83
/ 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 Nexen WinGuard Sport 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
78
/ 100
Objective (60%)
77/100
7 professional tests
User signal (40%)
85/100
59 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better noise, handling and wet. Pick the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 if comfort matters most to you.
Read full
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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 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 90 | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 86 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 93 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 95% | 98% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 97% | 100% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 71 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 91 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 93 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 90% | 89% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 88% | 95% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 78 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 89 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 99% | 96% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 94% | 91% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
WinGuard Sport 2 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 92 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 59 | 13 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 84 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 87 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 78 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 83 | 78 |
| Dry | 89 | 88 |
| Wet | 86 | 78 |
| Snow | 82 | 81 |
| Comfort | 85 | 88 |
| Noise | 59 | 42 |
| Treadwear | 89 | 86 |
| Handling | 88 | 78 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
83
/ 100
Tire A
78
/ 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 | 95% #8/10 · 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | 98% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -3.5 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #3/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -2.5 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% #1/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 81% #9/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +19.3 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #10/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 94% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +5.7 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 92% #9/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 62% #3/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +30.7 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 90% #8/10 · 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | 67% #3/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +22.9 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 87% #3/10 · 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | 79% #10/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +8 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 14% #7/18 · 2021 ADAC 17 Inch Winter Tyre Test | +35.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #4/9 · 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test | 97% #13/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +0.8 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% #7/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | 96% #8/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | +2.8 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 94% #5/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 91% #10/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | +3.1 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 94% #8/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 93% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +0.8 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #14/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0% #17/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 90% #6/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 89% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +1 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 88% #6/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 95% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | -6.7 | 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 Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 is widely regarded as a high-value, performance-oriented winter tire that excels in cold, wet, and light-to-moderate snow conditions. While it offers impressive comfort and low noise levels that rival premium brands, some users report concerns regarding long-term structural integrity and inconsistent performance on pure ice.
Pros
- Excellent value for money compared to premium winter tire brands
- High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
- Strong performance on cold, wet, and slushy pavement
- Reliable traction in light-to-moderate snow conditions
Cons
- Reports of structural 'egging' or wobbling after extended use
- Inconsistent performance on hard-packed ice or deep snow
- Potential for increased rolling resistance and minor fuel economy loss
- Vague handling feedback under aggressive driving conditions
Observations
- Users with high-performance AWD vehicles (e.g., BMW xDrive, Subaru WRX) report excellent snow mobility, though some note a 'rolly' feel in corners.
- Owners of high-torque or heavy vehicles noted that the sidewalls can feel soft, leading to less precise handling compared to dedicated summer tires.
- Some users reported that the actual tread width on specific sizes (e.g., 235/55/19) appeared narrower than the advertised specification.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | B · Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 61 |
| Rim diameters | — | 15″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | — | 10.5/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 51 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
83
/ 100
Continental
78
/ 100
Nexen
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better noise, handling and wet. Pick the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 if comfort matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 59 vs 42 on noise.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 88 vs 78 on handling.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 86 vs 78 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 89 vs 86 on treadwear.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Tire B · Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P also compared with
Nexen WinGuard Sport 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.