tirewheelguide
Head-to-head Updated

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S vs Pirelli Scorpion Winter 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 + 5 road tests and 16 + 5 owner reviews. How we score

WinterContact TS 860 S is ahead, 75–67

Check price on Amazon · WinterContact TS 860 S or Scorpion Winter 2 on Amazon
Add your size for an exact match
/R

Both Amazon links then search this exact size.

TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

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)

Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
Tire BPirelli

Scorpion Winter 2

Winter

± 6

Tests 76 · 5 tests Owners 60 · 5 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 11 in 2025 Autobild SUV 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. 76

    Dry

    WinterContact TS 860 S +9
    67
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SScorpion Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 5 tests7367
    Reviews found online8067

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

    Scorpion Winter 2: 60% × 67.3 + 40% × 66.9 = 67

  2. 75

    Wet

    Scorpion Winter 2 +4
    79
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SScorpion Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 5 tests7085
    Reviews found online8371

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 70 + 40% × 82.9 = 75

    Scorpion Winter 2: 60% × 84.6 + 40% × 71.2 = 79

  3. 74

    Snow

    WinterContact TS 860 S +9
    65
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SScorpion Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 5 tests7176
    Reviews found online7850

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 70.5 + 40% × 78.1 = 74

    Scorpion Winter 2: 60% × 75.6 + 40% × 49.6 = 65

  4. 77

    Comfort

    WinterContact TS 860 S +16
    61
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SScorpion Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 71 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)
    Reviews found online8157

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 40% × 71.2 (est.) + 60% × 81.4 = 77

    Scorpion Winter 2: 40% × 66.3 (est.) + 60% × 57 = 61

    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 Scorpion Winter 2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 71

    Noise

    Level
    71
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SScorpion Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 4 tests7377
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)63

    WinterContact TS 860 S: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 71

    Scorpion Winter 2: 60% × 77.3 + 40% × 62.7 = 71

    No owner ratings of noise for WinterContact TS 860 S. 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

    WinterContact TS 860 S +19
    56
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SScorpion Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 71 (est.)≈ 60 (est.)
    Reviews found online8049

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

    Scorpion Winter 2: 60% × 60.3 (est.) + 40% × 49.2 = 56

    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 Scorpion Winter 2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 84

    Handling (owners)

    WinterContact TS 860 S +21
    63
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SScorpion Winter 2
    Reviews found online8463
  8. 77

    Efficiency

    WinterContact TS 860 S +13
    64
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 860 SScorpion Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 5 tests7764
Scores at a glance
CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 860 SPirelli Scorpion Winter 2
Relative Score 75 67
Dry 76 67
Wet 75 79
Snow 74 65
Comfort 77 61
Noise 71 71
Treadwear 75 56
Handling (owners) 84 63
Efficiency 77 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 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

± 6

Scorpion Winter 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 SScorpion Winter 2ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 98% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 95% #5/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #2/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 98% #10/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 90% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 95% #6/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 91% #6/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 95% #3/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 97% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 96% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 90% #7/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 98% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 100% #2/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 98% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/11 · 2025 Autobild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 100% #1/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 84% #10/11 · 2025 Autobild 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 44% #9/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #4/11 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test #4/10 2025 Auto Motor und Sport 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 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 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
All owner themes in the Scorpion Winter 2 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S B · Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverSUV and 4x4
Sizes available9258
Rim diameters16″ – 23″18″ – 23″
Tread depth10 - 11/32″10/32″
SidewallBlack Side WallBlackwall
Max pressure50 - 51 psi51 psi
Sizes in common2525

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S

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. 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 enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 84 vs 63 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 75 vs 56 on treadwear.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 77 vs 61 on comfort.

Pick tire A You want lower fuel or energy use

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 77 vs 64 on efficiency.

Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2
Check price on Amazon

TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

WinterContact TS 860 S or Scorpion Winter 2?

Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 860 S or Scorpion Winter 2?

Pirelli Scorpion Winter 2, 79 vs 75 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 860 S or Scorpion Winter 2?

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

Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 860 S or Scorpion Winter 2?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 74 vs 65 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 860 S or Scorpion Winter 2?

Neither, by our numbers: 71 vs 71 on the noise score, within 3 points.

Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 860 S or Scorpion Winter 2?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 77 vs 61 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 860 S or Scorpion Winter 2?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 75 vs 56 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 860 S or Scorpion Winter 2?

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S, 77 vs 64 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