Menu

Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870

This head-to-head pitches two top-tier European winter touring tyres: Bridgestone's new Blizzak 6 (Enliten) versus Continental's benchmark WinterContact TS 870. Both target safe, efficient everyday driving on passenger cars, but they take different paths to get there. Across four shared tests from 2024-2025, the Continental typically tops the overall rankings, while the Bridgestone often spikes to class-leading results in the wet and aquaplaning disciplines.

Expect a tight fight: the Blizzak 6 consistently delivers outstanding wet braking (winning 3 of 4 wet stops) and strong fuel-efficiency, while the TS 870 counters with superior snow performance, lower noise, and proven longevity. The outcome hinges on your climate mix-more cold rain and slush vs. frequent, deeper snow-and whether you prioritise efficiency or ultimate all-round control.
Blizzak-6 VS WinterContact-TS-870

Test Results

Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been four tests which compare both tyres directly!

Summary of four total tests comparing both tyres directly
TyreTest WinsPerformance
Bridgestone Blizzak 6one
one wins
Continental WinterContact TS 870three
three wins

While it might look like the Continental WinterContact TS 870 is better than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.

Key Strengths

  • Class-leading wet braking in multiple tests (e.g., 34.6 m vs 37.1 m, −6.7%)
  • Strong aquaplaning resistance in key evaluations (notably curved aquaplaning wins)
  • Lower rolling resistance in most comparisons (efficiency benefit)
  • Consistent performance across dry/wet with sporty, precise feel
  • Superior snow capability (wins in snow handling across tests, frequent snow braking wins)
  • Balanced wet/dry performance with confident steering feel
  • Lower noise and higher projected mileage (wear) for better long-term value
  • More overall test victories and top rankings across 2024-2025

Dry Braking

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 0.65% less distance than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
38.38M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
38.13M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
44.1M (+0.2M)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
43.9M
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
31.35M (+1.35M)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
30M
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
39.7M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
40.5M (+0.8M)

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was 1.3% faster around a lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
58.53s
Continental WinterContact TS 870
59.3s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Bridgestone Blizzak 6

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
58.53s
Continental WinterContact TS 870
59.3s (+0.77s)

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.36% faster around a lap than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
110.2Km/H
Continental WinterContact TS 870
110.6Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
110.2Km/H (-0.4Km/H)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
110.6Km/H

Wet Braking

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 stopped the vehicle in 4.4% less distance than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
39.59M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
41.41M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Bridgestone Blizzak 6

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
34.6M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
37.1M (+2.5M)
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
54M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
57.9M (+3.9M)
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
35.57M (+0.14M)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
35.43M
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
34.2M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
35.2M (+1M)

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 1.94% faster around a wet lap than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
75.31s
Continental WinterContact TS 870
73.85s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
60.61s (+0.61s)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
60s
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
90s (+2.3s)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
87.7s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was 1.14% faster around a wet lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
76.01Km/H
Continental WinterContact TS 870
75.14Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Blizzak 6

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
76.01Km/H
Continental WinterContact TS 870
75.14Km/H (-0.87Km/H)

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was 0.24% faster around a wet circle than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
12.26s
Continental WinterContact TS 870
12.29s
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Bridgestone Blizzak 6

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
12.26s
Continental WinterContact TS 870
12.29s (+0.03s)

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 floated at a 1.55% higher speed than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
80.29Km/H
Continental WinterContact TS 870
81.55Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
81Km/H (-3.3Km/H)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
84.3Km/H
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
84.57Km/H
Continental WinterContact TS 870
81.14Km/H (-3.43Km/H)
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
75.3Km/H (-3.9Km/H)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
79.2Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 slipped out at a 13.67% higher speed than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
43.17m/sec2
Continental WinterContact TS 870
37.27m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Bridgestone Blizzak 6

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
3.2m/sec2 (-0.62m/sec2)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
3.82m/sec2
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
83.14m/sec2
Continental WinterContact TS 870
70.71m/sec2 (-12.43m/sec2)

Snow Braking

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three snow braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 0.4% less distance than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
30.15M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
30.03M
Snow braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Snow Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
29.6M (+0.5M)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
29.1M
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
29.6M (+0.5M)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
29.1M
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
42.6M
Continental WinterContact TS 870
44M (+1.4M)
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
18.8M (+0.9M)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
17.9M

Snow Traction

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 accelerated 0.59% faster than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
6.76s
Continental WinterContact TS 870
6.72s
Snow acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Snow Traction: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
10.29s
Continental WinterContact TS 870
10.33s (+0.04s)
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
3.23s (+0.12s)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
3.11s

