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Winter tire Updated October 2026

Continental WinterContact TS 860 review

± 5

Relative score 60% tests + 40% owners

Better than 95% of the winter tires we score.

Owners 80 · 50 reviews analysed Road tests 79 · 7 tests

How scores work
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Continental WinterContact TS 860 has a Relative Score of 79 out of 100 among winter tires. In 34 road tests with an overall ranking it finished first 18 times and in the top three 26 times. Testers rate it best for wet (89) and weakest for treadwear (73). 50 owner reviews rate it 80 out of 100. 86% would buy it again.

Projected tread life in 3 wear tests: about 43,000 km (27,000 miles) on average, newest 2019.

  • Strength: Wet 89 — 1st of 14 (2020 Auto Zeitung Winter tire Test), 1st of 10 (2019 Auto Center Winter tire Test)
Continental WinterContact TS 860

Two scoring systems, side by side

Owner scores come from reviews found online; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.

How scores work
Relative score
0–100. Blends road tests (60%) and owner reviews (40%) category by category, the same way on every TireWheelGuide page. With only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from it, so the score stays closer to average. It needs at least one road test or five owner reviews.
Road tests
0–100 per score, from published tests, newer tests counting more. Each result is compared with every other tire in the same test, so a win against a strong field counts for more. The average tested tire gets 70, the best 100; with only one or two tests a tire stays nearer 70. The discipline rows show % of the best tire in that test.
Owner reviews
0–100 from the owner reviews we found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates and scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70. With only a few reviews a tire stays near the average.

Full methodology

By owner reviews

80/100

From 50 owner reviews analysed, scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70.

Would buy again 86%
Dry
Overall dry
82
Wet
Overall wet
88
Snow & ice
Overall snow & ice
73
Comfort
Overall comfort
79
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
78
Handling
Overall handling
83

Own these tires? Write a review →

By road tests

79/100

Scaled across every tested tire: the average gets 70, the best 100.

Dry
75
Wet
89
Snow
78
Comfort
76
Noise
78
Treadwear
73
Efficiency
76
By discipline (% of best in test)
Dry Braking
68%
Dry Handling
81%
Subj. Dry Handling
77%
Wet Braking
93%
Subj. Wet Handling
90%
Wet Handling
96%
Straight Aquaplaning
95%
Curved Aquaplaning
99%
Side G-Force on Wet surface
99%
Snow Braking
87%
Snow Handling
88%
Subj. Snow Handling
91%
Snow Traction
79%
Ice Braking
82%
Ice Handling
88%
Ice Traction
30%
Inside Noise level
91%
Outside Noise
92%
Subjective Comfort
78%
Rolling Resistance
77%
Price
23%
Wear
88%

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 50 owner reviews found online.

The Continental WinterContact TS 860 is widely regarded as a top-tier, balanced winter tire that excels in wet and snowy conditions while maintaining impressive comfort and low noise levels. While the vast majority of users report high satisfaction with its safety and handling, a minority of owners noted a significant drop in performance as the tires aged or after several seasons of use.

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and safety in wet and slushy conditions
  • Outstanding performance on snow, providing high levels of confidence
  • Remarkably low noise levels and high ride comfort
  • Strong fuel efficiency and balanced overall performance
  • Predictable handling on dry roads, often compared favorably to summer tires

Cons

  • Performance degradation noted by some users after 3-4 seasons
  • Soft sidewalls can lead to a slight loss of steering precision or 'wobble' in tight corners
  • Tread pattern prone to picking up and throwing stones/sand
  • Inconsistent reports regarding tread wear, with some users experiencing faster-than-expected depletion

Worth knowing

  • Users with high-torque vehicles noted that the tire can struggle with traction under heavy acceleration on snow if the vehicle lacks advanced torque management.
  • Drivers of smaller, lighter vehicles (e.g., VW Polo, Golf) reported excellent handling and confidence in varied winter conditions.
  • Some users noted that the tire's soft sidewall is more noticeable on larger rim sizes or during spirited driving.

