Skip advert
Advertisement

Continental WinterContact TS870 review

With wins across all disciplines and lovely feel, the Continental is an exceptional, unbeatable winter tyre for the third time

Only an exceptional tyre could keep the Goodyear off the top spot, but the Continental is such a product, winning this test for a third time in a row. It took five victories overall, in different conditions, and was both economical and the most refined, too, helping to put clear air between itself and the excellent Goodyear. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Curiously, the Continental was last in the snow braking test, taking more than 2.5m longer to stop than the best, yet on its way to the fastest lap on the snow handling circuit it felt good on the brakes. It also demonstrated fine traction, useful adjustability and the ability to recover from slides quickly, all of which made it quick and reassuring. 

It was even more impressive in the wet, claiming second in both aquaplaning tests and wet braking, just 0.4m off matching the best, and was quickest around the wet circle and handling circuit, where it was so grippy it felt like the test car was suddenly underpowered. Superb traction, rock-solid stability and an easy precision made it the most impressive around the wet track. To cap it all, it returned the lowest recorded cabin noise and was the third most economical tyre, too.

Blackcircles.com says…

“Appraised as ‘fantastic tyres’, and rated 4.7/5  for ‘would buy again’.  Feedback suggests these tyres give confidence in the cold, wet or snow.” 

Continental WinterContact TS870  
Overall100% 
Price£154 
Snow braking90.9%8th
Snow traction96.8%5th
Snow handling100%1st
Wet braking98.8%2nd
Wet handling100%1st
Wet cornering100%1st
Straight aquaplaning98.6%2nd
Curved aquaplaning99.0%2nd
Dry braking100%1st
Dry handling97.8%5th
Cabin noise100%1st
Rolling resistance93.0%3rd

Buy the Continental WinterContact TS870 from Blackcircles.com…

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £5,639 off RRP*Used from £10,549
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £3,330 off RRP*Used from £15,499
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,030Avg. savings £3,517 off RRP*Used from £11,254
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £39,025Avg. savings £3,528 off RRP*Used from £9,222
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Jaecoo 7 recalled: a quarter of all brand’s 2025 UK cars going back to dealers
Jaecoo 7 - front action

Jaecoo 7 recalled: a quarter of all brand’s 2025 UK cars going back to dealers

The Chinese brand has initiated a recall for roughly 7,500 Jaecoo 7 models due to an incorrectly attached wiring harness clip
News
6 Mar 2026
Are car headlights too bright? How hi-tech LED lights prioritise the driver but risk dazzling everyone else
Vauxhall Grandland - lights on

Are car headlights too bright? How hi-tech LED lights prioritise the driver but risk dazzling everyone else

LED headlamps on cars may improve visibility at night, but some people say they’re too bright. We investigate the issue and what can be done
Features
9 Mar 2026
New Mercedes GLA to challenge compact SUV elite with cutting-edge CLA tech
Mercedes GLA exclusive image - front

New Mercedes GLA to challenge compact SUV elite with cutting-edge CLA tech

Our exclusive image previews how the Mk3 Mercedes GLA will look when it arrives later this year
News
9 Mar 2026