81
/ 100
Objective (60%)
79/100
8 professional tests
User signal (40%)
84/100
49 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Continental WinterContact TS 860 S — 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%)
71/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
85/100
14 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 860 and Continental WinterContact TS 860 S are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 860 is stronger on noise and wet. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S is stronger on comfort, snow and dry.
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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 860 S leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 860 S |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 76 | 93 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 84 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 96% | 98% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 97% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 860 S |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 80 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 82 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 82% | 91% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 100% | 97% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 860 S |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 89 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 54% | 96% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 92% | 98% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 860 S |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 67 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 88 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 20
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 860 S |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 62 | 42 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 860 S |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 88 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 860 S |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 87 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 860 | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 81 |
| Dry | 81 | 89 |
| Wet | 90 | 81 |
| Snow | 78 | 87 |
| Comfort | 75 | 88 |
| Noise | 62 | 42 |
| Treadwear | 83 | 88 |
| Handling | 86 | 87 |
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
81
/ 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% #2/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | 98% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | -1.9 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #7/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 99% #2/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | -2 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 85% #4/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 100% #1/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | -14.6 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 100% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 96% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +4.2 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 84% #4/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 97% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | -13.4 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 7% #14/19 · The Best Winter Tyres for 2020 | +42.9 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 54% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 96% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | -41.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 92% #1/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | 98% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | -6.1 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 100% #1/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | 90% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +10.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 82% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 91% #6/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | -9.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #1/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 97% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +2.6 | 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 860 is widely regarded as a top-tier, balanced winter tire that excels in wet and snowy conditions while maintaining impressive comfort and low noise levels. While the vast majority of users report high satisfaction with its safety and handling, a minority of owners noted a significant drop in performance as the tires aged or after several seasons of use.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and safety in wet and slushy conditions
- Outstanding performance on snow, providing high levels of confidence
- Remarkably low noise levels and high ride comfort
- Strong fuel efficiency and balanced overall performance
- Predictable handling on dry roads, often compared favorably to summer tires
Cons
- Performance degradation noted by some users after 3-4 seasons
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a slight loss of steering precision or 'wobble' in tight corners
- Tread pattern prone to picking up and throwing stones/sand
- Inconsistent reports regarding tread wear, with some users experiencing faster-than-expected depletion
Observations
- Users with high-torque vehicles noted that the tire can struggle with traction under heavy acceleration on snow if the vehicle lacks advanced torque management.
- Drivers of smaller, lighter vehicles (e.g., VW Polo, Golf) reported excellent handling and confidence in varied winter conditions.
- Some users noted that the tire's soft sidewall is more noticeable on larger rim sizes or during spirited driving.
The Continental WinterContact TS 860 S is widely regarded as a premium performance winter tire that excels in cold, dry, and wet conditions, often mimicking the handling characteristics of a summer tire. While the majority of users praise its sporty feedback and snow traction, some owners report specific issues with lateral grip in wet conditions and potential compatibility challenges with staggered wheel setups.
Pros
- Exceptional handling and feedback on dry and wet roads in cold temperatures
- Strong performance and confidence in snow and icy conditions
- Stiffer sidewalls compared to predecessors, offering improved cornering stability
- High durability and slow tread wear over multiple seasons
Cons
- Long break-in period required before optimal grip is achieved
- Potential for traction control interference on staggered RWD setups due to circumference variances
- Limited lateral grip in wet conditions compared to some competitors
- High price point relative to other winter tire options
Observations
- Users with staggered RWD setups reported significant issues with traction control systems when using non-OEM specific tire variants.
- Drivers of performance-oriented vehicles (e.g., BMW M2) noted that the stiffer sidewalls provide a more precise, less 'squishy' feel during spirited driving.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 | B · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 4 |
| Rim diameters | — | 18″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | — | 10 - 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Black Side Wall |
| Max pressure | — | 50 - 51 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
81
/ 100
Continental
81
/ 100
Continental
Too close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 860 and Continental WinterContact TS 860 S are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 860 is stronger on noise and wet. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S is stronger on comfort, snow and dry.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Continental WinterContact TS 860 scores 62 vs 42 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 88 vs 75 on comfort.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental WinterContact TS 860 scores 90 vs 81 on wet.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 87 vs 78 on snow.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860
Tire B · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 860 also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S 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.