35 published test appearances (7 in the score)

Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.

2021 ADAC 15 Inch Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17

6th of 16

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2021 ADAC 17 Inch Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17

6th of 18

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2021 ADAC Winter Tire Test R15 · 195/65R15

6th of 16

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2020 Auto Zeitung Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

2nd of 14
Best: Wet Handling (tester's mark) · 1st Weakest: Dry Braking · 11th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking2nd of 14
Dry Braking11th of 14
Snow Braking3rd of 14
Snow Traction6th of 14
Rolling Resistance5th of 14
Straight Aquaplaning5th of 14
Dry Handling (tester's mark)7th of 14
Comfort (tester's mark)5th of 14
Wet Handling (tester's mark)1st of 14
Snow Handling (tester's mark)2nd of 14

Source: Auto Zeitung

2020 ACE Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17

4th of 9

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ACE

2020 ADAC Winter tire Test - 205/55 R16 · 205/55 R16

7th of 15

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2020 Wybór Kierowców Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16

1st of 8

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Wybór Kierowców

2019 Auto Center Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

2nd of 10
Best: Snow Braking · 1st Weakest: Snow Traction · 8th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking2nd of 10
Dry Braking7th of 10
Snow Braking1st of 10
Snow Traction8th of 10
Ice Braking6th of 10
Rolling Resistance3rd of 10
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 10
Dry Handling (tester's mark)1st of 10
Comfort (tester's mark)4th of 10
Wet Handling (tester's mark)3rd of 10
Ice Traction8th of 10
Snow Handling (tester's mark)2nd of 10

2019 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17

2nd of 12

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

2019 Auto Express All Season tire Test · 205/55 R16

2nd of 11

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch tire Test · 225/45 R17

1st of 20
Best: Dry Handling · 1st Weakest: Snow Braking · 9th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking7th of 20
Wet Handling4th of 20
Dry Braking2nd of 20
Dry Handling1st of 20
Snow Braking9th of 20
Snow Handling9th of 20
Rolling Resistance9th of 20
Straight Aquaplaning2nd of 20
Noise2nd of 20
Value16th of 20
Price19th of 20
Wear2nd of 20
Total Cost of Ownership10th of 20

Source: Auto Bild

2019 Winter tire Test Market Overview · 225/45 R17

5th of 47
Best: Wet Braking · 8th Weakest: Snow Braking · 9th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking8th of 47
Snow Braking9th of 47

Source: Auto Bild

2019 ADAC 185/65 R15 Winter tire Test · 185/65 R15

4th of 16

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2019 L’Argus Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16

1st of 6

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: L’Argus

2019 Teknikens Värld Large Winter Tire Test R17 · 225/50R17

5th of 18

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Teknikens Värld

2018 Auto Express All Season tire Test · 225/45 R17

3rd of 8

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

2018 AMS Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

1st of 11
Best: Wet Braking · 1st Weakest: Snow Braking · 9th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking1st of 11
Wet Handling1st of 11
Dry Braking1st of 11
Dry Handling4th of 11
Snow Braking9th of 11
Snow Handling4th of 11
Rolling Resistance3rd of 11
Straight Aquaplaning4th of 11
Noise6th of 11
Price11th of 11

Source: Auto Motor und Sport

2018 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

1st of 9

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

2018 ACE All Season and Winter tire Test · 185/65 R15

1st of 12

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ACE

2018 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 195/65 R15

2nd of 20
Best: Wet Handling · 1st Weakest: Dry Handling · 12th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking2nd of 20
Wet Handling1st of 20
Dry Braking8th of 20
Dry Handling12th of 20
Snow Braking6th of 20
Snow Handling8th of 20
Rolling Resistance3rd of 20
Straight Aquaplaning2nd of 20
Noise8th of 20
Value18th of 20
Price20th of 20
Wear6th of 20
Total Cost of Ownership6th of 20

