Tests 85 · 12 tests Owners 53 · 675 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 Pirelli P Zero — 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 + 3 road tests and 675 + 3,486 owner reviews. How we score
SportContact 6 is ahead, 67–62
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Tests 74 · 3 tests Owners 47 · 3,486 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test (dry handling)
“New rubber for the road wheels Pirelli P-Zero RS TLR 30mm, measuring 33mm on 25mm inner rim width. Rides like a dream, but the center thread is narrow, so I'd not feel confident if I raced anything with tighter cornering.”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
83
Dry
SportContact 6 +1172Why this score
Source SportContact 6 P Zero Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 3 tests 90 80 Reviews found online 72 61 SportContact 6: 60% × 89.6 + 40% × 72.4 = 83
P Zero: 60% × 79.6 + 40% × 61.4 = 72
-
80
Wet
SportContact 6 +971Why this score
Source SportContact 6 P Zero Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 3 tests 88 81 Reviews found online 69 55 SportContact 6: 60% × 87.9 + 40% × 68.7 = 80
P Zero: 60% × 81.1 + 40% × 54.9 = 71
-
37
Snow
P Zero +1350Why this score
Source SportContact 6 P Zero Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 52 (est.) ≈ 60 (est.) Reviews found online 14 36 SportContact 6: 60% × 52.5 (est.) + 40% × 13.8 = 37
P Zero: 60% × 59.7 (est.) + 40% × 36.4 = 50
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 0.32).
No road tests of snow for P Zero. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).
-
65
Comfort
SportContact 6 +956Why this score
Source SportContact 6 P Zero Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 1 tests 72 70 Reviews found online 60 46 SportContact 6: 40% × 72.2 + 60% × 59.9 = 65
P Zero: 40% × 69.8 + 60% × 46.2 = 56
-
72
Noise
SportContact 6 +1458Why this score
Source SportContact 6 P Zero Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 1 tests 74 61 Reviews found online 70 53 SportContact 6: 60% × 73.6 + 40% × 70 = 72
P Zero: 60% × 60.7 + 40% × 53.1 = 58
-
43
Treadwear
P Zero +750Why this score
Source SportContact 6 P Zero Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests ≈ 53 (est.) 65 Reviews found online 28 28 SportContact 6: 60% × 52.7 (est.) + 40% × 28.3 = 43
P Zero: 60% × 65.3 + 40% × 28.1 = 50
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 0.36).
-
66
Handling (owners)
SportContact 6 +1056Why this score
Source SportContact 6 P Zero Reviews found online 66 56 -
69
Efficiency
SportContact 6 +1059Why this score
Source SportContact 6 P Zero Professional tests (TWG score) · 11 / 1 tests 69 59
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental SportContact 6 | Pirelli P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 67 | 62 |
| Dry | 83 | 72 |
| Wet | 80 | 71 |
| Snow | 37 | 50 |
| Comfort | 65 | 56 |
| Noise | 72 | 58 |
| Treadwear | 43 | 50 |
| Handling (owners) | 66 | 56 |
| 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
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
67
/ 100
SportContact 6
62
/ 100
P Zero
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 2 tests that ran both, Continental SportContact 6 finished ahead 2 times and Pirelli P Zero 0 times.
| Discipline | Category | SportContact 6 | P Zero | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 99% #3/9 · 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 92% #17/49 · 2020 Tyre Market Overview Braking Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #5/9 · 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 97% #6/9 · 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 93% #14/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #2/9 · 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 83% #28/49 · 2020 Tyre Market Overview Braking Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% #4/9 · 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 99% #3/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 80% #3/10 · 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test | 67% #14/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 98% #8/9 · 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 97% #18/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 89% #2/9 · 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 73% #16/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 51% #6/9 · 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 66% #18/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #5/7 | #6/7 | – | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2019 Motor Summer Tire Test 235/35 ZR19 · 235/35R19 |
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 P Zero
Pros
- Outstanding dry grip and handling performance
- Precise steering feedback and high-speed stability
- Good wet-weather braking and cornering when warm
Cons
- Rapid and uneven tread wear, often requiring replacement much sooner than expected
- Poor grip and unpredictable traction in cold temperatures (below 7°C/45°F)
- Prone to tramlining and tracking road imperfections
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).”
f30.bimmerpost.com
“CSC6 is excellent tire indeed and the wear is top notch, too. The only sight negatives I am aware of is poor rim protection, quite high noise and harsh ride.”
