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Continental Sport Contact 3 Test Results

Tested 2010 to 2012 7 publications

Tested 12 times by independent publications, the Continental Sport Contact 3 has taken 4 test wins with an average finish of 3rd.

  • 12Independent tests
  • 4Test wins
  • 8Podium finishes
  • 3rdAverage finish
  • 76%Field beaten on average
  • 7Publications
Continental Sport Contact 3

12 tests, 2010 to 2012

0%50%100%201020112012Average 76%2010 Auto Zeitung Ultra High Performance Summer Tire Test (2010): P2 of 9, Beat 88% of the field2010 EVO Tire Test (2010): P1 of 9, Beat 100% of the field2010 AMS Premium Brand Tire Test (2010): P4 of 10, Beat 67% of the field2010 European Summer Tire Test (2010): P3 of 17, Beat 87% of the field2010 Autocar Tire Test - RWD (2010): P1 of 6, Beat 100% of the field2010 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tire Test (2010): P1 of 11, Beat 100% of the field2011 Auto Zeitung Max Performance Tire Test (2011): P6 of 14, Beat 62% of the field2011 Autobild Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2011): P3 of 10, Beat 78% of the field2011 AMS Ultra High Performance Tire Test (2011): P2 of 11, Beat 90% of the field2011 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tire Test (2011): P6 of 10, Beat 44% of the field2011 EVO Winter Tire Test (2011): P10 of 10, Beat 0% of the field2012 EVO Max Performance Tire Test (2012): P1 of 10, Beat 100% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 76%
The latest test

2012 EVO Max Performance Tire Test P1 of 10

The ContiSportContact 3s only weakness was a little subjective feel on the road. It dominated the wet tests and was extremely strong in the dry. EVO commented as "an impressively complete performance". The Sport Contact 3 has now been replaced by the Sport Contact 5, which should be an even more impressive tire.

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Continental Sport Contact 3. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 10 shared: 8 ahead, 2 behind 10 8 2 - 80%
Vredestein Ultrac Cento 8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind 8 7 1 - 88%
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT 8 shared: 6 ahead, 2 behind 8 6 2 - 75%
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 8 shared: 5 ahead, 3 behind 8 5 3 - 63%
Pirelli P Zero 7 shared: 3 ahead, 4 behind 7 3 4 - 43%
Bridgestone Potenza S001 6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind 6 6 0 - 100%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Uniroyal RainSport 2 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Kumho Ecsta KU39 4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind 4 4 0 - 100%
Nokian Z G2 4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind 4 3 1 - 75%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%

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 Sport Contact 2 Predecessor 0 - - -
Continental Sport Contact 3 This tire 12 4 3rd 76%
Continental Sport Contact 5 Successor 26 13 3rd 82%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 12 tests. Updated November 16, 2025.

Across 12 tests the Continental Sport Contact 3 delivers consistently strong summer performance, averaging a 3.3 overall position with multiple wins and frequent podiums. It repeatedly excels in wet conditions (braking, handling, traction) and maintains strong dry capability, often finishing top or joint-first. Awards and top-three finishes are common in reputable European magazine tests, indicating dependable, well-balanced dynamics for warm seasons.

Its main weakness is winter performance, with a last-place finish in the single winter test, and a few mid-pack summer results in 2011 suggesting aging competitiveness against newer rivals. Overall, it remains a proven summer UHP benchmark with standout wet safety and solid dry handling, but it is not suitable for winter use.

Performance Strengths

  • Wet Weather Performance Strong
    Details
    • 2012 EVO: wet test winner and overall 1/10
    • 2010 Auto Express: wet braking winner; overall 1/11
    • 2010 European ADAC/TCS/AMTC: described as strong in the wet; overall 3/16
  • Dry Handling/Braking Strong
    Details
    • 2012 EVO: joint-first in dry; overall 1/10
    • 2010 EVO: overall 1/9
    • 2010 Autocar RWD: overall 1/6
  • Overall Summer Consistency Strong
    Details
    • Podiums: 1/10 (2012 EVO), 1/11 (2010 Auto Express), 1/9 (2010 EVO), 2/11 (2011 AMS), 2/9 (2010 Auto Zeitung), 3/16 (2010 European test), 3/10 (2011 Autobild)
    • Average overall position 3.3 across 12 tests (11 summer)
  • Dry grip Moderate in 2 of 5 tests
    Details
  • Wet grip Moderate in 2 of 5 tests
    Details
  • Dry handling Moderate in 2 of 5 tests
    Details
  • Steering feel Minor in 1 of 5 tests
    Details

Performance Weaknesses

  • Winter Performance Strong
    Details
    • 2011 EVO Winter Tire Test: 10/10 overall
    • Only winter entry ended bottom of the table
  • Aging Competitiveness vs. Newer Rivals Moderate
    Details
    • 2011 Auto Express UHP: 6/10 overall
    • 2011 Auto Zeitung: 6/14 overall
  • Wet handling Minor in 1 of 5 tests
    Details

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Continental Sport Contact 3 (5 tests) and 189 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Dry grip strength in 2 of 5 tests 88 praise, 10 criticise of 189 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Wet grip strength in 2 of 5 tests 57 praise, 17 criticise of 189 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry handling strength in 2 of 5 tests 22 praise, 6 criticise of 189 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry braking strength in 1 of 5 tests 9 praise, 0 criticise of 189 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Wet braking strength in 1 of 5 tests 3 praise, 0 criticise of 189 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Ride comfort weakness in 1 of 5 tests 21 praise, 9 criticise of 189 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire

  • Value for money no test mentions it 5 praise, 12 criticise of 189 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 12

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2012 1 test
P1 of 10 Beat 100% of the field

2012 EVO Max Performance Tire Test

EVO 235/40 R18

The ContiSportContact 3s only weakness was a little subjective feel on the road. It dominated the wet tests and was extremely strong in the dry. EVO commented as "an impressively complete performance". The Sport Contact 3 has now been replaced by the Sport Contact 5, which should be an even more impressive tire.

2011 5 tests
P6 of 10 Beat 44% of the field

2011 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tire Test

Auto Express 225/45 R17

Last years test king, and the now super-seeded Continental Sport Contact 3 had its joint worst result ever finishing in 6th. Like the Bridgestone it was extremely strong in the dry tests with excellent dry braking and a sharp turn in during the handling lap, but was let down by it’s wet performance finishing last during wet cornering. The new Conti Sport Contact 5 should reverse this trend when featured in tire tests next year.

WinnerGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

2010 6 tests

Back to the Continental Sport Contact 3 overview

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