Source: Auto Bild

2018 AMS All Season tire Test · 205/55 R16

2nd of 9
Best: Wet Braking · 1st Weakest: Dry Handling · 7th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking1st of 9
Wet Handling6th of 9
Dry Braking5th of 9
Dry Handling7th of 9
Snow Braking1st of 9
Snow Handling1st of 9
Rolling Resistance4th of 9
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 9
Noise1st of 9
Price4th of 9

Source: Auto Motor und Sport

2018 ADAC Winter tire Test - 175/65 R14 · 175/65 R14

1st of 12

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2018 ADAC Winter tire Test - 205/55 R16 · 205/55 R16

1st of 16

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2018 51 Winter tire Shootout · 195/65 R15

1st of 52

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2017 50 Winter tire Shoot Out · 225/50 R17

2nd of 45

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2017 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17

1st of 20
Best: Dry Handling · 1st Weakest: Wear · 15th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking5th of 20
Wet Handling4th of 20
Dry Braking3rd of 20
Dry Handling1st of 20
Snow Braking5th of 20
Snow Handling4th of 20
Rolling Resistance8th of 20
Straight Aquaplaning11th of 20
Noise12th of 20
Value17th of 20
Wear15th of 20
Total Cost of Ownership17th of 20

Source: Auto Bild

2017 ADAC Winter tire Test - 195/65 R15 · 195/65 R15

1st of 16

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2017 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17

1st of 8

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

2017 All Season VS Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

1st of 11
Best: Wet Handling · 1st Weakest: Dry Handling · 8th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking2nd of 11
Wet Handling1st of 11
Dry Braking6th of 11
Dry Handling8th of 11
Snow Braking2nd of 11
Snow Handling2nd of 11
Rolling Resistance3rd of 11
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 11
Noise3rd of 11

2017 ADAC Winter Tire Test R16 · 195/65R16

1st of 10

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2016 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

1st of 8

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

2016 AutoBild Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

1st of 20

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Bild

2016 Winter tire Market Overview · 205/55 R16

1st of 43

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2016 AZ Winter tire Test - 205/55 R16 · 205/55 R16

1st of 14

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

All Season vs Winter vs Nordic vs Studded tires · 205/60 R16

2nd of 2
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking2nd of 2
Wet Handling2nd of 2
Dry Braking2nd of 2
Snow Traction1st of 2
Snow Handling1st of 2
Ice Handling1st of 2
Rolling Resistance2nd of 2
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 2
Noise1st of 2
Ice Traction1st of 2

Source: Vi Bilägare

Continental WinterContact TS 860 specs & sizes

Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.

Specifications
EU label: wet gripB in 96% of sizes
EU label: energyC in 52% of sizes
EU label: external noise71–72 dB
SizeRetailer
155/70 R13 Amazon
155/80 R13 Amazon
165/70 R13 Amazon
155/65 R14 Amazon
165/60 R14 Amazon
165/65 R14 Amazon
165/70 R14 Amazon
175/65 R14 Amazon
175/70 R14 Amazon
175/80 R14 Amazon
185/55 R14 Amazon
185/60 R14 Amazon
185/65 R14 Amazon
185/70 R14 Amazon
155/65 R15 Amazon
165/60 R15 Amazon

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Reviews from our readers

Drivers who have these tires on their car, in their own words. We check every review before it goes live.

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Continental WinterContact TS 860 compared

Continental WinterContact TS 860VSContinental WinterContact TS 870 P
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005VSContinental WinterContact TS 860
Continental WinterContact TS 860VSMichelin X Ice Snow
Continental WinterContact TS 860VSMichelin CrossClimate 2
Continental WinterContact TS 860VSContinental WinterContact TS 860 S
Continental VikingContact 7VSContinental WinterContact TS 860
Continental WinterContact TS 860VSGoodyear UltraGrip 9+
Continental WinterContact TS 860VSMichelin Alpin 6
Continental WinterContact TS 860VSPirelli Cinturato Winter
Continental WinterContact TS 860VSMichelin CrossClimate+

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