Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 72
- TR Score
- 9.6/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 73
The PremiumContact 7 and the Cinturato All Season SF3 have met in one independent test so far, and the PremiumContact 7 finished ahead.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental PremiumContact 7 for mainly clear-road driving where snow can be avoided or covered by a separate winter set. Choose the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 if you need one set for a changeable climate with occasional snow, accepting its longer dry braking distances.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Shorter dry braking in all four shared tests.
- Quicker wet handling in all four shared tests.
- Precise, predictable steering noted in UTAC's 2025 test.
Where the Cinturato All Season SF3 is stronger
- Much shorter snow braking in all three tests that measured it.
- Much quicker snow handling in all three tests that measured it.
- Strong straight-line aquaplaning results in both Auto Express 2026 tests.
Conclusion
The Continental PremiumContact 7 has the more consistent advantage on clear roads. It stopped shorter in the dry in all four shared tests, by roughly 7% to 10%, and recorded the quicker dry handling times wherever those were measured. It also handled more quickly in the wet in all four. Wet braking usually showed a substantial lead: about 14% shorter in both Auto Express 2026 tests and about 7% in Tyre Reviews' 2025/26 test. UTAC's 2025 combined test is the exception, finding the two only about 1% apart. That near-level result is unusual beside the other wet braking measurements, rather than evidence of a consistent tie.
The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 makes the opposite case when snow is involved. In Auto Express's 2026 all-season test it stopped about 55% shorter on snow and completed the snow handling lap about a third quicker; Tyre Reviews' 2025/26 test also found large gaps on both measures. This is principally a difference between an all-season tyre and a summer tyre, not a flaw peculiar to the Continental. The Pirelli also resisted straight-line aquaplaning better in both Auto Express tests, although UTAC found the tyres virtually level. Curved aquaplaning was less consistent: the Pirelli had a clear lead in Tyre Reviews' test, while the Continental had narrow leads in Auto Express's tests. Rolling resistance changed sides across the tests, so neither has a dependable advantage on that measure.
For a driver on mainly clear roads who can avoid using summer tyres when snow arrives, the Continental's repeated braking and handling advantages are persuasive, including in the cool wet and dry conditions tested by Auto Express. UTAC also noted precise steering and predictable behaviour, while warning of some tyre noise and high rolling resistance in its field. For a driver who needs one set through changeable seasons and occasional snow, the Pirelli gives up some clear-road grip for a large gain in snow capability. It performed strongly among the all-season tyres in the Auto Express and Tyre Reviews tests, though UTAC found its dry braking long and noted that its performance worsened when hot.
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
PremiumContact 7 vs Cinturato All Season SF3 at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Cinturato All Season SF3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won1 shared test | 1 | 0 | |
| Dry2 measurements | 2 | 0 | |
| Wet4 measurements | 4 | 0 | |
| Comfort1 measurement | 0 | Level between the two. | 0 |
| Value1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The Cinturato All Season SF3 by 0.1 | 9.6/10 |
| Owner rating72 and 73 reviews | 83% | Too close to call | 84% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The Cinturato All Season SF3 by 6 points | 80% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 30 sizes made in both | 70 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 1 test in 2025
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | PremiumContact 7 | Field | Cinturato All Season SF3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tyre Test | P2 of 14 | P8 of 14 |
Performance profile
8 measurements from the one shared test, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure.
Where each is furthest ahead
PremiumContact 7
Cinturato All Season SF3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it.
Where each scores higher
PremiumContact 7
Cinturato All Season SF3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
PremiumContact 7
Cinturato All Season SF3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 83% from 72 reviews and the Cinturato All Season SF3 84% from 73. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Cinturato All Season SF3 | Wins | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.2 | 9.8% | 37.9 | 1-0 | |||||
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| scored | 25% | scored | 1-0 | |||||
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| 33.4 | 1.2% | 33.8 | 1-0 | |||||
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| 75.5 | 3.7% | 78.4 | 1-0 | |||||
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| scored | 25% | scored | 1-0 | |||||
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| 78 | 0.8% | 77.4 | 1-0 | |||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||
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| 8.04 | 1.7% | 7.9 | 0-1 | |||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Cinturato All Season SF3 9.6 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Cinturato All Season SF3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 98 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 99 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 77 | ||
| 67 | Value | 51 | ||
| - | Snow | 82 | ||
| - | Ice | 60 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Cinturato All Season SF3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 8.4 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 7.8 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 7.9 | ||
| - | Snow Grip | 8.6 | ||
| - | Ice Grip | 7.8 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 83% from 72 reviews and the Cinturato All Season SF3 84% from 73. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental PremiumContact 7
- 83%from 72 reviews
- 74%would buy again
- 720,352 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners are largely impressed with the Continental PremiumContact 7, rating it 82.9% on average with no outright negative reviews, and the standout theme is strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both dry and wet conditions. Nearly half of owners mention excellent dry and wet grip, often backed up by praise for secure handling and stability. The main drawback is refinement: around a quarter to a third of owners report notable road noise, and a similar share are disappointed by tread life, with wear sometimes described as quicker than expected. Comfort is generally viewed positively overall, though opinions vary, and steering feel is more mixed than the outright grip levels suggest.
