87
/ 100
Objective (60%)
78/100
3 professional tests
User signal (40%)
78/100
5 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 — 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%)
94/100
21 professional tests
User signal (40%)
86/100
29 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV — better noise and comfort. Pick the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if snow and handling 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)
Pilot Alpin 5 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 94 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 90 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 94% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 100% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Pilot Alpin 5 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 87 | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 90 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 98% | 88% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 99% | 87% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Pilot Alpin 5 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 79 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 55 | 88 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 99% | 98% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 97% | 99% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 98% | 90% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 96 | 81 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV leads by 41
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 88 | 47 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 88 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Pilot Alpin 5 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 89 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 87 | 83 |
| Dry | 90 | 92 |
| Wet | 84 | 86 |
| Snow | 76 | 83 |
| Comfort | 96 | 87 |
| Noise | 88 | 47 |
| Treadwear | 90 | 88 |
| Handling | 86 | 89 |
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
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% #8/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -5.8 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #7/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 100% #2/6 · 2025 High Performance Winter Tyre Test | -0.9 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% #1/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 93% #4/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | +7.2 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 98% #6/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 94% #3/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | +4.7 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 93% #6/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 100% #9/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -6.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 33% #3/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 50% #2/11 · 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tyre Test | -16.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 99% #3/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | +1.1 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 97% #2/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 99% #2/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | -2 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 98% #9/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 90% #1/10 · 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | +7.9 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 90% #8/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 98% #5/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | -8.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 98% #3/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 88% #4/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | +9.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% #2/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test | 87% #2/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +12.2 | 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 850 P SUV receives polarized feedback, with users divided between those praising its exceptional winter traction and those reporting disappointing grip in adverse conditions. While some drivers highlight its balanced performance across varied winter terrains, others note inconsistencies in wet weather and snow, suggesting performance may vary significantly based on vehicle setup or driving style.
Pros
- Strong traction and confidence on snow-covered roads
- Reliable handling and grip in cold, wet, and muddy conditions
- Balanced performance characteristics across diverse winter environments
- Provides a sense of safety and stability during severe winter weather
Cons
- Inconsistent performance in heavy slush and deep snow
- Susceptibility to aquaplaning in standing water
- Potential for premature wheel spin under torque
- Mixed reliability compared to previous Continental winter tire generations
Observations
- High-powered SUV owners noted that while the tire is well-balanced, it can struggle with traction under heavy torque loads.
- Performance consistency appears to vary, with some users finding the tire superior to summer tires but less capable than older Continental winter models.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is widely regarded as a premier Ultra-High Performance (UHP) winter tire, excelling in dry and wet handling while maintaining strong snow traction. While it offers a driving experience comparable to summer tires, some users find it sacrifices ride comfort and noise levels for its sporty, responsive characteristics.
Pros
- Exceptional dry and wet road handling
- Strong traction and stability in snow
- High level of steering feedback and responsiveness
- Excellent tread wear longevity for a performance tire
Cons
- Mediocre performance on pure ice
- Noticeable road noise and humming at highway speeds
- Stiffer ride quality compared to comfort-oriented winter tires
- Poor performance in deep slush
Observations
- Drivers of heavy vehicles, such as the Audi A8L, report excellent lateral stability but note that braking on hard-packed snow can be compromised compared to dedicated Nordic-style winter tires.
- Users with staggered wheel setups (e.g., 225 front/255 rear) have reported increased cabin noise and resonance at highway speeds.
- Performance enthusiasts note that the tire's sidewall design and responsiveness make it ideal for spirited driving, though it may feel 'bumpy' on uneven road surfaces.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV | B · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
87
/ 100
Continental
83
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV — better noise and comfort. Pick the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if snow and handling matter most to you.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV scores 88 vs 47 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV scores 96 vs 87 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 83 vs 76 on snow.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 89 vs 86 on handling.
Tire A · Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV also compared with
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 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.