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Head-to-head Updated

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S vs Continental WinterContact TS 850 P — 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 1 + 9 road tests and 14 + 20 owner reviews. How we score

Too close to call: WinterContact TS 860 S and WinterContact TS 850 P are level at 74.

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Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Tire AContinental

WinterContact TS 860 S

Winter

± 7Provisional

Tests 71 · 1 test Owners 78 · 14 reviews

Best test result: #2 of 11 in 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (dry handling)

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
Tire BContinental

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)

Category by category

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

  1. 74

    Dry

    WinterContact TS 860 S +3
    71
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SWinterContact TS 850 P
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 8 tests7371
    Reviews found online7671

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 73 + 40% × 76.4 = 74

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

  2. 74

    Wet

    WinterContact TS 850 P +10
    84
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SWinterContact TS 850 P
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 9 tests7089
    Reviews found online8077

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 69.9 + 40% × 80.1 = 74

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

  3. 73

    Snow

    Level
    73
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SWinterContact TS 850 P
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 9 tests7176
    Reviews found online7768

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 70.6 + 40% × 76.9 = 73

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

  4. 76

    Comfort

    WinterContact TS 860 S +6
    70
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SWinterContact TS 850 P
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 71 (est.)72
    Reviews found online7969

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 40% × 70.9 (est.) + 60% × 78.6 = 76

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

    No road tests of comfort for WinterContact TS 860 S. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.

  5. 71

    Noise

    WinterContact TS 860 S +4
    67
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SWinterContact TS 850 P
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 7 tests7467
    Reviews found online≈ 67 (est.)≈ 67 (est.)

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 73.5 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 71

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

    No owner ratings of noise for WinterContact TS 860 S or 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. 74

    Treadwear

    WinterContact TS 860 S +2
    72
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SWinterContact TS 850 P
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 71 (est.)72
    Reviews found online7971

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 70.6 (est.) + 40% × 78.9 = 74

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

    No road tests of treadwear for WinterContact TS 860 S. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).

  7. 81

    Handling (owners)

    WinterContact TS 860 S +6
    75
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SWinterContact TS 850 P
    Reviews found online8175
  8. 77

    Efficiency

    WinterContact TS 850 P +3
    80
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SWinterContact TS 850 P
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 7 tests7780
Scores at a glance
CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 860 SContinental WinterContact TS 850 P
Relative Score 74 74
Dry 74 71
Wet 74 84
Snow 73 73
Comfort 76 70
Noise 71 67
Treadwear 74 72
Handling (owners) 81 75
Efficiency 77 80

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
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 7

WinterContact TS 860 S

± 5

WinterContact TS 850 P

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.

DisciplineCategoryWinterContact TS 860 SWinterContact TS 850 PΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 98% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 96% #9/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #2/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 99% #4/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 90% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 93% #8/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 91% #6/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 94% #7/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 97% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 99% #4/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 96% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 93% #7/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 98% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 96% #3/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 98% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 95% #9/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 100% #1/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 55% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 42% #9/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #4/11 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test #7/10 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test R18 – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A WinterContact TS 860 S

Pros

  • Exceptional handling and feedback on dry and wet roads in cold temperatures
  • Strong performance and confidence in snow and icy conditions
  • Stiffer sidewalls compared to predecessors, offering improved cornering stability

Cons

  • Long break-in period required before optimal grip is achieved
  • Potential for traction control interference on staggered RWD setups due to circumference variances
  • Limited lateral grip in wet conditions compared to some competitors
All owner themes in the WinterContact TS 860 S review

Tire B 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

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S B · Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available92122
Rim diameters16″ – 23″15″ – 22″
Tread depth10 - 11/32″10 - 11/32″
SidewallBlack Side WallBlack Side Wall
Max pressure50 - 51 psi44 - 51 psi
Sizes in common2525

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P

Too close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 860 S and Continental WinterContact TS 850 P are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S is stronger on comfort, handling and noise. Continental WinterContact TS 850 P is stronger on wet and efficiency. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S rests on little evidence so far (1 test, 14 reviews), so read this result as provisional.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P scores 84 vs 74 on wet.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 76 vs 70 on comfort.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 81 vs 75 on handling.

Pick tire A You want a quieter cabin

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 71 vs 67 on noise.

Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
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WinterContact TS 860 S or WinterContact TS 850 P?

Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 860 S or WinterContact TS 850 P?

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P, 84 vs 74 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 860 S or WinterContact TS 850 P?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 74 vs 71 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 860 S or WinterContact TS 850 P?

Neither, by our numbers: 73 vs 73 on the snow score, within 3 points.

Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 860 S or WinterContact TS 850 P?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 71 vs 67 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 860 S or WinterContact TS 850 P?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 76 vs 70 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 860 S or WinterContact TS 850 P?

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

Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 860 S or WinterContact TS 850 P?

Continental WinterContact TS 850 P, 80 vs 77 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