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 Goodyear UltraGrip 9 — 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%)
82/100
5 professional tests
User signal (40%)
85/100
39 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 860 and Goodyear UltraGrip 9 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 860 is stronger on noise, wet and handling. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 is stronger on comfort and snow.
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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 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 76 | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 82 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 94% | 95% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 97% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 89 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 82% | 91% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 100% | 99% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
UltraGrip 9 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | 83 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 90 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 100% | 97% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 99% | 93% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
UltraGrip 9 leads by 21
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 67 | 100 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 90 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 62 | 52 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
UltraGrip 9 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 84 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 860 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 860 | UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 83 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 860 | Goodyear UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 82 |
| Dry | 81 | 80 |
| Wet | 90 | 87 |
| Snow | 78 | 86 |
| Comfort | 75 | 96 |
| Noise | 62 | 52 |
| Treadwear | 83 | 84 |
| Handling | 86 | 83 |
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
81
/ 100
Tire A
82
/ 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 | 95% #10/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -0.6 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #7/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 98% #9/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | -1 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 82% #3/11 · 2018 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 87% #9/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -5.3 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 93% #6/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -6.7 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 100% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 96% #5/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | +4 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 96% #19/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 83% #15/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +13 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 93% #16/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 76% #10/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +17.6 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 65% #6/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 81% #7/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -15.4 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/45 · 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview | 17% #6/49 · 2021 Winter Tyre Market Overview | +3.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #9/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 100% #2/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -2 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 97% #12/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +2.6 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 99% #8/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 93% #1/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +5.9 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 100% #1/2 · All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded Tyres | 97% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +3.4 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 90% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Same test |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 60% #7/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 80% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -20 | Same test |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 90% #2/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 90% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Same test |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 80% #3/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | 50% #7/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +30 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #6/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0% #7/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 82% #1/9 · 2018 AMS All Season Tyre Test | 91% #10/49 · 2021 Winter Tyre Market Overview | -9.2 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #1/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/10 · 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +1 | 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 Goodyear UltraGrip 9 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction on snow and ice. Users frequently highlight its superior ride comfort and low noise levels, often noting that it performs as well as or better than premium summer tires in terms of cabin quietness.
Pros
- Exceptional snow and ice traction
- High level of ride comfort and low road noise
- Excellent wet and dry weather performance in cold temperatures
- Low rolling resistance contributing to improved fuel economy
Cons
- Reduced performance on dry, warm asphalt (above 12°C)
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a less sporty or 'wallowy' handling feel
- Reports of premature tread wear or chunking in specific heavy-use cases
Observations
- Users with smaller city cars and hatchbacks (e.g., VW Polo, Suzuki Swift, Opel Astra) report high satisfaction with winter mobility and fuel efficiency.
- Drivers of heavier or rear-wheel-drive vehicles (e.g., Volvo estate models) noted a significant improvement in hill-climbing ability and stability compared to summer tires.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 | B · Goodyear UltraGrip 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
81
/ 100
Continental
82
/ 100
Goodyear
Too close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 860 and Goodyear UltraGrip 9 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 860 is stronger on noise, wet and handling. Goodyear UltraGrip 9 is stronger on comfort and snow.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 96 vs 75 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Continental WinterContact TS 860 scores 62 vs 52 on noise.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 scores 86 vs 78 on snow.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental WinterContact TS 860 scores 90 vs 87 on wet.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860
Tire B · Goodyear UltraGrip 9
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 860 also compared with
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 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.