P4 of 10
Beat 67% of the field
Continental WinterContact TS 850 Test Results
Tested 2012 to 2015
9 publications
Tested 31 times by independent publications, the Continental WinterContact TS 850 has taken 21 test wins with an average finish of 2nd.
- 31Independent tests
- 21Test wins
- 26Podium finishes
- 2ndAverage finish
- 91%Field beaten on average
- 9Publications
31 tests, 2012 to 2015
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 91%
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Continental WinterContact TS 850. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Nokian WR D3
25 shared: 24 ahead, 1 behind
|
25 | 24 | 1 | - | 96% |
 Michelin Alpin A4
23 shared: 20 ahead, 3 behind
|
23 | 20 | 3 | - | 87% |
 Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
19 shared: 17 ahead, 2 behind
|
19 | 17 | 2 | - | 89% |
 Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
17 shared: 15 ahead, 2 behind
|
17 | 15 | 2 | - | 88% |
 Semperit Speed Grip 2
14 shared: 14 ahead, 0 behind
|
14 | 14 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Hankook Winter i cept RS
14 shared: 14 ahead, 0 behind
|
14 | 14 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Goodyear UltraGrip 8
12 shared: 12 ahead, 0 behind
|
12 | 12 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Falken Eurowinter HS449
11 shared: 11 ahead, 0 behind
|
11 | 11 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Kleber Krisalp HP2
10 shared: 10 ahead, 0 behind
|
10 | 10 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Bridgestone Blizzak LM32
9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind
|
9 | 9 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Fulda Kristall Control HP
9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind
|
9 | 9 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Barum Polaris 3
9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind
|
9 | 9 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Vredestein Snowtrac 3
9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind
|
9 | 9 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Uniroyal MS+ 77
8 shared: 8 ahead, 0 behind
|
8 | 8 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
8 shared: 5 ahead, 3 behind
|
8 | 5 | 3 | - | 63% |
 BFGoodrich gForce Winter
7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind
|
7 | 7 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Firestone Winterhawk 3
7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind
|
7 | 7 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Goodyear UltraGrip 9
7 shared: 5 ahead, 2 behind
|
7 | 5 | 2 | - | 71% |
 Dunlop Winter Response 2
7 shared: 5 ahead, 2 behind
|
7 | 5 | 2 | - | 71% |
 Toyo Snowprox S953
6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind
|
6 | 6 | 0 | - | 100% |
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 WinterContact TS830 Predecessor | 10 | 3 | 2nd | 87% |
| Continental WinterContact TS 850 This tire | 31 | 21 | 2nd | 91% |
| Continental WinterContact TS 860 Successor | 32 | 18 | 2nd | 86% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 29 tests. Updated November 11, 2025.
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 delivers outstanding, broadly balanced winter performance with exceptional consistency across snow and wet disciplines, translating into a superb average overall position of 2.2 over 29 tests. It amassed numerous overall wins across major European magazines (ADAC, Auto Express, Auto Zeitung, Auto Bild, AMS), frequently finishing top or top-three in mixed-condition evaluations. Patterns show repeat dominance in wet and snow braking/handling and strong overall drivability, with only occasional dips to 3rd-4th in competitive UHP sizes and a clear outlier in a single summer test. Wear was noted slightly higher than some rivals in one key test.
Its strengths are most pronounced in wet and snow performance and overall test-winning capability, including large comparison fields. Weaknesses are limited: slightly elevated wear in one test, mid-pack results in some UHP-focused winters, and very weak performance in the lone summer evaluation-contextually less relevant for a winter tire but still notable.