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
Mixed
Pirelli P Zero
Community sentiment regarding Pirelli P Zero tires is polarized across its automotive and bicycle product lines. While users praise the tire lineup for sharp steering responsiveness, comfortable ride quality, and strong dry grip—especially on newer models like the AS Plus 3 and PZ5—many drivers report fast tread wear, wet grip issues on certain summer variants, and vulnerability to sidewall bubbles. Additionally, cyclists frequently note that the tubeless road variants offer impressive rolling speed but can be exceptionally difficult to mount.
z4-forum.com
·2018-01-21
“I switched my Z4C from Pirelli P Zero's to Asymmetric 3's, as I was fed up with the noise from the Pirelli's. I find the Asymmetric 3's much quieter, more comfortable and more predictable. The Pirelli's felt like they have more grip in ideal conditions, but got more easily caught out by damp, poor surfaces etc.”
f30.bimmerpost.com
“So I had ditched the horrible pirelli pzero run flats a few months ago for my 335 and got non run flat michelin pilot sports 4s on my 19 in wheels though they were hard to source and loved them. Xmas day driving at 40mph hit a pothole and immediately the low tyre pressure warning came on and the pressure was .2 bar! The air pump and goo thing did nothing for me ie despite switching it on the tyre pressure would go up to 1.2 and as soon and would deflate within a minute when pump was stopped back to .2 bar. I had family over and absolutely needed the car which was stranded away from home so an emergency tyre firm came and installed a accelera phi R tyre(the opnly tyre they could source in all of the city) callout fee in total £200! Incidentally I notice no change in the cars charecteristics if anything the accelera phi R seems softer and quieter? Should I get another michelin PS4 now and ditch the new accelera? I'm also quietly wondering if I made an error by ditching run flats thought he ride and handling are so much better they wouldn't have left me stranded perhaps?”
mbworld.org
“Quote: Originally Posted by ruined_c55 Since I've had mine, I've had Pirelli PZeros with stock wheels, Purely fronts/Accelera PHI R rears with my old wheels and now Lionhart LH Fives. Pirellis lasted 12ish K in the rear, Acceleras about 8K, and the Lionharts are too new to give lifespan feedback on. They did surprisingly well up in the canyons in the rain though. I'm not brave enough to run cheap Chinese tires on my dirtbike, let alone my daily driver pushing almost 400hp. I get between 15-20k out of much more expensive Michelins but the longer life and tons better grip more than make up for it.”
Top themes
#rapid tread wear#wet weather grip#difficult tubeless mounting#sharp steering response#ride comfort and quietness#sidewall bubble issues#AS Plus 3 performance
Based on 277 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental SportContact 6 | B · Pirelli P Zero |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 97 | 194 |
| Rim diameters | 18″ – 24″ | 17″ – 24″ |
| Tread depth | 8/32″ | 10/32″ |
| UTQG | 240 A A | 220 A A |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | 50 psi |
| Sizes in common | 88 | 88 |
Which one should you actually buy?
67
/ 100
Continental SportContact 6
62
/ 100
Pirelli P Zero
Winner: Continental SportContact 6 — better noise, dry and handling. Pick the Pirelli P Zero if snow and treadwear matter most to you.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Continental SportContact 6 scores 72 vs 58 on noise.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Pirelli P Zero scores 50 vs 37 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental SportContact 6 scores 83 vs 72 on dry.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental SportContact 6 scores 66 vs 56 on handling.
Tire A · Continental SportContact 6
Tire B · Pirelli P Zero
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SportContact 6 or P Zero?
Which is better in the wet, SportContact 6 or P Zero?
Continental SportContact 6, 80 vs 71 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, SportContact 6 or P Zero?
Continental SportContact 6, 83 vs 72 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, SportContact 6 or P Zero?
Pirelli P Zero, 50 vs 37 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, SportContact 6 or P Zero?
Continental SportContact 6, 72 vs 58 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, SportContact 6 or P Zero?
Continental SportContact 6, 65 vs 56 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, SportContact 6 or P Zero?
Pirelli P Zero, 50 vs 43 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, SportContact 6 or P Zero?
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