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Continental is a well-established tire manufacturer. While Continental tires did not secure a top five spot in our best tires review, it did place in the top 10.
In this review, we’ll examine Continental tires in-depth, including industry ratings, popular models, costs, and more. We’ll also discuss two alternative tire brands to consider if Continental isn’t the right choice for you.
Founded in 1915, Continental is headquartered in Hanover, Germany. The brand is the fourth-largest tire manufacturer worldwide, accounting for 12.9 percent of global sales in 2018, according to Statista. It’s held in similar industry regard as Michelin and Goodyear, two top-tier manufacturers.
Though Continental is a German manufacturer, it also has a headquarters in North America located in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The company has a strong relationship with both luxury and daily-driver car manufacturers, making it a popular choice for original equipment (OE) tires. However, Continental also produces replacement tires, motorcycle tires, auto safety systems, some electronics, and powertrain parts.
Used by luxury brands like Audi, Tesla, and Porsche, Continental produces well-regarded performance, touring, and standard all-season tire models. The brand also has put years of testing and innovation into its tire’s stopping abilities and sustainability.
Based on our research, Continental tires can range from about $70 to $420 per tire, but more popular models skew upward.
For example, a replacement Continental TrueContact Touring tire for a popular commuter car like the 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid would cost just over $100.
Continental tires can be pricey, but they’re not as expensive as Michelin tires. And, at the end of the day, you get what you pay for. Many drivers find a higher price tag to be worth it after considering the company’s rigorous testing standards, quality materials, and tread life warranty.
Continental tires, similar to other passenger tire manufacturers’ products, follow an evaluation system created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This system is called Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG), and it rates tires – except specialized tires – based on their treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.
TreadwearThis grade estimates the longevity of your tires. To calculate treadwear, tires are measured against a control tire given a rating of 100.
If a tire has a 500 treadwear rating, that means it lasted five times longer than the control. Most passenger tires have between a 300 and 500 treadwear rating, according to data from SaferCar.gov.
This grade measures how well your tires “grip” a wet road. Traction grades are given on a scale of AA, A, B, or C. Good day-to-day passenger tires typically receive an A rating.
TemperatureThis grade evaluates a tire’s heat resistance on a scale of A, B, or C. Tires need to withstand different temperatures based on their specialization. Performance tires, for example, usually move at much higher speeds than an all-season tire, and in turn, have higher temperature ratings.
It’s important to note that the NHTSA does not oversee UTQG tests. Manufacturers and independent companies hired by brands are responsible for tire testing and reporting.
Below, we listed a few highly rated Continental tire models and their treadwear, traction, and temperature scores using data from SaferCar.
gov.
| Continental Tire Model | Tire Type | Treadwear Score | Traction Score | Temperature Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TerrainContact A/T | Light truck/SUV All-terrain | 680 | A | A |
ExtremeContact DWS 06 | Passenger All-season Ultra-high performance | 560 | AA | A |
TrueContact Tour | Passenger Standard touring All-season | 800 | A | A |
CrossContact LX | Crossover/SUV Touring All-season | 680 | A | B |
If you want to know more about a Continental tire you already own, you can check the tire’s sidewall for the UTQG grade.
Continental tires have been at the forefront of innovation, safety, and quality since the company’s founding in 1871. Though many of its tire models are popular, a few Continental tire models stand out among the rest.
Here are some of the brand’s most popular tires, based on Continental tire reviews and customer satisfaction ratings on Tire Rack:
Each of these Continental tires received a 4.0-star rating or above on Tire Rack and has similarly high ratings on other retailers’ sites.
Continental tires are among the best in the industry, but the wrong tire for your car or situation won’t offer optimal performance and safety – no matter how high-quality it is. When you shop for new tires, you’ll want to carefully consider your options, weighing both your needs and your preferences.
There is more than just fit when it comes to finding the right tire for your vehicle. The following factors are what differentiate one tire from another and determine at each one is best suited for:
The most common tread patterns are diagonal, symmetrical, asymmetrical, and combined patterns.Continental and other tire companies use a format to describe tire sizes that may require some explaining.
