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Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Pirelli P Zero 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 32 + 5 road tests and 34 + 4 owner reviews. How we score

Too close to call: WinterContact TS 870 P 81, P Zero Winter 2 80.

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Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Tire AContinental

WinterContact TS 870 P

Winter

± 4

Tests 83 · 32 tests Owners 81 · 34 reviews

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

Pirelli P Zero Winter 2
Tire BPirelli

P Zero Winter 2

Winter

± 5

Tests 82 · 5 tests Owners 79 · 4 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 50 in 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets (wet braking)

Category by category

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

Key facts

  • In 4 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 3 and P Zero Winter 2 won 1 (average 99% vs 97% of the best).
  • In 4 tests that measured comfort (tester's mark) for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 1 and P Zero Winter 2 won 1 (average 87% vs 89% of the best).
  • In 3 tests that measured wet braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 0 and P Zero Winter 2 won 3 (average 96% vs 100% of the best).
  • In 3 tests that measured snow braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 2 and P Zero Winter 2 won 1 (average 98% vs 98% of the best).
  1. 81

    Dry

    WinterContact TS 870 P +1
    80
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PP Zero Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 2 tests8381
    Reviews found online7979
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–295%98%
    Dry Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–1100%100%
    Dry Lane Change (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0100%99%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 83.3 + 40% × 78.6 = 81

    P Zero Winter 2: 60% × 81.1 + 40% × 79.1 = 80

  2. 91

    Wet

    P Zero Winter 2 +3
    94
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PP Zero Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 32 / 5 tests95100
    Reviews found online8685
    Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–096%81%
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–199%97%
    Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–190%100%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–396%100%
    Wet Circle (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–299%100%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–299%100%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 94.6 + 40% × 86.2 = 91

    P Zero Winter 2: 60% × 100 + 40% × 84.6 = 94

  3. 79

    Snow

    WinterContact TS 870 P +5
    74
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PP Zero Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 31 / 4 tests8070
    Reviews found online7780
    Snow Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 2–198%98%
    Snow Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–098%97%
    Snow Slalom (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–099%99%
    Snow Traction (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–194%96%
    Ice Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–040%30%
    Snow Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–060%55%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 80.2 + 40% × 76.5 = 79

    P Zero Winter 2: 60% × 70.2 + 40% × 80.4 = 74

  4. 87

    Comfort

    WinterContact TS 870 P +4
    83
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PP Zero Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 4 tests9892
    Reviews found online8077
    Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–187%89%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 40% × 98 + 60% × 80 = 87

    P Zero Winter 2: 40% × 92.1 + 60% × 76.9 = 83

  5. 73

    Noise

    P Zero Winter 2 +5
    78
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PP Zero Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 22 / 2 tests7886
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)
    Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–298%99%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 77.6 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 73

    P Zero Winter 2: 60% × 86.5 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 78

    No owner ratings of noise for WinterContact TS 870 P or P Zero Winter 2. 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 +1
    73
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PP Zero Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 2 tests7074
    Reviews found online8072
    Abrasion (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–080%80%
    Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–187%88%

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

    P Zero Winter 2: 60% × 73.9 + 40% × 72 = 73

  7. 83

    Handling (owners)

    WinterContact TS 870 P +5
    78
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PP Zero Winter 2
    Reviews found online8378
  8. 86

    Efficiency

    WinterContact TS 870 P +16
    70
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PP Zero Winter 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 24 / 3 tests8670
    Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–195%94%
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–291%93%
Scores at a glance
CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 870 PPirelli P Zero Winter 2
Relative Score 81 80
Dry 81 80
Wet 91 94
Snow 79 74
Comfort 87 83
Noise 73 78
Treadwear 74 73
Handling (owners) 83 78
Efficiency 86 70

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

± 5

P Zero 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.

In the overall rankings of 5 tests that ran both, Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished ahead 2 times and Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 3 times.

DisciplineCategoryWinterContact TS 870 PP Zero Winter 2ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 95% 98% −2.8 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Dry Handling Dry 100% 100% −0.2 0–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Dry Lane Change Dry 100% 99% +1.3 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Curved Aquaplaning Wet 96% 81% +14.7 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 99% 97% +2.2 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Wet Braking Wet 96% 100% −4.2 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Wet Circle Wet 99% 100% −1.3 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Wet Handling Wet 99% 100% −0.9 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Wet Handling (tester's mark) Wet 90% 100% −10.0 0–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Ice Handling (tester's mark) Snow 40% 30% +10.0 1–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Snow Braking Snow 98% 98% +0.1 2–1 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Snow Handling Snow 98% 97% +0.7 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Snow Handling (tester's mark) Snow 60% 55% +5.0 1–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Snow Slalom Snow 99% 99% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Snow Traction Snow 94% 96% −1.7 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 87% 89% −2.1 1–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Noise Noise 98% 99% −1.2 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Abrasion Treadwear 80% 80% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Wear Treadwear 87% 88% −1.4 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Fuel Consumption Efficiency 95% 94% +0.8 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 91% 93% −2.3 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #7/10 #8/10 – 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Value Cost 50% 50% +0.1 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Road Rating (tester's mark) Other 90% 90% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Overall Ranking Overall #1/20 #3/20 – 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19

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 P Zero Winter 2

Pros

  • Phenomenal grip and traction on snow and ice
  • Sporty, responsive handling and immediate direction changes on wet and dry roads
  • Low noise levels for a winter tire

Cons

  • Faster tread wear when driven aggressively
  • Slightly less impressive performance in warm, soaking wet conditions above 3 degrees Celsius
  • Average performance in non-winter conditions
All owner themes in the P Zero Winter 2 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P B · Pirelli P Zero Winter 2
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available12165
Rim diameters16″ – 23″18″ – 23″
Sizes in common2626

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

Pirelli P Zero Winter 2

Too close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is stronger on efficiency, snow and comfort. Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 is stronger on noise and wet.

Pick tire A You want lower fuel or energy use

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 86 vs 70 on efficiency.

Pick tire A You drive through snowy winters

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 79 vs 74 on snow.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 scores 78 vs 73 on noise.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 87 vs 83 on comfort.

Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Pirelli P Zero Winter 2
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WinterContact TS 870 P or P Zero Winter 2?

Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 870 P or P Zero Winter 2?

Pirelli P Zero Winter 2, 94 vs 91 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 870 P or P Zero Winter 2?

Neither, by our numbers: 81 vs 80 on the dry score, within 3 points.

Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 870 P or P Zero Winter 2?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 79 vs 74 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 870 P or P Zero Winter 2?

Pirelli P Zero Winter 2, 78 vs 73 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 870 P or P Zero Winter 2?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 87 vs 83 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 870 P or P Zero Winter 2?

Neither, by our numbers: 74 vs 73 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.

Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 870 P or P Zero Winter 2?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 86 vs 70 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