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Head-to-head Updated

Continental Sport Contact 5 vs Continental SportContact 7 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 3 + 22 road tests and 3,148 + 1,605 owner reviews. How we score

SportContact 7 is ahead, 85–67

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Continental Sport Contact 5
Tire AContinental

Sport Contact 5

Summer

± 6

Tests 73 · 3 tests Owners 59 · 3,148 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 8 in 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test (dry braking)

“I run Accelera PHI2's on my 20's and have done for the last 3-4 years with absolutely no problems. I'm a biker and like to press on in all my vehicles. Never had a scary moment in the van in any weather and drive just as fast in that as I do the car (conti sport contact 5's on that). Only cover about 6K in the van per year so don't want anything that lasts too long as it would deteriorate before it was anywhere near worn out. Mike likes banging on about Michelins but they can have problems as well as anything else. Michelin Agilis 51's had problems with bulges and tyre failures in the past. Other michelin tyre problems (I know how much Mike likes Yankee sites!) And Michelin have tyre factories all over the world including India and Asia. Not all cheaper tyres are bad tyres. Pirelli P6000 were notoriously bad for example, and Pirelli are not classed as a budget tyre. Mike will still bang on like a broken record though about VW and 16 and 17 inch tyres though. Its probably an old age thing”

Continental SportContact 7
Tire BContinental

SportContact 7

Summer

± 5

Tests 84 · 22 tests Owners 81 · 1,605 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 18 in 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test (wet braking)

“On my 2nd set. Got decent mileage from them. 15k miles from the first set of rears and i've 11k on the 2nd set with 4.5mm still left on them.”

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 74

    Dry

    SportContact 7 +23
    97
    Why this score
    SourceSport Contact 5SportContact 7
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 21 tests76100
    Reviews found online7092

    Sport Contact 5: 60% × 76.2 + 40% × 70 = 74

    SportContact 7: 60% × 99.6 + 40% × 92 = 97

  2. 74

    Wet

    SportContact 7 +20
    94
    Why this score
    SourceSport Contact 5SportContact 7
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 22 tests7596
    Reviews found online7290

    Sport Contact 5: 60% × 74.8 + 40% × 72.1 = 74

    SportContact 7: 60% × 96.3 + 40% × 90 = 94

  3. 61

    Comfort

    SportContact 7 +7
    68
    Why this score
    SourceSport Contact 5SportContact 7
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 5 tests6256
    Reviews found online6176

    Sport Contact 5: 40% × 61.5 + 60% × 60.9 = 61

    SportContact 7: 40% × 56.4 + 60% × 75.9 = 68

  4. 66

    Noise

    Sport Contact 5 +4
    62
    Why this score
    SourceSport Contact 5SportContact 7
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 19 tests6659
    Reviews found online≈ 67 (est.)≈ 67 (est.)

    Sport Contact 5: 60% × 66.4 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 66

    SportContact 7: 60% × 59.1 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 62

    No owner ratings of noise for Sport Contact 5 or SportContact 7. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  5. 47

    Treadwear

    SportContact 7 +21
    68
    Why this score
    SourceSport Contact 5SportContact 7
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 55 (est.)72
    Reviews found online3461

    Sport Contact 5: 60% × 55 (est.) + 40% × 34 = 47

    SportContact 7: 60% × 72.1 + 40% × 61.3 = 68

    No road tests of treadwear for Sport Contact 5. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).

  6. 66

    Handling (owners)

    SportContact 7 +23
    89
    Why this score
    SourceSport Contact 5SportContact 7
    Reviews found online6689
  7. 74

    Efficiency

    Sport Contact 5 +2
    72
    Why this score
    SourceSport Contact 5SportContact 7
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 21 tests7472
Scores at a glance
CategoryContinental Sport Contact 5Continental SportContact 7
Relative Score 67 85
Dry 74 97
Wet 74 94
Comfort 61 68
Noise 66 62
Treadwear 47 68
Handling (owners) 66 89
Efficiency 74 72

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 6

Sport Contact 5

± 5

SportContact 7

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

DisciplineCategorySport Contact 5SportContact 7ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 100% #1/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 98% #4/10 · 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test 99% #2/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling (tester's mark) Dry 100% #1/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 98% #3/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test 98% #3/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 99% #3/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 97% #3/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 97% #4/10 · 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test 100% #1/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling (tester's mark) Wet 100% #1/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test – Different tests
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 67% #4/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test 92% #2/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 99% #5/9 · 2017 Auto Bild UHP Tyre Test 100% #3/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise (tester's mark) Noise 67% #5/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test 87% #7/9 · 2025 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 96% #3/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test 99% #2/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Overall Ranking Overall #2/8 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test #2/10 2026 ACE Summer Tyre Test – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Sport Contact 5

Pros

  • Outstanding dry and wet grip with excellent aquaplaning resistance
  • Precise steering response and sharp handling
  • Short braking distances in various weather conditions

Cons

  • Rapid and uneven tread wear, resulting in a short overall lifespan
  • High price point combined with poor mileage value
  • Increased road noise as the tires wear down past halfway
All owner themes in the Sport Contact 5 review

Tire B SportContact 7

Pros

  • Phenomenal wet and dry grip with high cornering limits
  • Precise steering response and excellent road feedback
  • Strong braking performance and high stability at speed

Cons

  • Faster-than-average tread wear, especially with spirited driving or track use
  • Stiff sidewalls can contribute to a harsher, bumpier ride
  • Elevated road noise reported on certain road surfaces
All owner themes in the SportContact 7 review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Continental Sport Contact 5

