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Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV

Ultra High Performance Winter

The Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV is a premium performance winter tire with a strong record for wet grip, snow performance and low rolling resistance. Longer dry braking distances are a recurring weakness, while aquaplaning resistance and noise are less consistent.

The quick answer

Owners say 78% from 5 owner reviews 80% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say 3rd average finish across 8 independent tests · 1 wins Latest: P3 of 10 · 2021 See every test
Strengths & weaknesses Wet, Value Dry, Comfort Relative 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 January 2025.

  • 5owner reviews
  • 45,000miles driven
  • 8professional tests
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV 1 photos

Tire Reviews Score

Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV

9.1/10

Better than 88% of winter tires

  • Medium Confidence
  • 3 tests
  • 5 owner reviews
Scores of the 278 winter tires we have tested

How this score is built

Better than Weight
Independent tests3 tests · 2 publications · 2018-2021 89% 90%
Owner reviews5 owner reviews · rated 78% 77% 10%
Combined 88% 9.1

A fixed curve turns the combined figure into the 0 to 10 score, so roughly the top 10% of a group score 9 or more.

Category by category

How it compares with other winter tires in each area, and how much each area counts. 50 is the middle of the group.

Category Better than Weight Tests
WetBraking, handling and aquaplaning in the wet 93% 30% 3
SnowBraking, traction and handling on snow 64% 23% 3
IceBraking, traction and handling on ice Not tested, counted as average 18% –
DryBraking and handling on dry roads 61% 17% 3
ValueWear, efficiency and cost 92% 6% 3
ComfortNoise and ride comfort 23% 5% 3

Weights are shares of the test result. Owner reviews are blended in afterwards. Faded bars rest on one or two tests.

By discipline

The same results grouped by what the tire was doing. They are not counted a second time.

BrakingEvery braking test, on any surface 94% 3
HandlingEvery handling test, on any surface 93% 3
TractionEvery traction test, on any surface 29% 2

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Its own test results decide 86% of the test figure. The other 14% is the average for its group, and it shrinks as more tests arrive.

High needs at least 3 tests, with its own results deciding 90% or more. Medium needs 2 tests and 70%. Anything less is Limited: expect the number to move as tests arrive.

The tests behind it

Only measured results count. A test that published its placings alone is listed, but not scored.

  1. 2021 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tire Test Auto Zeitung · 235/55 R18 P3 / 10
  2. 2018 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tire Test Auto Zeitung · 235/60 R18 P2 / 9
  3. 2018 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tire Test Auto Bild Allrad · 235/60 R18 P3 / 10
  4. 2017 2017 235/55 R17 SUV Winter Tire Test ACE · 235/55 R17 P3 / 8 Placing only
  5. 2017 2017 ADAC SUV Winter Tire Test - 215/65 R16 ADAC · 215/65 R16 P7 / 16 Placing only
  6. 2016 2016 AMS Winter SUV Tire Test Auto Motor Und Sport · 215/60 R17 P1 / 10 Placing only
Show all 8 tests
  1. 2016 2016 AutoBild 4x4 Winter Tire Test Auto Bild Allrad · 255/55 R18 P2 / 8 Placing only
  2. 2015 2015 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test Auto Bild Allrad · 215/65 R16 P3 / 8 Placing only
All Tests
View Test Results

Tested 8 times by independent publications, the Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 3rd.

8 Tests
1 Test Wins
3rd Average
1st Best
7th Worst
Finishing position in each test1stLast20152021

Finishing position in each test

The latest test

2021 AZ SUV Winter Tire Test P3 of 10

The TS870P SUV is an excellent allrounder, safe on every surface, with the lowest rolling resistance on test.

Strong: Snow Handling, Rolling Resistance Weak: Snow Traction Winner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

YearTestResultAward
20212021 AZ SUV Winter Tire TestAuto Zeitung · 235/55 R18P3 / 10
20182018 AZ SUV Winter Tire TestAuto Zeitung · 235/60 R18P2 / 9
20182018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tire TestAuto Bild Allrad · 235/60 R18P3 / 10
20172017 235/55 R17 SUV Winter Tire TestACE · 235/55 R17P3 / 8
20172017 ADAC SUV Winter Tire Test - 215/65 R16ADAC · 215/65 R16P7 / 16
20162016 AMS Winter SUV Tire TestAuto Motor Und Sport · 215/60 R17P1 / 10
20162016 AutoBild 4x4 Winter Tire TestAuto Bild Allrad · 255/55 R18P2 / 8
20152015 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire TestAuto Bild Allrad · 215/65 R16P3 / 8

On the full record: Record by disciplineHead-to-head recordEvery published verdict

