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 Pirelli P Zero Winter — 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
77
/ 100
Objective (60%)
71/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
78/100
25 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better handling, snow and treadwear. Pick the Pirelli P Zero Winter 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
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | P Zero Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 90 | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 74 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 91% | 95% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | P Zero Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 79 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 91 | 80 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 99% | 91% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | P Zero Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 51 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 89 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 86% | 88% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 95% | 97% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 78% | 82% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | P Zero Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 84 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
P Zero Winter leads by 25
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | P Zero Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 59 | 82 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | P Zero Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 88 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 18
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | P Zero Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 70 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | Pirelli P Zero Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 83 | 77 |
| Dry | 89 | 86 |
| Wet | 86 | 81 |
| Snow | 82 | 65 |
| Comfort | 85 | 85 |
| Noise | 59 | 84 |
| Treadwear | 89 | 72 |
| Handling | 88 | 70 |
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
77
/ 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 | 91% #2/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 95% #11/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | -3.8 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #3/9 · 2023 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test | 98% #10/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | -0.1 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% #1/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 90% #8/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +9.5 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #2/7 · 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test | 99% #6/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +0.3 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 100% #1/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | 11% #9/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +88.9 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 86% #4/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 88% #11/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | -2.4 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 95% #4/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 97% #8/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | -1.6 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 78% #5/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 82% #11/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | -3.1 | Same test |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 94% #7/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 88% #10/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +5.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 99% #3/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 91% #8/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +7.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #6/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 98% #4/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +0.4 | 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 Pirelli P Zero Winter is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in cold-weather traction and comfort, particularly for luxury and performance-oriented vehicles. While users consistently praise its handling and noise suppression, opinions on its dry-road dynamics and deep-snow cornering are mixed, with some drivers noting a distinct performance trade-off compared to dedicated summer or extreme-weather tires.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and confidence in cold, wet, and slushy conditions.
- Superior noise control and ride comfort compared to competitors.
- Strong acceleration and power delivery in winter environments.
- High-quality construction with effective rim protection and stiff sidewalls.
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, especially when driven aggressively or on high-torque vehicles.
- Unpredictable handling dynamics in dry or damp conditions for some sports car applications.
- Limited performance in deep snow cornering compared to dedicated deep-snow tires.
- Perceived lack of value or 'special' feel compared to top-tier Michelin alternatives.
Observations
- Users with high-torque vehicles (e.g., M760i) noted that the tire struggles to manage extreme power output on snow despite AWD.
- Performance EV owners (e.g., Model Y) report expectedly rapid tread wear due to vehicle weight and torque.
- Drivers of smaller, lighter sports cars (e.g., WRX) report excellent power delivery, while some Porsche 992 owners found the handling unpredictable in non-snow conditions.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | B · Pirelli P Zero Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 13 |
| Rim diameters | — | 19″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | — | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 50 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
83
/ 100
Continental
77
/ 100
Pirelli
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better handling, snow and treadwear. Pick the Pirelli P Zero Winter if noise matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Pirelli P Zero Winter scores 84 vs 59 on noise.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 88 vs 70 on handling.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 82 vs 65 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 89 vs 72 on treadwear.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Tire B · Pirelli P Zero Winter
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P also compared with
Pirelli P Zero Winter 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.