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 Pirelli Scorpion Winter — 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
81
/ 100
Objective (60%)
77/100
3 professional tests
User signal (40%)
80/100
17 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Pirelli Scorpion Winter — better dry, handling and wet. Pick the Continental VikingContact 7 if snow and comfort matter most to you.
Read full
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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)
Scorpion Winter leads by 32
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 48 | 94 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 68 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | 80 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 96% | 97% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Scorpion Winter leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | 81 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | 89 | 90 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 93% | 99% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 95% | 97% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
VikingContact 7 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 81 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 78 |
| SimpleTire owners | 87 | 93 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 100% | 90% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 91% | 100% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 100% | 97% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
VikingContact 7 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 89 | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 81 |
| SimpleTire owners | 94 | 93 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Scorpion Winter leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | 73 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Scorpion Winter leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | 81 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 61 | 72 |
| SimpleTire owners | 90 | 73 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Scorpion Winter leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | VikingContact 7 | Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 71 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental VikingContact 7 | Pirelli Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 81 |
| Dry | 59 | 91 |
| Wet | 76 | 82 |
| Snow | 86 | 78 |
| Comfort | 88 | 80 |
| Noise | 84 | 85 |
| Treadwear | 68 | 73 |
| Handling | 71 | 80 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Weight the categories that matter to you
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
81
/ 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 | 96% #12/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #4/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | -1.8 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #2/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | 97% #1/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | +1 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 96% #4/9 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | -4.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 100% #8/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | 100% #7/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 100% #8/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 94% #7/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | +5.9 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 33% #3/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 50% #2/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | -16.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 100% #1/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 90% #9/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | +10.1 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 91% #1/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 100% #9/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | -9.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 100% #1/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #8/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | +3.4 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 76% #7/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | 88% #9/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | -12.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 93% #5/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 99% #2/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | -6.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 95% #2/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | 97% #8/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | -2.4 | 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 Pirelli Scorpion Winter is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet and dry conditions, often mimicking the handling characteristics of a summer tire. While many users praise its confidence-inspiring grip on highways and in heavy rain, consensus is mixed regarding its performance in severe ice and deep slush, where some drivers report a lack of traction.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and resistance to aquaplaning
- Strong dry road handling and stability at high speeds
- Comfortable and quiet ride quality for long-distance cruising
- Predictable and confidence-inspiring grip in light to moderate snow
Cons
- Inconsistent performance on hard ice and slushy conditions
- Faster tread wear compared to standard summer tires
- Reduced snow traction as the tire ages and tread depth decreases
- High-speed stability can feel vague at extreme velocities
Observations
- Users with heavy SUVs and performance crossovers report high satisfaction with highway handling but note faster tread wear.
- Drivers utilizing staggered fitments on 20-inch wheels report good feedback and handling, though some note the design is aging compared to newer iterations.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental VikingContact 7 | B · Pirelli Scorpion Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | SUV and 4x4 |
| Sizes available | 18 | 44 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 22″ | 17″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | 50 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Continental
81
/ 100
Pirelli
Winner: Pirelli Scorpion Winter — better dry, handling and wet. Pick the Continental VikingContact 7 if snow and comfort matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Pirelli Scorpion Winter scores 91 vs 59 on dry.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Pirelli Scorpion Winter scores 80 vs 71 on handling.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Continental VikingContact 7 scores 86 vs 78 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental VikingContact 7 scores 88 vs 80 on comfort.
Tire A · Continental VikingContact 7
Tire B · Pirelli Scorpion Winter
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental VikingContact 7 also compared with
Pirelli Scorpion Winter 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.