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Head-to-head Updated

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P vs Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 — 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 9 + 10 road tests and 20 + 66 owner reviews. How we score

Too close to call: WinterContact TS 850 P 74, Winter Sottozero 3 73.

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Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
Tire AContinental

WinterContact TS 850 P

Winter

± 5

Tests 76 · 9 tests Owners 72 · 20 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (wet handling)

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Tire BPirelli

Winter Sottozero 3

Winter

± 6

Tests 67 · 10 tests Owners 81 · 66 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch 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 7 tests that measured wet braking for both, WinterContact TS 850 P won 6 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 1 (average 97% vs 92% of the best).
  • In 7 tests that measured snow braking for both, WinterContact TS 850 P won 7 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 0 (average 97% vs 93% of the best).
  • In 6 tests that measured dry braking for both, WinterContact TS 850 P won 0 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 4 (average 96% vs 98% of the best).
  • In 6 tests that measured dry handling for both, WinterContact TS 850 P won 5 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 1 (average 100% vs 99% of the best).
  • In 6 tests that measured wet handling for both, WinterContact TS 850 P won 5 and Winter Sottozero 3 won 0 (average 99% vs 97% of the best).
  1. 71

    Dry

    Winter Sottozero 3 +6
    77
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 850 PWinter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 8 tests7173
    Reviews found online7182
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 0–496%98%
    Dry Handling (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 5–1100%99%
    Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–090%80%

    WinterContact TS 850 P: 60% × 71.4 + 40% × 71.2 = 71

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 72.9 + 40% × 82.3 = 77

  2. 84

    Wet

    WinterContact TS 850 P +1
    83
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 850 PWinter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 10 tests8981
    Reviews found online7787
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–394%95%
    Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–090%70%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 7 shared tests · wins 6–197%92%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 5–099%97%

    WinterContact TS 850 P: 60% × 88.5 + 40% × 77.4 = 84

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 80.7 + 40% × 87.4 = 83

  3. 73

    Snow

    WinterContact TS 850 P +7
    66
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 850 PWinter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 10 tests7657
    Reviews found online6879
    Snow Braking (% of best) · 7 shared tests · wins 7–097%93%
    Snow Handling (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 5–099%98%
    Snow Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–095%91%
    Snow Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–090%80%

    WinterContact TS 850 P: 60% × 76.4 + 40% × 68.3 = 73

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 56.8 + 40% × 79.2 = 66

  4. 70

    Comfort

    Winter Sottozero 3 +4
    74
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 850 PWinter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests7272
    Reviews found online6976
    Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–090%90%

    WinterContact TS 850 P: 40% × 72.3 + 60% × 68.9 = 70

    Winter Sottozero 3: 40% × 72.3 + 60% × 75.9 = 74

  5. 67

    Noise

    Winter Sottozero 3 +5
    72
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 850 PWinter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 7 tests6765
    Reviews found online≈ 67 (est.)82
    Noise (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 3–199%98%

    WinterContact TS 850 P: 60% × 67.4 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 67

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 64.6 + 40% × 81.9 = 72

    No owner ratings of noise for WinterContact TS 850 P. 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.

  6. 72

    Treadwear

    WinterContact TS 850 P +8
    64
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 850 PWinter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 3 tests7256
    Reviews found online7175
    Wear (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–091%83%

    WinterContact TS 850 P: 60% × 72.1 + 40% × 71.3 = 72

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 56.2 + 40% × 74.6 = 64

  7. 75

    Handling (owners)

    Winter Sottozero 3 +8
    83
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 850 PWinter Sottozero 3
    Reviews found online7583
  8. 80

    Efficiency

    WinterContact TS 850 P +4
    76
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 850 PWinter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 7 tests8076
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 3–293%92%
Scores at a glance
CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 850 PPirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Relative Score 74 73
Dry 71 77
Wet 84 83
Snow 73 66
Comfort 70 74
Noise 67 72
Treadwear 72 64
Handling (owners) 75 83
Efficiency 80 76

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

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
± 5

WinterContact TS 850 P

± 6

Winter Sottozero 3

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 15 tests that ran both, Continental WinterContact TS 850 P finished ahead 12 times and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 3 times.

DisciplineCategoryWinterContact TS 850 PWinter Sottozero 3ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 96% 98% −2.2 0–4 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Dry Handling Dry 100% 99% +1.1 5–1 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Dry Handling (tester's mark) Dry 90% 80% +10.0 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 94% 95% −0.5 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Wet Braking Wet 97% 92% +5.5 6–1 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test · 245/45 R18
Wet Handling Wet 99% 97% +2.2 5–0 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Wet Handling (tester's mark) Wet 90% 70% +20.0 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Snow Braking Snow 97% 93% +3.2 7–0 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test · 245/45 R18
Snow Handling Snow 99% 98% +1.4 5–0 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Snow Handling (tester's mark) Snow 90% 80% +10.0 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Snow Traction Snow 95% 91% +3.3 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 90% 90% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Noise Noise 99% 98% +0.6 3–1 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Wear Treadwear 91% 83% +7.7 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 93% 92% +1.2 3–2 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 50% 52% −2.0 0–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #17/20 #5/20 – 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Value Cost 71% 64% +6.5 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18
Overall Ranking Overall #7/11 #10/11 – 12–3 in 15 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test R18 · 225/40R18

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A WinterContact TS 850 P

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and stability in wet and dry conditions
  • Low noise levels and high ride comfort
  • Predictable handling and good feedback on cold, ungritted roads

Cons

  • Faster than expected tread wear reported by some users
  • High initial purchase price
  • Mixed performance on ice and slush for certain drivers
All owner themes in the WinterContact TS 850 P review

Tire B Winter Sottozero 3

Pros

  • Exceptional wet weather performance and resistance to hydroplaning.
  • Strong dry-road handling and steering precision for a winter tire.
  • Excellent traction and stability in snow and slush.

Cons

  • Rapid tread wear, particularly if driven in temperatures above 15°C or year-round.
  • Susceptibility to sidewall damage and bubbling when encountering road hazards.
  • Increased noise levels as the tire ages and tread depth decreases.
All owner themes in the Winter Sottozero 3 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental WinterContact TS 850 P B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available12298
Rim diameters15″ – 22″16″ – 21″
Tread depth10 - 11/32″10/32″
SidewallBlack Side WallBlackwall
Max pressure44 - 51 psi50 psi
Sizes in common5555

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Too close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 850 P and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P is stronger on treadwear, snow and efficiency. Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 is stronger on handling, dry and noise.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P scores 72 vs 64 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 83 vs 75 on handling.

Pick tire A You drive through snowy winters

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P scores 73 vs 66 on snow.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 77 vs 71 on dry.

Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
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Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
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WinterContact TS 850 P or Winter Sottozero 3?

Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 850 P or Winter Sottozero 3?

Neither, by our numbers: 84 vs 83 on the wet score, within 3 points.

Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 850 P or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 77 vs 71 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 850 P or Winter Sottozero 3?

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P, 73 vs 66 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 850 P or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 72 vs 67 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 850 P or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 74 vs 70 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 850 P or Winter Sottozero 3?

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P, 72 vs 64 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 850 P or Winter Sottozero 3?

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P, 80 vs 76 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