Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
The data reveals consistent themes. Continental repeatedly delivers class-leading dry braking, balanced handling, excellent curved-aquaplaning stability, and standout rolling resistance (often 10-16% lower), translating to better efficiency and EV friendliness. Pirelli often excels in straight-line aquaplaning and posts competitive wet braking in several tests, with recurring advantages in tread life and purchase value. Snow performance swings by test: Continental leads snow braking more often, while Pirelli frequently edges snow traction and occasionally snow handling.
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 thirteen tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | eleven | |
| Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 | two |
While it might look like the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is better than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 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
- Best-in-class rolling resistance in most tests (often 10-16% lower) for superior efficiency/EV range
- Consistently shorter dry braking and stable dry handling
- Excellent curved-aquaplaning stability and balanced wet/dry dynamics
- Frequent wins in snow braking with predictable, secure winter comportment
- Strong straight-line aquaplaning resistance and competitive wet braking in several tests
- Often superior tread life and better value/pricing
- Frequent advantages in snow traction and occasional snow handling wins
- Comfortable touring manners with safe, easygoing behavior for everyday driving
Dry Braking
Looking at data from ten tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during nine dry braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P stopped the vehicle in 2.23% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 1.27% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during five dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 1.44% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scored 2.13% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from thirteen tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during five wet braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P stopped the vehicle in 0.3% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 stopped the vehicle in 1.31% less distance than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was 0.22% faster around a wet lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was 0.19% faster around a wet lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scored 4.33% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 had 0.6% higher lateral wet grip than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from ten tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during eight straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 floated at a 1.18% higher speed than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during eight curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P slipped out at a 4.09% higher speed than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from thirteen tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during nine snow braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P stopped the vehicle in 1.73% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Snow Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 accelerated 2.03% faster than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Snow Traction: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during six snow traction tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 had 0.31% better snow traction than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Snow Traction: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during two snow handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was 2.78% faster around a lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during four snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 0.71% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during two subj. snow handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 scored 3.35% more points than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 provided 0.24% more lateral grip than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Snow Circle: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during three snow slalom tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 1.11% faster through a slalom than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Snow Slalom: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during one ice braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 stopped the vehicle 3.01% shorter than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Ice Braking: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scored 7.14% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scored 1.3% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Subj. Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during six noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P measured 1.26% quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during four wear tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 is predicted to cover 9.15% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Wear: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during three value tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 proved to have a 16.4% better value based on price/1000km than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Value: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during three price tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 cost 8.21% less than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Price: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during nine rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P had a 11.82% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P emitted 12.33% less particle wear matter than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Abrasion: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
In total the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P has been reviewed 25 times and drivers have given the tyre 87% overall.
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 has been reviewed 3 times and drivers have given the tyre 78% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Conclusion
Pirelli's Cinturato Winter 2 is a safer bet for buyers prioritizing cost of ownership and straight-line wet security. It often wins straight-aquaplaning, posts competitive wet braking, shows better wear and value scores, and in several tests delivers stronger snow traction and, at times, snow handling. Its drawbacks are higher rolling resistance, occasional dry-handling imprecision, and middling curved-aquaplaning reserves. If you want the most efficient, sport-leaning winter tyre with balanced confidence, choose the Continental. If you value mileage, price, and strong aquaplaning resistance for wet, milder winters, the Pirelli remains a solid, pragmatic choice.
Key Differences
- Continental dominates rolling resistance; Pirelli's is higher, impacting fuel/energy use
- Continental more often wins dry braking/handling; Pirelli can feel less precise on dry
- Pirelli frequently leads straight-aquaplaning; Continental leads curved-aquaplaning
- Snow split: Continental commonly wins snow braking; Pirelli often leads snow traction
- Pirelli tends to wear better and score higher on value; Continental is usually pricier
- Continental secures more overall test wins and a more performance-balanced profile
Overall Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P 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.