Tested 36 times by independent publications, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P has taken 11 test wins with an average finish of 3rd. Its strongest discipline is Rolling Resistance, beating 84% of the field across 28 tests; its weakest is Wear, at 46% across 9 tests.
2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test P1 of 20
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P shares the test win and the top 'exemplary' verdict with the Michelin. It earned its place mainly in the wet, where Auto Bild rated it the best tire, backed by sharp dry handling and the best ride comfort. The main drawback is cost.
Where the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P 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 | 31 | P4.9 of 12.7 | 61% | 2 |
| Dry Handling | 26 | P3.8 of 12.1 | 72% | 5 |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 10 | P2.8 of 9.1 | 75% | 3 |
| Subj. Road Score | 1 | P2 of 6 | 80% | - |
| Dry Lane Change | 1 | P1 of 6 | 100% | 1 |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 35 | P5 of 17.3 | 67% | 3 |
| Wet Braking - Cool | 2 | P4.5 of 7.5 | 53% | - |
| Wet Braking - Worn | 1 | P3 of 6 | 60% | - |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 3 | P6 of 21 | 76% | - |
| Wet Handling | 27 | P4.6 of 11.9 | 65% | 2 |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 11 | P2.9 of 8.5 | 76% | 4 |
| Wet Circle | 18 | P4.9 of 13.7 | 64% | 2 |
| Straight Aqua | 33 | P6 of 12.2 | 52% | 1 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 26 | P4.6 of 12.3 | 67% | - |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 35 | P5.9 of 14.7 | 60% | 1 |
| Snow Traction | 30 | P6 of 12.7 | 55% | 2 |
| Snow Handling | 27 | P4.6 of 11.6 | 66% | 2 |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 12 | P2.5 of 8.4 | 79% | 3 |
| Snow Circle | 7 | P5 of 9.4 | 54% | - |
| Snow Slalom | 12 | P3.7 of 14.1 | 79% | - |
| Ice | ||||
| Ice Braking | 4 | P11 of 18 | 45% | - |
| Ice Traction | 1 | P8 of 9 | 13% | - |
| Subj. Ice Handling | 2 | P1.5 of 5.5 | 88% | 1 |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 16 | P2.2 of 10.3 | 86% | 10 |
| Subj. Noise | 3 | P3.3 of 8.7 | 68% | 1 |
| Noise | 28 | P5.1 of 12.7 | 64% | 1 |
| Value | ||||
| Wear Weak | 9 | P10.4 of 17.7 | 46% | - |
| Value | 6 | P14.7 of 16 | 11% | - |
| Rolling Resistance Strong | 28 | P2.8 of 11.7 | 84% | 7 |
| Fuel Consumption | 4 | P4 of 14.5 | 52% | 1 |
| Abrasion | 4 | P6.8 of 18.3 | 65% | - |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental WinterContact TS 860 S Predecessor | 2 | 0 | 4th | 46% |
| Continental WinterContact TS 870 P This tire | 36 | 11 | 3rd | 79% |
| Continental WinterContact 8 S Successor | 1 | 0 | 5th | 20% |
Drawn from 36 tests. Updated October 20, 2026.
Across 36 independent tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P shows up as a consistently front-running Central European winter tire (average overall placing 3.5) with multiple top accolades (including a Tire Reviews test win in 2021, a sport auto test win in 2026, plus three “Highly recommended” awards). The recurring pattern is a highly efficient, refined tire that still delivers strong on-road dynamics: rolling resistance is repeatedly class-leading (e.g. 1st/13 in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars; 1st/9 in 2023 Sport Auto; 1st/9 in 2023 Tire Reviews SUV; and joint-lowest fuel consumption 1st/31 in 2025 ADAC), while dry-road behavior is frequently described as “summer-tire-like precision and stability” (2025 Teknikens Värld) and backed by class-leading dry handling in several tests (1st/9 in 2026 sport auto; 1st/10 in 2024 AUTO Straßenverkehr SUV; 1st/8 in 2022 AMS). In wet conditions it often scores near the top for braking/handling (e.g. 1st/10 wet braking in 2025 AMS; 1st/9 wet braking and 1st/9 wet handling in Tire Reviews 2026/27), and testers regularly highlight its balanced, predictable character.