Using the common tire size of P225/65R17 as an example, here is what each letter and number represents:
Continental tire warranties are on par with competitors’ guarantees.
The company offers a limited warranty for defective materials that lasts up to six years, which is standard.
Its longest tread life warranty spans up to 80,000 miles, which is on the high end for the industry. We also like Continental’s 60-day replacement guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the tires you purchase.
While Continental tires come with a warranty, this warranty is limited to manufacturing and material defects. It doesn’t cover incidental damage to tires. However, you can purchase extra coverage with the Continental Total Confidence Plan. This offers additional coverage and benefits, including:
Cost, reputation, and industry ratings are important factors to consider when purchasing a tire, but customer reviews can give you a better picture of how Continental tires actually perform on the road.
Below, we’ve outlined both positive and negative customer reviews of Continental tires to give you a complete view of the brand’s quality. Overall, Continental tire reviews are positive, with most models receiving high satisfaction ratings from customers.
“[The Continental PureContact LS has] top-notch wet weather performance, [is] reasonably quiet, [and has] pretty good handling when dry. A class-leading tire, [it’s a] very safe and predictable tire across many conditions. One tire survived a pothole hit that was hard enough to bend the underlying steel rim without a blowout.
”
– via Tire Rack
“[The Continental WinterContact SI is] an excellent winter tire, [with] great grip in both winter conditions and dry roads. Tire noise is slightly higher than the OE model, but nothing obnoxious like studded tires… Probably have two more winters left, so the wear is outstanding.”
– via Tire Rack
“[I’ve only driven this tire] 6,800 miles and it has 25% left (3/32nd). The [ContiSportContact 2] tires are the third brand I’ve had on this vehicle… I have a set of winter tires from Continental, which I really like, but I’ll pass on getting another set of these.”
– via Tire Rack
“[The Continental ContiTrac] came as OE on my 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty. They were marginal even when they were new. Horrible wet weather performance, and I live in southern Alabama where we get an estimated average 70 inches of annual rainfall, so this is a huge disadvantage.
”
– via Tire Rack
In our 2021 best tires review, we ranked Continental tires seventh overall and gave it a 4.0 out of 5.0-star rating. Continental tires are an excellent option for all-season drivers and are notably safe in wet and dry conditions. The brand also offers a few reputable winter tires, which may be a good option for drivers looking for more affordability. However, Continental would not always be our first choice for some tire types.
While Continental produces high-quality all-season tires and winter tires, you may be looking for a different specialty model or price point. Other top-recommended brands in our best tires review include Michelin and Cooper.
After reviewing every major brand in the industry, we determined Michelin to be the best overall tire company on the market today. As one of the largest manufacturers in the world, Michelin tires are almost synonymous with durability and quality.
Whether you need to fit your truck, SUV, crossover, or passenger car with a new set of tires, specialty or otherwise, you can count on Michelin to have an excellent selection. However, do know that Michelin tires tend to be more expensive than average.
Learn more in our review of Michelin tires, or compare rates for Michelin tires right away at TireRack.com.
If Continental tires are out of your price range, Cooper tires are a smart alternative. While the company doesn’t have the long-standing reputation of other tire brands, Cooper balances affordability and quality quite well.
The manufacturer specializes in producing replacement tires at much lower prices than the industry average. It also offers decent treadwear warranties, it’s longest hitting the 80,000-mile mark, which is not far off from Goodyear or Michelin.
Read more in our full Cooper tires review, or start shopping for Cooper tires at TireRack.com.
Continental is a good tire brand in many aspects.
It is one of the most well-regarded tire companies in the industry and has a strong reputation for quality.
Continental tires are made by the German manufacturing company Schaeffler Group. The company produces components for automotive, industrial, and aerospace applications.
Continental did not earn as good of a score in our tire study as Michelin. While Continental is an overall good tire brand, Michelin earned the highest score in our study.
Continental tires are not Chinese-made. While the company produces its tires in Germany, it has gained a strong market share in China in recent years.
Our MethodologyOur research team is committed to providing the most accurate, thorough, and unbiased information possible to help people make informed decisions about the tires they purchase. We use a standardized set of criteria to ensure the consistency and comparability of our reviews.
