Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 71
- TR Score
- 8.4/10
- Owners say
- 80% · 119
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 7 times and the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun not once. The PremiumContact 7 lasted 24.7% longer in the wear tests; the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun held 9.5% more grip in curved aquaplaning.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Continental PremiumContact 7 for best-in-class safety, steering precision, and longevity in varied conditions. Choose Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun if you prioritize lower price, quieter rides, and maximum aquaplaning margins, and are comfortable trading off longer braking distances and older-generation efficiency.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Outstanding wet and dry braking (e.g., up to ~8-13% shorter in wet vs Falken across tests)
- Precise, confidence-inspiring handling with strong steering feedback
- Good wear and abrasion performance (e.g., +19-30% projected mileage in key tests)
Where the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun is stronger
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance (often wins straight and curved tests)
- Low cabin noise and good comfort/refinement
- Lower purchase price and solid value scores
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 ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 7 | 0 | |
| Dry11 measurements | 10 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 4.2% shorter in the dry (6 tests) | 1 |
| Wet24 measurements | 17 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 8.3% shorter in the wet (6 tests) | 7 |
| Comfort6 measurements | 1 | The ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun was 0.5 dB quieter (5 tests) | 5 |
| Value8 measurements | 8 | The PremiumContact 7 lasted 24.7% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 0 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 1.1 | 8.4/10 |
| Owner rating71 and 119 reviews | 82% | The PremiumContact 7 by 2 points | 80% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun by 4 points | 78% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | +25% | The PremiumContact 7 was dearer in 3 of 3 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 28 sizes made in both | 86 |
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 2024
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 | ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test | P3 of 8 | P8 of 8 | |
| 2024 Motorhome Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 10 | P8 of 10 | |
| 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 9 | P6 of 9 | |
| 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test | P2 of 20 | P7 of 20 | |
| 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 16 | P10 of 16 | |
| 2024 Summer Tyre Market Overview | P1 of 55 | P7 of 55 | |
| Tyre Reviews Best Summer Touring Tyres | P1 of 13 | P6 of 13 |
Performance profile
12 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
ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
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. 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
ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
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
ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun 80% from 119. 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 | ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35.21 | 4.2% | 36.75 | 6-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 63.52 | 1% | 64.22 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 97.35 | 0.3% | 97.25 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 34.23 | 8.3% | 37.28 | 6-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 32 | 11.8% | 36.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 81.28 | 1.9% | 82.89 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.95 | 1.6% | 70.85 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.53 | 6.5% | 6.13 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.6 | 1.5% | 11.78 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 81.52 | 1.3% | 82.4 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.75 | 9.5% | 6.21 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.7% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.38 | 0.5 dB | 71.84 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 45,525 | 24.7% | 36,050 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.22 | 2.8% | 8.46 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.9 | 1.7% | 6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 60.1 | 16.5% | 72 | 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 ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun 8.4 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 70 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 79 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 62 | ||
| 67 | Value | 42 | ||
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 | ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 8.2 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 8.1 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 8 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 7.7 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 7.9 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun 80% from 119. 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.
Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
- 80%from 119 reviews
- 78%would buy again
- 1,000,122 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally describe the Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun as an excellent value summer touring tyre with strong wet-weather safety (including aquaplaning resistance) and confident dry grip, often punching above its price class. A very common highlight is low cabin noise and an overall smooth, secure feel, with many users also reporting good wear life over high mileage. The most recurring drawbacks are higher rolling resistance (fuel consumption increase for some cars) and a softer/less precise steering feel that can disappoint more performance-focused drivers, with a subset also finding the ride firmer on rough roads.
- Strong wet grip and reassuring aquaplaning resistance
- Good dry grip and braking
- Low road noise / quiet cabin
- Good value for money
- Higher rolling resistance leading to increased fuel consumption for some drivers
- Soft sidewalls or less precise steering/feedback (not ideal for hard sporty driving)
- Firm/harsh ride on rough roads for some vehicles/setups
Summarised by AI from 107 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 119 ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun reviewsA quiet tire, very predictable/forgiving at the limit, especially in the rain, with a soft sidewall.These miles were covered with spirited driving on winding roads.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 56 sizes of the PremiumContact 7 and 86 of the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun, 28 of them made in both.
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch | 86 sizes, 14 to 19 inch |
| Made in both | 28 sizes 205/55 R16205/60 R16215/60 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/55 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17225/45 R17and 16 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B26% | D50%C47%B2%A1% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 67-72 dB A74%B26% |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2017 |
| Replaced | Continental Premium Contact 6 | Falken ZIEX ZE914 EcoRun (2012) |
| Replaced by | - | Falken ZIEX ZE320 |
| 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 25% 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 head-to-head pits Continental's latest-generation PremiumContact 7 against Falken's long-serving ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun in the premium-touring summer segment. Across seven shared tests from ADAC, Auto Express, AutoBild, and others, the Continental consistently sets the pace in core safety metrics, while the Falken leans on comfort, aquaplaning security, and price to make its case.
Expect a clear contrast: the PremiumContact 7 dominates wet and dry grip with repeatedly shorter braking distances and sharper handling, whereas the ZE310 EcoRun tends to be quieter, more comfortable, and stronger in both straight-line and curved aquaplaning, often at a meaningfully lower purchase price.
Conclusion
Across multiple independent tests, the PremiumContact 7 delivers class-leading safety: shortest wet and dry braking in nearly every test, stable and precise handling, and strong wear performance. Its few drawbacks are higher purchase price and average refinement/noise. In contrast, the ZE310 EcoRun shines in aquaplaning resistance and cabin refinement and is usually cheaper, but it lags notably in wet and dry braking and objective handling-gaps that are meaningful for everyday safety.
For drivers prioritizing braking performance and confidence in mixed weather, the Continental is the clear winner. Budget-focused buyers who value quietness and high aquaplaning margins on straight or curved water may find the Falken acceptable, provided they accept longer stopping distances and older-generation efficiency. If value means performance per pound, the Continental's superior grip and longevity often justify the premium; if sticker price and comfort rule, the Falken remains a sensible, but compromised, alternative.
PremiumContact 7 vs ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun the better tyre?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 7 times and the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun 8.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun?
The PremiumContact 7 led 17 of the 24 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 8.3% shorter in the wet across 6 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 10 of the 11 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.2% shorter in the dry across 6 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The PremiumContact 7 lasted 24.7% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and had 2.8% lower rolling resistance (4 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 7.7/10 for the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun was 0.5 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 7.9/10 for the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun 80% from 119. 74% of PremiumContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 78% for the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the PremiumContact 7 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 25% 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 ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun in 86 (14 to 19 inch). 28 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 ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun A and D.
Which is the newer tyre?
The PremiumContact 7 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2022, the ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun in 2017. The PremiumContact 7 replaced the Continental Premium Contact 6. The ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun replaced the Falken ZIEX ZE914 EcoRun.
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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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