Tests 83 · 32 tests Owners 81 · 33 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (dry handling)
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Nexen WinGuard Sport 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 32 + 9 road tests and 33 + 61 owner reviews. How we score
WinterContact TS 870 P is ahead, 81–72
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Tests 73 · 9 tests Owners 71 · 61 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test (noise)
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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81
Dry
WinterContact TS 870 P +1170Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 6 tests 83 71 Reviews found online 79 69 WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 83.3 + 40% × 78.5 = 81
WinGuard Sport 2: 60% × 70.8 + 40% × 69.4 = 70
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91
Wet
WinterContact TS 870 P +1675Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 32 / 9 tests 95 73 Reviews found online 86 77 Wet Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 90% 83% WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 94.6 + 40% × 86.1 = 91
WinGuard Sport 2: 60% × 73.5 + 40% × 77.4 = 75
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79
Snow
WinterContact TS 870 P +970Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 31 / 9 tests 80 70 Reviews found online 76 70 Snow Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 95% 94% WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 80.2 + 40% × 76.4 = 79
WinGuard Sport 2: 60% × 70.5 + 40% × 69.6 = 70
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88
Comfort
WinterContact TS 870 P +2068Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 1 tests 98 64 Reviews found online 81 71 WinterContact TS 870 P: 40% × 98.1 + 60% × 80.7 = 88
WinGuard Sport 2: 40% × 64.4 + 60% × 70.6 = 68
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73
Noise
WinGuard Sport 2 +881Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 22 / 6 tests 78 94 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) 61 WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 78.1 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 73
WinGuard Sport 2: 60% × 94.3 + 40% × 61.3 = 81
No owner ratings of noise for WinterContact TS 870 P. 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.
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74
Treadwear
WinterContact TS 870 P +173Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 2 tests 70 75 Reviews found online 80 71 WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 69.9 + 40% × 80.2 = 74
WinGuard Sport 2: 60% × 74.8 + 40% × 71.3 = 73
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83
Handling (owners)
WinterContact TS 870 P +1370Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P WinGuard Sport 2 Reviews found online 83 70 -
86
Efficiency
WinterContact TS 870 P +5234Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 24 / 6 tests 86 34
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 72 |
| Dry | 81 | 70 |
| Wet | 91 | 75 |
| Snow | 79 | 70 |
| Comfort | 88 | 68 |
| Noise | 73 | 81 |
| Treadwear | 74 | 73 |
| Handling (owners) | 83 | 70 |
| Efficiency | 86 | 34 |
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
81
/ 100
WinterContact TS 870 P
72
/ 100
WinGuard Sport 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.
In the overall rankings of 1 tests that ran both, Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished ahead 1 times and Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 0 times.
| Discipline | Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | WinGuard Sport 2 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Dry | 99% #2/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 | 97% #7/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #8/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #5/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 100% #1/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #5/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 100% #1/9 · 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | 80% #6/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 95% #7/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 68% #8/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 99% #5/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 91% #7/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Wet | Wet | 97% #2/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 | 93% #7/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 90% | 83% | +7.2 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #2/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Snow | Snow | 94% #4/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 | 96% #7/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 95% | 94% | +1.6 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #4/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 96% #7/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 98% #4/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 92% #8/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 100% #1/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 93% #6/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Exterior Noise | Noise | 98% #7/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 | 100% #1/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 98% #8/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 86% #13/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 79% #10/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 91% #14/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 78% #8/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 78% #8/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #11/20 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | #17/20 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Value | Cost | 50% #20/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 97% #3/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #7/54 | #27/54 | – | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test · 225/45 R18 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A WinterContact TS 870 P
Pros
- Exceptionally low noise levels and high ride comfort
- Outstanding wet weather and slush performance, cutting through heavy rain effortlessly
- Balanced dry and cold-weather handling with impressive cornering stability
Cons
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
- Steering response and initial stiffness are slightly softer and less sporty than dedicated summer tires or some rivals
- Snow and ice traction can feel less exceptional or borderline inadequate for a small subset of users
Tire B WinGuard Sport 2
Pros
- Excellent value and affordable price point compared to premium winter tires
- Low noise levels and high comfort, often rivaling all-season or summer tires
- Strong grip and stability on cold dry and wet pavement
Cons
- Subpar performance on hard-packed ice and deep snow compared to dedicated heavy-duty winter tires
- Soft sidewalls can lead to slightly vague handling or a 'rolly' feeling in hard cornering
- Reports of higher rolling resistance resulting in a minor drop in fuel economy
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | B · Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 121 | 80 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 23″ | 15″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | — | 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 51 psi |
| Sizes in common | 53 | 53 |
Which one should you actually buy?
81
/ 100
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
72
/ 100
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better efficiency, comfort and wet. Pick the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 if noise matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 86 vs 34 on efficiency.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 88 vs 68 on comfort.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 91 vs 75 on wet.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 83 vs 70 on handling.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Tire B · Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
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WinterContact TS 870 P or WinGuard Sport 2?
Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 870 P or WinGuard Sport 2?
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 91 vs 75 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 870 P or WinGuard Sport 2?
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 81 vs 70 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 870 P or WinGuard Sport 2?
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 79 vs 70 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 870 P or WinGuard Sport 2?
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2, 81 vs 73 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 870 P or WinGuard Sport 2?
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 88 vs 68 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 870 P or WinGuard Sport 2?
Neither, by our numbers: 74 vs 73 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.
Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 870 P or WinGuard Sport 2?
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 86 vs 34 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