A long time industry leader in the tire arena dating back to 1871, Continental produces a wide range of tires covering bicycles and motorcycles to commercial trucks and industrial equipment.
The passenger vehicle tire is their core business and they have achieved a great deal of success in the automotive world. Continental has collaborated directly with vehicle manufacturers such as Daimler-Benz, Porsche and Audi to develop race-winning competition tires. Headquartered in Hanover, Germany, Continental is currently a manufacturer of original equipment for many premium auto manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Group.
Continental PureContact LS
Best for Passenger Cars
See Prices
With LS (Luxury Sport) in the name, this tire sets out to provide a quiet and comfortable ride over a wide-range of conditions while maximizing wet-condition braking. Consistently highly rated by buyers over a large range of different vehicle owners, the Pure Contact LS is a choice difficult to refute. Besides providing excellent traction in all kinds of weather, this all-season tire also provides a long-lasting quiet ride for you and your passengers.
Technological advances in construction, materials and design all converge to improve fuel efficiency and tread life over a very wide range of environmental conditions and road surfaces. When it comes to being able to handle almost all that can be thrown at you on the road, the PureContact LS is the top choice from Continental to ensure your confidence on the road ahead.
Specs:
ExtremeContact Sport
Best Performance Tire
See Prices
As the apt name suggests, the ExtremeContact Sport is specifically targeted as the go-to tire for a street-driven extreme performance machine - the Tomahawk Missile for the street. When deployed in temperatures well above freezing, the ExtremeContact Sport will provide the ultimate in dry and wet traction with little compromise in noise and harshness - thus the reason why it is provided as original equipment in BMW’s Motorsport Division on their halo M Cars.
Despite their extraordinary tenacity to the road, tread life is still good and on-par with other performance street tires. The highly specialized rubber compound, tread and carcass design allow for exceptional road feel, high-speed stability and consistent contact patch to be applied for maximum traction in both dry and wet conditions. These are much like track cleats - specialized shoes for very specific conditions, and when used in those conditions, they will provide precise handling and high limits of adhesion. Perfect for launching your land missile.
Specs:
CrossContact LX25
Best SUV Tire
See Prices
SUVs and CUVs are chosen for their ability to fill multiple roles in daily use in varying settings. It is for this very reason that a tire must complement these capabilities.
The CrossContact LX25 employs multiple technologies to provide a luxurious ride quality while providing all-season traction. From sound deadening integrated directly below the tread layer, continuous ribs to minimize the noise generated in the first place, and a tread compound designed to maximize fuel economy and tread life, Continental has achieved an elusive combination of sure-footed traction, confidence-inspiring handling and long-lasting and quiet tread - luxurious indeed.
Specs:
TerrainContact H/T
Best Truck Tire
See Prices
The ubiquitous truck has pretty wide-ranging responsibilities and tire needs.. Workhorses they are - from carrying bricks and steel to transporting the young ones to practice and back, they all have a commonality - the type of tires they’re shod with.
Because of their larger size and payload capacity, tires for these trucks must be equally capable not only for their traction but their ability to carry a heavy load. The TerrainContact H/T is perfectly suited to the task combining durability with a quiet, comfortable ride in all-weather conditions. Although it’s traction repertoire is wide-ranging, it is still considered an on-road tire and best used in those situations.
Specs:
ExtremeContact DWS 06
Best All Season Tire
See Prices
It seems that almost every model of vehicle has some sporting intentions baked in, whether that be due to the ever-increasing power and torque of today's power plants or manufacturers realizing that improved on-road performance need not be mutually exclusive to reliability and dependability.
With a vast range of sizes, the ExtremeContact DWS 06 is available to owners out there wanting to retain if not enhance that sporty character while maintaining the confidence to travel in all weather conditions. The DWS stands for “Dry,” “Wet,” and “Snow” and those letters are molded directly into the tread where it is visible so that you can easily determine what capabilities are left on the tires as they wear. The “S” is set to wear out before the “W”. The “D” is set to wear out at the shallowest tread depth. Although the tire still employs a traditional wear indicator system (consisting of wear bars set at 2/32” - indicating no usable life left) the DWS letters will quickly and easily indicate to you under what conditions you can more confidently traverse.
