Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Pirelli P Zero Winter 2
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 33
- TR Score
- 9.8/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 4
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tyres, the P Zero Winter 2 finished ahead 4 times and the WinterContact TS 870 P twice. The WinterContact TS 870 P resisted straight aquaplaning at a 2.1% higher speed; the P Zero Winter 2 stopped 3.3% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 if shorter wet and dry stops are your priority. Choose the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P if you place more weight on deep-water resistance and comfort; neither is intended to replace a Nordic or studded tyre for regular icy roads.
Where the WinterContact TS 870 P is stronger
- Better straight-line aquaplaning resistance in four shared tests.
- Higher comfort ratings in Tyre Reviews' 2024 and Auto Bild's 2026 tests.
- Strong wet-road consistency and the 2026 Auto Bild full-test win.
Where the P Zero Winter 2 is stronger
- Shorter wet braking in every shared test that measured it.
- Shorter dry braking in all three shared tests that measured it.
- Higher overall placing in four of the six shared tests.
Conclusion
The most repeatable grip advantage belongs to the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2. It stopped shorter in every shared wet-braking test, although the gap in Tyre Reviews' 2024 test was less than 1% in one wet-braking run. It also stopped about 3% shorter in the dry in both Auto Zeitung's 2025 test and Auto Bild's 2026 full test. Wet handling generally favoured Pirelli too: Auto Zeitung rated it higher and recorded a faster lap, while Auto Bild found their 2026 lap speeds virtually identical. Pirelli finished higher overall in four of the six tests, including the 2026 Auto Bild braking qualifier, which ranked the two on wet and snow stops.
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P has the clearer advantage when standing water is the concern. Its straight-line aquaplaning result was about 5% better in Auto Zeitung's 2025 test and about 4% better in Auto Bild's 2026 full test; the smaller gaps in Tyre Reviews' 2024 and Teknikens Värld's 2025 tests pointed the same way. Auto Bild also measured a substantial Continental advantage in curved aquaplaning in 2026. It won that full test and Teknikens Värld's 2026 Central European class. Comfort is another point in its favour in Tyre Reviews' 2024 and Auto Bild's 2026 assessments, though Auto Zeitung rated Pirelli more comfortable in 2025.
Neither tyre has a settled snow or ice lead. Pirelli swept the snow disciplines and stopped about 15% shorter on ice in Tyre Reviews' 2024 test, an unusually strong result beside the later findings. Auto Zeitung's 2025 test gave Pirelli better snow traction but Continental the higher subjective snow-handling score; Auto Bild's 2026 full test gave Continental a modest snow traction and handling edge. Teknikens Värld also scored Continental higher for snow and ice handling within their class in 2026, after scoring them level in 2025. These are Central European winter tyres, not substitutes for Nordic or studded tyres on persistent ice. Choose Pirelli for its consistent braking and wet-road grip; choose Continental if deep-water resistance, ride comfort and predictable handling matter more.
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.
