87
/ 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.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Dunlop Winter Response 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.
VS
89
/ 100
Objective (60%)
76/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
92/100
10 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Dunlop Winter Response 2 — better snow, comfort and wet. Pick the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P if handling and dry 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 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Winter Response 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 90 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 86 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Winter Response 2 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Winter Response 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 94 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 91 | 90 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 95% | 98% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter Response 2 leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Winter Response 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 94 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 100 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 94% | 99% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter Response 2 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Winter Response 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 93 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Winter Response 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 59 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Winter Response 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 87 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Winter Response 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 82 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | Dunlop Winter Response 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 87 | 89 |
| Dry | 89 | 86 |
| Wet | 86 | 92 |
| Snow | 82 | 96 |
| Comfort | 85 | 93 |
| Noise | 59 | – |
| Treadwear | 89 | 87 |
| Handling | 88 | 82 |
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
87
/ 100
Tire A
89
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 33% #3/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/51 · 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | -66.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 94% #8/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/31 · 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | -4.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% #4/56 · 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview | 98% #3/51 · 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | -3.1 | 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 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.
The Dunlop Winter Response 2 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction in snow and wet conditions. Users frequently highlight its balanced performance, noting that it maintains impressive grip and low noise levels even in dry, cold weather, making it a strong value proposition in the premium winter segment.
Pros
- Outstanding traction and confidence in deep snow and icy conditions.
- Excellent wet weather grip and handling stability.
- Low road noise levels, even at motorway speeds.
- Strong value for money compared to other premium winter offerings.
Cons
- Some reports of faster-than-expected tread wear.
- Noticeable sidewall roll during cornering at higher speeds.
- Inconsistent performance ratings across different tire widths in independent testing.
Observations
- Users noted that the tire remains remarkably quiet on smaller vehicles like the Renault Clio, particularly in 185/55 R15 sizing.
- Longevity appears sufficient for moderate usage, with one user reporting 46,000 km of service while maintaining 4mm of tread depth.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | B · Dunlop Winter Response 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
87
/ 100
Continental
89
/ 100
Dunlop
Winner: Dunlop Winter Response 2 — better snow, comfort and wet. Pick the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P if handling and dry matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Dunlop Winter Response 2 scores 96 vs 82 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop Winter Response 2 scores 93 vs 85 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 88 vs 82 on handling.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Dunlop Winter Response 2 scores 92 vs 86 on wet.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Tire B · Dunlop Winter Response 2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P also compared with
Dunlop Winter Response 2 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.