The main caveat is that its outright winter 'bite' and deep-water security can fluctuate by fitment and test format. Snow traction/braking is sometimes only mid-pack (e.g. 10th/12 snow traction in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars; 17th/31 snow traction and 19th/31 snow braking in 2025 ADAC), and several tests call out aquaplaning as an area where it doesn't always lead (e.g. 10th/13 straight aquaplaning and 10th/13 curved aquaplaning in 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars; 8th/8 straight aquaplaning in 2025 Die Reifentester). A smaller, but repeated, subjective theme is steering feel: it is occasionally noted as slower/less connected (e.g. “comparatively slow steering response” in 2024 AUTO Straßenverkehr SUV; “slightly slow steering” in Tire Reviews 2021), even when objective lap times are strong.
had the lowest rolling resistance in the test- 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test (2026)
Rolling resistance was second lowest in the test- 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2026)
impressed with its rolling resistance- 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tire Test (2025)
good efficiency thanks to low weight and fuel consumption- 2025 ADAC Winter Tire Test (2025)
low rolling resistance- 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test (2025)
the quickest dry handling laps and the best combined subjective marks the testers gave for dry driving- 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2026)
fastest tire in the elk test- 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test (2026)
shared the fastest dry handling of the winter tires- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
a fraction off the fastest handling- 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test (2026)
benchmark levels in handling and braking on dry and wet roads- 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tire Test (2025)
It recorded the shortest wet braking distance- 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2026)
full marks in both wet and dry braking- 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test (2026)
the second-shortest wet braking- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
benchmark levels in handling and braking on dry and wet roads- 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tire Test (2025)
strong braking distances- 2025 ADAC Winter Tire Test (2025)
took full marks in both wet and dry braking and in wet handling- 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test (2026)
the second-fastest laps of the winter tires on both the wet handling course and the wet circle- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
shared the second-fastest wet handling of the winter tires- 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test (2026)
benchmark levels in handling and braking on dry and wet roads- 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tire Test (2025)
good handling with effective grip, precision, and adequate reserves in limit situations- 2025 ADAC Winter Tire Test (2025)
rated the most comfortable in the test- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
stability and comfort were among the best in the test- 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tire Test (2026)
The comfort is good, with reasonable noise levels and decent damping- 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test (2025)
had the best comfort rating- The BEST Performance Winter Tires for 2024 / 2025 (2024)
On snow it produced the strongest traction of any tire here- 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2026)
in the top four for snow traction- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
particularly good performance on snow- 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test (2025)
excellent driving characteristics on snowy and wet roads- 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test (2024)
held the highest lateral grip on the wet circle- 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2026)
on wet roads it provides outstanding grip for the shortest braking distances- 2025 AMS Winter Tire Test (2025)
effective grip- 2025 ADAC Winter Tire Test (2025)
Where the Continental excels is in wet conditions- 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tire Test (2025)
Very convincing winter tire with exemplary qualities on wet and dry roads- 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test (2024)
effectively level with the fastest tire through the handling course, and shared top subjective marks for balance and controllability- 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test (2026)
On snow, it delivers a safe and predictable driving experience- 2025 AMS Winter Tire Test (2025)
One of the best in snow handling- 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test (2024)
best aquaplaning protection in the test- 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tire Test (2025)
Aquaplaning resistance is superb, matching the best in the test- 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test (2025)
good safety reserves for aquaplaning- 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test (2024)
performed well in deep water aquaplaning tests- The BEST Performance Winter Tires for 2024 / 2025 (2024)
among the weaker tires in both aquaplaning tests, floating earlier than the summer reference- 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test (2026)
slightly diminished performance in aquaplaning resistance compared to the leaders- 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tire Test (2025)
low aquaplaning resistance- 2022 AMS Winter Tire Test (2022)
tenth of twelve for snow traction- 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test (2026)
it exhibits a weaker performance in snow, with lower-than-expected lateral grip- 2024 All Season and Winter Tire Test (2024)
Slightly reduced braking performance on snow- 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test (2023)
It lacks precision and feedback on dry roads, requiring steering corrections- 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test (2024)
Comparatively slow steering response,- 2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test (2024)
minor weaknesses in steering precision and feedback on dry roads- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)
Slightly slow steering- 2021 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test (2021)
one of the highest prices, that makes it the most expensive tire here per kilometer- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
High price point- 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test (2024)
ice grip that's almost the worst in the test- 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test (2025)
It showed weakness on ice- The BEST Performance Winter Tires for 2024 / 2025 (2024)
tends to understeer slightly in handling,- 2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test (2024)
limited self-stabilizing capabilities when it starts to slide- 2024 All Season and Winter Tire Test (2024)
Every tester write-up on the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P (31 tests) and 28 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.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P shares the test win and the top 'exemplary' verdict with the Michelin. It earned its place mainly in the wet, where Auto Bild rated it the best tire, backed by sharp dry handling and the best ride comfort. The main drawback is cost.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P shared fourth place and was rated good. It is one of the best winter tires on dry roads and good in the wet, but weaker for snow traction and aquaplaning.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P takes a very close second, and I would not argue with anyone who chose it over the winner. In traditional Continental fashion it was the best in the wet, it was great in the snow, it was the quietest tire in the cabin and its rolling resistance was low, so it simply does everything well. The 870 P can be a little inconsistent in tests, but this time it was in near-perfect form. I highly recommend it, especially if most of your winter is spent on wet roads.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P took the overall test win, and it did so without a weak chapter. It led or sat near the front in the wet, on snow and in the dry, and paired that with low rolling resistance and good refinement. sport auto rated it outstanding, the only tire in the field to earn that grade. It is the obvious choice for a driver who wants one winter tire that does not ask them to pick a priority first.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished level on points with the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 at the top of the Central European class and was named the best Central European winter tire. It is an excellent choice for wet and dry winter roads, but like every tire of its type it is not built for ice.
