Initial Impressions Review
Given
82%
while driving a
Hyundai i20N
(215/40 R18)
on
for 10,500
miles
Continental WinterContact TS870P – 215/40 R18 | Hyundai i20N
These are the first winter tires on my Hyundai i20N, so I have no direct back-to-back comparison on this car. They came with the car from the previous owner, with an estimated 2,000–4,000 miles already on them (+my 7500 miles), and they currently have around 5+mm of tread remaining. The majority of my use is highway commuting (80%+ of total distance), with occasional backroads and corners mixed in.
This is where the TS870P genuinely impresses. Both in dry and wet conditions, grip levels feel confidence-inspiring. I consistently feel like there's a little more in reserve before reaching the limit. Wet cornering in particular was a highlight; turn-in feels planted and the front end grips well. There is an occasional hint of understeer at the initial turn-in moment, which is worth noting for sporty driving, though it never felt unsettling, likely a combination of the tire's characteristic and the FWD layout of the i20N.
Only experienced light snow, so take this with a grain of salt. Braking confidence felt lower than what I remembered from the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 on my previous BMW F31 xDrive but that's AWD vs. FWD, so the comparison isn't exactly fair. I may also have simply been more cautious. No ice experience to report.
Road noise is noticeable, but the i20N is a stiff, sporty car it's not a quiet cruiser to begin with. Within that context, highway comfort was perfectly fine and I have no real complaints.
The 215/40 R18 size limits your options, and the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 in this size costs significantly more. Whether I repurchase depends on how the wear looks after next winter. Using Tire Reviews as a guide, if anything ranked above the Continental can be found at a better price in this size, that'll be worth exploring.
So far, a solid, well-priced winter tire for daily and highway use. Wet grip is the highlight.
