Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Linglong Sport Master Winter
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 33
- TR Score
- 7.3/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 4
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished ahead 6 times and the Sport Master Winter not once. The WinterContact TS 870 P had 16.9% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P for virtually all real winter use-especially if you care about wet/snow emergency braking, predictable handling, lower rolling resistance, and overall security. Consider the Linglong Sport Master Winter only if upfront price is the overriding constraint and you drive mainly in mild-winter regions with limited snow/ice exposure; even then, be aware the data repeatedly shows meaningful safety and stability compromises versus the Continental.
Where the WinterContact TS 870 P is stronger
- Consistently shorter wet braking in every shared test (6/6 wins), including a major advantage in 2026: 33.9 m vs 40.6 m
- Stronger winter capability on snow in braking/traction/handling (6/6 snow-braking wins; frequent wins in snow traction and handling)
- More stable and confidence-inspiring behaviour reflected in dominant subjective scores (e.g., Sport Auto subjective dry 9.7 vs 5.7; wet 9 vs 5; snow 10 vs 5)
Where the Sport Master Winter is stronger
- Lower purchase price and strongest value metrics where measured (wins value in 2/2 tests that include it; repeatedly noted as “by far the cheapest”)
- Can be competitive on dry handling pace in some tests (dry-handling wins in AZ 2025 and AMS 2025; fastest dry lap in AZ)
- Dry braking can be close-and occasionally better-depending on test format (e.g., AZ 2025 dry braking 43.4 m vs 44.8 m)
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 Sport Master Winter at a glance
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | Gap | Sport Master Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won6 shared tests | 6 | 0 | |
| Dry11 measurements | 8 | The WinterContact TS 870 P stopped 1% shorter in the dry (4 tests) | 3 |
| Wet24 measurements | 24 | The WinterContact TS 870 P stopped 4.7% shorter in the wet (6 tests) | 0 |
| Snow20 measurements | 19 | The WinterContact TS 870 P stopped 3.1% shorter on snow (6 tests) | 1 |
| Comfort8 measurements | 5 | The WinterContact TS 870 P was 2.5 dB quieter (4 tests) | 1 |
| Value7 measurements | 7 | The WinterContact TS 870 P had 16.9% lower rolling resistance (4 tests) | 0 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.3/10 | The WinterContact TS 870 P by 2.0 | 7.3/10 |
| Owner rating33 and 4 reviews | 85% | The WinterContact TS 870 P by 3 points | 82% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | +116.9% | The WinterContact TS 870 P was dearer in 5 of 5 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 121 | 61 sizes made in both | 95 |
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, 2025 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 | Sport Master Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets | P2 of 50 | P21 of 50 | |
| 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 9 | P9 of 9 | |
| 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | P5 of 10 | P9 of 10 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | P7 of 20 | P19 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P13 of 51 | P16 of 51 | |
| 2025 AMS Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 10 | P8 of 10 |
Performance profile
20 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
Sport Master Winter
Not ahead on any measurement here
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 80%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 4 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
Sport Master Winter
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
WinterContact TS 870 P
Sport Master Winter
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the Sport Master Winter 82% 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 | Sport Master Winter | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44.08 | 1% | 44.53 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 75.9 | 0.9% | 75.2 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 115.3 | 1.1% | 113.9 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 31.6% | scored | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 40.15 | 4.7% | 41.98 | 6-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 86.3 | 3.1% | 89.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 74.8 | 4% | 72 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 66.2% | scored | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.75 | 3.7% | 7.47 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.44 | 1.8% | 12.67 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 80.8 | 5.4% | 76.73 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.77 | 20.5% | 2.32 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 27.68 | 3.1% | 28.57 | 6-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,912 | 5.8% | 1,811 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.7 | 1.3% | 71.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 81 | 2.3% | 79.07 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 71.1% | scored | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.71 | 2.9% | 3.61 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.39 | 4.9% | 3.23 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.3% | scored | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69.53 | 2.5 dB | 72.05 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 43,695 | 22.1% | 37,305 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.91 | 16.9% | 9.54 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.15 | 31.6% | 0.22 | 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 Sport Master Winter 7.3 out of 10.
| WinterContact TS 870 P | Category | Sport Master Winter | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 83 | ||
| 92 | Wet | 62 | ||
| 77 | Comfort | 29 | ||
| 76 | Value | 32 | ||
| 73 | Snow | 26 | ||
| 30 | Ice | 17 | ||
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 | Sport Master Winter | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 8.1 | Road Feedback | 7.8 | ||
| 8.7 | Handling | 7.8 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 6.7 | ||
| 8.9 | Comfort | 8 | ||
| 8.7 | Snow Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 7.8 | Ice Grip | 8 | ||
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the Sport Master Winter 82% 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.