Engineered to be a high-performance tire, enhanced tread life is achieved through advanced rubber compounds and additives. Drivers of powerful and capable sedans, wagons, crossovers and SUVs can take advantage of the high-speed stability, performance and traction year-round.
Specs:
VikingContact 7
Best Winter Tire
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Continental calls this their Nordic tire. To allow safe travels over sub-freezing conditions covered in ice and snow, the VikingContact 7 is specifically engineered to thrive in these conditions. The winter-specific is the inverse of the summer-only tire - ideally suited for freezing temperatures through rubber compound, additives and specific tread designs. The tires are so specialized that Continental specifies that these tires are to be used only in a matching set of 4. The tire industry has a symbol that if a tire can achieve a certain set of performance criteria in snow it can be branded with that symbol. The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (or 3PMSF) branded tire is expected to provide improved performance on snow than a standard M+S (Mud and Snow) branded all-season tire.
The Nordic people aren’t the only ones who recognize the need for a winter-specific tire - Canadian province of Quebec requires “"Between 15 December to 15 March, the owner of a taxi or passenger vehicle registered in Quebec may not put the vehicle into operation unless it is equipped with tires specifically designed for winter driving” and “Starting December 15, 2014, the Highway Safety Code regulation specifies only tires bearing the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol will be considered acceptable winter/snow tires in Quebec.” The VikingContact 7 has been awarded the 3PMSF symbol. If you require enhanced traction in inclement weather during the winter, it would be in your best interest to get a set.
Specs:
TerrainContact A/T
Best Off Road Tire
See Prices
Just as the passenger car summer and winter tires provide optimized traction in their respective categories, the A/T or All-Terrain tire for trucks provides the rugged, durable traction in off-road situations.
When the paved road gives way to dirt, sand, mud, snow and/or rocks, the TerrainContact A/T is specifically suited to keep you confidently moving through. If your destination is somewhere off the beaten path and you need the goat-like sure footedness, the TerrainContact A/T will help get you there and back. If you need that traction on your VERY heavy truck you have the option of choosing the Light Truck designation - it allows for significantly high air pressure to be run to help support that extra weight and the tire construction is also optimized for the extra load. Keep your business or adventure on the right track while off the beaten path with the TerrainContact A/T.
Specs:
Continental has a long history of developing and manufacturing tires - being able to draw upon 150 years of experience allows them to produce the perfect tire for you.
As an industry leader and as a business in excellent standing, you can trust in the brand to continually provide support and honor their exceptional warranty.
When vehicle manufacturers spend years and billions of dollars developing a line of cars, they have to put their faith in a tire manufacturer to be able to produce a tire that will be able to utilize all of the electronic and mechanical wizardry. Without a proper tire, some of the hard fought and earned progress in vehicle dynamics can be lost. The decision of a vehicle manufacturer to choose a particular tire manufacturer as the original equipment supplier is one not taken lightly - take their lead and know that what you are buying will be right for you too.
Quality and Warranty: The warranty is a testament to Continental's confidence in the quality of its product - they feel so strongly that their tires, no matter which model you choose, you will be satisfied with your choice or your money back.
Traction and Handling: The reason why you’re here, looking for better traction. Continental provides the handling you’re looking for through superior traction - traction that’s been achieved advancements in materials, construction and processes. Factors that all go towards making your vehicle do what and how you want it to - bottom line.
Quiet and Long-Lasting: Imagine a tire that lasts a long time, but is noisy and uncomfortable to drive in the meantime - you’ll have a prolonged sentence of angst and frustration. The trick is to get the tire to behave well during your time with it so you will not have to think about your tires until they’re worn out.
In the event of an incident - a flat tire, a vibration, a pull to one side - will the manufacturer be on your side to help you out or are you on your own? Can you readily get a replacement wherever you may be? Do retailers have the support and empowerment from the manufacturer to make things right? If your newly installed tires give you the ability to not think about them again, that is the ultimate testament to their quality.
You have chosen a brand of tires that has already done all of the thinking for you and you now have the confidence to pilot your vehicle on (and off) the streets.
