75
/ 100
Objective (60%)
70/100
7 professional tests
User signal (40%)
78/100
30 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental VikingContact 7 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
93/100
29 professional tests
User signal (40%)
87/100
28 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better dry, treadwear and handling. Pick the Continental VikingContact 7 if noise, snow and comfort matter most to you.
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Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 30
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 48 | 90 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 68 | 86 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | – |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 100% | 97% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | 83 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 91 |
| SimpleTire owners | 89 | – |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 86% | 59% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 100% | 94% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
VikingContact 7 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 78 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 89 |
| SimpleTire owners | 87 | – |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 100% | 98% |
| Snow Circle (% of best) | 97% | 98% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 91% | 97% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 98% | 91% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
VikingContact 7 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 82 |
| Tire Rack owners | 89 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 90 |
| SimpleTire owners | 94 | – |
Noise
Score (0–100)
VikingContact 7 leads by 25
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 59 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 21
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 61 | 89 |
| SimpleTire owners | 90 | – |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 71 | 88 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental VikingContact 7 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 83 |
| Dry | 59 | 89 |
| Wet | 76 | 86 |
| Snow | 86 | 82 |
| Comfort | 88 | 85 |
| Noise | 84 | 59 |
| Treadwear | 68 | 89 |
| Handling | 71 | 88 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 100
Tire A
83
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 100% #1/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #4/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | +2.5 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #2/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | -1.6 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 98% #2/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | 98% #2/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -0.1 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 96% #4/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | 93% #5/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | +2.8 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 79% #11/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 92% #7/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -12.5 | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 84% #4/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | 100% #6/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | -15.5 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 100% #8/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | 96% #4/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | +4.3 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 100% #8/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 92% #9/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +7.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 14% #7/17 · The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024 | 25% #4/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -10.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 100% #1/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 98% #4/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +2.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Circle | Snow | 97% #6/9 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | 98% #8/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | -1.1 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 91% #2/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #2/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | -5.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 98% #3/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | 91% #12/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | +6.6 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 92% #8/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 99% #2/10 · 2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test | -7.3 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 95% #4/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | 95% #3/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 40% #6/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test | -60 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 86% #6/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 59% #1/10 · 2025 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +26.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #8/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 94% #4/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | +6.5 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Continental VikingContact 7 is widely regarded as a premium, well-rounded studless winter tire that excels in comfort, noise suppression, and slush performance. While it receives high praise for its predictable handling and stability on cold, dry, or wet pavement, user consensus suggests it may slightly trail dedicated ice-focused competitors like the Bridgestone Blizzak in extreme stopping grip on pure ice.
Pros
- Exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Strong performance in slush and deep snow
- Stable and predictable handling at highway speeds
- Excellent dry and wet road manners for a winter tire
Cons
- Mixed reports regarding tread life and longevity
- Noticeable decline in ice-braking performance compared to top-tier ice specialists
- Compound may harden or performance may degrade after multiple seasons
- Potential for reduced traction if driven in warmer, non-winter conditions
Observations
- Users noted that the tire maintains excellent fuel economy and low noise levels even on electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Mazda MX-30.
- Drivers of rear-wheel-drive sports cars (e.g., Mazda Miata) reported that the tire's soft compound can feel overwhelmed during aggressive acceleration on dry pavement.
- Downsizing to a smaller wheel diameter (e.g., -2 from OE) was successfully used to improve the tire's profile and winter performance on hybrid SUVs.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is widely regarded as a premium, highly balanced winter tire that excels in wet and slushy conditions while offering exceptional comfort and low noise levels. Most users report high levels of confidence in varied winter weather, though a small minority of users report inconsistent performance in severe snow and ice, and some note that steering response is less sharp than dedicated performance-focused alternatives.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
- High levels of cabin comfort and low road noise
- Strong, predictable grip on snow and slush
- Good balance of dry handling and rolling resistance
- Solid tread life and durability for a performance winter tire
Cons
- Premium price point compared to competitors
- Steering feel can be perceived as 'soft' or 'jelly' compared to summer tires
- Performance can drop off in temperatures above 8-10°C
- Inconsistent feedback regarding extreme ice traction
Observations
- EV and hybrid owners frequently praise the tire for its low rolling resistance and quiet operation.
- Drivers of high-performance RWD vehicles report that while the tire provides excellent grip, it may feel less stiff and sharp during aggressive cornering compared to summer counterparts.
- Users on larger wheel diameters (20-inch) report that the tire maintains high comfort levels without sacrificing handling.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental VikingContact 7 | B · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 18 | — |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 22″ | — |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | — |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Continental
83
/ 100
Continental
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better dry, treadwear and handling. Pick the Continental VikingContact 7 if noise, snow and comfort matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 89 vs 59 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Continental VikingContact 7 scores 84 vs 59 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 89 vs 68 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 88 vs 71 on handling.
Tire A · Continental VikingContact 7
Tire B · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental VikingContact 7 also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.