Linglong Sport Master Winter
- 82%from 4 reviews
- 5,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 Sport Master Winter reviewsDrove them one winter on really heavy snow in the moutains no problem at all the snow grip was really impresive even against some premium tires. I had no problems never got stuck even when i was trying to get stuck i saw many people with premium tires and same awd having trouble but not with this ones. The only problem is Wear I think if ur winter is mild and temp are high the tires will melt away. About to mount them for this winter to see did they change after 1 year.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 121 sizes of the WinterContact TS 870 P and 95 of the Sport Master Winter, 61 of them made in both.
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | Sport Master Winter |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter Run flat |
| Sizes made | 121 sizes, 16 to 23 inch | 95 sizes, 14 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 61 sizes 205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16215/70 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17205/60 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17and 49 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B99%C1% | A81%B19% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C62%B37%D1% | D82%C17%B1% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B100% | 71-75 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 221 of 221 | 101 of 101 |
| On the market since | - | 2025 |
| Replaced | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S (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 WinterContact TS 870 P was the dearer tyre in 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 116.9% 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 classic “premium UHP winter all-rounder vs budget winter touring” matchup: the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is positioned as a performance-oriented winter tyre for drivers who still care about precision and stability, while the Linglong Sport Master Winter targets value-first buyers with a lower purchase price and a more touring-focused intent.
Across six shared professional tests (multiple sizes and publications), the pattern is unusually consistent: the Continental not only finishes ahead overall every time (including two outright test wins), it also repeatedly builds its advantage in the safety-critical winter disciplines-especially wet braking and snow braking-while pairing that with stronger subjective control scores. The Linglong's story is more mixed: it occasionally looks competitive on dry lap times, and it can be extremely attractive on upfront cost, but it gives away too much where winter tyres matter most, and several tests flag stability/consistency concerns that go beyond raw distances and times.
Conclusion
Looking across the full set of shared tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is the clear performance and safety leader. It wins overall in every shared comparison (including 1st/9 in Sport Auto 2026 and 1st/10 in AMS 2025), and it is relentlessly better in braking where it counts most: it goes 6/6 on wet braking and 6/6 on snow braking. The biggest real-world gap shows up in wet emergency stops-e.g., 33.9 m vs 40.6 m in the 2026 braking test (a 16.5% shorter stop for the Continental), which is a decisive margin rather than a “test noise” difference. It also consistently delivers higher stability and driver confidence, reflected in huge subjective score gaps in Sport Auto (e.g., subjective wet handling 9 vs 5; subjective snow handling 10 vs 5).
The Linglong Sport Master Winter's main case is price/value on paper: it is repeatedly described as the cheapest option and it wins the “value” metric where tested. It can also look surprisingly quick on dry handling in some formats (e.g., fastest dry handling time in AZ 2025; slight dry-handling edge in AMS 2025), but those dry-speed flashes don't compensate for its broader winter shortfalls-particularly in wet/snow stability, aquaplaning performance in some tests, higher noise, and consistently higher rolling resistance (which undermines the low purchase price with higher running costs). The practical takeaway: if you drive in real winter weather or want a tyre that feels predictable when the road turns ugly, the Continental is the safe, confidence-inspiring choice; the Linglong is only defensible for mild-winter, low-demand use where cost is the overriding priority and you accept meaningful compromises.
WinterContact TS 870 P vs Sport Master Winter: your questions
Is the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P or the Linglong Sport Master Winter the better tyre?
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished ahead 6 times and the Sport Master Winter not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the WinterContact TS 870 P scores 9.3 and the Sport Master Winter 7.3 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the WinterContact TS 870 P or the Sport Master Winter?
The WinterContact TS 870 P led 24 of the 24 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.7% shorter in the wet across 6 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The WinterContact TS 870 P led 8 of the 11 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1% shorter in the dry across 4 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The WinterContact TS 870 P led 19 of the 20 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.1% shorter on snow across 6 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The WinterContact TS 870 P lasted 22.1% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and had 16.9% lower rolling resistance (4 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P and 6.7/10 for the Sport Master Winter.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The WinterContact TS 870 P was 2.5 dB quieter (4 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.9/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P and 8/10 for the Sport Master Winter.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the Sport Master Winter 82% from 4.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the WinterContact TS 870 P was the dearer tyre in 5 of them, by 116.9% 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 121 sizes (16 to 23 inch) and the Sport Master Winter in 95 (14 to 21 inch). 61 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 Sport Master Winter A and D.
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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.
Review the WinterContact TS 870 P Review the Sport Master Winter
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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