Tests 75 · 9 tests Owners 75 · 5 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (dry braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Vredestein Wintrac vs Continental WinterContact TS 870 — 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 9 + 16 road tests and 5 + 27 owner reviews. How we score
WinterContact TS 870 is ahead, 81–75
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Tests 84 · 16 tests Owners 77 · 27 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (dry handling)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
Key facts
- In 7 tests that measured snow braking for both, Wintrac won 1 and WinterContact TS 870 won 6 (average 94% vs 99% of the best).
- In 6 tests that measured wet braking for both, Wintrac won 3 and WinterContact TS 870 won 3 (average 94% vs 94% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured dry braking for both, Wintrac won 4 and WinterContact TS 870 won 1 (average 99% vs 97% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, Wintrac won 0 and WinterContact TS 870 won 5 (average 93% vs 98% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured snow traction for both, Wintrac won 2 and WinterContact TS 870 won 3 (average 96% vs 97% of the best).
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76
Dry
WinterContact TS 870 +379Why this score
Source Wintrac WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 14 tests 77 81 Reviews found online 74 77 Dry Braking (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 4–1 99% 97% Dry Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 99% 100% Wintrac: 60% × 77.2 + 40% × 73.6 = 76
WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 81 + 40% × 76.5 = 79
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85
Wet
WinterContact TS 870 +792Why this score
Source Wintrac WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 16 tests 87 98 Reviews found online 81 84 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 80% 97% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 0–5 93% 98% Wet Braking (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 3–3 94% 94% Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 94% 97% Wet Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 2–1 99% 99% Wintrac: 60% × 87.3 + 40% × 81.2 = 85
WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 97.8 + 40% × 83.9 = 92
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75
Snow
WinterContact TS 870 +277Why this score
Source Wintrac WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 16 tests 72 82 Reviews found online 79 71 Ice Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 93% 95% Snow Braking (% of best) · 7 shared tests · wins 1–6 94% 99% Snow Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 96% 99% Snow Traction (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–3 96% 97% Wintrac: 60% × 72.1 + 40% × 78.6 = 75
WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 81.8 + 40% × 70.7 = 77
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73
Comfort
Level73Why this score
Source Wintrac WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests 72 72 Reviews found online 74 74 Wintrac: 40% × 71.5 + 60% × 73.8 = 73
WinterContact TS 870: 40% × 72 + 60% × 73.8 = 73
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77
Noise
Wintrac +176Why this score
Source Wintrac WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 12 tests 85 83 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 3–1 99% 99% Wintrac: 60% × 84.6 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 77
WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 82.6 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 76
No owner ratings of noise for Wintrac or WinterContact TS 870. 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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65
Treadwear
WinterContact TS 870 +1479Why this score
Source Wintrac WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 7 tests 61 79 Reviews found online 70 79 Abrasion (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 77% 79% Wear (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–4 71% 91% Wintrac: 60% × 61.5 + 40% × 70.1 = 65
WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 79.5 + 40% × 79.1 = 79
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70
Handling (owners)
WinterContact TS 870 +777Why this score
Source Wintrac WinterContact TS 870 Reviews found online 70 77 -
75
Efficiency
WinterContact TS 870 +277Why this score
Source Wintrac WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 14 tests 75 77 Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–1 97% 98% Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 91% 95%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Vredestein Wintrac | Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 81 |
| Dry | 76 | 79 |
| Wet | 85 | 92 |
| Snow | 75 | 77 |
| Comfort | 73 | 73 |
| Noise | 77 | 76 |
| Treadwear | 65 | 79 |
| Handling (owners) | 70 | 77 |
| Efficiency | 75 | 77 |
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
75
/ 100
Wintrac
81
/ 100
WinterContact TS 870
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 10 tests that ran both, Vredestein Wintrac finished ahead 0 times and Continental WinterContact TS 870 10 times.
| Discipline | Category | Wintrac | WinterContact TS 870 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 99% | 97% | +2.0 | 4–1 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 100% | −0.9 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 80% | 97% | −16.4 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 93% | 98% | −5.1 | 0–5 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 94% | 94% | −0.2 | 3–3 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 94% | 97% | −2.7 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 98% #8/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/11 · 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% | 99% | +0.6 | 2–1 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 93% | 95% | −1.7 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 94% | 99% | −4.3 | 1–6 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% | 99% | −2.6 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 96% | 97% | −1.0 | 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 94% #5/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 99% | 99% | +0.5 | 3–1 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 77% | 79% | −2.6 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 71% | 91% | −20.2 | 0–4 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 97% | 98% | −0.9 | 0–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 91% | 95% | −3.8 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 82% | 70% | +12.0 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 AMS Winter Tyre Test · 195/55 R16 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #8/20 | #6/20 | – | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Value | Cost | 65% | 67% | −2.7 | 2–1 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #10/16 | #1/16 | – | 0–10 in 10 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Wintrac
Pros
- Excellent traction and handling on snow and ice
- High above-average performance and grip on wet roads
- Comfortable ride quality
Cons
- Limited steering feedback and road feel
- Pricing is close to established premium options, leaving less of a value gap
Tire B WinterContact TS 870
Pros
- Outstanding wet performance: reviewers cite strong grip, stability and braking in rain, very good resistance to aquaplaning in standing water, and confident behavior at high speed and in cold, wet conditions.
- Good to excellent dry grip with precise, direct steering and clear feedback that is unusually sporty for a winter tire.
- Comfortable and quiet ride, described as smooth and soft, with low road noise.
Cons
- Inconsistent snow and ice traction: several reviewers found it no better than cheaper tires, with wheel spin when pulling away on snow or ice and difficulty on hard snow or steep hills.
- Reports of reduced grip at the limit, including understeer on cold, damp roads and a sensation of lost grip in fast corners.
- Ageing concerns: one reviewer reported hardened rubber after three seasons, with skidding under hard wet braking.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Vredestein Wintrac | B · Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 25 | 44 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 19″ | 14″ – 19″ |
| Sizes in common | 20 | 20 |
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Vredestein Wintrac
81
/ 100
Continental WinterContact TS 870
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 — better treadwear, wet and handling. Where the Vredestein Wintrac is ahead, it is by less than 3 points.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Continental WinterContact TS 870 scores 79 vs 65 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental WinterContact TS 870 scores 92 vs 85 on wet.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 870 scores 77 vs 70 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental WinterContact TS 870 scores 79 vs 76 on dry.
Pick tire A
Your priority is dry braking
Vredestein Wintrac won 4 of 5 shared dry braking tests.
Tire A · Vredestein Wintrac
Tire B · Continental WinterContact TS 870
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Wintrac or WinterContact TS 870?
Which is better in the wet, Wintrac or WinterContact TS 870?
Continental WinterContact TS 870, 92 vs 85 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Wintrac or WinterContact TS 870?
Continental WinterContact TS 870, 79 vs 76 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Wintrac or WinterContact TS 870?
Neither, by our numbers: 75 vs 77 on the snow score, within 3 points.
Which is quieter, Wintrac or WinterContact TS 870?
Neither, by our numbers: 77 vs 76 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Which is more comfortable, Wintrac or WinterContact TS 870?
Neither, by our numbers: 73 vs 73 on the comfort score, within 3 points.
Which lasts longer, Wintrac or WinterContact TS 870?
Continental WinterContact TS 870, 79 vs 65 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Wintrac or WinterContact TS 870?
Neither, by our numbers: 75 vs 77 on the efficiency score, within 3 points.
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