Snow Traction

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 had 0.32% better snow traction than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
2512N
Continental WinterContact TS 870
2520N
Pulling Force in Newtons, higher is better

Best In Snow Traction: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
2512N (-8N)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
2520N

Snow Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two snow handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 4.32% faster around a lap than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
74.05s
Continental WinterContact TS 870
70.85s
Snow handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Snow Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
62.7s (+2.7s)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
60s
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
85.4s (+3.7s)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
81.7s

Snow Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 1.33% faster around a lap than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
59.2Km/H
Continental WinterContact TS 870
60Km/H
Snow handling average speed, higher is better

Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
59.2Km/H (-0.8Km/H)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
60Km/H

Snow Slalom

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.3% faster through a slalom than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
3.27m/sec2
Continental WinterContact TS 870
3.28m/sec2
Lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Snow Slalom: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
3.27m/sec2 (-0.01m/sec2)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
3.28m/sec2

Noise

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 measured 1.91% quieter than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
71.87dB
Continental WinterContact TS 870
70.5dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
72.3dB (+1.3dB)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
71dB
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
71.43dB (+1.43dB)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
70dB

Wear

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wear tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 is predicted to cover 7.65% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
44300KM
Continental WinterContact TS 870
47970KM
Predicted tread life in KM, higher is better

Best In Wear: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
44300KM (-3670KM)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
47970KM

Value

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one value tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 proved to have a 15.06% better value based on price/1000km than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
11.29Price/1000
Continental WinterContact TS 870
9.59Price/1000
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear, lower is better

Best In Value: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
11.29Price/1000 (+1.7Price/1000)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
9.59Price/1000

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 had a 1.14% lower rolling resistance than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
7.79kg / t
Continental WinterContact TS 870
7.88kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Bridgestone Blizzak 6

Bridgestone Blizzak 6
8.77kg / t (+0.94kg / t)
Continental WinterContact TS 870
7.83kg / t
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
8kg / t
Continental WinterContact TS 870
8.6kg / t (+0.6kg / t)
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
6.6kg / t
Continental WinterContact TS 870
7.2kg / t (+0.6kg / t)

Real World Driver Reviews

Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 and Continental WinterContact TS 870.

In total the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 has been reviewed 5 times and drivers have given the tyre 92% overall.

The Continental WinterContact TS 870 has been reviewed 22 times and drivers have given the tyre 84% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Bridgestone Blizzak 6.

Best Review for the Bridgestone Blizzak 6
Given 96% 215/55 R17 on mostly motorways for 10,000 miles
Best winter tire I've ever used
Helpful 960 - tyre reviewed on October 30, 2024
View all Bridgestone Blizzak 6 driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Continental WinterContact TS 870
Given 69% 185/65 R15 on a combination of roads for 5,000 average miles
it was really nice, but on the hard snow, hill climbing is not really good, I am not sure about any other tires that can climb, all roads was good but I can park my to my home because it can't climb the %20-30 hill to my home
Helpful 1184 - tyre reviewed on April 18, 2023
View all Continental WinterContact TS 870 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

Continental's WinterContact TS 870 is the safer all-round bet for classic winter conditions: it wins more tests overall (3 vs. 1), dominates on snow (clean sweep in snow handling, 3 snow braking wins), is quieter, and adds strong wear and value metrics. Test bodies repeatedly highlight its balanced grip and reassuring feel, which translated to overall victories at Auto Express and Auto Bild.

Bridgestone's Blizzak 6 shines when the roads are cold and wet: it led wet braking repeatedly (up to 6-7% shorter stops vs. TS 870 in several sizes), posted excellent aquaplaning resistance in some tests, and often delivered lower rolling resistance. If your winters skew milder with frequent rain and standing water, the Blizzak 6's wet-road confidence and efficiency make it compelling. If you regularly face sustained snow and mixed winter conditions, the TS 870 remains the more rounded, confidence-inspiring choice.
Key Differences
  • Overall results: TS 870 leads overall (3 test wins vs. 1 for Blizzak 6).
  • Snow focus: TS 870 consistently quicker on snow handling and traction; edges snow braking in most sizes.
  • Wet braking: Blizzak 6 repeatedly stops shorter in the wet (up to ~6-7% advantage).
  • Aquaplaning: Mixed-Blizzak 6 excels in some tests (notably curved), TS 870 wins straight-line in others.
  • Efficiency vs. longevity: Blizzak 6 usually has lower rolling resistance; TS 870 offers better wear and value scores.
  • Refinement: TS 870 tends to be quieter; Blizzak 6 skews sportier in feel.
Continental WinterContact TS 870

Overall Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870

Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.

Similar Comparisons

Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:


Footnote

This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.

Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.