Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Uniroyal RainSport 5
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 71
- TR Score
- 8.0/10
- Owners say
- 73% · 91
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 7 times and the RainSport 5 not once. The PremiumContact 7 lasted 19.5% longer in the wear tests; the RainSport 5 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 5.1% higher speed.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental PremiumContact 7 if you want the best all-round summer tyre for real-world safety-especially shortest wet/dry braking and more precise, confidence-inspiring handling. Choose the Uniroyal RainSport 5 if your priority is deep-water aquaplaning resistance plus a quieter, cheaper tyre, and you're willing to accept longer braking distances and less precise dry-road dynamics.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Consistently shorter wet and dry braking across all shared tests (typically ~4-10% advantage)
- More precise, neutral and confidence-inspiring handling in both wet and dry (higher handling speeds in AutoBild data)
- Stronger overall test rankings across sizes (e.g., 1/6; 2/21; 3/21; 6/50)
Where the RainSport 5 is stronger
- Best-in-comparison aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved), aligning with its rain-specialist positioning
- Lower noise in measured results (around ~1-1.6 dB advantage) and often described as refined on pass-by noise
- Lower purchase price in multiple tests (roughly ~19-24% cheaper in the cited datasets)
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 RainSport 5 at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | RainSport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 7 | 0 | |
| Dry9 measurements | 9 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 7.8% shorter in the dry (7 tests) | 0 |
| Wet14 measurements | 10 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 5.6% shorter in the wet (7 tests) | 4 |
| Comfort2 measurements | 0 | The RainSport 5 was 1.2 dB quieter (2 tests) | 2 |
| Value4 measurements | 3 | The PremiumContact 7 lasted 19.5% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 1 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 1.5 | 8.0/10 |
| Owner rating71 and 91 reviews | 82% | The PremiumContact 7 by 9 points | 73% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The PremiumContact 7 by 15 points | 59% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | +27.6% | The PremiumContact 7 was dearer in 3 of 3 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 37 sizes made in both | 104 |
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 7 tests, 2023 to 2026
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 | RainSport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Netzwelt Mid Range Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 6 | P4 of 6 | |
| 2026 Summer Braking Super Tyre Test - How do 52 Tyres Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? | P6 of 50 | P24 of 50 | |
| 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | P8 of 52 | P22 of 52 | |
| 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | P2 of 20 | P18 of 20 | |
| 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview | P1 of 55 | P14 of 55 | |
| 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test | P3 of 20 | P17 of 20 | |
| 2023 Summer Tyre Market Overview | P5 of 50 | P17 of 50 |
Performance profile
9 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
PremiumContact 7
RainSport 5
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. The scale stops at 90%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 1 measurement recorded in only one shared test is left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
PremiumContact 7
RainSport 5
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
RainSport 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the RainSport 5 73% from 91. 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 | RainSport 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.61 | 7.8% | 37.54 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 117.9 | 2.8% | 114.7 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 33.37 | 5.6% | 35.27 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 75.9 | 2.2% | 74.3 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.53 | 3% | 6.34 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 93.25 | 5.1% | 98.2 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 4.14 | 10.1% | 4.56 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 74.05 | 1.2 dB | 72.9 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 41,175 | 19.5% | 34,025 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.09 | 0.5% | 8.14 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 RainSport 5 8 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | RainSport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 40 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 90 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 77 | ||
| 67 | Value | 39 | ||
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 | RainSport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 7.5 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 6.7 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 6.8 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 7.2 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 8 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the RainSport 5 73% from 91. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental PremiumContact 7
- 82%from 71 reviews
- 74%would buy again
- 704,882 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 71 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.
Uniroyal RainSport 5
- 73%from 91 reviews
- 59%would buy again
- 941,167 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners most strongly agree that the Uniroyal RainSport 5 delivers standout wet-weather confidence, with nearly two-thirds praising wet grip and around one in five specifically highlighting strong aquaplaning resistance. Dry grip also gets more praise than criticism, and a sizeable minority find it comfortable and quieter than expected for such an open tread pattern. The main recurring drawback is a soft, flexible feel: around one in five complain about sidewall support and steering feedback, sometimes describing the handling as vague or floaty, particularly when pushed or at speed. Tread life is mixed, with roughly a third commenting and opinions split between surprisingly good mileage and quicker-than-hoped wear.