Read more on the Best Tire Deals available here.
See our overall recommendations for Best Tires
See our recommendations for the 10 Best Tire Brands for 2023
Many of the tires Continental makes are expected to last anywhere from 15,000 miles (for the rear tires on a staggered fitment) to 70,000 miles. It all depends upon the tire and application it’s used in.
Depending upon the application, the smallest size they offer is a T115/70R15 (spare) to LT315/70R17.
Direct and worthy competitors to Continental are Michelin and Pirelli. Both companies provide a wide selection of tires that are considered comparable to Continental.
You can buy direct from online retailers such as SimpleTire, Tire Rack and Discount Tire. All of these retailers also have a network of tire installation shops that you may even be able to ship directly to them so that you don’t have to lift, transport and unload the heavy and bulky tires at the shop. Read more on the Best Places to Buy Tires Online and Save Hundreds here.
Yes, Continental offers a quality product highly-rated in customer reviews. Continental is also notable for its strong warranty package.
Editor's note and disclaimer: Car Talk is supported by our fans, readers and listeners. When you click on some of the links on our website, we may receive referral compensation. However, you should know that the recommendations we make are based on our independent editorial review and analyses.
2 reviews Alexander
Tires Continental ContiCrossContact LX nine0003
Bought a used Volkswagen Touareg.
I want to buy new summer tires. I am considering Continental cross contact 255/60/R17. Before that they were Michelin Diamaris (excellent tires) 235/65/R17. What do you advise?
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2 reviews Igor nine0003
Tires Continental PremiumContact 6
Delivered on time, I had to wait for some time with the execution of cash documents, in principle, satisfied. There is no limit to perfection, there is something to strive for
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1 review Vladislav nine0003
Tires Continental ContiCrossContact LX2
Advantages
Excellent tires.
Not noisy. Rides well on dry and wet pavement. Light off-road passes without problems.
Flaws
No, the only thing is small stones get stuck in the projector. nine0003
Just right for light SUVs.
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1 review Ivan
Tires Continental VikingContact 7 nine0003
Features
Price
Disadvantages
No
With a new car (for me, the first all-wheel drive) I decided to try friction tires.
I chose the best in Autoreview tests (this year, for the first time, friction became the best in overall evaluation), and so far I have not regretted it even once. Needless to say, they are softer and quieter, keep better on clean asphalt, at least no worse on snow. nine0003
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1 review Alexander
Tires Continental ContiWinterContact TS830P nine0003
Advantages
Not noisy, keeps the road
Disadvantages
No
Velcro is probably the most adequate and quiet option with the presence of Run Flat.
And the price turned out to be acceptable compared to competitors in the premium segment.
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nine0002 1 review SergeyTires Continental 4x4Contact
Benefits
Rain handling Well "pulls" the winter season Quiet enough (buzzed in season 5) Excellent rulitsya on light off-road, not afraid of curbs nine0003
Defects
none
Rubber was from the salon, departed for 5 seasons, in the Moscow region + trips to the Crimea every year 2 times, to the last excellent handling on the track in the rain, of course, all-wheel drive also helped.
No cuts, no hernias, excellent wheels.
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2 reviews Socrates nine0003
Tires Continental ContiSportContact 5
Benefits
ContiSeal Technology
Disadvantage nine0003
I think good rubber, its advantage is ContiSeal, helped with screws and nails several times, keeps the car well on the road and on dry asphalt and wet
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3 reviews Sasha nine0003
Tires Continental ContiEcoContact 5
I really don't need a lot from tires: I don't drive fast, only in the city, I rarely have to brake especially hard.
