Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Pirelli Cinturato C3
Across the set, Pirelli takes two overall wins and one shared win, consistently edging subjective handling, aquaplaning resistance, noise and rolling resistance, while Continental reliably delivers the shortest wet stops and strong straight-line aquaplaning. The result is a classic choice: ultimate confidence when you hit the brakes in the wet (Continental) versus a broader balance of dynamics, comfort/refinement and efficiency (Pirelli).
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 three tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Pirelli Cinturato C3 | two | |
| one draws in one tests | ||
While it might look like the Pirelli Cinturato C3 is better than the Continental PremiumContact 7 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 across all shared tests
- Very strong straight-line aquaplaning resistance
- Good dry grip with secure stability under ESP
- Comfort scores competitive in some tests
- Best overall balance: wins in dry/wet handling feel and stability
- Lower rolling resistance for better efficiency
- Quieter with better ride refinement
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance, especially curved
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 stopped the vehicle in 0.19% less distance than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 0.14% faster around a lap than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 6.25% more points than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 1.45% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato C3.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was 0.5% faster around a wet lap than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 6.82% more points than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 floated at a 0.65% higher speed than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 slipped out at a 0.68% higher speed than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 5% more points than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 scored 2.44% more points than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Subj. Noise: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 measured 1.03% quieter than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Noise: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato C3 had a 3.33% lower rolling resistance than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Pirelli Cinturato C3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Continental PremiumContact 7 Driver Reviews
Drivers of the Continental PremiumContact 7 overwhelmingly praise its outstanding wet and dry grip, strong braking, and confidence-inspiring handling, often noting clear improvements over the PC6. Many also report solid comfort and better aquaplaning resistance, though experiences vary by car. The most frequent drawbacks are higher road noise on coarse asphalt and, for a subset of users, faster tread wear; a few enthusiasts note soft sidewalls that reduce steering precision. Overall sentiment is strongly positive given the high number of top-scoring reviews.
Based on 48 reviews with an average rating of 83%
Pirelli Cinturato C3 Driver Reviews
Drivers overwhelmingly praise the Pirelli Cinturato C3 for exceptional safety and control, with standout wet and dry grip, confident braking, and precise handling. Many highlight very low noise and high comfort, with some noting good rolling efficiency and promising durability after initial use. A few mention that steering precision isn't as sharp as top sport-focused rivals, but without calling it a weakness. Overall sentiment is strongly positive for everyday and spirited driving.
Based on 10 reviews with an average rating of 94%
Conclusion
Choose the PremiumContact 7 if your priority is maximum wet-braking safety and you can accept more cabin noise and slightly higher fuel consumption. Choose the Cinturato C3 if you want the best all-rounder: precise steering, confident wet and dry handling, quieter cruising and better efficiency without giving up much in outright braking. Practical takeaway: commuters and touring drivers will feel the Pirelli's breadth every mile; drivers laser-focused on shortest wet stops will prefer the Continental.
Key Differences
- Overall results: Pirelli wins 2 tests (plus 1 tie) vs. 0 clear wins for Continental
- Wet braking: Continental leads all three tests (e.g., 24.61 m vs 24.96 m)
- Subjective handling: Pirelli consistently higher in dry and wet (e.g., +5-8% points)
- Aquaplaning: Pirelli generally stronger in curved; Continental stronger in straight in one key test
- Noise: Pirelli quieter (e.g., 71.9-71.8 dB vs Continental up to 73.2 dB)
- Efficiency: Pirelli lower rolling resistance (e.g., 7.4-7.7 kg/t vs Continental ~7.7-7.9 kg/t)
Overall Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli Cinturato C3 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.