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Head-to-head Updated

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S vs Michelin Latitude Alpin 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 1 + 2 road tests and 16 + 6 owner reviews. How we score

Too close to call: WinterContact TS 860 S 75, Latitude Alpin 2 76.

Check price on Amazon · WinterContact TS 860 S Check price on Amazon · Latitude Alpin 2
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Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Tire AContinental

WinterContact TS 860 S

Winter

± 7Provisional

Tests 71 · 1 test Owners 80 · 16 reviews

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

Michelin Latitude Alpin 2
Tire BMichelin

Latitude Alpin 2

Winter

± 7

Tests 71 · 2 tests Owners 84 · 6 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test (noise)

Category by category

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

  1. 76

    Dry

    WinterContact TS 860 S +9
    67
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SLatitude Alpin 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 2 tests7359
    Reviews found online8080

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 73 + 40% × 79.5 = 76

    Latitude Alpin 2: 60% × 58.8 + 40% × 79.9 = 67

  2. 75

    Wet

    Latitude Alpin 2 +6
    81
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SLatitude Alpin 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 2 tests7076
    Reviews found online8390

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 69.9 + 40% × 83 = 75

    Latitude Alpin 2: 60% × 75.7 + 40% × 90.2 = 81

  3. 74

    Snow

    Latitude Alpin 2 +4
    78
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SLatitude Alpin 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 2 tests7176
    Reviews found online7881

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 70.5 + 40% × 78.2 = 74

    Latitude Alpin 2: 60% × 75.8 + 40% × 80.6 = 78

  4. 77

    Comfort

    Latitude Alpin 2 +1
    78
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SLatitude Alpin 2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 71 (est.)≈ 72 (est.)
    Reviews found online8183

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 40% × 71.3 (est.) + 60% × 81.3 = 77

    Latitude Alpin 2: 40% × 71.6 (est.) + 60% × 82.5 = 78

    No road tests of comfort for WinterContact TS 860 S. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

    No road tests of comfort for Latitude Alpin 2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 70

    Noise

    Latitude Alpin 2 +2
    72
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SLatitude Alpin 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 2 tests7376
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 73.2 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 70

    Latitude Alpin 2: 60% × 76.3 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 72

    No owner ratings of noise for WinterContact TS 860 S or Latitude Alpin 2. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  6. 75

    Treadwear

    Latitude Alpin 2 +2
    77
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SLatitude Alpin 2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 71 (est.)≈ 73 (est.)
    Reviews found online8084

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 71.3 (est.) + 40% × 79.7 = 75

    Latitude Alpin 2: 60% × 72.7 (est.) + 40% × 83.8 = 77

    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 0.36).

    No road tests of treadwear for Latitude Alpin 2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 84

    Handling (owners)

    Latitude Alpin 2 +2
    86
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SLatitude Alpin 2
    Reviews found online8486
  8. 77

    Efficiency

    WinterContact TS 860 S +18
    59
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SLatitude Alpin 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 2 tests7759
Scores at a glance
CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 860 SMichelin Latitude Alpin 2
Relative Score 75 76
Dry 76 67
Wet 75 81
Snow 74 78
Comfort 77 78
Noise 70 72
Treadwear 75 77
Handling (owners) 84 86
Efficiency 77 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
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 7

WinterContact TS 860 S

± 7

Latitude Alpin 2

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 SLatitude Alpin 2ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 98% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 90% #9/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #2/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 98% #9/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 90% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 96% #3/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 91% #6/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 98% #6/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 97% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 98% #6/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 96% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 95% #4/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 98% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 98% #2/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 98% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 100% #1/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 87% #9/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 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 52% #10/10 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #4/11 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test #7/10 2018 Auto Bild Winter SUV / 4x4 Tyre Test – 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 grip in wet, dry, and snow conditions
  • Stiff sidewalls providing precise road feedback and cornering stability
  • Summer-tire-like driving dynamics and confidence at low temperatures

Cons

  • Long break-in (scrub-in) period required before optimal grip is reached
  • Lateral grip in wet conditions can occasionally feel lacking during sudden maneuvers
  • High price point
All owner themes in the WinterContact TS 860 S review

Tire B Latitude Alpin 2

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and confidence in deep snow, slush, and icy conditions.
  • Impressive tread life and durability over long-term usage.
  • Consistent, safe performance across a wide variety of winter weather scenarios.

Cons

  • Slightly less responsive handling on dry, cold roads compared to specialized dry-weather winter tires.
  • Premium pricing typical of the Michelin brand.
  • Performance is optimized for winter, which may feel less sharp in mild, dry conditions.
All owner themes in the Latitude Alpin 2 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S B · Michelin Latitude Alpin 2
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverSUV and 4x4
Sizes available92—
Rim diameters16″ – 23″—
Tread depth10 - 11/32″—
SidewallBlack Side Wall—
Max pressure50 - 51 psi—

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S

Michelin Latitude Alpin 2

Too close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 860 S and Michelin Latitude Alpin 2 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S is stronger on efficiency and dry. Michelin Latitude Alpin 2 is stronger on wet and snow. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S rests on little evidence so far (1 test, 16 reviews), so read this result as provisional.

Pick tire A You want lower fuel or energy use

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 77 vs 59 on efficiency.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 76 vs 67 on dry.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Latitude Alpin 2 scores 81 vs 75 on wet.

Pick tire B You drive through snowy winters

Michelin Latitude Alpin 2 scores 78 vs 74 on snow.

Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
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Tire B · Michelin Latitude Alpin 2
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WinterContact TS 860 S or Latitude Alpin 2?

Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 860 S or Latitude Alpin 2?

Michelin Latitude Alpin 2, 81 vs 75 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 860 S or Latitude Alpin 2?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 76 vs 67 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 860 S or Latitude Alpin 2?

Michelin Latitude Alpin 2, 78 vs 74 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 860 S or Latitude Alpin 2?

Neither, by our numbers: 70 vs 72 on the noise score, within 3 points.

Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 860 S or Latitude Alpin 2?

Neither, by our numbers: 77 vs 78 on the comfort score, within 3 points.

Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 860 S or Latitude Alpin 2?

Neither, by our numbers: 75 vs 77 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.

Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 860 S or Latitude Alpin 2?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 77 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