Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 26
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 80% · 3
In the 8 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 finished ahead 7 times and the Cinturato Winter 2 once. The WinterContact TS 870 lasted 19.5% longer in the wear tests; the Cinturato Winter 2 stopped 0.6% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Continental WinterContact TS 870 for maximum safety margins in mixed European winters, excellent aquaplaning resistance, stronger snow/ice braking, and best-in-class longevity/efficiency. Choose Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 if you prioritize a quieter, more playful drive and find it at a meaningful price discount, with the caveat of average aquaplaning and shorter lifespan.
Where the WinterContact TS 870 is stronger
- Outstanding aquaplaning resistance; e.g., +10-23% advantage in ADAC/Auto Bild curved aquaplaning
- Consistently shorter braking on snow/ice; multiple wins across ADAC, AZ, Auto Bild, Tyre Reviews
- High mileage and low wear; +24-29% wear advantage in 2024 ADAC/Auto Bild
Where the Cinturato Winter 2 is stronger
- Engaging, predictable handling feel with low cabin noise
- Can excel in single-metric braking (e.g., wet or dry) in some tests
- Good comfort and stability; favorable subjective scores in several 2022 tests
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 vs Cinturato Winter 2 at a glance
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 | Gap | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won8 shared tests | 7 | 1 | |
| Dry10 measurements | 7 | The WinterContact TS 870 lapped the dry handling course 0.9% faster (2 tests) | 3 |
| Wet23 measurements | 18 | The WinterContact TS 870 held 19.5% more grip in curved aquaplaning (5 tests) | 4 |
| Snow17 measurements | 12 | The WinterContact TS 870 stopped 4.9% shorter on snow (6 tests) | 3 |
| Ice2 measurements | 2 | The WinterContact TS 870 stopped 2.9% shorter on ice (2 tests) | 0 |
| Comfort7 measurements | 3 | Level between the two. | 3 |
| Value10 measurements | 9 | The WinterContact TS 870 lasted 19.5% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 0 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.2/10 | The Cinturato Winter 2 by 0.1 | 9.3/10 |
| Owner rating26 and 3 reviews | 83% | The WinterContact TS 870 by 3 points | 80% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | +3.5% | The WinterContact TS 870 was dearer in 4 of 5 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 44 | 11 sizes made in both | 41 |
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 8 tests, 2022 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 | WinterContact TS 870 | Field | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 7 | P4 of 7 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 20 | P13 of 20 | |
| The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024 | P1 of 5 | P3 of 5 | |
| 2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 12 | P11 of 12 | |
| 2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test | P8 of 55 | P4 of 55 | |
| 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 15 | P12 of 15 | |
| 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 9 | P4 of 9 | |
| 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 8 | P7 of 8 |
Performance profile
19 measurements from the 8 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
WinterContact TS 870
Cinturato 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. 7 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
Cinturato 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
Cinturato Winter 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 83% from 26 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 2 80% from 3. 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 | Gap | Cinturato Winter 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43.48 | = | 43.52 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 71.75 | 0.9% | 72.35 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 110.6 | 1.7% | 108.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 9.7% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 41.22 | 0.6% | 41.4 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 38.5 | 1.3% | 39 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 93.7 | 2.2% | 95.75 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 75.14 | 0.3% | 74.89 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 22% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12.29 | 1.2% | 12.44 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 81.4 | 5.3% | 77.32 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.38 | 19.5% | 3.66 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21.9 | 4.9% | 23.03 | 6-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.1 | = | 5.1 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,428 | 0.6% | 1,409 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 99.15 | 1.3% | 100.1 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60 | = | 60 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 48.3% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.28 | 0.9% | 3.25 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18.9 | 2.9% | 19.45 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 5.6% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 70.92 | 0.1 dB | 71.04 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 49,223 | 19.5% | 41,833 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8.11 | 7.6% | 8.78 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.4 | 1% | 5.45 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 62.15 | 18.5% | 76.45 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 scores 9.2 and the Cinturato Winter 2 9.3 out of 10.
| WinterContact TS 870 | Category | Cinturato Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | Dry | 65 | ||
| 98 | Wet | 90 | ||
| 53 | Comfort | 42 | ||
| 68 | Value | 33 | ||
| 70 | Snow | 64 | ||
| 16 | Ice | 76 | ||
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 | Category | Cinturato Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Dry Grip | 8 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 7.3 | Road Feedback | 8 | ||
| 8.1 | Handling | 7.7 | ||
| 8.8 | Wear | 6 | ||
| 8.4 | Comfort | 7.7 | ||
| 7.9 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.3 | Ice Grip | 7 | ||
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 83% from 26 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 2 80% from 3. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental WinterContact TS 870
- 83%from 26 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 166,321 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally rate the Continental WinterContact TS 870 very highly, highlighting strong wet-road grip, impressive aquaplaning resistance, and a secure, confidence-inspiring feel at speed. Many also report good comfort/low noise and solid all-round performance across typical European winter conditions, with several noting decent wear. A smaller but noticeable group reports weaker traction on hard-packed snow/ice (especially hill starts/climbing) and a few mention efficiency/range penalties and some wet-surface noise/whistling.
- Excellent wet grip and wet braking
- Strong resistance to aquaplaning/standing water
- High stability and confidence at motorway speeds
- Comfortable ride with generally low noise
- Hard-packed snow/ice traction and hill-start/climbing can be disappointing for some
- Efficiency/rolling resistance concerns (reduced EV range or worse fuel economy) mentioned by a few
- Some report noticeable noise/whistling, particularly on wet roads
Summarised by AI from 22 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 26 WinterContact TS 870 reviewsBeen a few years with these tires now and they are ok. Not as great as everyone makes them out to be, but a solid winter tire nonetheless.
