Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 26
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 77% · 5
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 finished ahead 3 times and the WinterContact TS 870 once. The WinterContact TS 870 had 3% lower rolling resistance; the Cinturato Winter 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 4.8% higher speed.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 if your priority is maximum wet-weather security at speed-especially aquaplaning resistance-plus consistently strong dry braking and crisp, confident steering feel. Choose the Continental WinterContact TS 870 if you want the best all-rounder for mixed winter use with top-tier wet stopping ability in some tests, better efficiency/rolling resistance, and slightly stronger durability and ice-braking reassurance.
Where the WinterContact TS 870 is stronger
- Best-in-comparison rolling resistance/efficiency in 2 of 3 shared tests (e.g., 7.2 vs 7.5 kg/t in TÜV; 8.2 vs 8.26 kg/t in Auto Express)
- Very strong wet braking performance, including a notable Auto Express win (33.0 vs 33.99 m) and ADAC-best wet concrete braking (38.2 vs 38.5 m)
- Better durability-related metrics where measured (ADAC wear 43,200 vs 43,100 km; lower abrasion 74 vs 80 mg/km/t)
Where the Cinturato Winter 3 is stronger
- Best overall results in 2 of 3 shared comparisons (ADAC 1st/16; TÜV 1st/5), indicating very high “safety-first” tuning
- Class-leading straight aquaplaning across all shared tests (e.g., 86.0 vs 79.2 km/h in TÜV; 85.6 vs 82.7 km/h in Auto Express)
- Consistently shortest dry braking in the shared data (wins 3/3, even if margins are small)
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 3 at a glance
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 | Gap | Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won4 shared tests | 1 | 3 | |
| Dry5 measurements | 1 | The Cinturato Winter 3 stopped 1% shorter in the dry (4 tests) | 4 |
| Wet13 measurements | 3 | The Cinturato Winter 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 4.8% higher speed (3 tests) | 7 |
| Snow9 measurements | 1 | The Cinturato Winter 3 was 3.2% quicker in the snow traction test (2 tests) | 8 |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort2 measurements | 1 | Level between the two. | 1 |
| Value7 measurements | 5 | The WinterContact TS 870 had 3% lower rolling resistance (3 tests) | 2 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.2/10 | Level | 9.2/10 |
| Owner rating26 and 5 reviews | 83% | The WinterContact TS 870 by 6 points | 77% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 83% | The WinterContact TS 870 by 23 points | 60% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | +3.7% | The WinterContact TS 870 was dearer in 3 of 3 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 44 | 6 sizes made in both | 36 |
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 4 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 | Field | Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test | P4 of 15 | P1 of 15 | |
| 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 | P2 of 16 | P1 of 16 | |
| 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 11 | P2 of 11 | |
| 2025 TUV Test of Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 vs Rivals | P2 of 5 | P1 of 5 |
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 4 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 3
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 97%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 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 3
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 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 83% from 26 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 3 77% from 5. 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 3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42.95 | 1% | 42.53 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 57.53 | 0.6% | 57.88 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 37.55 | = | 37.45 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 38.2 | 0.8% | 38.5 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 87.6 | 1.5% | 86.25 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 12.1 | 0.6% | 12.17 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 81.67 | 4.8% | 85.53 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 3.29 | 1.2% | 3.33 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 18.02 | 0.5% | 17.94 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 4.74 | 3.2% | 4.6 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 2,537 | 2.4% | 2,598 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 84.29 | 1.3% | 83.22 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 17.1 | 5.5% | 18.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 69.3 | 0 dB | 69.25 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 42,920 | 1.7% | 43,636 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 7.88 | 3% | 8.12 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | 1.8% | 5.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 74 | 7.5% | 80 | 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 scores 9.2 and the Cinturato Winter 3 9.2 out of 10.
| WinterContact TS 870 | Category | Cinturato Winter 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | Dry | 90 | ||
| 98 | Wet | 100 | ||
| 53 | Comfort | 69 | ||
| 68 | Value | 44 | ||
| 70 | Snow | 72 | ||
| 16 | Ice | 40 | ||
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 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Dry Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 7.3 | Road Feedback | 7 | ||
| 8.1 | Handling | 7.6 | ||
| 8.8 | Wear | 8.5 | ||
| 8.4 | Comfort | 6.4 | ||
| 7.9 | Snow Grip | 9.5 | ||
| 7.3 | Ice Grip | 9 | ||
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 83% from 26 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 3 77% from 5. 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 3
- 77%from 5 reviews
- 60%would buy again
- 11,000 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally rate the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 positively, highlighting strong winter capability and a confident, planted feel in snow/ice as well as reassuring grip in wet conditions. Several also note good overall handling and comfort, with some reporting impressive quietness at lower speeds (especially with PNCS). The most consistent drawback is increased road noise as speeds rise (around 100-110 km/h and above), and a couple of users report higher energy consumption on EVs versus summer tyres.
