Tests 85 · 12 tests Owners 53 · 669 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 15 in 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test (noise)
“70k on SC6 ? Mine lasted 17k and now since I have the SC7 they overpassed the 6 without problems. They are better.”
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental SportContact 6 vs Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 — 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 12 + 6 road tests and 669 + 23 owner reviews. How we score
SportContact 6 is ahead, 72–67
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Tests 66 · 6 tests Owners 65 · 23 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test (dry braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
Key facts
- In 3 tests that measured dry braking for both, SportContact 6 won 0 and Pilot Sport Cup 2 won 3 (average 97% vs 99% of the best).
- In 3 tests that measured dry handling for both, SportContact 6 won 0 and Pilot Sport Cup 2 won 3 (average 97% vs 100% of the best).
- In 3 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, SportContact 6 won 3 and Pilot Sport Cup 2 won 0 (average 97% vs 89% of the best).
- In 3 tests that measured wet braking for both, SportContact 6 won 3 and Pilot Sport Cup 2 won 0 (average 94% vs 79% of the best).
- In 3 tests that measured wet handling for both, SportContact 6 won 3 and Pilot Sport Cup 2 won 0 (average 98% vs 92% of the best).
-
83
Dry
Level83Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport Cup 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 6 tests 89 84 Reviews found online 73 82 Dry Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 97% 99% Dry Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 97% 100% Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 75% 100% SportContact 6: 60% × 89.4 + 40% × 72.9 = 83
Pilot Sport Cup 2: 60% × 84.1 + 40% × 81.9 = 83
-
81
Wet
SportContact 6 +2655Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport Cup 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 6 tests 88 52 Reviews found online 70 60 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 97% 89% Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 90% 70% Wet Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 94% 79% Wet Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 88% Wet Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 98% 92% SportContact 6: 60% × 88.5 + 40% × 69.5 = 81
Pilot Sport Cup 2: 60% × 51.6 + 40% × 60.2 = 55
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36
Snow
No comparison–Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport Cup 2 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 50 (est.) – Reviews found online 15 – SportContact 6: 60% × 49.8 (est.) + 40% × 14.6 = 36
No road tests of snow for SportContact 6. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.37).
-
65
Comfort
SportContact 6 +659Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport Cup 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 1 tests 72 49 Reviews found online 61 66 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 80% 60% SportContact 6: 40% × 72.4 + 60% × 60.5 = 65
Pilot Sport Cup 2: 40% × 48.5 + 60% × 65.7 = 59
-
72
Noise
SportContact 6 +369Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport Cup 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 3 tests 74 71 Reviews found online 70 ≈ 67 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 2–0 98% 98% SportContact 6: 60% × 73.8 + 40% × 70.4 = 72
Pilot Sport Cup 2: 60% × 71 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 69
No owner ratings of noise for Pilot Sport Cup 2. 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.
-
42
Treadwear
Pilot Sport Cup 2 +1456Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport Cup 2 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 53 (est.) ≈ 60 (est.) Reviews found online 27 50 SportContact 6: 60% × 52.6 (est.) + 40% × 27.3 = 42
Pilot Sport Cup 2: 60% × 60.5 (est.) + 40% × 49.9 = 56
No road tests of treadwear for SportContact 6. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).
No road tests of treadwear for Pilot Sport Cup 2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).
-
67
Handling (owners)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 +1380Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport Cup 2 Reviews found online 67 80 -
69
Efficiency
SportContact 6 +1059Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport Cup 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 11 / 3 tests 69 59 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 92% 90%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental SportContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 67 |
| Dry | 83 | 83 |
| Wet | 81 | 55 |
| Snow | 36 | – |
| Comfort | 65 | 59 |
| Noise | 72 | 69 |
| Treadwear | 42 | 56 |
| Handling (owners) | 67 | 80 |
| Efficiency | 69 | 59 |
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
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
72
/ 100
SportContact 6
67
/ 100
Pilot Sport Cup 2
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
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.
In the overall rankings of 4 tests that ran both, Continental SportContact 6 finished ahead 3 times and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 1 times.
