86
/ 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 Michelin Pilot Exalto — 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
82
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
81/100
56 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Continental WinterContact TS 860 S — better comfort, handling 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 860 S leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | Pilot Exalto |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 93 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 86 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | Pilot Exalto |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 81 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | Pilot Exalto |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 85 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | – |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | Pilot Exalto |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 77 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | Pilot Exalto |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 42 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | Pilot Exalto |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 83 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 S | Pilot Exalto |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 80 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S | Michelin Pilot Exalto |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 86 | 82 |
| Dry | 89 | 86 |
| Wet | 81 | 81 |
| Snow | 87 | – |
| Comfort | 88 | 77 |
| Noise | 42 | – |
| Treadwear | 88 | 83 |
| Handling | 87 | 80 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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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
86
/ 100
Tire A
82
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
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 Michelin Pilot Exalto is widely regarded as a premium, high-performance all-rounder that excels in both wet and dry conditions. While users frequently praise its exceptional longevity and consistent grip, some enthusiasts note that its focus on comfort results in softer sidewalls and reduced steering feedback compared to more aggressive track-focused tires.
Pros
- Exceptional tread life and durability
- Strong, predictable grip in both wet and dry conditions
- Progressive handling characteristics near the limit
- High level of ride comfort
- Excellent value over the long term due to longevity
Cons
- High retail price point
- Softer sidewalls can lead to reduced steering feedback and responsiveness
- Increased road noise reported by some users
- Limited availability of specific sizes as the model ages
- Performance can drop off during prolonged high-speed/track use due to overheating
Observations
- Owners of lightweight sports cars like the Mazda MX-5 and Renault Clio 182 frequently cite this tire as an ideal match for the vehicle's handling characteristics.
- Users with modified suspension setups noted that the soft sidewalls of the Exalto can hinder the precision of aftermarket springs and anti-roll bars.
- Drivers of larger, heavier vehicles or those using 17-inch sizes noted that while the tire remains comfortable, the cost of replacement for these specific sizes is significantly higher.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S | B · Michelin Pilot Exalto |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Summer 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?
86
/ 100
Continental
82
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 860 S — better comfort, handling and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 88 vs 77 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 87 vs 80 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 88 vs 83 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 89 vs 86 on dry.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Exalto
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S also compared with
Michelin Pilot Exalto 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.