Skip advert
Advertisement

Winter tyre: Continental Winter Contact TS 860

Despite reducing the emphasis on snow performance in our scoring system, this result suggests a winter tyre is arguably a better option than an all-season alternative

Despite reducing the emphasis on snow performance in our scoring system, this result suggests a winter tyre is arguably a better option than an all-season alternative. Surprisingly, the Goodyear had an advantage over this specialist tyre in Finland, as did the AllSeasonContact. 

The TS 860 was best in the wet thanks to those aquaplaning results, but the argument falls apart in the dry, where it was the worst option apart from the Nankang. The results also add weight to the theory that all-season tyres are essentially winter designs with a little more dry performance.

Results

Continental WinterContact TS 860 
Overall100.40%
Snow braking 95.20%
Snow traction96.70%
Snow handling101.30%
Straight aquaplaning101.70%
Curved aquaplaning101.00%
Wet braking94.00%
Wet handling100.60%
Dry braking84.50%
Dry handling98.50%
Rolling resistance 92.50%
Cabin noise103.40%
Price£85.70

Buy now from Black Circles

Skip advert
Advertisement
Products editor

Kim has worked for Auto Express for more than three decades and all but a year of that time in the Products section. His current role as products editor involves managing the section’s content and team of testers plus doing some of the tests himself. 

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £22,197Avg. savings £3,092 off RRP*Used from £21,897
Toyota Yaris Cross
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £11,990Avg. savings £703 off RRP*Used from £10,649
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £10,770Avg. savings £2,811 off RRP*Used from £10,770
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Honda CR-V prices slashed by thousands, ZR-V gets cheaper too
2026 Honda CR-V - front cornering

Honda CR-V prices slashed by thousands, ZR-V gets cheaper too

Honda has revealed updated pricing for the CR-V and ZR-V models, with the latter getting a particularly chunky discount
News
2 Nov 2026
New Renault Megane to take on the Tesla Model Y with a radical makeover
Renault Megane - front quarter exclusive image Avarvarii

New Renault Megane to take on the Tesla Model Y with a radical makeover

Hi-tech ‘software-defined’ C-segment model heralds a new design direction for Renault as the firm works to achieve a 465-mile range
News
2 Nov 2026
New Fiat Topolino Dolcevita arrives as dinky electric convertible for £9,500
Fiat Topolino Dolcevita - front 3/4

New Fiat Topolino Dolcevita arrives as dinky electric convertible for £9,500

The cute electric quadricycle can now be ordered as a convertible for a small additional outlay
News
3 Nov 2026