Tests 71 · 1 test Owners 78 · 14 reviews
Best test result: #4 of 11 in 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (overall ranking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S vs Hankook Winter i*cept RS — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
WinterContact TS 860 S leads, 74–70 Narrow edge
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Tests – · none yet Owners 71 · 6 reviews
Best test result: #9 of 42 in 2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test (overall ranking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
74
Dry
WinterContact TS 860 S +569Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Winter i*cept RS Professional tests (TWG score) 73 – Reviews found online 77 69 -
73
Wet
WinterContact TS 860 S +271Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Winter i*cept RS Professional tests (TWG score) 70 – Reviews found online 79 72 -
73
Snow
No comparison–Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Winter i*cept RS Professional tests (TWG score) 71 – Reviews found online 78 – -
74
Comfort
WinterContact TS 860 S +470Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Winter i*cept RS Reviews found online 79 71 -
72
Noise
No comparison–Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Winter i*cept RS Professional tests (TWG score) 73 – Reviews found online 71 – -
72
Treadwear
WinterContact TS 860 S +270Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Winter i*cept RS Reviews found online 76 73 -
81
Handling
WinterContact TS 860 S +972Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Winter i*cept RS Reviews found online 81 72
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S | Hankook Winter i*cept RS |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 74 | 70 |
| Dry | 74 | 69 |
| Wet | 73 | 71 |
| Snow | 73 | – |
| Comfort | 74 | 70 |
| Noise | 72 | – |
| Treadwear | 72 | 70 |
| Handling | 81 | 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 and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Important
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Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.
Less important
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Less important
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Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.
Important
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
74
/ 100
WinterContact TS 860 S
70
/ 100
Winter i*cept RS
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | WinterContact TS 860 S | Winter i*cept RS | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 25% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 11% #9/42 · 2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter Tyre Braking Test | +13.9 | 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
Tire B Winter i*cept RS
Pros
- Exceptional grip and performance in medium to heavy snow conditions
- Low rolling resistance contributing to great fuel economy
- Durable wear rate given the winter conditions
Cons
- Very soft rubber compound reduces performance and handling on dry, hot roads
- Less suited for extended high-speed motorway driving
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S | B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 92 | 17 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 23″ | 13″ – 16″ |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
74
/ 100
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
70
/ 100
Hankook Winter i*cept RS
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 860 S — better handling, dry and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 81 vs 72 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 74 vs 69 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 74 vs 70 on comfort.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Tire B · Hankook Winter i*cept RS
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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.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.