74
/ 100
Objective (60%)
79/100
10 professional tests
User signal (40%)
76/100
3 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental IceContact 3 vs General Altimax Arctic — 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
85
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
85/100
57 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: General Altimax Arctic — better treadwear, dry and noise. Pick the Continental IceContact 3 if handling and comfort 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)
Altimax Arctic leads by 19
Why this score
| Source | IceContact 3 | Altimax Arctic |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 56 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 73 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 92 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Altimax Arctic leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | IceContact 3 | Altimax Arctic |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 67 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 90 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | IceContact 3 | Altimax Arctic |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 10 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 96 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
IceContact 3 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | IceContact 3 | Altimax Arctic |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 100 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 57 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 90 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Altimax Arctic leads by 18
Why this score
| Source | IceContact 3 | Altimax Arctic |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 65 | – |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 81 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Altimax Arctic leads by 34
Why this score
| Source | IceContact 3 | Altimax Arctic |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 50 | 53 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 87 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
IceContact 3 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | IceContact 3 | Altimax Arctic |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 50 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental IceContact 3 | General Altimax Arctic |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 74 | 85 |
| Dry | 68 | 87 |
| Wet | 84 | 86 |
| Snow | 88 | 88 |
| Comfort | 89 | 86 |
| Noise | 65 | 83 |
| Treadwear | 50 | 84 |
| Handling | 83 | 78 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Recomputed
Headline score
74
/ 100
Tire A
85
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Continental IceContact 3 is highly regarded for its exceptional traction on packed snow and ice, offering a confidence-inspiring driving experience in severe winter conditions. While performance is competitive with top-tier rivals, some users have noted concerns regarding the long-term durability of the studs under regular highway use.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and braking performance on packed snow and ice
- Predictable handling in severe winter conditions
- Strong performance on lake ice tracks
- Good tread longevity for the rubber compound itself
Cons
- Premature stud wear or loss reported after moderate mileage
- Potential for reduced stability in deeper snow (4-5 cm) depending on tire width
- Unpredictable handling characteristics when paired with certain electronic stability control systems
Observations
- Users noted that wider tire profiles may struggle to maintain contact with the road surface in deeper snow conditions.
- Performance is highly effective in coastal, mild-to-severe winter climates like Northern Norway.
The General AltiMAX Arctic is widely regarded as a high-value winter tire that delivers exceptional traction in snow, slush, and ice. While some users note a slight increase in road noise and a softer feel in dry conditions, the consensus is that it offers performance comparable to premium brands at a significantly more accessible price point.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and grip in deep snow and icy conditions
- High value-for-money ratio compared to premium winter tire brands
- Impressive tread longevity for a dedicated winter compound
- Reliable handling and braking performance in cold-weather environments
Cons
- Increased road noise, particularly as the tire wears
- Soft sidewall feel leading to less precise handling on dry pavement
- Potential for minor understeer during aggressive cornering
- Not intended for year-round use, as dry performance is compromised
Observations
- Owners of RWD vehicles, including sports roadsters, report high confidence in deep snow and winter conditions.
- Users with light-weight vehicles (e.g., Chevy HHR, FWD Civics) report excellent starting and stopping capability on slippery surfaces.
- Drivers of heavy-duty trucks and SUVs appreciate the durability and load-handling capabilities of the tire's construction.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental IceContact 3 | B · General Altimax Arctic |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | — | 12/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 44 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
74
/ 100
Continental
85
/ 100
General
Winner: General Altimax Arctic — better treadwear, dry and noise. Pick the Continental IceContact 3 if handling and comfort matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
General Altimax Arctic scores 84 vs 50 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
General Altimax Arctic scores 87 vs 68 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
General Altimax Arctic scores 83 vs 65 on noise.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental IceContact 3 scores 83 vs 78 on handling.
Tire A · Continental IceContact 3
Tire B · General Altimax Arctic
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental IceContact 3 also compared with
General Altimax Arctic 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.