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Head-to-head Updated September 2026

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 — 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.

Tire A Continental

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

Winter Ultra High Performance tires

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P tread pattern
Objective (60%)
93/100
29 professional tests
User signal (40%)
87/100
28 owner reviews
Dry
89
Wet
86
Snow
82
Comfort
85
Noise
59
Treadwear
89
Handling
88

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VS
Tire B Pirelli

Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2

Winter Premium Touring tires

Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
89/100
19 professional tests
User signal (40%)
78/100
3 owner reviews
Dry
82
Wet
84
Snow
84
Comfort
76
Noise
65
Treadwear
60
Handling
77

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VerdictWinner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better treadwear, handling and comfort. Pick the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 if noise matters 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

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 7
A — Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
89
B — Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
82
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 870 PCinturato Winter 2
Professional tests (TWG score) 90 83
Tyre Reviews owners 86 80
Dry Braking (% of best) 97% 96%
Dry Handling (% of best) 100% 98%

Wet

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 2
A — Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
86
B — Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
84
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 870 PCinturato Winter 2
Professional tests (TWG score) 83 82
Tyre Reviews owners 91 87
Wet Braking (% of best) 93% 96%
Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best) 72% 84%
Wet Circle (% of best) 97% 99%
Wet Handling (% of best) 98% 88%

Snow

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Cinturato Winter 2 leads by 2
A — Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
82
B — Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
84
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 870 PCinturato Winter 2
Professional tests (TWG score) 78 79
Tyre Reviews owners 89 90
Snow Braking (% of best) 93% 95%
Snow Circle (% of best) 96% 99%
Snow Handling (% of best) 95% 99%
Snow Slalom (% of best) 97% 100%
Snow Traction (% of best) 95% 92%

Comfort

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 9
A — Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
85
B — Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
76
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 870 PCinturato Winter 2
Professional tests (TWG score) 82 76
Tyre Reviews owners 90 77

Noise

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Cinturato Winter 2 leads by 6
A — Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
59
B — Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
65
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 870 PCinturato Winter 2
Professional tests (TWG score) 59 65

Treadwear

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 29
A — Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
89
B — Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
60
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 870 PCinturato Winter 2
Tyre Reviews owners 89 60

Handling

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 11
A — Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
88
B — Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
77
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 870 PCinturato Winter 2
Tyre Reviews owners 88 77

Scores at a glance

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 870 PPirelli Cinturato Winter 2
Relative Score 83 75
Dry 89 82
Wet 86 84
Snow 82 84
Comfort 85 76
Noise 59 65
Treadwear 89 60
Handling 88 77

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.

Neutral
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Important
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score

Tire A

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.

DisciplineCategoryTire ATire BΔBoth?
Curved Aquaplaning Curved 99% #4/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test 86% #4/11 · 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tyre Test +12.6 Different tests
Dry Braking Dry 97% #7/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test 96% #5/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test +1.2 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 100% #3/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test 98% #18/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test +2.2 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 100% #1/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test 99% #8/10 · 2025 AMS Winter Tyre Test +1.3 Different tests
Fuel Consumption Fuel 98% #12/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test 98% #7/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test 0 Different tests
Ice Braking Ice 92% #7/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test 98% #5/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test -6.9 Different tests
Abrasion Other 67% #8/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test 77% #12/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test -9.5 Same test
Noise Other 95% #6/9 · 2023 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 96% #7/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test -0.5 Different tests
Price Other 92% #9/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test 100% #8/9 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test -7.4 Different tests
Value Other 90% #8/10 · 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test 89% #16/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test +1.7 Different tests
Wear Other 74% #11/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test 83% #7/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test -8.4 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 33% #3/9 · 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test 20% #5/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test +13.3 Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 93% #6/10 · 2025 AMS Winter Tyre Test 95% #12/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test -2.5 Different tests
Snow Circle Snow 96% #4/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test 99% #2/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test -3.6 Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 95% #4/11 · 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tyre Test 99% #4/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test -3.3 Different tests
Snow Slalom Snow 97% #4/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test -3.4 Different tests
Snow Traction Snow 95% #5/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 92% #7/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test +3.1 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 98% #3/7 · 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test 97% #6/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test +1.5 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 100% #3/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test 88% #6/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test +12.5 Different tests
Subj. Dry Handling Subj 100% #1/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test 77% #7/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test +23.3 Different tests
Subj. Snow Handling Subj 94% #3/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test 99% #2/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test -5.1 Same test
Subj. Wet Handling Subj 100% #1/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test 91% #5/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test +8.8 Same test
Total Cost of Ownership Total 0% #14/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test 0% #10/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test 0 Same test
Wet Braking Wet 93% #5/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tyre Test 96% #5/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test -3.4 Different tests
Wet Braking - Concrete Wet 72% #9/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test 84% #2/12 · 2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tyre Test -12 Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 97% #6/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tyre Test 99% #4/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test -1.5 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 98% #7/7 · 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test 88% #3/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test +10.2 Different tests
From owners

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

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.
Tire B Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2

The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 is generally regarded as a highly capable winter tire that excels in wet and snowy conditions while providing a secure, planted feel. While users appreciate its safety and traction, there are notable concerns regarding its longevity and tread wear, as well as a shift toward a softer, touring-oriented handling profile compared to its predecessors.

Pros

  • Excellent traction and confidence in wet and snowy conditions
  • Strong braking performance on dry surfaces
  • High level of subjective road feedback and handling security
  • Comfortable touring-oriented ride quality

Cons

  • Rapid tread wear and concerns regarding overall tire longevity
  • Less precise handling and feedback compared to sportier winter tires
  • Increased road noise and fuel consumption noted by some users
  • Softer sidewall feel which may not suit performance-oriented driving

Observations

  • Users transitioning from the sportier Sottozero 3 noted a significant shift toward a touring-focused, less direct handling experience.
  • The tire's performance is highly regarded for drivers seeking a balanced, safe option for cold, rainy, and occasional mountain winter conditions.
Specifications

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
CategoryWinter Ultra High Performance tiresWinter Premium Touring tires
Vehicle typePassenger Car / Crossover—
Sizes available—8
Rim diameters—16″ – 18″
Tread depth—11/32″
Sidewall—Blackwall
Max pressure—50 psi
Final verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental

Pirelli

Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better treadwear, handling and comfort. Pick the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 if noise matters most to you.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 89 vs 60 on treadwear.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 88 vs 77 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 85 vs 76 on comfort.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 89 vs 82 on dry.

Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Tire B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2

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.