P3 of 19
Beat 22% of the field
Continental WinterContact TS 860 S Test Results
Tested 2 times by independent publications, the Continental WinterContact TS 860 S averages a finish of 4th.
- 2Independent tests
- 0Test wins
- 1Podium finishes
- 4thAverage finish
- 46%Field beaten on average
- 2Publications
2 tests, 2019 to 2020
Record by discipline
Where the Continental WinterContact TS 860 S finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tyres. Field beaten is the share of the other tyres it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 1 | P4 of 12 | 73% | - |
| Dry Handling | 1 | P3 of 12 | 82% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 1 | P7 of 12 | 45% | - |
| Wet Handling | 1 | P5 of 12 | 64% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 1 | P11 of 12 | 9% | - |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 1 | P7 of 12 | 45% | - |
| Snow Handling | 1 | P7 of 11 | 40% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Noise | 1 | P5 of 12 | 64% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Rolling Resistance | 1 | P1 of 12 | 100% | 1 |
Against its own line
The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.
| Tyre | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental WinterContact TS 850 P Predecessor | 15 | 4 | 4th | 76% |
| Continental WinterContact TS 860 S This tyre | 2 | 0 | 4th | 46% |
| Continental WinterContact TS 870 P Successor | 36 | 11 | 3rd | 79% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 2 tests. Updated October 28, 2026.
The Continental WinterContact TS 860 S is most convincing for dry handling and steering precision. Auto Bild Sportscars placed it fourth of 11 in its 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test, praising its sporty response and feedback. Dry handling was third of 12 measured entries and dry braking fourth, while rolling resistance was the lowest at 8.06 kg/t. Tyre Reviews' 2020 winter selection also singled out precise steering and high dry grip, although that was a selection based on several sources rather than another set of measured results.
Wet braking is the repeated reservation. Auto Bild Sportscars recorded seventh of 12, 9.4% behind the best, and the 2020 selection likewise noted extended wet stops. Straight aquaplaning was weak in the measured test, 11th of 12 and 10.3% behind the best. Snow braking was seventh of 12 and snow handling seventh of 11, rather than a leading winter showing. Both accounts also mention high purchase cost, and the 2019 testers found comfort average. The evidence supports a responsive winter tyre for mainly clear roads, with wet stopping and standing water more important compromises than its overall placing alone suggests.
Performance Strengths
-
Steering feel
Strong
in 2 of 2 tests
Details
- Precise steering and good feedback, 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars Performance Winter test
- Precise steering praised in 2020 Tyre Reviews winter selection
precise steering
- The Best Winter Tyres for 2020 (2020)precise steering, good feedback
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)
-
Dry handling
Minor
in 1 of 2 tests
Details
- Third of 12 measured entries, 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test
Sporty dry handling
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)
-
Rolling resistance
Minor
in 1 of 2 tests
Details
- First of 12 at 8.06 kg/t, 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test
low rolling resistance
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)
-
Dry grip
Strong
in 1 of 2 tests
Details
high levels of grip in the dry
- The Best Winter Tyres for 2020 (2020)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Wet braking
Strong
in 2 of 2 tests
Details
- Seventh of 12, 9.4% behind best, 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test
- Extended wet braking noted in 2020 Tyre Reviews winter selection
extended wet braking
- The Best Winter Tyres for 2020 (2020)Slightly long wet braking
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)
-
Aquaplaning resistance
Minor
Details
- 11th of 12 in straight aquaplaning, 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test
-
Value for money
Moderate
Details
- Expensive, 2019 Auto Bild Sportscars test and 2020 Tyre Reviews winter selection
Do owners agree with the tests?
Every tester write-up on the Continental WinterContact TS 860 S (2 tests) and 12 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
- Dry grip strength in 1 of 2 tests 3 praise, 1 criticise of 12 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tyre
- Tread life no test mentions it 5 praise, 0 criticise of 12 reviews · Read those reviews
- Snow handling no test mentions it 4 praise, 0 criticise of 12 reviews · Read those reviews
- Wet grip no test mentions it 3 praise, 1 criticise of 12 reviews · Read those reviews
Every test, newest first 2
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
Back to the Continental WinterContact TS 860 S overview
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tyre Reviews score. All Continental tyres