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 Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 — 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 + 6 road tests and 33 + 5 owner reviews. How we score
WinterContact TS 870 P leads, 81–78 Narrow edge
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Tests 83 · 6 tests Owners 73 · 5 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 (straight aquaplaning)
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 +477Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 6 tests 83 81 Reviews found online 79 72 Dry Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 98% 97% Dry Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 99% WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 83.3 + 40% × 78.5 = 81
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 80.7 + 40% × 71.5 = 77
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91
Wet
Level91Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 32 / 6 tests 95 100 Reviews found online 86 77 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 78% 80% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 92% 95% Wet Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 95% 100% Wet Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 99% 98% WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 94.6 + 40% × 86.1 = 91
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 100 + 40% × 76.9 = 91
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79
Snow
WinterContact TS 870 P +178Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 31 / 6 tests 80 80 Reviews found online 76 76 Snow Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 97% 98% Snow Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 99% 97% Snow Slalom (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 99% 95% Snow Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 96% 97% WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 80.2 + 40% × 76.4 = 79
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 79.7 + 40% × 75.7 = 78
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88
Comfort
WinterContact TS 870 P +2167Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 2 tests 98 75 Reviews found online 81 61 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 92% WinterContact TS 870 P: 40% × 98.1 + 60% × 80.7 = 88
Cinturato Winter 3: 40% × 74.9 + 60% × 61.4 = 67
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73
Noise
Cinturato Winter 3 +376Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 22 / 4 tests 78 83 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 98% 97% WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 78.1 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 73
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 82.8 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 76
No owner ratings of noise for WinterContact TS 870 P or Cinturato Winter 3. 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 +272Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 2 tests 70 73 Reviews found online 80 71 WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 69.9 + 40% × 80.2 = 74
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 73 + 40% × 71.1 = 72
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83
Handling (owners)
WinterContact TS 870 P +1469Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Cinturato Winter 3 Reviews found online 83 69 -
86
Efficiency
WinterContact TS 870 P +1571Why this score
Source WinterContact TS 870 P Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 24 / 6 tests 86 71 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 93%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 78 |
| Dry | 81 | 77 |
| Wet | 91 | 91 |
| Snow | 79 | 78 |
| Comfort | 88 | 67 |
| Noise | 73 | 76 |
| Treadwear | 74 | 72 |
| Handling (owners) | 83 | 69 |
| Efficiency | 86 | 71 |
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
78
/ 100
Cinturato Winter 3
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 0 times and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 0 times.
| Discipline | Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | Cinturato Winter 3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% | 97% | +0.7 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 100% | 99% | +0.8 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 78% | 80% | −2.6 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 92% | 95% | −2.8 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% | 100% | −5.2 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 96% #9/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 99% #2/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2026 Auto Bild Allrad SUV Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% | 98% | +1.1 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 84% #27/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 91% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 97% | 98% | −0.4 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% | 97% | +1.2 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 99% | 95% | +4.6 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 96% | 97% | −1.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 100% | 92% | +8.3 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Noise | Noise | 98% | 97% | +0.6 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 83% #8/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 68% #11/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 86% #13/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 80% #4/15 · 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 94% #4/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | 95% #5/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% | 93% | +7.4 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Value | Cost | 50% #20/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 63% #14/15 · 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #4/12 | #4/12 | – | 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre 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 Cinturato Winter 3
Pros
- Outstanding grip and confidence in deep snow, ice, and mountain passes
- Remarkably quiet and comfortable ride quality at low to moderate speeds
- Surprising dry and wet handling upgrades compared to certain summer or OE tires
Cons
- Noticeable increase in tire noise at higher speeds (typically above 100-110 km/h)
- Higher energy or fuel consumption noted on electric vehicles
- Loss of steering precision under high lateral forces due to narrow tread blocks
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 121 | 36 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 23″ | 16″ – 20″ |
| Sizes in common | 29 | 29 |
Which one should you actually buy?
81
/ 100
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
78
/ 100
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
Narrow edge: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better comfort, efficiency and handling. Pick the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 if noise matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 88 vs 67 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 86 vs 71 on efficiency.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 83 vs 69 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 81 vs 77 on dry.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Tire B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
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WinterContact TS 870 P or Cinturato Winter 3?
Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 870 P or Cinturato Winter 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 91 vs 91 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 870 P or Cinturato Winter 3?
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 81 vs 77 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 870 P or Cinturato Winter 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 79 vs 78 on the snow score, within 3 points.
Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 870 P or Cinturato Winter 3?
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3, 76 vs 73 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 870 P or Cinturato Winter 3?
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 88 vs 67 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 870 P or Cinturato Winter 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 74 vs 72 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.
Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 870 P or Cinturato Winter 3?
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 86 vs 71 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