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Continental WinterContact 8 S

Ultra High Performance Winter Winter rated

Replaces the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

The Continental WinterContact 8 S is a premium UHP Central European winter tire with low rolling resistance, good comfort and favorable early owner impressions of asphalt grip. Its one independent test found weaker wet braking, wet handling pace and aquaplaning resistance than the leading alternatives.

The quick answer

Owners say 87% from 5 owner reviews 80% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say 5th average finish across 1 independent tests Latest: P5 of 6 · 2025 See every test
Strengths & weaknesses Value, Dry Wet, 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 February 2026.

  • 5owner reviews
  • 8,700miles driven
  • 1professional tests
  • 42sizes available
Continental WinterContact 8 S 1 photos

Tire Reviews Score

Continental WinterContact 8 S

8.5/10

Better than 93% of winter tires

  • Limited Confidence
  • 1 test
  • 5 owner reviews
Scores of the 278 winter tires we have tested

How this score is built

Better than Weight
Independent tests1 test · 1 publication · 2025 94% 86%
Owner reviews5 owner reviews · rated 87% 90% 14%
Combined 93% 8.5

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.

Held at 8.5: a tire needs 3 independent tests to score higher.

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 60% 30% 1
SnowBraking, traction and handling on snow 85% 23% 1
IceBraking, traction and handling on ice Not tested, counted as average 18% –
DryBraking and handling on dry roads 88% 17% 1
ValueWear, efficiency and cost 94% 6% 1
ComfortNoise and ride comfort 56% 5% 1

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.

TractionEvery traction test, on any surface 95% 1
BrakingEvery braking test, on any surface 91% 1
HandlingEvery handling test, on any surface 69% 1

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Its own test results decide 83% of the test figure. The other 17% comes from its predecessor, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 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

  1. 2025 2025 High Performance Winter Tire Test Sport Auto · 275/35 R19 P5 / 6
All Tests
View Test Results
1 Tests
0 Test Wins
5th Average
5th Best
5th Worst
The latest test

2025 High Performance Winter Tire Test P5 of 6

The Continental WinterContact 8 S, derived from original equipment tires, offers precise, easily calculable, and safely neutral-to-understeering handling characteristics across all tested surfaces. Testers appreciated its good rolling comfort and very low rolling resistance, making it an efficient choice. However, this tire deviates from Continental's typically strong wet-weather reputation. Being optimized primarily for original equipment manufacturer requirements with emphasis on low rolling resistance, the WinterContact 8 S falls behind in wet braking, shows somewhat elevated aquaplaning risk, and delivers comparatively weak wet grip. Those expecting Continental's premium wet-weather product should look to the WinterContact TS 870P instead.

Strong: Wet Circle, Snow Traction, Rolling Resistance Weak: Wet Braking, Wet Handling, Straight Aqua, Curved Aquaplaning Winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

YearTestResultAward
20252025 High Performance Winter Tire TestSport Auto · 275/35 R19P5 / 6gut (Good)
Awards
Rated by other publications Recommended 1
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Dimensions & Label Scores
View All

Size Range42 sizes available

225-315Width30-60Profile19-22Rim93-115 H-WLoad/Speed Index2024First On Market

EU LabelAcross 42 sizes - the grade depends on the size you buy.

Noise

72-75dB

3PMSF on every size

Popular sizes285/30 R20275/35 R19255/35 R19285/40 R21245/40 R19
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Continental WinterContact 8 S in the wet?
Across the 1 wet-braking test it has featured in, the Continental WinterContact 8 S stops 2.5% longer than premium rivals and 0.6% longer than mid-range rivals. It has a Tire Reviews wet score of 60/100, and owners rate it 9.6/10 in the wet from 5 reviews.
How good is the Continental WinterContact 8 S in the dry?
Across the 1 dry-braking test it has featured in, the Continental WinterContact 8 S stops 0.8% longer than premium rivals and 0.5% longer than mid-range rivals. It has a Tire Reviews dry score of 88/100, and owners rate it 9.6/10 in the dry from 5 reviews.
How good is the Continental WinterContact 8 S in the snow?
Across the 1 snow-braking test it has featured in, the Continental WinterContact 8 S stops 0.1% shorter than premium rivals and 3.8% shorter than mid-range rivals. Across the 1 snow-traction test, it is 5.6% better than premium rivals and 3.3% worse than mid-range rivals. It has a Tire Reviews snow score of 85/100, and owners rate it 9/10 in the snow from 5 reviews.
How fuel efficient is the Continental WinterContact 8 S?
Across the 1 test measuring rolling resistance, the Continental WinterContact 8 S's rolling resistance is 4% lower than premium rivals and 16.6% lower than mid-range rivals.
What do owners say about the Continental WinterContact 8 S?
Across 5 owner ratings the Continental WinterContact 8 S averages 87%. Owners rate Dry Grip highest at 9.6 out of 10 and Comfort lowest at 7.6. 100% of owners score it 70% or better.
More questions about the Continental WinterContact 8 S (6)
What is the Continental WinterContact 8 S's EU tire label rating?
Across its range, the Continental WinterContact 8 S most commonly carries EU label ratings of B for fuel efficiency, B for wet grip and 73 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Continental WinterContact 8 S?
Owners rate the Continental WinterContact 8 S 7.6 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 5 reviews.
How well do the Continental WinterContact 8 S wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Continental WinterContact 8 S 8 out of 10 for wear across 5 reviews.
Would owners buy the Continental WinterContact 8 S again?
80% of owners say they would buy the Continental WinterContact 8 S again, based on the 5 owner reviews that answered the question. 60% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What does the Continental WinterContact 8 S replace?
The Continental WinterContact 8 S is the successor to the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P in Continental's range.
What sizes does the Continental WinterContact 8 S come in?
The Continental WinterContact 8 S is available in 42 sizes, ranging from 225-315/30-60 R19-22.
Owner Questions (1)
Ask a question
What are the differences between the WinterContact 8S and the TS870P in 19-inch size? Which one would you recommend for an all-wheel-drive vehicle? Show more What are the differences between the WinterContact 8S and the TS870P in 19-inch size? Which one would you recommend for an all-wheel-drive vehicle? I couldn't find any test results for this WinterContact 8S tire, so I'd like to know which category it belongs to. Show less
October 13, 2025
There's currently no test data for the 8S. I believe it is a spiritual successor for the 870P but will be heavily OE focused, so check any sizes you see for OE markings.

