Tested 26 times by independent publications, the Continental Sport Contact 5 has taken 13 test wins with an average finish of 3rd.
2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tire Test P2 of 8
Very good - Continental win more tests than any other brand in Europe, and this was apparent with the excellent SportContact 5 even though it has now been replaced by the newer PremiumContact 6.
Where the Continental Sport 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 | 3 | P5 of 9 | 52% | 1 |
| Dry Handling | 2 | P6 of 9.5 | 40% | - |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 1 | P1 of 8 | 100% | 1 |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 3 | P5.7 of 9 | 43% | - |
| Wet Handling | 2 | P6 of 9.5 | 40% | - |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 1 | P1 of 8 | 100% | 1 |
| Wet Circle | 1 | P3 of 8 | 71% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 1 | P3 of 8 | 71% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 1 | P4 of 8 | 57% | - |
| Subj. Noise | 1 | P4 of 8 | 57% | - |
| Noise | 1 | P5 of 9 | 50% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Rolling Resistance | 2 | P3 of 8.5 | 73% | - |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Continental Sport Contact 5. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
16 shared: 13 ahead, 3 behind
|
16 | 13 | 3 | - | 81% |
 Dunlop SportMaxx RT
15 shared: 10 ahead, 5 behind
|
15 | 10 | 5 | - | 67% |
 Pirelli P Zero
13 shared: 10 ahead, 3 behind
|
13 | 10 | 3 | - | 77% |
 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2
12 shared: 6 ahead, 6 behind
|
12 | 6 | 6 | - | 50% |
 Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
11 shared: 10 ahead, 1 behind
|
11 | 10 | 1 | - | 91% |
 Toyo Proxes T1 Sport
10 shared: 10 ahead, 0 behind
|
10 | 10 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Bridgestone Potenza S001
10 shared: 9 ahead, 1 behind
|
10 | 9 | 1 | - | 90% |
 Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3
10 shared: 8 ahead, 2 behind
|
10 | 8 | 2 | - | 80% |
 Yokohama Advan Sport V105
9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind
|
9 | 9 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Bridgestone Turanza T001
8 shared: 8 ahead, 0 behind
|
8 | 8 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Nokian zLine
8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind
|
8 | 7 | 1 | - | 88% |
 Falken FK453
7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind
|
7 | 7 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Fulda SportControl
7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind
|
7 | 7 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Michelin Primacy 3
7 shared: 5 ahead, 2 behind
|
7 | 5 | 2 | - | 71% |
 Kumho Ecsta KU39
6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind
|
6 | 6 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Apollo Aspire 4G
5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind
|
5 | 5 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Nexen N8000
5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind
|
5 | 5 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7
5 shared: 4 ahead, 1 behind
|
5 | 4 | 1 | - | 80% |
 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
5 shared: 3 ahead, 2 behind
|
5 | 3 | 2 | - | 60% |
 Sava intensa uhp
4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind
|
4 | 4 | 0 | - | 100% |
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental Sport Contact 3 Predecessor | 12 | 4 | 3rd | 76% |
| Continental Sport Contact 5 This tire | 26 | 13 | 3rd | 82% |
| Continental Sport Contact 6 Successor | 16 | 7 | 2nd | 75% |
Drawn from 26 tests. Updated September 10, 2025.
Across 26 summer tests, the Continental Sport Contact 5 delivers consistently high all-round performance with an average overall position of 2.5 and numerous test wins from 2013-2016. It repeatedly excels in wet and dry handling/braking, often topping subjective driving feel and objective lap/brake metrics. Awards and wins in ADAC (2016, 2013), Auto Express (2015, 2013), EVO (2015, 2014), and multiple other European tests underline a broadly superior dynamic capability.
Weaknesses are limited but include elevated noise and fuel use/rolling resistance versus the best, and clear aging in later, more demanding UHP comparisons (notably 2017), where it fell to lower rankings versus newer rivals. Still, the pattern shows a tire that was class-leading for several years and remains competitive, especially in wet performance and overall balance.
