Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Michelin Alpin 7
Across two shared tests (TÜV and Auto Express), the Continental consistently tops overall rankings, winning outright in both. The Michelin counters with standout aquaplaning resistance, lower rolling resistance, and a slight bias toward snow braking/traction, setting up a classic choice between ultimate grip-versus-efficiency and hydro performance.
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 two tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental WinterContact TS 870 | two |
While it might look like the Continental WinterContact TS 870 is better than the Michelin Alpin 7 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
- Class-leading wet and dry braking (≈4-5% advantage in wet braking across tests)
- Best overall balance and road feel; two overall test wins
- Strong wet handling consistency and confidence
- Low noise and solid snow handling stability
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance (notably strong curved aqua in AE, +18%)
- Lower rolling resistance in both tests (5-6% advantage)
- Competitive snow performance with wins in braking/traction in AE
- Refined, balanced feel with strong wet reassurance
Dry Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 1.7% less distance than the Michelin Alpin 7.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.52% faster around a lap than the Michelin Alpin 7.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 4.54% less distance than the Michelin Alpin 7.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 3.64% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Alpin 7.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 7 was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 7 floated at a 1.43% higher speed than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Alpin 7
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 7 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 7 slipped out at a 15.55% higher speed than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Alpin 7
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 7 was better during one snow braking tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 7 stopped the vehicle in 4.39% less distance than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Snow Braking: Michelin Alpin 7
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 7 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 7 accelerated 0.74% faster than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin Alpin 7
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.58% faster around a lap than the Michelin Alpin 7.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 measured 1.1% quieter than the Michelin Alpin 7.
Best In Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Alpin 7 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Alpin 7 had a 4.94% lower rolling resistance than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Alpin 7
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Continental WinterContact TS 870 Driver Reviews
Drivers of the Continental WinterContact TS 870 overwhelmingly praise its exceptional wet grip and braking, superb aquaplaning resistance, and confident dry-road handling for a winter tyre. Comfort and low noise are frequently highlighted, and many report strong traction in fresh or soft snow. A minority note that traction can be weaker on hard-packed snow or ice-particularly on steep hills or heavier vehicles-compared to expectations. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with most users feeling safe and confident in varied winter conditions.
Based on 22 reviews with an average rating of 84%
Michelin Alpin 7 Driver Reviews
Drivers rate the Michelin Alpin 7 very highly, praising its excellent snow and slush traction, strong wet performance, good dry grip for a winter tyre, and notably quiet, comfortable ride. Many report stable high-speed highway manners and low wear, with several stating they would buy again. The most common tradeoff is a softer sidewall that reduces steering precision/road feel a bit. Overall, it delivers balanced winter performance with standout comfort and noise levels.
Based on 10 reviews with an average rating of 87%
DRY
The tires have very good grip on dry, especially with acceleration.
Stopping distances seems reasonable but I didn't put them on extreme braking, as my driving is not that spirited.
The handling lacks a bit of a feeling and I suspect there is more wall flex, which is a trade off - a bit more floaty but with very good comfort.
Noise seems not a problem as well, if you listen you will hear it but otherwise, especially in the city, you barely notice it.
WET
In the wet, the tires also were OK. I drove fast on a very wet... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
Michelin's Alpin 7 answers with best-in-test curved/straight aquaplaning in AE, lower rolling resistance in both tests, and a tilt toward snow braking/traction. For drivers facing frequent standing water, long motorway stints, or who value efficiency and quieter refinement at a premium price, the Alpin 7 makes sense. Bottom line: TS 870 for maximum grip breadth and test-winning reassurance; Alpin 7 for hydro stability and efficiency without major compromises.
Key Differences
- Overall results: TS 870 wins both tests; Alpin 7 finishes mid-pack (5/5 TÜV, 4/8 AE).
- Wet braking: TS 870 consistently shorter stops (~4-5%).
- Wet handling: TS 870 quicker laps in both tests (up to ~5% in TÜV).
- Aquaplaning: Alpin 7 leads, especially curved aquaplaning (+18% in AE).
- Efficiency: Alpin 7 has lower rolling resistance in both tests (~4-6%).
- Snow focus: Alpin 7 edges snow braking/traction in AE; TS 870 slightly steadier in snow handling.
Overall Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 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
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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.