On the advice of a friend, I put ContiEcoContact, I did not regret it. I'm on my second season now. Quiet, soft, but with emergency braking they respond great. To be honest, I didn't even expect this. )
Read review nine0003
10 reviews Arsenty
Tires Continental ContiPremiumContact 5
I can't stand soft tires in principle. Once, on a speed bump, a Nokian tire flew off the side of the disk, since then I have only used one, ContiPremiumContact, I am 100% sure of them, there simply cannot be such jambs on them. In addition, they do not float and warm up quickly.
nine0003
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4 reviews Alexander
Tires Continental Conti4x4WinterContact nine0003
I really liked the tires, I did not even expect! Before that, I went to Michelin, but having skated only 3 seasons, it fell into disrepair (I bought tires that year, there was never a single extreme situation on the road, keeps very cool, not in a rut throws, all maneuvers are predictable on it! I recommend it to everyone
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10 reviews Kirill nine0003
Tires Continental CrossContact UHP
Good on both dry and wet pavement, I would not say noisy! Weak sidewalls - this is about her! a finger-thick hole in the side already in the second week of operation .
... there are practically no chord threads in the sidewall .. And the price is not small!
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5 reviews nine0003
Tires Continental ContiSportContact 2
Super tires, and on cold and overheated pavement braking is excellent. there is practically no noise, in the rain there are also no problems. Four seasons passed - the tread is excellent.
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3 reviews Dmitry nine0003
Tires Continental Conti4x4IceContact
This winter I rented a small house in the village.
When choosing tires, I was not sure of the conscientious work of public utilities, so the emphasis was on cross-country ability. I have a jeep wrangler, and I wanted tires to match this tank) I have a friend who loves off-road driving, and he advised me to take these. The spikes dug into the snow and pulled out of any snowdrift. In the heaviest snowfall, I went to the village with confidence. Satisfied. nine0003
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2 reviews Andrey
Tires Continental IceContact 2 SUV nine0003
ContinentalIceContact 2 SUV 245/55/R19 excellent tires.
Great braking on asphalt and ice. I recommend to everyone.
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2 reviews Super nine0003
Tires Continental ContiCrossContact AT
Passed two winters and summer on ContiCrossContact AT tires in dimension 235x65-R17, 50% wear. Auto-Volkswagen Tuareg 3l diesel, air suspension. Tires are decent both in winter and summer, including off-road. Soft, somewhat noisy at a speed of about 50 km / h. Road holding is good at any speed.
Read review nine0003
1 review Igor
Tires Continental Contact TS815 ContiSeal
Bought a Volkswagen Passat CC.
They sold it to me with a set of Continental ContiSeal tires. Never heard of these tires before. After reading about them on the Internet, at first I did not believe it - tires do not need to be replaced if they are punctured! But then I tested it in practice. I was driving along the side of the road and pierced the wheel with a banal nail. But the tire did not let air through. As for the other characteristics, they are observed in the best traditions of Continental. Excellent tyres! nine0003
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2 reviews Alexei
Tires Continental ContiPremiumContact nine0003
Advantages
Not too noisy, good road holding, did not let down in the rain
Weaknesses
A bit harsh
It's a pity they stopped producing.
I found this model, but with a different vice-rector. The pattern is similar, but instead of three, there are four grooves.
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nine0002 7 reviews DmitryTires Continental IceContact 2
Advantages
I have not participated in the extreme sports yet, but one thing is for sure - they do not make noise. This is the first time I've seen this with studded tires. nine0003
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4 reviews Ilya
Tires Continental ContiCrossContact Viking nine0003
I've been riding it for 3 seasons, after the breeches it's generally beautiful, the main difference is grip.
on that one it shook a little, the wheels fell on ice or snow 3 fingers deep, but this one seems to cope with nothing, the main thing is not to drive. Plus, on the breeches, 2 hernias appeared a year later, on this pah, there is no pah, maybe just big bumps have not yet come across. generally good winter tires
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1 review Gray nine0003
Tires Continental ContiEcoContact CP
don't know yet. drove about 2 thousand. rubber is good. harsh. holds the side skid well, turning on the handbrake. but it feels tough. I didn't feel it on other tires.
but there are downsides to the rubber that is muddy like a cow in public. this dirt holds much better!
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French Michelin and German Continental - which tires are better? The struggle between the two leading premium manufacturers has been going on for a very long time, and it is unlikely that anyone will win a final victory in the near future. Our article is also unlikely to put an end to this issue, but we will still try to figure out which of these giants makes the best tires.
High-quality tires - what to look for?
Summer handling
Winter handling
Noise factor
Economy
Strength
Conclusion
Before answering the question of which tires are better - Michelin or Continental, it would be nice to name the criteria for our comparison.