- Strong snow and ice traction
- Confident grip and stability in wet conditions
- Good dry-road handling for a winter tyre
- Comfortable ride and generally refined feel (noted by multiple users)
- Noticeable road noise at higher speeds (around 100-110 km/h and above)
- Higher energy consumption/rolling resistance versus summer tyres (reported on EVs)
Summarised by AI from 5 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 5 Cinturato Winter 3 reviewsCompared to the previous tire (Michelin Alpin 6), the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 offers more grip on snow.
I haven’t yet reached the limit in dry or wet conditions to provide an objective evaluation in those scenarios, but I notice that as lateral forces increase, the steering loses precision, accompanied by a clearly noticeable noise, typical of a winter tire “working”.
I believe this is due to the relatively narrow tread blocks. The car has also become more sensitive to crosswinds, as well as to road camber.
It is a safe tire, but not a particularly fun or precise one.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 44 sizes of the WinterContact TS 870 and 36 of the Cinturato Winter 3, 6 of them made in both.
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 | Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 44 sizes, 14 to 19 inch | 36 sizes, 16 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 6 sizes 195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/60 R16225/45 R17225/50 R17 | |
| EU label wet grip | B82%C18% | A58%B42% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C78%D22% | C61%B39% |
| EU label noise | 69-72 dB B100% | 72 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 90 of 90 | 36 of 36 |
| On the market since | - | 2025 |
| Replaced | Continental WinterContact TS 860 (2016) | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 (2021) |
| 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 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 3.7% 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.
Previous generation: Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 (8 shared tests)
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 tightly matched premium-touring winter tyre showdown between two of the segment's most credible options: the Continental WinterContact TS 870 (a long-time benchmark in independent European testing) and the newer Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3, which has already notched major results. Across three shared tests (ADAC 2026, Auto Express 2026, and a 2025 TÜV benchmark), they effectively trade overall wins depending on test emphasis and size.
The pattern is consistent: the Pirelli repeatedly leans into outright safety margins in standing-water and “big-hit” longitudinal metrics (notably aquaplaning and dry braking), while the Continental answers with a more rounded, efficiency-leaning balance-often excelling in wet braking/low-speed grip metrics, rolling resistance, and durability-related measures. If your winters are mostly wet and mild, both are excellent; the more important question becomes whether you prioritize maximum hydroplaning resistance and sharp steering feel (Pirelli) or a quieter, more efficient, more wear-conscious all-rounder with strong wet stops (Continental).
Conclusion
On the evidence across the shared tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 is the more “headline” safety performer, winning 2 of the 3 overall comparisons and dominating key categories that matter at motorway speeds in heavy rain. It won straight-line aquaplaning in every shared dataset (e.g., 85.0 vs 83.1 km/h in ADAC; 85.6 vs 82.7 km/h in Auto Express; 86.0 vs 79.2 km/h in TÜV) and also took dry braking in all three (small but repeatable margins, such as 44.4 vs 44.5 m in ADAC and 40.0 vs 40.5 m in TÜV). In ADAC, that wet-and-dry confidence plus low fuel use helped it edge the overall win.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870, however, is the more convincing long-term ownership pick and can absolutely be the faster “real winter” tyre depending on conditions and test weighting-Auto Express put it #1 overall with clear wet-performance strength (33.0 vs 33.99 m wet braking, plus a wet-circle win), while also being class-leading for rolling resistance in two tests (8.2 vs 8.26 kg/t; 7.2 vs 7.5 kg/t). It also shows advantages in durability/environmental metrics where reported (ADAC wear 43,200 vs 43,100 km; abrasion 74 vs 80 mg/km/t) and a meaningful edge in ice braking in ADAC (17.1 vs 18.1 m).
Practical takeaway: if your winter driving frequently includes fast A-road/motorway rain and standing water, the Pirelli's aquaplaning edge is a compelling safety differentiator. If you want the most rounded tyre for mixed European winters-strong wet stops, good efficiency, and better wear/abrasion with competitive snow/ice security-the Continental remains the smarter “live with it every day” choice, even if it gives up a little ultimate hydroplaning margin.
WinterContact TS 870 vs Cinturato Winter 3: your questions
Is the Continental WinterContact TS 870 or the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 the better tyre?
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 finished ahead 3 times and the WinterContact TS 870 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 3 9.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the WinterContact TS 870 or the Cinturato Winter 3?
The Cinturato Winter 3 led 7 of the 13 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 4.8% higher speed across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Cinturato Winter 3 led 4 of the 5 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1% shorter in the dry across 4 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Cinturato Winter 3 led 8 of the 9 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it was 3.2% quicker in the snow traction test across 2 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The WinterContact TS 870 had 3% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 8.8/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 and 8.5/10 for the Cinturato Winter 3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.4/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 and 6.4/10 for the Cinturato Winter 3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 83% from 26 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 3 77% from 5. 83% of WinterContact TS 870 owners would buy it again, against 60% for the Cinturato Winter 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the WinterContact TS 870 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 3.7% 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 3 in 36 (16 to 20 inch). 6 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 3 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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