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 Michelin X-Ice Xi3 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
WinterContact TS 860 S is ahead, 74–68
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Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
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74
Dry
WinterContact TS 860 S +767Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S X-Ice Xi3 Professional tests (TWG score) 73 – Reviews found online 77 66 -
73
Wet
WinterContact TS 860 S +370Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S X-Ice Xi3 Professional tests (TWG score) 70 – Reviews found online 79 70 -
73
Snow
WinterContact TS 860 S +370Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S X-Ice Xi3 Professional tests (TWG score) 71 – Reviews found online 78 70 -
74
Comfort
WinterContact TS 860 S +569Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S X-Ice Xi3 Reviews found online 79 69 -
72
Noise
WinterContact TS 860 S +567Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S X-Ice Xi3 Professional tests (TWG score) 73 – Reviews found online 71 68 -
72
Treadwear
WinterContact TS 860 S +567Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S X-Ice Xi3 Reviews found online 76 68 -
81
Handling
WinterContact TS 860 S +1863Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S X-Ice Xi3 Reviews found online 81 63
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S | Michelin X-Ice Xi3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 74 | 68 |
| Dry | 74 | 67 |
| Wet | 73 | 70 |
| Snow | 73 | 70 |
| Comfort | 74 | 69 |
| Noise | 72 | 67 |
| Treadwear | 72 | 67 |
| Handling | 81 | 63 |
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
74
/ 100
WinterContact TS 860 S
68
/ 100
X-Ice Xi3
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.
| Discipline | Category | WinterContact TS 860 S | X-Ice Xi3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #4/11 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | #5/17 2020 Consumer Reports North America Winter 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 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 X-Ice Xi3
Pros
- Exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Long-lasting treadwear and durability over multiple seasons
- Good stability and grip on dry pavement and cold winter roads
Cons
- Squirmy feel and delayed, sluggish steering response on dry and wet roads
- Lacks cornering grip and confidence during sharp turns
- Performs poorly in heavy mountain snow, wet ice, and milder above-freezing temperatures
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S | B · Michelin X-Ice Xi3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 92 | 37 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 23″ | 14″ – 20″ |
| 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
68
/ 100
Michelin X-Ice Xi3
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 63 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 74 vs 67 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 74 vs 69 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 72 vs 67 on noise.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Tire B · Michelin X-Ice Xi3
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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.