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Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV in the wet?
Across the 3 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV stops 4% shorter than premium rivals, 5.6% shorter than mid-range rivals and 10.7% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews wet score of 93/100, and owners rate it 8/10 in the wet from 5 reviews.
How good is the Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV in the dry?
Across the 3 dry-braking tests it has featured in, the Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV stops 0.6% longer than premium rivals, 0.3% longer than mid-range rivals and 7.7% longer than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews dry score of 61/100, and owners rate it 9.2/10 in the dry from 5 reviews.
How good is the Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV in the snow?
Across the 3 snow-braking tests it has featured in, the Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV stops 2.8% shorter than premium rivals, 4.8% shorter than mid-range rivals and 25.4% shorter than budget rivals. Across the 2 snow-traction tests, it is 1.5% worse than premium rivals, 2.5% better than mid-range rivals and 3.4% better than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews snow score of 64/100, and owners rate it 5.5/10 in the snow from 5 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV?
Across the 3 tests measuring rolling resistance, the Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV's rolling resistance is 9.8% lower than premium rivals, 10.9% lower than mid-range rivals and 6.2% lower than budget rivals.
Owner Questions
Ask a question
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Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV Owner Reviews

Review this tire

What owners say

Across 5 owner ratings the Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV averages 78%. Owners rate Comfort highest at 9.6 out of 10 and Ice Grip lowest at 3. 2 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles.

Owner ratings averaged from 5 ratings

  • Owner score 78%
  • Comfort 96%
  • Dry Grip 92%
  • Road Feedback 90%
  • Wear 90%
  • Handling 86%
  • Wet Grip 80%
  • Snow Grip 55%
  • Ice Grip 30%

Featured reviews

Most helpful 79%

“I have had the Conti's for 4-5 years on all my cars (high powered SUVs) both 235/65/17 as well as 265/55/19 in XL. The only positive is that they are truly balanced across all dimensions and adequate performers for both...”

  • Mercedes Benz GLS 500 bi turbo
  • 15,000 miles
Read full review → 944 found this helpful
Most critical 63%

“Rather disappointed with these tires, having driven to Scotland for Christmas. They have been used in snow, on ice and in heavy rain and overall grip I would rate as poor. They are of course, better than summer tires...”

  • Kia Motors
  • 3,000 miles
Read full review → 706 found this helpful
Longest term 96%

“I have driven through snow on estate roads, country roads and motorways with no slip or wheel-spin whatsoever. Cold weather tires are a no-brainer. Buy a set, and enjoy being able to drive regardless of whether a...”

  • Honda CR V III
  • 15,000 miles
Read full review → 676 found this helpful

All 4 Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV reviews

Score spread across 4 written reviews
79%
Member
I have had the Conti's for 4-5 years on all my cars (high powered SUVs) both 235/65/17 as well as 265/55/19 in XL. The only positive is that they are truly balanced across all dimensions and adequate performers for both dry, wet (although lousy aquaplaning) with worst performance (but still ok if you are careful) on snow and winter slush. On the other side would love to change them but have not found a better performer (in all categories) and especially better in aquaplaning and winter slush. I strongly differentiate between snow tires and winter tires. Snow tires are winter tires but not all winter tires are snow tires. When I go skiing I mount a totally different set of tires (from another manufacturer). The Conti's are outstanding in terms of their durability. Heavy driving in mixed conditions and with SUVs weighing between 2800 and 3500 kg. 25'000 km and only used 3 mm of tread (6.5 left) although I never run winter tires under 4mm. ,With no other alternative (although I am testing some tires selectively will probably also buy them next time.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 6
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 9
  • Snow Grip 2
Helpful 944
96%
Member
Have had these tires on since October 2014, covered around 2,000 miles, so have driven in pretty much all conditions. Excellent handling and grip on wet, muddy, roads. Was really impressed with their grip on snow, felt really safe and positive feedback when turning. When the snow really came down and most of my neighbours stayed at home, we headed off up to the mountains to try them out on Virgin snow and ice covered roads! Superb grip, nothing thrown at them fazed them, brilliant performance. Their performance on wet surfaces is stunning, throwing the car around sharp bends and roundabouts at speed, not one moment of slip, stuck like glue, I cannot praise them enough. Would definitely recommend them without hesitation!
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 740
63%
Member
  • Kia Motors
  • 235/60 R18
  • 3,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Average
Rather disappointed with these tires, having driven to Scotland for Christmas. They have been used in snow, on ice and in heavy rain and overall grip I would rate as poor. They are of course, better than summer tires but nowhere near the performance of my previous 2 sets of continental winter tires. The rear wheels spin up easily in all but the driest of conditions, causing the torque on demand system to kick in prematurely. I would not recommend these tires and look forward to changing back to summer tires when practical.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 4
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 6
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 3
Helpful 706

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96%
Member
I have driven through snow on estate roads, country roads and motorways with no slip or wheel-spin whatsoever. Cold weather tires are a no-brainer. Buy a set, and enjoy being able to drive regardless of whether a gritting lorry has been down your road. Don't take my word for it, check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfuE00qdhLA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l2cMlNRX_A
Car manufacturers don't give a to$$ if your tires won't hold the road in winter, as long as they get better emissions results, by fitting hard compound summer tires as standard.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 676
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