Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 71
- TR Score
- 8.6/10
- Owners say
- 88% · 11
In the 10 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 9 times and the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN once. The PremiumContact 7 lasted 25.3% longer in the wear tests; the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN had 8.5% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Continental PremiumContact 7 for the best all-round touring summer tyre with the strongest wet-safety margins (especially wet braking) and typically better lifespan-ideal for mixed driving, motorway use, and anyone prioritizing stopping distance and consistency. Choose the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN if you're prioritizing efficiency (fuel/EV range), want strong aquaplaning performance for heavy-rain regions, and you're value-sensitive-just go in knowing its wet braking and precision are usually a step behind the Continental.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Consistently best-in-class wet braking across all shared tests (10/10 wins), often with large real-world stopping-distance gains (e.g., 25.1 m vs 27.2 m in Auto Express; 33.3 m vs 38.3 m in Sport Auto)
- Strong all-round dynamics: usually faster in dry and wet handling with more steering precision and neutral balance noted by multiple testers
- Better longevity and environmental wear/abrasion results where measured (e.g., ADAC 44,700 km vs 36,700 km; EV test 40,890 km vs 28,510 km; lower abrasion in ADAC and Auto Zeitung)
Where the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN is stronger
- Rolling resistance / efficiency leader in most shared data (wins rolling resistance in 7 comparisons), supporting lower fuel use and better EV range outcomes in relevant tests
- Often excellent aquaplaning performance, with standout deep-water results in key tests (e.g., Auto Express straight aquaplaning 85.0 km/h vs 76.9; curved aquaplaning 3.8 vs 3.31)
- Frequently strong price-performance/value positioning (e.g., Auto Zeitung value 14.13 vs 16.84 price/1000), making premium-adjacent performance more affordable
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 Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won10 shared tests | 9 | 1 | |
| Dry20 measurements | 18 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 3.3% shorter in the dry (10 tests) | 2 |
| Wet42 measurements | 31 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 8.4% shorter in the wet (10 tests) | 11 |
| Comfort13 measurements | 7 | 4 | |
| Value14 measurements | 6 | The Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN had 8.5% lower rolling resistance (7 tests) | 8 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 0.9 | 8.6/10 |
| Owner rating71 and 11 reviews | 82% | The Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN by 6 points | 88% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN by 26 points | 100% |
| Pricein the 7 tests that listed prices | +33.5% | The PremiumContact 7 was dearer in 7 of 7 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 43 sizes made in both | 110 |
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 10 tests, 2024 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 | Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test | P2 of 8 | P3 of 8 | |
| 2026 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test | P4 of 7 | P7 of 7 | |
| 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 16 | P4 of 16 | |
| 2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 10 | P4 of 10 | |
| 2026 Netzwelt Mid Range Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 6 | P3 of 6 | |
| 2025 Die ReifenTester Summer Touring Tyre Test | P4 of 7 | P3 of 7 | |
| 2025 Al Volante Summer Tyre Test | P3 of 7 | P5 of 7 | |
| 2025 EV Tyre Test | P2 of 8 | P6 of 8 | |
| The Best Touring Tyres for 2025 Tested | P1 of 7 | P6 of 7 | |
| 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 9 | P5 of 9 |
Performance profile
15 measurements from the 10 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
PremiumContact 7
Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
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. 7 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
PremiumContact 7
Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
Not ahead in any category
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
Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN 88% from 11. 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 | Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34.92 | 3.3% | 36.1 | 9-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69.18 | 0.7% | 69.71 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 102.5 | 2% | 100.5 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.7% | scored | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 34.51 | 8.4% | 37.89 | 10-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 34.9 | 13% | 40.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 90.73 | 0.9% | 91.54 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 64.95 | 2.5% | 63.35 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 9.2% | scored | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.4 | 0.8% | 8.33 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.38 | 1.5% | 12.57 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 81.28 | 2.6% | 83.07 | 4-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 17.13 | 3.5% | 16.96 | 3-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 19.8% | scored | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 2.6% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.29 | 0.2 dB | 71.46 | 3-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 43,280 | 25.3% | 35,070 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.17 | 8.5% | 7.47 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.4 | 5.3% | 5.7 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 344.4 | 2.4% | 352.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69 | 27.4% | 95 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.08 | 28.1% | 0.11 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN 8.6 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 74 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 83 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 15 | ||
| 67 | Value | 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 | Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 8.3 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 8.5 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 9.2 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 8.9 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN 88% from 11. 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.
Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN
- 88%from 11 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 82,200 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers rate the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN very highly overall, describing it as a premium-feeling touring tyre at a mid-range price with strong safety and predictability. The most consistent praise is for confident wet-weather grip (including heavy rain/highway use), stable dry handling, and a comfortable ride, with many also highlighting excellent rim protection. Noise is the main recurring drawback, often described as surface-dependent and sometimes more noticeable around 50-60 km/h, though several users still find it quiet.
- Strong wet grip and confidence in heavy rain
- Comfortable ride and good touring manners
- Stable, predictable handling and braking in dry and wet
- Excellent rim protection
- Road noise can be surface-dependent and noticeable at some speeds
Summarised by AI from 10 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 11 Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN reviewsVery satisfied.
Very nice grip (dry and wet)
Has significantly lowered consumption compared to previous tyres(latitude cross), and dramatically more quiet
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 56 sizes of the PremiumContact 7 and 110 of the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN, 43 of them made in both.
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch | 110 sizes, 16 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 43 sizes 205/55 R16205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/55 R17215/45 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17225/45 R17and 31 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B26% | B73%C25%A2% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 70-73 dB B100% |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2022 |
| Replaced | Continental Premium Contact 6 | Firestone RoadHawk (2017) |
| 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 7 of the 7 tests that listed prices, by 33.5% 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.
Continental's PremiumContact 7 and Firestone's Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN sit in the same “premium-touring summer” space, but the shared test data shows they've been engineered with noticeably different priorities. Across 10 overlapping group tests (multiple sizes, including EV-focused testing), the Continental repeatedly scores at or near the top overall, while the Firestone is more variable-often competitive in certain conditions, but with a bigger performance spread depending on the test's emphasis.
The headline pattern is clear: PremiumContact 7 is the safety-and-balance play, driven by consistently class-leading wet braking and strong all-round grip/handling. Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN is the efficiency-and-water-clearance specialist, frequently shining in rolling resistance and (in several tests) aquaplaning resistance, and often undercutting the Continental on value-but it usually gives away meaningful braking performance, particularly in the wet, which is the most safety-critical gap between them.
Conclusion
If you want the most dependable “fit and forget” summer touring tyre with top-tier safety margins, the Continental PremiumContact 7 is the stronger choice. It dominates the most important metric-wet braking-winning 10/10 shared wet-braking comparisons, often by large margins (e.g., 53.2 m vs 60.9 m in Auto Zeitung 18", and 33.3 m vs 38.3 m in Sport Auto). It also tends to be quicker and more precise in both dry and wet handling (and frequently rated more positively in subjective steering/comfort), and it backs that up with stronger longevity and environmental metrics in key datasets (e.g., ADAC wear 44,700 km vs 36,700 km; EV test wear 40,890 km vs 28,510 km).
The Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN makes most sense when your priorities are energy consumption and coping with standing water at speed, and when price-performance is a major factor. It wins rolling resistance across the dataset (7 category wins vs 0 for Continental), and it repeatedly posts excellent aquaplaning numbers (notably in Auto Express and the EV test). The trade-off is that, across multiple independent tests, it more often lacks the braking and steering precision required to challenge the Continental as a true best-in-class touring tyre-most starkly shown by its last-place finish in the 2026 Sport Auto test despite strong efficiency and lateral aquaplaning.
Practical takeaway: choose the PremiumContact 7 if you're buying safety margin and consistent performance; choose the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN if you're optimizing running costs/efficiency and frequently drive through heavy rain and standing water-but accept that ultimate braking performance (especially wet stopping) won't match the Continental.
PremiumContact 7 vs Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Firestone Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN the better tyre?
In the 10 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 9 times and the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN 8.6 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN?
The PremiumContact 7 led 31 of the 42 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 8.4% shorter in the wet across 10 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 18 of the 20 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.3% shorter in the dry across 10 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The PremiumContact 7 lasted 25.3% longer in the wear tests (3 tests); the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN had 8.5% lower rolling resistance (7 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 9.2/10 for the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 8.9/10 for the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN 88% from 11. 74% of PremiumContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 100% for the Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN.
Which is more expensive?
In the 7 tests that listed prices, the PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tyre in 7 of them, by 33.5% 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 Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN in 110 (16 to 22 inch). 43 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 Roadhawk 2 ENLITEN A and B.
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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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