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 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 comfort, dry and treadwear. Pick the Continental WinterContact TS 860 if wet and noise matter most to you.
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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 8
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 76 | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 86 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 94% | 97% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 97% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 83 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 91 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 82% | 90% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 100% | 96% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 89 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 54% | 95% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 100% | 97% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 67 | 82 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 90 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 62 | 59 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 89 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 88 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 860 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 83 |
| Dry | 81 | 89 |
| Wet | 90 | 86 |
| Snow | 78 | 82 |
| Comfort | 75 | 85 |
| Noise | 62 | 59 |
| Treadwear | 83 | 89 |
| Handling | 86 | 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
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 | 94% #5/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 97% #6/10 · 2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test | -3 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #7/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 99% #4/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -1.9 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 98% #2/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | 100% #1/10 · 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | -2.1 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 93% #6/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 97% #2/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | -3.7 | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 93% #1/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | 100% #6/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | -6.7 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 100% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 100% #4/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 84% #4/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 92% #9/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -8.3 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 68% #18/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 69% #5/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | -1.4 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 65% #6/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 73% #17/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -8.1 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 17% #6/16 · 2021 ADAC 15 Inch Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -83.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 54% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 95% #9/31 · 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | -41.1 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% #8/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | -1.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 100% #1/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | 97% #3/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | +3.3 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 98% #2/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 95% #5/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | +3.1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 80% #4/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 70% #5/10 · 2025 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +10 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 100% #1/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 90% #2/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 94% #3/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test | -3.6 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 80% #3/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test | -20 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #6/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0% #14/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 82% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 90% #6/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | -8 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #2/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | 96% #14/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | +4.3 | 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 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 | B · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
81
/ 100
Continental
83
/ 100
Continental
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better comfort, dry and treadwear. Pick the Continental WinterContact TS 860 if wet and noise matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 85 vs 75 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 89 vs 81 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 89 vs 83 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental WinterContact TS 860 scores 90 vs 86 on wet.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860
Tire B · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 860 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.