Excellent in the wet, high resistance to aquaplaning, short braking and good handling in the dry- 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test (2017)
top marks on wet- 2016 ADAC Tire Test - 225/45 R17 (2016)
combining excellent dry and wet performance- 2015 EVO Magazine Performance Tire Test (2015)
High grip and short braking distances in all conditions- 2015 AMS Performance Tire Test (2015)
the Continental proved to be the wet master, with good traction, the best braking and the quickest time on wet roads- 2015 Auto Review Summer Tire Test (2015)
No real weaknesses in the dry or wet handling or braking- 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tire Test (2020)
Good handling and a high level of safety on wet roads, high resistance to aquaplaning- 2016 Test World Performance Tire Test (2016)
Good handling when cornering on wet surface- 2015 AZ 225/40 R18 Summer Tire Test (2015)
balanced behavior on wet roads- 2015 AMS Performance Tire Test (2015)
a joy to drive- 2014 EVO Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2014)
No real weaknesses in the dry or wet handling or braking- 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tire Test (2020)
Excellent in the wet, high resistance to aquaplaning, short braking and good handling in the dry- 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test (2017)
Very balanced summer tire with top marks on wet and dry roads- 2016 ADAC Tire Test - 225/45 R17 (2016)
good handling on dry roads- 2015 AMS Performance Tire Test (2015)
one of the second fastest time in dry handling- 2015 Auto Review Summer Tire Test (2015)
No real weaknesses in the dry or wet handling or braking- 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tire Test (2020)
Excellent in the wet, high resistance to aquaplaning, short braking and good handling in the dry- 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test (2017)
High grip and short braking distances in all conditions- 2015 AMS Performance Tire Test (2015)
the Continental also had the shortest stopping distance in the dry- 2015 Auto Review Summer Tire Test (2015)
particularly strong and consistent under wet and dry braking- 2015 Auto Express Tire Test (2015)
Poor comfort, high noise- 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test (2017)
high noise levels- 2015 AZ 225/40 R18 Summer Tire Test (2015)
not the most comfortable or quiet tires on test- 2015 Auto Review Summer Tire Test (2015)
High pass-by noise- 2013 Auto Bild Performance Summer Tire Test (2013)
Loud noise levels- 2012 Auto Bild Max Performance Tire Test (2012)
Average braking, slow steering, low stability on wet roads- 2017 Auto Bild UHP Tire Test (2017)
feeling inaccurate over a lap- 2013 Auto Review Performance Summer Tire Test (2013)
only slightly let down by subjective feel- 2012 EVO Summer Tire Test (2012)
Poor comfort, high noise- 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test (2017)
not the most comfortable or quiet tires on test- 2015 Auto Review Summer Tire Test (2015)
in the dry tests the Sport Contact 5 overheated fairly quickly- 2013 Sport Auto Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2013)
Every tester write-up on the Continental Sport Contact 5 (21 tests) and 195 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
Very good - Continental win more tests than any other brand in Europe, and this was apparent with the excellent SportContact 5 even though it has now been replaced by the newer PremiumContact 6.
Average
Recommended
Highly Recommended
The Continental managed its usual party piece by combining excellent dry and wet performance, two opposing qualities.
The Continental Sport Contact 5 dominated the test with four wins and three runner-up spots. The Continental shone on all surfaces, and was particularly strong and consistent under wet and dry braking.
While the Sport Contact 5 was bettered in the the aquaplaning tests by Hankook and Nokian, the Continental proved to be the wet master, with good traction, the best braking and the quickest time on wet roads. Confirming its remarkable blend of qualities, the Continental also had the shortest stopping distance in the dry, and was one of the second fastest time in dry handling. It didn't look as though the tire wore badly either, so they haven't compromised wear for grip! Negative point, not the most comfortable or quiet tires on test, but that was balanced with a good impact resistance.
With four wins, and only twice dropping out of the top three, it was a convincing win for Continental with the Sport Contact 5. Both subjectively and objectively, the Sport Contact 5 is a joy to drive
Whether the road is wet or dry, the winning Continental SportContact5 is not only fast, but also very safe
The new ContiSportContact 5 scored an overall first place, by a small margin. During wet braking, the Conti was class leading, with the nearest rival requiring on average more than 10 feet to stop, and it repeated its strength in dry braking, winning the test. Scoring only sixth on both the wet and dry handling circuits, the Conti might not be the sportiest tire on test, but a strong aquaplaning result and third in rolling resistance means a well deserved overall test win for Continental.
Not as sporty as the big brother Sport Contact 5P, the Sport Contact 5 still proved an excellent tire on a wet track with a nice balanced behavior. Unfortunately in the dry the Continental isn't as strong, losing 10 feet to the leader in dry braking and feeling inaccurate over a lap. Very comfortable.
The Continental Sport Contact 5 is the strongest tire in the test for wet performance. Unfortunately, in the dry tests the Sport Contact 5 overheated fairly quickly, with dry laptimes degrading and the tire wearing quickly.
Overall the Sport Contact 5 is a tire that seems to get better the faster you go. Strong in both the dry and wet, it was only slightly let down by subjective feel and a mid pack rolling resistance
The Continental Sport Contact 5 is the replacement to the rather excellent Sport Contact 3, and is one of our all round favorite tires. When we started this test, we didn't expect it to be bested, even by the tinest of margins but that's exactly what has happened. In the dry, on the heavier S4 the Continental felt extremely direct, turning quickly and offering ample feedback through the initial stage of the turn. Once at the limit things weren't quite as positive, with the S4 understeering more and harder to correct mid turn. Once sliding, the tire was extremely controllable, but it took longer to correct any slide. Likewise, on the wet track in the TT S the Contis proved to be more "fun", with the direct steering feel and the ability to gracefully slide meaning unsettling the Audis immense AWD system offered a little more entertainment. Unfortunately, while sliding is great on the track, on the open road this has to be viewed as a negative quality, and while the Contis offered a very similar amount of outright grip, the speed in which they recovered from a slide meant the Dunlops had a slight edge.
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Continental tires