Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
Expect a tight contest in dry braking and handling, with the Continental usually edging it by small margins, and a clearer gap in wet safety where the PremiumContact 7 repeatedly posts shorter stops and quicker laps. Conversely, if cabin quietness, comfort and rolling resistance matter most, the P7 C2 regularly scores better, often at a lower purchase price.
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 seven tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental PremiumContact 7 | seven |
While it might look like the Continental PremiumContact 7 is better than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 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
- Outstanding wet braking and wet handling consistency (often 4-11% advantage)
- Class-leading dry braking and precise, confidence-inspiring steering
- Good wear and overall value in broader test scoring
- Strong aquaplaning performance (especially straight-line)
- Low rolling resistance for better fuel economy
- Lower external noise and good ride comfort
- Predictable, easy-to-drive handling with strong dry grip
- Generally lower purchase price
Dry Braking
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during six dry braking tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 1.85% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 1.06% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 0.62% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 scored 5.45% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during six wet braking tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 6.63% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 0.85% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 1.04% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 scored 0.91% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 had 6.89% higher lateral wet grip than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 floated at a 0.37% higher speed than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 slipped out at a 2.6% higher speed than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 scored 3.16% more points than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 scored 11.11% more points than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Subj. Noise: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 was better during four noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 measured 1.3% quieter than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Noise: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 was better during one noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 measured 1.39% quieter than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Noise: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one wear tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 is predicted to cover 19.02% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Wear: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one value tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 proved to have a 11.13% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2.
Best In Value: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 was better during three price tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 cost 3.25% less than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Price: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 was better during five rolling resistance tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 had a 1.44% lower rolling resistance than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
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 P7 C2 Driver Reviews
Across 26 reviews, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 is praised for very low noise, high comfort, balanced handling, and strong dry and generally solid wet grip for everyday driving. Many drivers report improved fuel efficiency/rolling resistance and satisfactory wear, though a minority cite weak wet confidence and temperature sensitivity, plus occasional faster wear. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, positioning the P7 C2 as a quiet, comfortable, well-rounded touring tyre.
Based on 32 reviews with an average rating of 83%
Conclusion
The Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2 counters with quieter operation, better comfort, and consistently lower rolling resistance-translating to reduced fuel use and often a friendlier price tag. Its dry and wet grip is close to the best in class, but it can lag in wet braking and aquaplaning margins, which is where Continental builds its advantage. If you prioritize safety headroom and steering precision, pick Continental; if you want a calm, efficient, and refined daily driver at a keener cost, Pirelli fits better. The practical takeaway: Continental for performance and wet security, Pirelli for efficiency and comfort.
Key Differences
- Wet safety: Continental repeatedly delivers shorter wet braking distances and faster wet laps; Pirelli is close but less consistent.
- Dry performance: Both are excellent; Continental usually wins by small margins in braking and handling.
- Efficiency: Pirelli commonly posts lower rolling resistance (most tests) and can be cheaper to buy.
- Noise/comfort: Pirelli tends to be quieter and more comfortable subjectively.
- Aquaplaning: Continental edges straight-line aquaplaning more often; Pirelli occasionally leads in curved aquaplaning.
- Longevity/value: Where measured, Continental shows better tread life and overall test value despite higher price.
Overall Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental PremiumContact 7 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
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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.