The Continental WinterContact TS870 P is very focused on dry, wet, or slushy roads, and like every Central European tire it has far less ice grip than the Nordic and studded tires. On bare pavement, however, it scores outstandingly well. The tire makes the test vehicle behave with summer tire-like precision and stability, delivering excellent control and predictability. Aquaplaning resistance is superb, matching the best in the test. Where this tire stands out is in its exceptional stability - it achieves the highest score in this category, making the test car feel planted and secure. The comfort is good, with reasonable noise levels and decent damping. Fuel efficiency is somewhat poorer than the best in class, which is surprising given Continental's typically strong showing in this area. For someone living in southern Sweden who drives mostly on motorways and rarely encounters genuine winter conditions, this tire makes sense. But as soon as real winter grip is needed, the nearly non-existent ice performance becomes a serious liability that could mean the difference between stopping safely and having an accident.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870P rounds out the top five recommendations with consistently reliable performance and the best aquaplaning protection in the test. On snow, the tire handles the winter disciplines capably without setting any particular highlights, offering medium traction and a good-natured character that scores 27/30 for driving safety, though it doesn't quite match the grip levels of the leading snow specialists. Where the Continental excels is in wet conditions, providing the absolute best protection against aquaplaning at 56.5 mph longitudinally, combined with fine feedback and precise handling that earns 38/45 for safety - drivers will appreciate its clear communication and predictable behavior. In the dry, it delivers consistently dependable grip and handling with crystal-clear feedback scoring 28/30 for safety, though comfort is rated slightly lower at 7/10, and gentle load change reactions make it easy to control. The tire offers solid all-around capabilities with good longevity of 25,321 miles and reasonable efficiency. While it may not lead in any single category, its balanced nature and particularly strong aquaplaning resistance make it a sensible choice for drivers prioritizing safety in heavy rain.
The CONTINENTAL WinterContact TS 870 P is characterized as a sovereign all-rounder, but its standout feature is having the sportiest and most responsive handling on dry roads—a surprising feat for a winter specialist. The text notes that winter tires are often tortured by dry handling tests at higher temperatures, but the Continental handles these challenges surprisingly well. This strong all-weather capability makes it a versatile choice, though its primary trade-offs are a slightly diminished performance in aquaplaning resistance compared to the leaders and a high purchase price.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P demonstrates the German manufacturer's expertise with a tire that emphasizes efficiency and balanced behavior across snow and dry conditions. It features low rolling resistance, making it one of the most fuel-efficient options in the test while maintaining strong environmental credentials. The handling characteristics are well-sorted and predictable across different road surfaces, with particularly good performance on snow. However, the tire shows a weakness on wet roads with slightly extended braking distances compared to wet-weather specialists, which is unusual for Continental's typically well-rounded products. The dry performance is solid with good handling precision. At around €610, it's positioned at premium pricing, making it best suited for drivers who value brand heritage, efficiency, and balanced winter performance, particularly those who prioritize snow capability over ultimate wet braking performance.
The Continental TS 870 P takes the overall test victory with reliable and secure performance across all conditions. On snow, it delivers a safe and predictable driving experience, while on wet roads it provides outstanding grip for the shortest braking distances and excellent cornering stability. The testers found it to be particularly trustworthy and secure across all winter conditions. On dry asphalt, it also achieves the best braking performance with flawless overall capability. Minor limitations were noted in rolling comfort, where it can feel somewhat harsh over cross joints, but this doesn't detract from its status as the top choice for those prioritizing wet grip and all-around winter safety.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P narrowly misses a good driving safety rating due to its winter road performance but still achieves a good overall score thanks to its strong environmental performance. For driving safety, the tire provides good steering feel on dry roads with largely spontaneous response and good precision, maintaining good performance limits that allow stable and safe obstacle avoidance with clearly good braking performance from 62 mph. On wet surfaces, it earns good ratings with strong braking distances and longitudinal aquaplaning resistance, plus good handling with effective grip, precision, and adequate reserves in limit situations, though it only achieves satisfactory results for lateral aquaplaning resistance. In winter conditions, the WinterContact TS 870 P fails to achieve good ratings overall, though it just barely manages good scores for braking and traction tests on snow as well as handling, allowing safe and largely precise control over test courses, but its satisfactory performance in ice braking tests ultimately prevents it from achieving a good winter road rating. Regarding environmental performance, this tire manufactured in Romania and France receives good ratings with good predicted mileage, clearly good tire wear ratings, and good efficiency thanks to low weight and fuel consumption.
