80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
81/100
6 professional tests
User signal (40%)
79/100
20 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P 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 snow, comfort and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
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)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 86 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 93% | 91% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 850 P leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 83 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 91 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 98% | 90% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 99% | 99% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 89 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 94% | 86% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 96% | 96% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 86% | 95% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 82 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 90 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 850 P leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 61 | 59 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 89 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 88 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 850 P | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 83 |
| Dry | 85 | 89 |
| Wet | 87 | 86 |
| Snow | 75 | 82 |
| Comfort | 78 | 85 |
| Noise | 61 | 59 |
| Treadwear | 82 | 89 |
| Handling | 84 | 88 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
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
80
/ 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 | 93% #13/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 91% #2/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +2 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #7/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -1.9 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 89% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 100% #3/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | -10.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 98% #8/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 95% #3/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +2.7 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 100% #10/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 92% #9/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +7.7 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 91% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 90% #8/10 · 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | +0.5 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 91% #4/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 87% #3/10 · 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | +3.4 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 50% #2/10 · 2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 94% #9/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 86% #4/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +8.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% #3/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 96% #6/7 · 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test | +0.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 86% #5/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 95% #7/10 · 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | -8.7 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 93% #8/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 94% #8/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | -1.2 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 90% #3/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 100% #3/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 94% #3/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test | -3.6 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 90% #5/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0% #7/10 · 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 98% #4/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 90% #3/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | +7.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% #4/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 99% #7/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | +0.2 | 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 is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet and dry conditions, offering a comfortable and quiet ride. While most users praise its predictability and grip on snow and ice, a minority of drivers report inconsistent performance in extreme cold or icy conditions and concerns regarding tread longevity.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and handling in wet and dry conditions
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise output
- Predictable and confidence-inspiring performance on snow
- Strong braking performance on mixed surfaces
Cons
- Reports of rapid tread wear for some users
- Inconsistent lateral grip on ice and deep snow for some drivers
- High price point compared to competitors
- Stiff sidewall construction noted by some as harsh
Observations
- Performance-oriented vehicles (e.g., BMW, Golf GTI) report excellent dry/wet handling, though some note a loss of steering feedback compared to summer tires.
- Heavy vehicles like the Mercedes E350 and Volvo XC70 report stable, comfortable, and balanced performance, particularly with larger wheel setups.
- Users with front-wheel-drive vehicles noted the tire provides surprising capability in challenging winter conditions, often keeping pace with 4x4 vehicles.
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 WinterContact TS 850 P | B · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | — |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
80
/ 100
Continental
83
/ 100
Continental
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better snow, comfort and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 82 vs 75 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 85 vs 78 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 89 vs 82 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 89 vs 85 on dry.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
Tire B · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P 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.