Tests 71 · 1 test Owners 78 · 14 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 11 in 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (rolling resistance)
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S vs Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
WinterContact TS 860 S is ahead, 74–68
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Tests 77 · 5 tests Owners 61 · 5 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test (wet braking)
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 +371Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Scorpion Winter 2 Professional tests (TWG score) 73 73 Reviews found online 77 68 Dry Braking (% of best) 98% 86% Dry Handling (% of best) 99% 99% -
73
Wet
Scorpion Winter 2 +679Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Scorpion Winter 2 Professional tests (TWG score) 70 84 Reviews found online 79 72 Wet Braking (% of best) 91% 100% Wet Handling (% of best) 97% 98% -
73
Snow
WinterContact TS 860 S +865Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Scorpion Winter 2 Professional tests (TWG score) 71 75 Reviews found online 78 50 Snow Braking (% of best) 96% 93% Snow Handling (% of best) 98% 93% -
74
Comfort
WinterContact TS 860 S +965Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Scorpion Winter 2 Reviews found online 79 61 -
72
Noise
WinterContact TS 860 S +171Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Scorpion Winter 2 Professional tests (TWG score) 73 76 Reviews found online 71 64 -
72
Treadwear
WinterContact TS 860 S +1458Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Scorpion Winter 2 Reviews found online 76 52 -
81
Handling
WinterContact TS 860 S +1764Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 860 S Scorpion Winter 2 Reviews found online 81 64
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S | Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 74 | 68 |
| Dry | 74 | 71 |
| Wet | 73 | 79 |
| Snow | 73 | 65 |
| Comfort | 74 | 65 |
| Noise | 72 | 71 |
| Treadwear | 72 | 58 |
| Handling | 81 | 64 |
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
Scorpion Winter 2
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 | Scorpion Winter 2 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 86% #4/4 · 2024 Auto Express Crossover All-Season Tire Test R18 | +11.5 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #2/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 99% #5/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | −0.2 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% #1/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 99% #2/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 | +1.2 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 98% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 98% #5/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | −0.8 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 55% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 44% #9/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +11.3 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 25% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 25% #4/10 · 2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test | 0.0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 96% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 93% #6/10 · 2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test | +2.4 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 93% #3/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 | +5.3 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 90% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 94% #6/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | −4.2 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% #6/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | −8.6 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | 98% #6/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | −1.0 | 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 Scorpion Winter 2
Pros
- Exceptional grip and traction in deep snow
- Plush, quiet ride quality compared to standard all-seasons
- Strong dry and wet handling characteristics
Cons
- Reduced fuel economy (noted drops in MPG)
- Accelerated or uneven tread wear, particularly during unseasonably warm weather use
- Lackluster performance on ice
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S | B · Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | SUV and 4x4 |
| Sizes available | 92 | 58 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 23″ | 18″ – 23″ |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi | 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
74
/ 100
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
68
/ 100
Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 860 S — better handling, treadwear and comfort. Pick the Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2 if wet matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 81 vs 64 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 72 vs 58 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 74 vs 65 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 73 vs 65 on snow.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Tire B · Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
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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.