The pros:
-Quiet
-Economic (no difference in fuel consumption compared to my summer tires)
- Good grip in all conditions but snow.The cons:
-Not very good on snow. I've had cheap tires that performed the same for half of the price. They are fine on Ice though.
-I got them on sale for 70ish Euros and that's a good price for what you are getting. But I have seen them go for 140 and more (same size and all) and that is honestly a rip-off. Check that you are getting a decent price.Would I buy them again? At 70 euros maybe. But I think I will opt for Nordic Winter Tires next time.
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- 80%from 3 reviews
- 20,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 Cinturato Winter 2 reviewsIt’s the best winter tire I’ve had so far great wet and snow traction also the tire is very quiet (test say otherwise but on my car this tire is quiet) big downfall is the wear of the tire after 1 winter the tires lost almost half of their tread . Last winter was weak so maybe that’s because but I’ve heard that pirelli don’t last that long. Other than that great tire
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 44 sizes of the WinterContact TS 870 and 41 of the Cinturato Winter 2, 11 of them made in both.
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 44 sizes, 14 to 19 inch | 41 sizes, 16 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 11 sizes 195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16175/65 R17215/40 R17215/45 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17175/60 R18 | |
| EU label wet grip | B82%C18% | B91%A9% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C78%D22% | C78%B16%D5% |
| EU label noise | 69-72 dB B100% | 69-72 dB B84%A16% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 90 of 90 | 74 of 74 |
| On the market since | - | 2021 |
| Replaced | Continental WinterContact TS 860 (2016) | Pirelli Cinturato Winter (2015) |
| Replaced by | - | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 |
| Awards | Winner: Best Winter Tyre (DriverReviews, 2025/26) Highly Recommended: Best Winter Tyres (DriverReviews, 2024/25) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The WinterContact TS 870 was the dearer tyre in 4 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 3.5% 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 pitches two premium European winter touring tyres with very similar briefs but clearly different executions: Continental's WinterContact TS 870 and Pirelli's Cinturato Winter 2. Across eight shared professional tests from 2022-2024 in core sizes (205/55 R16 and 225/45-50 R17), the Continental dominates overall results with seven test wins to Pirelli's one.
The data shows a consistent pattern: the TS 870 sets the benchmark in wet safety (especially aquaplaning), snow braking/traction, and longevity/efficiency, while the Pirelli often feels more playful subjectively and can shine in isolated braking or comfort metrics. If you drive through a wide mix of winter conditions-including heavy rain, slush and frequent snow-the performance gaps are meaningful, not marginal.
Conclusion
Continental's WinterContact TS 870 is the objectively stronger all-round winter tyre. It repeatedly tops overall rankings (Auto Express 2024, ADAC 2023 & 2024, Auto Bild 2024, AZ 2022) thanks to short snow and ice stopping distances, class-leading aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved), confident wet/dry handling, and standout wear and rolling resistance. In real-world terms, that means more margin in emergencies, greater stability in deep water and slush, and lower running costs over a longer life.
Pirelli's Cinturato Winter 2 is competitive and likeable to drive-often praised for subjective handling, low cabin noise, and occasional strong braking results-but it trails in aquaplaning, has weaker mileage, and usually finishes mid-pack overall. It can be a smart pick if you value a quieter, engaging feel and can find it at a lower price, but for broad winter security and value retention, the TS 870 is the safer, longer-lasting bet.
WinterContact TS 870 vs Cinturato Winter 2: your questions
Is the Continental WinterContact TS 870 or the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 the better tyre?
In the 8 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 finished ahead 7 times and the Cinturato Winter 2 once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the WinterContact TS 870 scores 9.2 and the Cinturato Winter 2 9.3 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the WinterContact TS 870 or the Cinturato Winter 2?
The WinterContact TS 870 led 18 of the 23 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 19.5% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The WinterContact TS 870 led 7 of the 10 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it lapped the dry handling course 0.9% faster across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The WinterContact TS 870 led 12 of the 17 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.9% shorter on snow across 6 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The WinterContact TS 870 lasted 19.5% longer in the wear tests (3 tests), had 7.6% lower rolling resistance (3 tests), used 1% less fuel (2 tests) and shed 18.5% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.8/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 and 6/10 for the Cinturato Winter 2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.4/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 and 7.7/10 for the Cinturato Winter 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 83% from 26 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 2 80% from 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the WinterContact TS 870 was the dearer tyre in 4 of them, by 3.5% 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 is made in 44 sizes (14 to 19 inch) and the Cinturato Winter 2 in 41 (16 to 20 inch). 11 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the WinterContact TS 870 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Cinturato Winter 2 B and C.
More comparisons with these tyres
vs
Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870
1-6 in 7 shared tests
vs 
Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Hankook Winter I cept RS3
10-0 in 10 shared tests
vs 
Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
10-1 in 11 shared tests
vs
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870
4-6 in 11 shared tests
vs 
Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Michelin Alpin 7
5-1 in 6 shared tests
vs 
Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
1-3 in 4 shared tests
vs 
Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
7-1 in 9 shared tests
vs
Hankook Winter I cept RS3 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
7-3 in 10 shared tests
Every Continental vs Pirelli test → All comparisons → Compare three or more tyres →
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 Review the Cinturato Winter 2
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.
Discussion