| Discipline | Category | SportContact 6 | Pilot Sport Cup 2 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 97% | 99% | −2.2 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test · 265/35 R19 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% | 100% | −2.4 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test · 265/35 R19 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 75% | 100% | −25.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test · 245/35 R19 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 97% | 89% | +8.3 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test · 265/35 R19 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 94% | 79% | +15.3 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test · 265/35 R19 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 100% | 88% | +12.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test · 245/35 R19 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% | 92% | +5.4 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test · 265/35 R19 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 90% | 70% | +20.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test · 245/35 R19 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 80% | 60% | +20.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test · 245/35 R19 |
| Noise | Noise | 98% | 98% | +0.7 | 2–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test · 265/35 R19 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 92% | 90% | +1.7 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test · 265/35 R19 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 48% | 37% | +10.2 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test · 265/35 R19 |
| Tyre Weight | Other | 98% | 91% | +7.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test · 245/35 R19 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #1/9 | #10/9 | – | 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Sportscars Summer tire test R19 · 245/35R19 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A SportContact 6
Pros
- Staggering grip in both dry and wet conditions
- Precise steering feedback and sharp cornering response
- Low road noise and enhanced ride comfort compared to some rivals
Cons
- Rapid tread wear leading to a short lifespan (often requiring replacement under 10,000-15,000 miles)
- Reduced performance and potential snap oversteer in cold or freezing weather conditions
- High cost per mile due to fast wear rates
Tire B Pilot Sport Cup 2
Pros
- Phenomenal grip and stability in dry conditions
- Exceptional steering precision and driver feedback
- Strong, robust sidewalls providing great agility and balance
Cons
- Rapid tread wear and short lifespan
- High purchase price
- Requires significant heat to achieve optimal grip, making them less ideal for cold or short road trips
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Mixed
Continental SportContact 6
Community members generally praise the Continental Sport Contact 6 for its strong grip, smooth handling, and impressive wet performance. However, high tread wear is a frequent and significant complaint, with many drivers reporting poor longevity compared to successors like the SportContact 7 and competitors like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S. Additional mixed feedback notes issues such as road noise, ride stiffness, and occasional sidewall flex during aggressive cornering.
mbworld.org
“Quote: Originally Posted by ///Bruce Do not buy the 6's. I had a set on my '18 Macan Turbo. Bald in 9,000 miles. The Macan is heavier than the C63S. But still... The other thing I noticed was going into a tight corner, the tires gave the impression they were rolling off the tread and folding under the tire. Weird sensation. Thanks for the feedback...I have read a few reviews on the Contact 6 and what your describing sounds like what everyone says in the review about the Contact 5P (tire before the Contact 6). And one review they specifically talked about the issue you described in the Contact 5P and said it no longer exist in the Contact 6...interesting. Look I am not trying to be cheap but based on Discount Tire prices after install and taxes I can save close to $300 for a set of Contact 6 vs PS4S. Heck that is almost the cost of the two front tires alone even if I don't get as many miles out of them. IDK? I may give them a shot...I figure the worse that can happen is I blow through them (like you said) in 9K miles and if so then next time I go with PS4S???”
r/TyreReviews
·4 upvotes ·2026-05-12
“Back when it was released, John reported something along the lines of: “Continental says the wear issues of the SportContact 6 are resolved in the new SportContact 7, and that they should match the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S in terms of wear.” I’ve had both generations, including on the same car, and can confirm the SC6 wears much quicker than the SC7, which I’m running at the moment, BTW. I didn’t even manage to get to 20k km on either of my two AMGs with the factory-fitted SC6, so your high mileage is quite the feat IMO haha. I reckon you’ll be just fine with the SC7 with your setup (car + driving style).”
rennlist.com
“Hi! My 2013 Carrera S came on N-marked Pirelli P Zeros back in 2019 when i bought it. Replaced them with SportContact 6 after one year - big, positive difference! When the SC6:s were worn out i replaced them with SC7:S, also great with lovely handling and better wet grip. Perhaps a little softer sidewall on the SC tyres compared to P0? SC7 seems to wear less quickly than SC6. Have not used them in cold weather, but don't expect any summer tire to work well during winter conditions.”
Top themes
#rapid tread wear#strong wet performance#dry grip and handling#comparison to Michelin PS4S#longevity versus SportContact 7#road noise and comfort#cornering and sidewall stiffness
Based on 27 community posts
Tire B
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental SportContact 6 | B · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 97 | 18 |
| Rim diameters | 18″ – 24″ | 18″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | 8/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 240 A A | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
| Sizes in common | 11 | 11 |
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Continental SportContact 6
67
/ 100
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
Winner: Continental SportContact 6 — better wet, efficiency and comfort. Pick the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 if treadwear and handling matter most to you.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental SportContact 6 scores 81 vs 55 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 scores 56 vs 42 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 scores 80 vs 67 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Continental SportContact 6 scores 69 vs 59 on efficiency.
Tire A · Continental SportContact 6
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
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SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport Cup 2?
Which is better in the wet, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport Cup 2?
Continental SportContact 6, 81 vs 55 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport Cup 2?
Neither, by our numbers: 83 vs 83 on the dry score, within 3 points.
Which is quieter, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport Cup 2?
Continental SportContact 6, 72 vs 69 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport Cup 2?
Continental SportContact 6, 65 vs 59 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport Cup 2?
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, 56 vs 42 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport Cup 2?
Continental SportContact 6, 69 vs 59 on our efficiency score.
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