Russian roads, which most often have not been repaired for a very long time, will be a test for any tire. Here are the most basic characteristics by which we will choose the best:
Controllability;
Profitability;
wear resistance;
Noise.
The results of the latest October 2019 and March 2020 tests conducted by leading publications and experts will help us make a choice.
Over 25% of the global car market is occupied by Continental products and this is not an empty phrase. The German company has long established itself as a team of professionals in the manufacture of tires for cars and SUVs. nine0241 Advanced technologies are used in the production of rubber. For example, the concept of directional stability (ESC), which allows the car not to stray from the path intended by the driver. It has been steadily introduced into new models for many years - the popular ContiPremiumContact 5 has the same one.
Engineers are most concerned with the safety of the driver, so the Germans consider good braking qualities to be a priority in the manufacture of a rubber compound. The tread designs also help the grip with the track, the main task of which is to provide reliable grip on the track and prevent the car from skidding during an unsuccessful turn. German-made tires start and brake sharply not only on slippery ice and snow, but also on wet road surfaces. nine0241 The second auto giant is Michelin, he is also a participant in the Formula 1, Rally and Nascar races. It is unlikely that there are many people who, at least out of the corner of their eye, have not seen the famous logo of the French manufacturer - the funny man Bibendum, made up of many white tires. However, behind the symbol stands an abundant and rich history of high-quality and environmentally friendly products, which have been gaining new fans for more than a hundred years.
Misha's tread designs are specially designed to keep the car on the track in both dry and wet weather.
There is a wide choice among the company's products, but the famous Primacy 3, or popularly called "primasya", meets this principle best of all. The car should stand up as if rooted to the spot, and it doesn’t matter what is underneath under its wheels - hot asphalt or slippery slush. On the sides of the central part stretches a pattern responsible for acceleration, braking and contact with the track. In winter conditions, this is of fundamental importance, because the life and health of passengers depends on how tightly the tread will “cling” to the road. nine0003
Handling in the warm season we will determine how well the car keeps on dry and wet roads, how it brakes and how it resists hydroplaning.
The braking distance of the Frenchman at a speed of 100 km / h on a dry road was 32.1 m and this is a worthy result. The German production at the same speed performed worse, but not by much - 33.2 m. In the wet, the Michelin tire is 46.5 m, and the Continental is 47.
2 m, and again the French brand is not much, but pulling ahead. nine0241 Now controllability. On the wet surface, Konti stood up with dignity - 73.0 km / h average speed of the route. Misha's results are more modest - 71.9 km / h. The dry track did not reveal a clear favorite: the German manufacturer - 116.8 km / h, the French - 116.4 km / h. Lateral stability in this case is 6.9 m/s 2 and 6.10 m/s 2 , respectively.
In longitudinal aquaplaning, Misha is the undisputed favorite with a loss of adhesion speed of 99.1 km / h, Conti is far behind - 93.6 km / h. The transverse does not change the situation much, the German tire with lateral acceleration is better - 3.77 m / s 2 , but the French overtake them here too with 3.87 m/s 2 .
As a result, in terms of handling in the summer, tires from Continental slightly outperformed their competitor only in terms of handling, but also on wet and dry roads. On the rest of the points (braking distance, lateral stability and hydroplaning resistance), the Michelin tire won.
Summer tires | ||
| nine0336 Michelin | Continental | |
Dry road | ||
| Braking distance, m | 32.1 | 33.2 |
| Handling, km/h | 116.4 | 116.8 |
Wet road | ||
| Braking distance, m | 46.5 | 47.2 |
| Handling, km/h | 71.9 nine0333 | 73.0 |
| Lateral stability, m/s 2 | 6.10 | 6.9 |
| Transverse aquaplaning, m/s 2 | 3.87 | 3.77 |
| Longitudinal aquaplaning, km/h | 99. | 93.6 |
In braking on a snowy surface at a speed of 50 km/h, Conti overtook Misha with a score of 24.5 m versus 24.7 m. : Continental tire - 77.3 km / h; manufacturer Michelin - 76.9km/h
Wet braking at a speed of 80 km / h showed the superiority of the French competitor - 30.4 m; the stopping distance of the German was 31.5 m, which is somewhat more. In wet handling, the Conti wins with a score of 73.7 km/h; Misha has 73.1 km/h. Lateral stability: 12.34 sec. per circle and 12.53 sec. respectively. The German did better with longitudinal aquaplaning, with a traction loss rate of 76.7 km/h; the Frenchman showed himself weaker - 71.7 km / h. In the transverse, the opposite is true: victory for the Michelin tire with a lateral acceleration of 2.61 m / s 2 when Continental is 2.49 m/s 2 .
