Continental ContiPremiumContact 5 tyre review

A decent all-rounder, but the balance between braking and fuel economy needs looking at.

The ContiPremiumContact 5 is a fine example of how quickly tyres are developed in this labelling era. The days when a design would last five or six years are fast disappearing.

When it was launched early in 2012, this tyre was at the cutting edge and won tests all over Europe. Two years on, it’s been overtaken.

Not that it is now hopelessly off the pace, but there is a gap to the current leaders. In recent tests, we’ve seen Continental show a distinct advantage in braking – not just in stopping quickly but also consistency. Yet that technology doesn’t yet seem to have found its way to the ContiPremiumContact 5.

Wet braking was 1.5 metres off the best and in the dry it took an extra two metres to stop. The compromise does mean this Continental is relatively frugal, finishing in fifth place with fuel consumption around two per cent off the leaders.

On the sweeps and direction changes of the wet handling track, it felt sharp. The rear was well controlled and it gave good traction out of the slower turns. This secure feel saw it finish equal third.

That same alert feel was there on the closely matched dry handling circuit, with the rear again firmly under control and the front coping well on the throttle. Top five results for aquaplaning confirm the ContiPremiumContact 5 as a sound performer, even if rivals have an edge.

One area of concern is cabin noise – a critical factor for many drivers – where the tyre finished last. Continental has struggled with this in previous tests.