Performance Strengths
-
Wet Weather Performance
Strong
Details
- Won wet braking and wet handling in 2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test (1/8)
- Auto Bild 2014 Winter Test (3/16 overall) with strong wet scores; 2014 50 Tire Braking Overview 4/48 indicates top-tier wet/snow stop
-
Snow Performance
Strong
Details
- Auto Bild 2015 Top 18 Winter Test winner (1/18), article notes dominance in snow tests
- Auto Bild 2013 Top 15 Shootout 3/15 with strong snow balance; 2013 Overview Braking 2/50
-
Overall Consistency and Awards
Strong
Details
- Overall wins: 2012-2014 ADAC (1/14, 1/14, 1/17, 1/15, 1/19 across sizes)
- Magazine wins: 2012 Auto Express 1/8, 2012-2014 Auto Zeitung 1/8 & 1/11, 2012 Auto Bild Top 15 1/15, 2014 AMS 1/10
-
All-round Winter Balance (dry/wet/snow/environmental)
Strong
Details
- 2015 Auto Bild Top 18: overall 1/18 for 'complete performance'
- 2013 AMS Sports: rarely finished outside top 3 across 11 disciplines
-
Qualification Strength in Large Fields
Strong
Details
- 2012 Auto Bild 42 Tire Braking Test 1/43
- 2014 50 Tire Braking Overview 4/48
-
Wet grip
Strong
in 11 of 18 tests
Details
Very balanced with top marks on snow, ice, dry roads, as well as low fuel consumption and wear. Especially good in the wet
- 2014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 (2014)top marks in the wet and on ice
- 2014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 175/65 R14 (2014)excellent performance in the wet
- 2014 AMS Winter Tire Test (2014)excellent in the wet
- 2014 AZ Winter Tire Test (2014)A good all round performance
- 2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2014)
-
Snow traction
Strong
in 9 of 18 tests
Details
Very balanced with top marks on snow, ice, dry roads, as well as low fuel consumption and wear. Especially good in the wet
- 2014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 (2014)Best in snow
- 2014 AZ Winter Tire Test (2014)good on snow
- 2014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 175/65 R14 (2014)The Conti TS850 wins with a very good performance in the snow, and best marks on wet and dry roads
- 2013 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test (2013)Best scores on wet, snow and ice
- 2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/60 R15 (2013)
-
Rolling resistance
Strong
in 7 of 18 tests
Details
low rolling resistance
- 2014 AMS Winter Tire Test (2014)Very balanced with top marks on snow, ice, dry roads, as well as low fuel consumption and wear. Especially good in the wet
- 2014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 (2014)Fuel Efficient rolling resistance
- 2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tire Test (2013)a fuel efficient rolling resistance
- 2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout (2013)Low fuel consumption and wear
- 2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/60 R15 (2013)
-
Dry grip
Strong
in 6 of 18 tests
Details
Very balanced with top marks on snow, ice, dry roads, as well as low fuel consumption and wear. Especially good in the wet
- 2014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 (2014)excellent in the wet and dry
- 2014 AZ Winter Tire Test (2014)A good all round performance
- 2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2014)The Conti TS850 wins with a very good performance in the snow, and best marks on wet and dry roads
- 2013 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test (2013)Especially good on dry and wet roads
- 2013 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/45 R17 (2013)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Wear / Tread Life
Minor
Details
- 2015 Auto Bild Top 18 winner noted 'slightly higher wear than some of the competition'
- Mentioned as the only notable drawback in the winning assessment
-
UHP-Size Competitiveness Variability
Moderate
Details
- 2015 AMS UHP Winter Test 4/10 despite strong brand expectation
- 2015 Auto Express Winter Test 4/8 in 225/45 R17
-
Summer Performance (off-mission)
Strong
Details
- 2014 Test World Summer Tire Test 15/16
- Significant drop versus summer-focused rivals
-
Road noise
Moderate
in 2 of 18 tests
Details
Slightly louder than the best in the test
- 2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tire Test (2013)Higher cabin noise than some of the other leading winter tires
- 2012 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2012)
Do owners agree with the tests?
