87
/ 100
Objective (60%)
78/100
3 professional tests
User signal (40%)
78/100
5 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV vs Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 — 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
77
/ 100
Objective (60%)
58/100
5 professional tests
User signal (40%)
83/100
5 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV — better dry, comfort and handling. Pick the Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 if snow matters 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)
Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV leads by 61
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Winter i*pike RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 1 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 70 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 97% | 90% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Winter i*pike RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 87 | 82 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 82 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 98% | 92% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 92% | 96% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter i*pike RS2 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Winter i*pike RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 83 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 55 | 95 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 100% | 100% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 95% | 93% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV leads by 32
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Winter i*pike RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 56 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 96 | 76 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter i*pike RS2 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Winter i*pike RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 88 | 89 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Winter i*pike RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 90 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Winter i*pike RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 87 | 77 |
| Dry | 90 | 29 |
| Wet | 84 | 82 |
| Snow | 76 | 88 |
| Comfort | 96 | 64 |
| Noise | 88 | 89 |
| Treadwear | 90 | 90 |
| Handling | 86 | 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
87
/ 100
Tire A
77
/ 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 | 97% #6/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 90% #6/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | +6.8 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% #1/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 98% #2/8 · 2023 Studded Tyre Test | +1.9 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #5/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/8 · 2023 Studded Tyre Test | -0.6 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 95% #9/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 69% #5/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +26.1 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 17% #6/8 · 2023 Studded Tyre Test | +33.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 100% #2/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +0.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 95% #4/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 93% #11/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +2.4 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 98% #9/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 98% #8/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | -0.2 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 98% #2/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | -2.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 98% #3/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 92% #8/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | +5.8 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 92% #4/9 · 2018 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 96% #3/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | -4.7 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P SUV receives polarized feedback, with users divided between those praising its exceptional winter traction and those reporting disappointing grip in adverse conditions. While some drivers highlight its balanced performance across varied winter terrains, others note inconsistencies in wet weather and snow, suggesting performance may vary significantly based on vehicle setup or driving style.
Pros
- Strong traction and confidence on snow-covered roads
- Reliable handling and grip in cold, wet, and muddy conditions
- Balanced performance characteristics across diverse winter environments
- Provides a sense of safety and stability during severe winter weather
Cons
- Inconsistent performance in heavy slush and deep snow
- Susceptibility to aquaplaning in standing water
- Potential for premature wheel spin under torque
- Mixed reliability compared to previous Continental winter tire generations
Observations
- High-powered SUV owners noted that while the tire is well-balanced, it can struggle with traction under heavy torque loads.
- Performance consistency appears to vary, with some users finding the tire superior to summer tires but less capable than older Continental winter models.
The Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 is widely regarded as a high-value, performance-oriented winter tire that excels in severe ice and snow conditions. Users consistently praise its robust stud retention and predictable handling, positioning it as a competitive alternative to premium European brands.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and braking performance on ice and packed snow
- High-quality stud retention and long-term durability
- Predictable side grip and cornering stability
- Excellent value-to-performance ratio
Cons
- Vague steering feedback on dry tarmac
- Noticeable understeer when driving on dry road surfaces
- Performance on dry pavement does not match the precision of premium summer-oriented winter tires
Observations
- Long-term users report that the rubber compound remains malleable and effective even after multiple seasons of harsh Nordic winters.
- The tire maintains consistent performance characteristics across various vehicle types, including those with higher horsepower outputs.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | B · Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Premium Touring Winter tire |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
87
/ 100
Continental
77
/ 100
Hankook
Winner: Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV — better dry, comfort and handling. Pick the Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 if snow matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV scores 90 vs 29 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV scores 96 vs 64 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 scores 88 vs 76 on snow.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV scores 86 vs 80 on handling.
Tire A · Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV
Tire B · Hankook Winter i*pike RS2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV also compared with
Hankook Winter i*pike RS2 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.