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.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S 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 noise and wet. Pick the Continental WinterContact TS 860 S if snow and comfort matter most to you.
Read full
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.
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)
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 93 | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 86 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 97% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 83 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 91 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 91% | 94% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 97% | 91% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 89 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 96% | 86% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 82 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 90 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 42 | 59 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 89 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 88 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 83 |
| Dry | 89 | 89 |
| Wet | 81 | 86 |
| Snow | 87 | 82 |
| Comfort | 88 | 85 |
| Noise | 42 | 59 |
| Treadwear | 88 | 89 |
| Handling | 87 | 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.
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
81
/ 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 | 98% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 97% #7/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | +0.6 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #2/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 97% #3/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +1.5 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% #1/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 96% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 95% #3/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +0.4 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 97% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 92% #9/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +5.1 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 7% #14/19 · The Best Winter Tyres for 2020 | 8% #13/51 · 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | -0.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 96% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 86% #4/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +9.9 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 97% #8/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +1.3 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 90% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 95% #2/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | -5.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% #6/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 94% #6/10 · 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | -2.2 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 91% #5/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +5.9 | 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 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.
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 860 S | 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 |
| 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
83
/ 100
Continental
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better noise and wet. Pick the Continental WinterContact TS 860 S if snow and comfort matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 59 vs 42 on noise.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 87 vs 82 on snow.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 86 vs 81 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 88 vs 85 on comfort.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Tire B · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S 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.