Continental WinterContact 8 S Owner Reviews

Review this tire

What owners say summarised from 5 reviews

Dry and wet asphalt grip are the clearest shared positives for the Continental WinterContact 8 S, praised by four of five owners. All five reviews are positive overall, but four are initial impressions, so this mainly describes the tire when new. Noise attracts more praise than criticism, although one driver notices an increase compared with a summer tire. Actual snow experience is divided between two drivers, one confident and one dissatisfied with snow and ice grip, while others have yet to try those conditions. The sole end-of-life account reports rapid wear after road and track use, which is too narrow a basis for a general mileage claim.

What owners mention most counted across 5 reviews

Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.

Owner ratings averaged from 5 ratings

  • Owner score 87%
  • Dry Grip 96%
  • Wet Grip 96%
  • Road Feedback 92%
  • Handling 92%
  • Snow Grip 90%
  • Wear 80%
  • Ice Grip 77%
  • Comfort 76%

Featured reviews

Most helpful 84%

“These tires have been a pleasant surprise. Continental is, after all, synonymous with a guarantee of quality. The tire has excellent grip on both dry and wet asphalt, the feedback is very good, and they provide a good...”

  • BMW M3
  • 2,000 miles
Read full review → 1,092 found this helpful

All 5 Continental WinterContact 8 S reviews

Score spread across 5 written reviews
73%
HidroZ
Initial Impressions
Did around 7k km on my Cupra Formentor 4WD 333hp with these tires in Lithuania (eastern Europe). Dry and wet grip is superb, didn't have a single scenario where these tires would underperform. However expected much more in terms of snow/ice grip. On snow I have to be careful, don't have good grip (even on light snow). Plenty of times rear of the car slid out a bit even in normal-ish driving, not to mention a bit more spirited drive. On ice grip is terrible, or rather way worse than I expected from 1k € tires. Obviously these are performance oriented, so perhaps my mistake buying them. Still though, from Continental winter tires I expected better grip in difficult conditions. Really can't say that I have confidence in these. Again - dry and wet asphalt grip is great. If you don't have snow/ice - these tires will be a great choice. Otherwise I would suggest to look into something less performance oriented, if you value your safety that is
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 8
  • Handling 8
  • Comfort 6
  • Buy again 4
  • Snow Grip 7
  • Ice Grip 5
Helpful 130
90%
Member
  • BMW X5
  • 285/40 R21
  • 1,000 miles
  • Mostly Country Roads
  • Spirited
I've been using these tires in the UK for a month now on my BMW X5 40D xDrive (with 315/35 R21 rears) and they are truly excellent. Have no experience on snow/ice yet, but on my cold, wet rural roads they are superlative - sure-footed, very economical and quiet. Highly recommended
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 9
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 10
Helpful 225
99%
maxverstappen Contributor
It’s an exceptionally good tire, especially in terms of comfort and noise. I’ve also used it on long trips — grip and braking performance are excellent. I haven’t tested its snow performance yet, but judging by the tread pattern and softness, I expect it to be very good. I’m not sure about wear, as it’s quite soft and may last around 40,000 km. I would definitely buy it again. After switching from my F1 Asym 5 summer tires, the comfort improvement was incredible.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 10
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 10
  • Ice Grip 10
Helpful 261

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697 reviews submitted this month Earn your Contributor badge No account needed
94%
Member
I changed from 20” to 19” wheels (because of frequent wheel cracks on the 20” run flat set up). The change has positively transformed the car, reducing brain crunching bangs and eliminating skittish behavior when cornering on imperfect roads. I have had the opportunity to drive the 8S tires on a mixture of road conditions including dry, wet, snow, slush and ice; the tires inspire confidence across a wide variety of conditions. Driving in snow and slush, the tires are sure footed and you don’t see stability control called in to action, when driving appropriately. On clear roads you can drive as confidently as you would with summer tires. The only notable difference is greater road noise with the winter tires; not horrible but noticeable.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 10
  • Ice Grip 8
Helpful 977
84%
Member
  • BMW M3
  • 285/30 R20
  • 2,000 miles
  • Track
  • Spirited
These tires have been a pleasant surprise. Continental is, after all, synonymous with a guarantee of quality. The tire has excellent grip on both dry and wet asphalt, the feedback is very good, and they provide a good sense of confidence. The tires performed very well even on the track (although they are not trackday tires), with excellent grip up to 85 degrees before they start to slide. They are very easy to manage at the limit. On the road, you have a good feeling with the front axle, especially compared to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S which were always a bit vague on turn-in.Tire wear and degradation are quite rapid. You need camber or the shoulder will degrade very quickly.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 7
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 9
Helpful 1,092
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