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

Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,636 off RRP*
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £3,290 off RRP*Used from £11,700
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,030Avg. savings £3,560 off RRP*Used from £20,799
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,638 off RRP*Used from £8,995
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

With new car prices soaring, Dacia's value focus should give it an edge in 2026
Opinion - Dacia

With new car prices soaring, Dacia's value focus should give it an edge in 2026

Deputy editor Richard Ingram looks ahead at some of the biggest new cars set to arrive in 2026
Opinion
7 Jan 2026
New Geely Starray hits the Kia Sportage where it hurts at under £30k
Geely Starray SUV - front 3/4

New Geely Starray hits the Kia Sportage where it hurts at under £30k

The Chinese brand’s EM-i Super Hybrid system promises a massive pure-electric range of up to 84 miles
News
7 Jan 2026
New Tesla Model 3 Standard slashes entry price and running costs
Tesla Model 3 Standard - front

New Tesla Model 3 Standard slashes entry price and running costs

A new cut-price version of the best-selling electric saloon offers 332 miles of range and the lowest insurance rating of any Tesla
News
9 Jan 2026