Conti brakes more effectively on dry roads at a speed of 100 km/h - 44.4 m against Misha's 44.
5 m. The same situation with handling: 82.9 km / h and 81.7 km / h.
So, on the snow, the German lost to his opponent only in tractive effort - the French manufacturer turned out to be stronger. Otherwise, Germany is on horseback. She is also a favorite on a dry road. However, its rival has shorter braking distances in the wet, higher lateral stability and lateral aquaplaning. The Conti is easier to handle and does well with longitudinal aquaplaning. Based on this, we will not be able to determine a clear winner on a winter wet road. nine0003
Winter tires | ||
| Michelin | Continental | |
Snow | ||
| Braking distance, m | 24.7 | 24.5 nine0333 |
| Pulling force, N | 3099 | 3072 |
| Handling, km/h | 76. | 77.3 |
Dry road | ||
| Braking distance, m | 44.5 | 44.4 |
| Handling, km/h | 81.7 | 82.9 |
Wet road | ||
| nine0004 Braking distance, m | 30.4 | 31.5 |
| Handling, km/h | 73.1 | 73.7 |
| Lateral stability, m/s 2 | nine0004 12.53 | 12.34 |
| Transverse aquaplaning, m/s 2 | 2.61 | 2.49 |
| Longitudinal aquaplaning, km/h | 71.7 | nine0004 76.7 |
Michelin has always been the undisputed leader in terms of comfort and quiet driving in the summer - its figure at a speed of 60 km / h is 68.
3 dB, and at a speed of 80 km / h - 72.5 dB. The tires of the French manufacturer are almost silent, they gently bypass all the nervousness of the road surface and fight vibration in the cabin - this has always been noted by the jury in most tests and ordinary drivers in their daily experience. However, in winter conditions they have problems - 64.1 dB at a speed of 50 km / h and 71.2 dB at 80 km / h. nine0241 Conti is slightly less comfortable than its French counterpart in summer - 69.2 dB at a speed of 60 km / h and 73.5 dB at a speed of 80 km / h. In the colder months, however, it is quieter than even some summer tires - 61.8 at 50 km/h and 68.9 at 80 km/h.
Noise, db | ||
| Michelin | Continental | |
| nine0331 Summer | ||
| 60 km/h | 68.3 | 69. |
| 80 km/h | 72.5 | 73.5 |
Winter | nine0334 ||
| 50 km/h | 64.1 | 61.8 |
| 80 km/h | 71.2 | 68.9 |
Rolling resistance directly affects how much fuel a vehicle consumes. In this test, the Continental summer tire confidently outperformed Michelin - 7.63 kg / t against 8.09kg/t. Winter analogues are located in the same way - 8.11 kg/t and 8.57 kg/t, respectively. As a result, we can say with confidence that vehicles from a German manufacturer consume less fuel.
Profitability, kg/t | ||
| Michelin | Continental | |
| Summer nine0333 | 8. | 7.63 |
| Winter | 8.57 | 8.11 |
In the endurance test of summer tires, Conti confidently took the lead with 44,900 km. Michelin showed more modest results - he drove 33,226 km. In the cold months, the patency turned out to be more powerful for a French-made tire - 51,250 km. Conti lasted 45 920 km, which is also a decent result, but worse than that of the opponent.
Strength, km | ||
| Michelin | Continental | |
| Summer | 33 226 | 44 900 | nine0334
| Winter | 51 250 | 45 920 |
In the summer, the French company confidently holds the brand - Michelin outperformed the rival in all respects, except for handling.
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