Every tester write-up on the Continental WinterContact TS 850 (18 tests) and 44 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
- Wet grip strength in 11 of 18 tests 19 praise, 4 criticise of 44 reviews · Read those reviews
- Snow traction strength in 9 of 18 tests 21 praise, 1 criticise of 44 reviews · Read those reviews
- Dry grip strength in 6 of 18 tests 13 praise, 1 criticise of 44 reviews · Read those reviews
- Tread life strength in 5 of 18 tests 7 praise, 2 criticise of 44 reviews · Read those reviews
- Rolling resistance strength in 7 of 18 tests 5 praise, 0 criticise of 44 reviews · Read those reviews
- Ride comfort strength in 5 of 18 tests 9 praise, 1 criticise of 44 reviews · Read those reviews
Where they disagree
- Steering feel strength in 1 of 18 tests 1 praise, 3 criticise of 44 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire
- Value for money no test mentions it 5 praise, 1 criticise of 44 reviews · Read those reviews
- Sidewall stiffness no test mentions it 0 praise, 4 criticise of 44 reviews · Read those reviews
- Warm-weather behavior no test mentions it 1 praise, 3 criticise of 44 reviews · Read those reviews
- Even wear no test mentions it 1 praise, 3 criticise of 44 reviews · Read those reviews
Every test, newest first 31
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2015 7 tests
P1 of 8
Beat 100% of the field
P4 of 8
Beat 57% of the field
2015 Auto Express Winter Tire Test
Impressive wet grip combined with low rolling resistance
P1 of 18
Beat 100% of the field
P6 of 16
Beat 67% of the field
P1 of 19
Beat 100% of the field
P3 of 51
Beat 96% of the field
2014 8 tests
P1 of 10
Beat 100% of the field
2014 Auto Express Winter Tire Test
A good all round performance with few compromises make this a winter tire winner
P1 of 11
Beat 100% of the field
2014 AZ Winter Tire Test
The Continental WinterContact TS850 wins this test. Best in snow, excellent in the wet and dry, the TS850 is a very safe winter tire
P1 of 10
Beat 100% of the field
P1 of 14
Beat 100% of the field
P1 of 14
Beat 100% of the field
P3 of 16
Beat 87% of the field
P4 of 49
Beat 94% of the field
P15 of 16
Beat 7% of the field
2014 Test World Summer Tire Test
The Continental TS850 P is a european winter tire included for comparison purposes. While it wasn't last in wet braking (the Hercules was the worst summer tire) it did stop 18 feet later than the best summer tire (Apollo) from 50mph. While not the best tire on test, it shows a high quality mid european winter tire can be used year round, and you'll still have more grip than using a cheap chinese summer tire
2013 9 tests
P1 of 8
Beat 100% of the field
2013 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test
The Conti TS850 wins with a very good performance in the snow, and best marks on wet and dry roads
P1 of 9
Beat 75% of the field
P3 of 15
Beat 86% of the field
2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Shootout
Recommended
P2 of 9
Beat 88% of the field
P2 of 50
Beat 98% of the field
P1 of 8
Beat 100% of the field
2013 AMS Sports Winter Tire Test
Particularly recommended
P1 of 17
Beat 100% of the field
P1 of 15
Beat 100% of the field
P1 of 9
Beat 100% of the field
2013 ACE Winter Tire Test
Highly Recommended
2012 7 tests
P1 of 9
Beat 100% of the field
P1 of 15
Beat 100% of the field
2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter Tire Test
Exemplary
P1 of 8
Beat 100% of the field
P1 of 3
Beat 100% of the field
2012 Winter Tire Buying Guide
Developed to replace the multiple award winning TS 830, Continental had a real challenge making the TS 850 better than the outgoing model, but somehow they've managed it. It has featured in five of the 2012 winter tire tests, and has placed first in every one. It manages to offer class leading performance in the dry, wet and snow, while offering good wear and rolling resistance scores. The only negative we could find is it was beaten in slushy conditions by other tires, and it's not the cheapest tire on test. We believe it to be a price worth paying, and believe this is the best winter tire on the market for wheel sizes 16" and under.
P1 of 16
Beat 100% of the field
P1 of 8
Beat 100% of the field
2012 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test
The new TS 850 from Continental is balance and extremely safe to drive on
P1 of 43
Beat 100% of the field
Back to the Continental WinterContact TS 850 overview
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Continental tires