Continental’s TS 870 P won the test by racking up top scores in dry and wet disciplines. The tire set benchmark levels in handling and braking on dry and wet roads and also impressed with its rolling resistance and ride comfort. Its snow performance is only average, so drivers looking for the absolute best winter traction may want a snow‑specialist, but overall it offers a very balanced and refined package and deservedly tops the ranking.
Excellent.
Very good.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870P boasts the lowest rolling resistance and shortest braking distance among the winter tires in dry conditions. It offers good comfort and handles corners with stability. In wet conditions, it is the second-best winter tire, providing smooth handling, balanced performance, and the ability to maintain control even under braking and steering simultaneously. Surprisingly, it exhibits a weaker performance in snow, with lower-than-expected lateral grip and limited self-stabilizing capabilities when it starts to slide. Despite its weaker snow performance, the Continental WinterContact TS 870P delivers a strong overall performance.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P achieves a satisfactory rating for driving safety, with good performance on wet and wintery roads but some weaknesses on dry surfaces. It lacks precision and feedback on dry roads, requiring steering corrections and exhibiting a tendency to oversteer. However, it performs well on wet surfaces with good braking and handling, although its longitudinal aquaplaning performance is only average. On snow, it offers good braking and handling. Its environmental performance is good, with a long lifespan, low abrasion, and good fuel efficiency.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P stood out for its consistency across most tests, often finishing in fourth place. It offered the best comfort among all tested tires and performed well in deep water aquaplaning tests. The tire also boasted low rolling resistance. However, it showed some weakness on ice and couldn't quite match the top performers in most categories. The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is a solid, comfortable choice that performs consistently across a range of conditions.
Rolls efficiently, grippy on snow. Less grippy when the road is wet.
Excellent.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P exhibits minor weaknesses in steering precision and feedback on dry roads but compensates with good safety reserves in sudden evasive maneuvers and clearly above-average braking distances. On wet roads, the tire performs consistently well across all sub-criteria, including slightly above-average results in braking and aquaplaning. It also offers easy and secure handling. On winter roads, the tire achieves average scores in braking and traction but excels in handling due to its large safety reserves and precise steering. Ice braking performance is average. Environmentally, the tire receives a barely good rating; its wear is average, and its projected lifespan is slightly below average but still rated as good. Efficiency metrics are average.
The winner of this winter SUV test was the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P. This tire seems to have performed the impossible, by blending a HUGE lead in rolling resistance with excellent grip in the dry, wet and snow. It couldn't quite match the Michelin in snow traction or dry braking, and it was mid pack for noise, but it traded blows with the best in every other category. The amount of grip it had while having such an advantage in rolling resistance makes this tire the best tire in this test, and if you drive an electric vehicle or are sensitive to rising fuel costs, you shouldn't even consider any other option in this size. Remarkable work by Continental.
Third place went to the Continental WinterContact TS870P which is the tire to buy if you want to save fuel or drive an EV, as it had by FAR the lowest rolling resistance on test. It also somehow blended that with one of the best performances in the dry, and excellent grip in the wet. It was a little weaker in the snow than the best tires on test, but it was less than 4% off the best in snow braking and handling, so not a huge gap. Impressive tire, especially when you stop and think about its rolling resistance levels.
Conti buys low rolling resistance through restrictions on wet braking."Very Good"
Exemplary.
Exemplary.
Very Good.
The brand new Continental WinterContact TS870P was the king of consistency, and is a mighty impressive tire. In many ways you could argue it's the best tire on test, as the lowest it placed across all fifteen categories I scored on was fifth in wet handling, but only 0.9 seconds off the best, and fifth in snow traction. Every other test was "green", meaning it was in the top group of tires. Interestingly, it didn't win a single test, but with a string of fourth, thirds and second places in every single category, you can't help but appreciate the engineering that has gone into this tire. It essentially has no drawbacks, which is an engineering masterpiece!
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Continental tires
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Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Hankook Winter i cept evo3
Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
Firestone Winterhawk 4
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6
Kleber Krisalp HP3
Giti GitiWinterW2
Semperit Speed Grip 5
Vredestein Wintrac Pro+
Uniroyal WinterExpert
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
Kumho Winter Craft WP52
Hankook Winter I cept RS3