Mixed

Community feedback on the Continental Sport Contact 5 highlights strong grip and effective braking in both wet and dry conditions, along with good cornering feel. However, opinions are mixed regarding treadwear and durability, with multiple users raising concerns over rapid tire wear and degradation under heavy loads or spirited driving. While some drivers prefer them over competing models, others view them as inferior to subsequent Continental generations or rival brands.

mbworld.org

“Quote: Originally Posted by bret In the end I went with Bridgestone Potenza RE 050's Very happy. Grips as well as the Conti Sport5's without disintegrating after a few hard mountain passes. On a light car sport contact5's, For a heavier car RE 050's are fantastic completely sold. Pilot Sports are far too soft these cars. Back in the day I had numerous sets of Potenza's on a Saab 900 Turbo...that's been a good tire for a long long time. Check out the Cooper Zeon when you get a chance, heckuva tire at any price.”
torquecars.com ·2013-04-15

“I've just had a set of these Continental Sport Contact 5 fitted to my car and I'm quite impressed with them. They seem to be really good in the wet, stopping distances were notable shorter, more so than I'd expect with the extra tread depth. They are also really good in the dry and give a nice "feel" on tight corners. They have replaced the Eagle F1's in my mind as the best day to day tyre. Anyone else had them fitted?”
mbworld.org

“In the end I went with Bridgestone Potenza RE 050's Very happy. Grips as well as the Conti Sport5's without disintegrating after a few hard mountain passes. On a light car sport contact5's, For a heavier car RE 050's are fantastic completely sold. Pilot Sports are far too soft these cars.”
Top themes
#wet and dry grip#rapid treadwear concerns#braking distance performance#cornering feel and handling#comparison with 5P and SC6#heavy vehicle suitability

Based on 14 community posts

Tire B

Continental SportContact 7

Positive

Community members widely praise the Continental SportContact 7 for outstanding dry and wet grip, sharp steering precision, and strong value compared to key rivals like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. However, users frequently highlight faster tread wear, reduced initial tread depth, and occasional issues with road noise and comfort as main drawbacks.

r/CarTalkUK ·1 upvote ·2025-12-12

“Just took the factory SC7’s off my gfs puma ST, they are super grippy, they feel even stickier than the PS4S on my car but I’d say they are less predictable at the limits and I always felt like they tramlined a bit too much and they weren’t a very comfortable tyre. Fronts have just under half their tread left after 11000 miles. Swapped em out for conti all season contact 2’s as she needs to be able to go out during any conditions and she doesn’t want to have two sets.”
r/FiestaST ·5 upvotes ·2025-12-05

“Continental SportContact 7 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 I have a 2022 Mk 8.5 with the stock 18" wheels. The original Michelin PS4 need to be replaced. Unfortunately, I am not able to source new Michelins as they are not in stock anywhere convenient. I am able to get Conti SC7s in 205/40 R18. Never used a set. Always had Michelins on all my cars. Reviews tell me that they are at least as good and probably better than the Michelins (and perhaps better even than the Michelin PS4S I run on my other car), but has anyone tried them? My other options for decent tyres in the correct size are Bridgestone Potenza Sports. I can get Pirelli P Zeros but they are the previous generation and I don't like them (having had them on another car as OEM and replaced them with Michelins after 2000kms). I am in Australia so don't need all season tyres. Thanks in advance. Read more”
r/seat ·2 upvotes ·2026-04-21

“Had the same dilemma, went for PremiumContact 7 in the end for my Cupra ST300 4drive. Both have great traction when wet and dry, SC7 is more for an overall aggresive driving, while PC7 are bit more comfy, for a mix of sport and city daily cruising. Both are very quiet on the highway.”
Top themes
#exceptional dry grip#wet weather performance#rapid tread wear#michelin ps4s comparison#value and pricing#steering precision feedback#road noise levels

Based on 114 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental Sport Contact 5 B · Continental SportContact 7
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available84123
Rim diameters17″ – 22″18″ – 24″
Tread depth—8 - 9/32″
UTQG—240 AA A
Sidewall—Black Side Wall
Max pressure—50 - 51 psi
Sizes in common3232

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental Sport Contact 5

Continental SportContact 7

Winner: Continental SportContact 7 — better dry, handling and treadwear. Pick the Continental Sport Contact 5 if noise matters most to you.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Continental SportContact 7 scores 97 vs 74 on dry.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Continental SportContact 7 scores 89 vs 66 on handling.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Continental SportContact 7 scores 68 vs 47 on treadwear.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Continental SportContact 7 scores 94 vs 74 on wet.

Tire A · Continental Sport Contact 5
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Tire B · Continental SportContact 7
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Sport Contact 5 or SportContact 7?

Which is better in the wet, Sport Contact 5 or SportContact 7?

Continental SportContact 7, 94 vs 74 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Sport Contact 5 or SportContact 7?

Continental SportContact 7, 97 vs 74 on our dry score.

Which is quieter, Sport Contact 5 or SportContact 7?

Continental Sport Contact 5, 66 vs 62 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Sport Contact 5 or SportContact 7?

Continental SportContact 7, 68 vs 61 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Sport Contact 5 or SportContact 7?

Continental SportContact 7, 68 vs 47 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Sport Contact 5 or SportContact 7?

Neither, by our numbers: 74 vs 72 on the efficiency score, within 3 points.

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology