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Head-to-head Updated

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Nexen Winguard Sport — 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 + 3 road tests and 33 + 27 owner reviews. How we score

WinterContact TS 870 P is ahead, 81–66

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Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Tire AContinental

WinterContact TS 870 P

Winter

± 4

Tests 83 · 32 tests Owners 81 · 33 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (dry handling)

Nexen Winguard Sport
Tire BNexen

Winguard Sport

Winter

± 8

Tests 68 · 3 tests Owners 64 · 27 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (noise)

Category by category

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

Key facts

  • In 3 tests that measured wet braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 3 and Winguard Sport won 0 (average 93% vs 86% of the best).
  1. 81

    Dry

    WinterContact TS 870 P +17
    64
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 1 tests8368
    Reviews found online7958
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–099%95%
    Dry Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0100%99%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 83.3 + 40% × 78.5 = 81

    Winguard Sport: 60% × 68.3 + 40% × 57.5 = 64

  2. 91

    Wet

    WinterContact TS 870 P +23
    68
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 32 / 3 tests9570
    Reviews found online8665
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–097%93%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–093%86%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–099%98%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 94.6 + 40% × 86.1 = 91

    Winguard Sport: 60% × 70.3 + 40% × 64.9 = 68

  3. 79

    Snow

    WinterContact TS 870 P +8
    71
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 31 / 2 tests8072
    Reviews found online7670
    Snow Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0100%96%
    Snow Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–098%95%
    Snow Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–199%99%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 80.2 + 40% × 76.4 = 79

    Winguard Sport: 60% × 71.5 + 40% × 69.6 = 71

  4. 88

    Comfort

    WinterContact TS 870 P +25
    63
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / – tests98≈ 67 (est.)
    Reviews found online8161

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 40% × 98.1 + 60% × 80.7 = 88

    Winguard Sport: 40% × 67 (est.) + 60% × 60.5 = 63

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

  5. 73

    Noise

    WinterContact TS 870 P +2
    71
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 22 / 1 tests7880
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)58
    Noise (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–199%100%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 78.1 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 73

    Winguard Sport: 60% × 80.1 + 40% × 58.4 = 71

    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.

  6. 74

    Treadwear

    WinterContact TS 870 P +10
    64
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 1 tests7060
    Reviews found online8069
    Wear (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–073%73%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 69.9 + 40% × 80.2 = 74

    Winguard Sport: 60% × 60.2 + 40% × 68.8 = 64

  7. 83

    Handling (owners)

    WinterContact TS 870 P +26
    57
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PWinguard Sport
    Reviews found online8357
  8. 86

    Efficiency

    WinterContact TS 870 P +33
    53
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 24 / 1 tests8653
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–092%71%
Scores at a glance
CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 870 PNexen Winguard Sport
Relative Score 81 66
Dry 81 64
Wet 91 68
Snow 79 71
Comfort 88 63
Noise 73 71
Treadwear 74 64
Handling (owners) 83 57
Efficiency 86 53

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
± 4

WinterContact TS 870 P

± 8

Winguard Sport

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 3 tests that ran both, Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished ahead 3 times and Nexen Winguard Sport 0 times.

DisciplineCategoryWinterContact TS 870 PWinguard SportΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 99% 95% +4.8 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Dry Handling Dry 100% 99% +0.9 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 97% 93% +4.5 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Wet Braking Wet 93% 86% +7.5 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test · 225/45 R18
Wet Handling Wet 99% 98% +1.3 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Snow Braking Snow 100% 96% +3.4 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview · 215/55 R17
Snow Handling Snow 98% 95% +2.4 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Snow Traction Snow 99% 99% −0.5 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Noise Noise 99% 100% −1.1 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Wear Treadwear 73% 73% +0.7 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 92% 71% +20.5 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 61% 98% −37.1 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #14/20 #13/20 – 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Value Cost 47% 74% −27.8 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 215/55 R17
Overall Ranking Overall #7/54 #48/54 – 3–0 in 3 shared tests 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
All owner themes in the WinterContact TS 870 P review

Tire B Winguard Sport

Pros

  • Exceptional value and budget-friendly pricing compared to major brand alternatives
  • Strong traction and control in snow, slush, and compacted winter conditions
  • Remarkably quiet and smooth ride with low road noise

Cons

  • Occasional understeer or reduced grip on semi-dry or wet roads
  • Performance degrades in warmer transition temperatures (around 4-13°C)
  • Some mixed feedback regarding ice performance compared to dedicated Scandinavian winter tires
All owner themes in the Winguard Sport review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P B · Nexen Winguard Sport
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available12137
Rim diameters16″ – 23″15″ – 20″
Tread depth—11/32″
Treadwear warranty—25,000 mi
Sidewall—Blackwall
Max pressure—44 psi
Sizes in common2424

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

Nexen Winguard Sport

Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better efficiency, handling and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire A You want lower fuel or energy use

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 86 vs 53 on efficiency.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 83 vs 57 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 88 vs 63 on comfort.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 91 vs 68 on wet.

Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
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Tire B · Nexen Winguard Sport
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WinterContact TS 870 P or Winguard Sport?

Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 870 P or Winguard Sport?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 91 vs 68 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 870 P or Winguard Sport?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 81 vs 64 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 870 P or Winguard Sport?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 79 vs 71 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 870 P or Winguard Sport?

Neither, by our numbers: 73 vs 71 on the noise score, within 3 points.

Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 870 P or Winguard Sport?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 88 vs 63 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 870 P or Winguard Sport?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 74 vs 64 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 870 P or Winguard Sport?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 86 vs 53 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