WinterContact TS 870 P vs P Zero Winter 2 at a glance
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | Gap | P Zero Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won6 shared tests | 2 | 4 | |
| Dry10 measurements | 2 | The P Zero Winter 2 stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry (3 tests) | 6 |
| Wet21 measurements | 5 | The P Zero Winter 2 stopped 3.3% shorter in the wet (4 tests) | 15 |
| Snow16 measurements | 8 | 6 | |
| Ice4 measurements | 1 | 2 | |
| Comfort8 measurements | 2 | The P Zero Winter 2 was 0.9 dB quieter (3 tests) | 4 |
| Value8 measurements | 4 | Level between the two. | 4 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.3/10 | The P Zero Winter 2 by 0.5 | 9.8/10 |
| Owner rating33 and 4 reviews | 85% | The P Zero Winter 2 by 6 points | 91% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The P Zero Winter 2 was dearer in 3 of 5 | +3.3% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 123 | 28 sizes made in both | 66 |
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 6 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 | WinterContact TS 870 P | Field | P Zero Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 20 | P3 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets | P2 of 50 | P1 of 50 | |
| 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 6 | P4 of 6 | |
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | P3 of 5 | P1 of 5 | |
| 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | P5 of 10 | P3 of 10 | |
| The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | P4 of 6 | P1 of 6 |
Performance profile
19 measurements from the 6 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
WinterContact TS 870 P
P Zero Winter 2
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 92%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 12 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
WinterContact TS 870 P
P Zero Winter 2
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
WinterContact TS 870 P
P Zero Winter 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the P Zero Winter 2 91% from 4. 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 | WinterContact TS 870 P | Gap | P Zero Winter 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43.39 | 2.6% | 42.27 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 82.05 | 0.9% | 81.31 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 111.7 | = | 111.7 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.5% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 75 | 1.4% | 74 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 42.58 | 3.3% | 41 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 28.74 | 2.8% | 27.93 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 98.11 | 2% | 96.13 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 82.7 | 0.1% | 82.8 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 13.6% | scored | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.36 | 1.3% | 12.2 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 81.3 | 2.1% | 79.48 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.42 | 5.8% | 2.28 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 25.81 | 1% | 25.64 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.53 | 6.7% | 5.16 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 4,245 | 2.1% | 4,282 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 75.38 | 1% | 74.54 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 57.7 | 1.4% | 56.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 10.6% | scored | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.69 | 2.8% | 3.59 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.45 | = | 3.45 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.13 | 14.6% | 9.51 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.32 | 15.4% | 4.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 33.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 0.2% | scored | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.07 | 0.9 dB | 71.17 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44,775 | 1.6% | 45,650 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.43 | 0.6% | 8.38 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.06 | 0.9% | 6.12 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.15 | 4.5% | 0.15 | 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 WinterContact TS 870 P scores 9.3 and the P Zero Winter 2 9.8 out of 10.
| WinterContact TS 870 P | Category | P Zero Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 99 | ||
| 92 | Wet | 99 | ||
| 77 | Comfort | 88 | ||
| 76 | Value | 27 | ||
| 73 | Snow | 78 | ||
| 30 | Ice | 59 | ||
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
| WinterContact TS 870 P | Category | P Zero Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 9.5 | ||
| 8.1 | Road Feedback | 9 | ||
| 8.7 | Handling | 8.5 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 8.9 | Comfort | 9 | ||
| 8.7 | Snow Grip | 10 | ||
| 7.8 | Ice Grip | 9.8 | ||
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the P Zero Winter 2 91% from 4. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
- 85%from 33 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 294,700 milesdriven by reviewers
Across 26 owner reviews averaging 85.8%, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is most consistently praised for strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both the wet and the dry, often paired with a notably quiet, comfortable ride. Many owners also report good longevity for a winter tyre, with several noting healthy tread remaining after substantial mileage. Winter performance is generally rated as capable, but a meaningful minority (around two in five of those mentioning it) found snow traction lacking, and opinions are split on ice grip and steering feel; a small number also note it can feel softer when temperatures rise.
- Strong wet grip and confident wet cornering
- Strong dry grip with secure traction
- Noticeably quiet on the road
- Comfortable, supple ride quality
- Snow traction not as strong as expected for some drivers
- Ice grip is inconsistent depending on conditions
- Steering feel not the sharpest
Summarised by AI from 26 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 33 WinterContact TS 870 P reviewsI've driven the tyres in the winter, but on roads devoid of snow and ice so I can't comment on that. They made me feel very secure, however, I have to say that they are far too sporty for my driving style and needs. They carry a lot of responsibility for my decision to buy the car, as they are very comfortable, quiet and make the car feel very surefooted and responsive in the dry and in the wet.
