Continental WinterContact TS870 review

The remarkable Continental repeats its win in this size for the third time. In fact, it has won five of our winter tyre tests since 2021, although this time it has been pushed harder than ever before.

Continental’s view on the priorities of a winter tyre sees it focus most on performance in cold, wet conditions, which drivers in the UK deal with more frequently than snow. Its snow performance was still very good, with its braking distance just 0.25m off the best. It was slightly adrift on snow acceleration, ranking only ninth, but around the snow lap it was within a second of the pace-setting Goodyear and was good to drive, with positive turn-in and an easy adjustability that made it accurate and confidence inspiring.

It aced the wet tests, setting the standard in the crucial braking test – stopping almost a metre sooner than its next rival – and in the wet circle test as well, again putting clear air between itself and the others, and setting the joint-fastest lap time on the wet-handling circuit. It felt superb, with strong grip, braking, turn-in and traction, and made smooth transitions all around the lap.

A performance of the highest quality. A strong showing when aquaplaning made it uncatchable in the wet. Dry handling was good, too, with a similar feeling of quality to how it behaved, and it was quiet, both at the limit and according to the noise meter. Even rolling resistance was impressive. Once again, the Continental is the complete package.

Blackcircles.com says…

“Praised as ‘excellent’, and rated 4.6/5 by customers. Feedback suggests it gives strong performance in cold, wet or snow.”

Buy the Continental WinterContact TS870 from Blackcircles.com…