- Excellent wet grip and confidence in heavy rain
- Strong resistance to aquaplaning in standing water
- Good dry grip for everyday driving
- Comfortable, compliant ride
- Soft sidewalls can make the car feel floaty or imprecise
- Limited steering feedback and slower responses
- Dry handling can feel vague when pushed
Summarised by AI from 81 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 91 RainSport 5 reviewsWet grip is incredible, dry grip is just above average, very progressive tyre, slightly spongy so I pumped them up to 40psi instead of 33. Economy was also average. Would buy them again, I had them fitted to a Volvo v90 d5. Not much change worn Vs new, just a little more aqua planing, better in the dry as they wore down. Mostly used on motorway, occasional country road use. Suited the Volvo well and price was good
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 56 sizes of the PremiumContact 7 and 104 of the RainSport 5, 37 of them made in both.
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | RainSport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch | 104 sizes, 15 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 37 sizes 205/55 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/55 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17235/45 R17205/40 R18and 25 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B26% | C86%D12%B2% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2019 |
| Replaced | Continental Premium Contact 6 | Uniroyal RainSport 3 (2013) |
| Awards | Recommended: Best Tyres for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Summer Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2024) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tyre in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 27.6% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
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.
This is a head-to-head between two summer tyres with very different design priorities: the Continental PremiumContact 7 (a premium-touring all-rounder that keeps scoring near the top of big group tests) versus the Uniroyal RainSport 5 (a value-focused “rain specialist” UHP tyre known for deep tread and strong aquaplaning resistance).
Across seven shared professional tests in multiple sizes (205/55 R16 up to 245/45 R19), the pattern is consistent: the PremiumContact 7 dominates the core safety and control metrics-especially braking and balanced handling-while the RainSport 5 consistently fights back where it's historically strong: deep-water aquaplaning, plus a quieter, lower-resistance feel and a lower purchase price. The real decision comes down to whether you prioritise all-round grip and stopping power, or wet-weather hydroplaning security and value.
Conclusion
On objective performance, the Continental PremiumContact 7 is the clear overall winner. It beats the Uniroyal RainSport 5 in dry braking in every shared test (typically by ~6-10%: e.g., 33.7 m vs 37.3 m; 34.3 m vs 37.4 m) and also wins wet braking every time (often ~4-7%: e.g., 25.8 m vs 27.7 m; 27.3 m vs 29.2 m). It also shows stronger, more precise handling (e.g., 120.3 vs 115.5 km/h in dry handling and 76.3 vs 73.8 km/h in wet handling), with test feedback repeatedly highlighting neutral balance, direct steering and predictability at the limit-exactly what you want for everyday safety margins.
The Uniroyal RainSport 5's case is narrower but legitimate: it is repeatedly better in deep-water aquaplaning (straight aquaplaning +3-7% and curved aquaplaning +9-11% in the AutoBild data), and it tends to be quieter (about ~1-1.6 dB advantage) and cheaper (around ~19-24% lower price in the cited tests). The trade-off is meaningful: professional reports describe noticeably vaguer steering, earlier understeer, and weaker dry lateral grip, and the numbers back that up with consistently longer braking distances.
Practical takeaway: if you want the “safe in everything, strong in emergencies” summer tyre, the PremiumContact 7 justifies its premium with repeatable, top-tier braking and all-round control. Choose the RainSport 5 primarily if you drive a lot in heavy rain/standing water and want extra aquaplaning margin and a lower upfront cost-accepting that it gives away stopping distance and dry precision.
PremiumContact 7 vs RainSport 5: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Uniroyal RainSport 5 the better tyre?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 7 times and the RainSport 5 not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the RainSport 5 8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the RainSport 5?
The PremiumContact 7 led 10 of the 14 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.6% shorter in the wet across 7 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 9 of the 9 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 7.8% shorter in the dry across 7 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The PremiumContact 7 lasted 19.5% longer in the wear tests (2 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 7.2/10 for the RainSport 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The RainSport 5 was 1.2 dB quieter (2 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 8/10 for the RainSport 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the RainSport 5 73% from 91. 74% of PremiumContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 59% for the RainSport 5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 27.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The PremiumContact 7 is made in 56 sizes (16 to 21 inch) and the RainSport 5 in 104 (15 to 21 inch). 37 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 RainSport 5 A and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The PremiumContact 7 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2022, the RainSport 5 in 2019. The PremiumContact 7 replaced the Continental Premium Contact 6. The RainSport 5 replaced the Uniroyal RainSport 3.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
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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