There is one gripe, though, they have absolutely no rim protection, so I blame them for all the scratching on my wheels. I would expect more from a tyre of this class from a reputable brand, and, honestly, it is a strong enough reason (albeit the only one) for me not to buy them again. In every other aspect they are brilliant, they even equal summer tyres in fuel consumption.
Pirelli P Zero Winter 2
- 91%from 4 reviews
- 16,200 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 P Zero Winter 2 reviewsFirst of all I would like to mention that I have switched cars and tyres too. I went from an Audi A4 B8.5 Quattro on Continental Wintercontact 870Ps to a Ford Focus ST mk4 and I was a bit worried going from awd to fwd during the winter, but Pirelli have made a great tyre. Dry, wet and snow grip are excellent, the only circumstance where I have found the tyres to not overachieve my expectations are conditions when the roads are soaking wet and the ambient temperatures are above 3 degrees Celsius and that is only in longitudinal grip when accelerating. Braking is amazing, lateral grip is astonishing for a winter tire and ice and performance is very good and wear seems also good. I would definitely recommend this tyre to anyone.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 123 sizes of the WinterContact TS 870 P and 66 of the P Zero Winter 2, 28 of them made in both.
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | P Zero Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 123 sizes, 16 to 23 inch | 66 sizes, 18 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 28 sizes 235/40 R18235/45 R18245/40 R18245/45 R18255/40 R18235/35 R19235/40 R19235/50 R19245/40 R19245/45 R19255/45 R19265/50 R19and 16 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B99%C1% | A70%B24%C6% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C61%B37%D1% | C77%B12%D6%A5% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B100% | 68-73 dB A66%B34% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 223 of 223 | 101 of 101 |
| On the market since | - | 2023 |
| Replaced | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S (2017) | Pirelli P Zero Winter (2017) |
| Replaced by | Continental WinterContact 8 S | - |
| Awards | Highly Recommended: Best Winter SUV Tyre (DriverReviews, 2025/26) Winner: Best Winter SUV Tyres (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Winter Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2024) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The P Zero Winter 2 was the dearer tyre in 3 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 3.3% 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.
Six independent tests have compared the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and Pirelli P Zero Winter 2: Tyre Reviews in 2024, Teknikens Värld and Auto Zeitung in 2025, and Teknikens Värld plus two Auto Bild tests in 2026. Pirelli placed higher in four, Continental in two. Those positions tell only part of the story: Pirelli repeatedly stops shorter on wet and dry roads, while Continental more often resists straight-line aquaplaning better.
Pirelli won Tyre Reviews' 2024 performance winter test and Teknikens Värld's 2025 Central European class. Continental reversed the class result in Teknikens Värld's 2026 test and finished first in Auto Bild's 2026 full winter test, where Pirelli was third. Snow results change between tests rather than favouring one tyre throughout. Both have earned strong overall results, but their clearest differences appear in wet braking, deep-water grip and, less consistently, snow handling.
WinterContact TS 870 P vs P Zero Winter 2: your questions
Is the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P or the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 the better tyre?
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 finished ahead 4 times and the WinterContact TS 870 P twice. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the WinterContact TS 870 P scores 9.3 and the P Zero Winter 2 9.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the WinterContact TS 870 P or the P Zero Winter 2?
The P Zero Winter 2 led 15 of the 21 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.3% shorter in the wet across 4 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The P Zero Winter 2 led 6 of the 10 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The WinterContact TS 870 P led 8 of the 16 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The P Zero Winter 2 had 0.6% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P and 8/10 for the P Zero Winter 2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The P Zero Winter 2 was 0.9 dB quieter (3 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.9/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P and 9/10 for the P Zero Winter 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the P Zero Winter 2 91% from 4.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the P Zero Winter 2 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 3.3% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The WinterContact TS 870 P is made in 123 sizes (16 to 23 inch) and the P Zero Winter 2 in 66 (18 to 23 inch). 28 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the WinterContact TS 870 P is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the P Zero Winter 2 A and C.
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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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