Continental UltraContact review
The Continental UltraContact is widely regarded as a premium touring tire that excels in comfort, noise reduction, and fuel efficiency. While users consistently praise its balanced wet and dry grip for daily driving, the soft sidewall construction results in a noticeable trade-off regarding steering feedback and handling precision for spirited drivers.
Owners rate it 13.1 points higher than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
80%By road tests
66.9%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 27 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Continental UltraContact is widely regarded as a premium touring tire that excels in comfort, noise reduction, and fuel efficiency. While users consistently praise its balanced wet and dry grip for daily driving, the soft sidewall construction results in a noticeable trade-off regarding steering feedback and handling precision for spirited drivers.
Pros
- Exceptional ride comfort and low road noise levels
- Strong fuel efficiency and low rolling resistance
- Reliable and predictable grip in both wet and dry conditions
- Good tread longevity for a touring-oriented tire
Cons
- Soft sidewalls lead to vague steering feedback and reduced handling sharpness
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
- Not suitable for aggressive or sporty driving styles
- Occasional reports of sidewall durability issues or premature tearing
Worth knowing
- Users driving smaller, entry-level vehicles (e.g., Peugeot 208, Toyota Prius) frequently highlight the tire's ability to improve overall NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) levels.
- Drivers on 14-inch and 15-inch wheels appreciate the availability of a premium option in smaller sizes that significantly outperforms budget alternatives.
1 published test appearance
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2023 ADAC Summer tire Test · 205/55 R16
7th of 50
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 16th of 50 | |
| Dry Braking | 7th of 50 | |
| Straight Aqua | 46th of 50 | |
| Value | 20th of 50 | |
| Wear | 5th of 50 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 16th of 50 | |
| Abrasion | 3rd of 50 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 16th of 50 |