.90%) and straight (98.70%) aquaplaning. In dry conditions, it ranked 2nd in dry braking (98.80%) and 4th in dry handling (98.70%). However, it struggled with refinement, ranking last (8th) in cabin noise (83.10%). The tire placed 5th in rolling resistance (90.30%). .

The PremiumContact 7 was the best braker here but paid for its grip in rolling resistance and wear, and finished joint first on our weighting with the Primacy 5.

By far the highest grip and safest tire in the test.

The Continental PremiumContact 7 is a true all-rounder, delivering exceptional performance on both wet and dry surfaces. It reacts quickly to driver input and provides a thrilling driving experience, though it might not be the top choice for drivers who prioritize maximizing fuel savings.

Very grippy on wet and dry roads, very balanced and safe to drive.

Exemplary.

The Continental PremiumContact 7 excels in driving safety for both dry and wet road conditions in this year's test, achieving the top marks for its excellent steering feedback, safe handling at the limit, and shortest braking distances, though it receives an average rating for aquaplaning resistance. While it demonstrates very good projected mileage and low tire wear, its environmental impact rating is slightly reduced due to its relatively high weight and average noise levels, narrowly missing a high rating in efficiency.

This tire emerged as the clear winner of the test, scoring the highest points in both wet and dry conditions. It offered the shortest braking distances on both wet and dry surfaces and was the fastest on the track in all conditions. The tire also demonstrated excellent handling precision and the highest level of safety.

The Continental PremiumContact 7 demonstrated impressive abilities in handling wet conditions and excelled in new state braking in both cooler and warmer temperatures. While it couldn't quite match the Michelin in the wear test, it proved to be better value thanks to the lower purchase price. Despite its strong overall performance, it has lost some of its sporty appeal in favor of increased maturity, which might disappoint drivers seeking a more spirited experience, but that maturity has brought improvements in rolling resistance, noise and comfort, proving to be one of the best on test. An impressive second win for the new PremiumContact 7.

It should come as no surprise that the brand new, and premium Continental PremiumContact 7 had a huge lead overall. The PC7 was beaten by a couple of the cheaper tires in noise and rolling resistance, but the huge amount of grip, especially in the wet, is worth a 1.19% drop in rolling resistance.

Once again Continental have dropped a new tire to the market, and seriously moved the game on, most noticeably in the wet. Last year it was the SportContact 7, this year it's the PremiumContact 7. This tire had a huge lead in wet braking, was joint fastest around wet handling, and had the fastest wet circle lap. Thankfully, it also kept most of the dry handling character I loved of the PremiumContact 6 and was excellent on the brakes. It wasn't a flawless run, it was pretty average in aquaplaning resistance, external noise and rolling resistance, but the lead it had in the grip categories led it to a dominating win. Yes, it is the newest tire, and yes, based on this test, its also the best.