- Strong dry grip and traction
- Very confident wet grip
- Secure, planted handling in the dry
- Comfortable ride over bumps and on longer runs
- Noticeable road noise, especially on coarse surfaces
- Tread life can be disappointing for a premium tyre
- Steering feel/precision can be inconsistent (some find it vague)
Summarised by AI from 58 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 72 PremiumContact 7 reviewsThe PremiumContact 7 offers a great balance of touring longevity, comfort, and sufficiently precise handling to keep you safe at higher speeds and in unexpected situations. These tires provide near-perfect grip across various conditions, performing exceptionally well on both dry and wet roads. On the other hand, they can get a bit noisy on rough surfaces.
Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
- 84%from 73 reviews
- 80%would buy again
- 578,592 milesdriven by reviewers
Most owners rate the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 highly, with the bulk of feedback praising its dependable wet and dry grip (mentioned by over half of reviewers) and an easy, confidence-inspiring feel for year-round use. Around a third of owners also highlight strong snow traction for an all-season tyre, alongside generally low road noise and good ride comfort. A small minority report vibration/balancing issues, while roughly one in six mention steering feel is a bit soft or less direct than sportier or summer-focused alternatives; aquaplaning feedback is more mixed.
- Strong wet grip and reassuring confidence in the rain
- High dry grip for an all-season tyre
- Impressive snow traction for winter days
- Generally low road noise, especially at cruising speeds
- Vibration or balancing/run-out problems reported by some owners
- Steering feel can be a bit soft or less direct than alternatives
- Aquaplaning resistance gets mixed reports in standing water
Summarised by AI from 70 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 73 Cinturato All Season SF3 reviewsGreat tires! In autumn and winter conditions, I found them better than the Continental TS860 in mud and snow, but worse on ice.
In summer, compared with the Continental PremiumContact 6, they offered better aquaplaning resistance, but slightly worse wet grip and overall handling. Lateral stability was by far their weakest point compared with my old Conti.
These were my first all-season tires, a bit of a gamble for me, but overall, I would recommend them. After 40,000 km over two years, they are showing some wear, so I plan to replace them by 50,000 km to stay on the safe side. My original plan was to use them for 40,000–60,000 km and less than four years.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 56 sizes of the PremiumContact 7 and 70 of the Cinturato All Season SF3, 30 of them made in both.
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Cinturato All Season SF3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | All Season |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch | 70 sizes, 15 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 30 sizes 205/55 R16205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/55 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17and 18 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A95%B5% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B26% | B64%C36% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 69-72 dB B95%A5% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 0 of 74 | 73 of 73 |
| On the market since | 2022 | - |
| Replaced | Continental Premium Contact 6 | Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 (2020) |
| Awards | Recommended: Best Tyres for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Summer Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2024) | Recommended: Best All Season Tyres (DriverReviews, 2026/27) |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Four independent tests put these tyres side by side: Auto Express's 2026 all-season and winter tests, Tyre Reviews' 2025/26 all-season test and UTAC's 2025 summer and all-season test. The Continental PremiumContact 7 is a summer tyre and the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is an all-season tyre. A driver weighing stronger road grip against the need to drive on snow has reason to consider both, but this is not a like-for-like contest.
Across the shared measurements, the Continental brakes shorter and handles more quickly on dry and wet roads. The Pirelli is far more capable on snow. The Continental's dry braking advantage appears in all four tests, while its wet braking lead is usually clear, though UTAC found the two almost level. These gaps largely reflect the different jobs of summer and all-season tyres. Placings in fields that mix tyre types are a weak guide here; the measured differences are more useful.
PremiumContact 7 vs Cinturato All Season SF3: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 the better tyre?
The Continental PremiumContact 7 and the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 have met in one independent test so far, and the PremiumContact 7 finished ahead. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Cinturato All Season SF3 9.6 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the Cinturato All Season SF3?
The PremiumContact 7 led 4 of the 4 wet measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 2 of the 2 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 7.9/10 for the Cinturato All Season SF3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 83% from 72 reviews and the Cinturato All Season SF3 84% from 73. 74% of PremiumContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 80% for the Cinturato All Season SF3.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The PremiumContact 7 is made in 56 sizes (16 to 21 inch) and the Cinturato All Season SF3 in 70 (15 to 20 inch). 30 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the PremiumContact 7 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Cinturato All Season SF3 A and B.
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Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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