In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Continental WinterContact TS 870 and the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.
The good news is that both the Continental WinterContact TS 870 and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 are Premium Touring Winter tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.
Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been eight tests which compare both tires directly!
Out of these eight tests:
While it might look like the Continental WinterContact TS 870 is better than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 0.09% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:46.1M | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 45.8M |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:39.2M | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 37.6M |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:43.5M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 44.5M |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:44.7M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 45.2M |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:43.9M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 44.5M |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.83% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:63.3s | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 64.3s |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:80.2s | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 80.4s |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 1.63% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:110.6Km/H | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 108.8Km/H |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 scored 2.44% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:30 Points | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 23 Points |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:90 Points | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 100 Points |
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 0.43% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:51.9M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 55.8M |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:27.6M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 30.4M |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:37.7M | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 35.9M |
2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:37.1M | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 35.6M |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:35.1M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 35.1M |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:57.9M | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 55.6M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 1.28% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:38.5M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 39M |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 2.14% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:89.7s | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 92.5s |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:97.7s | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 99s |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.33% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:75.14Km/H | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 74.89Km/H |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 scored 4.44% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:45 Points | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 29 Points |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:90 Points | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 100 Points |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 1.21% faster around a wet circle than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:12.29s | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 12.44s |
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during five straight aqua tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 floated at a 5.01% higher speed than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:75.2Km/H | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 72.6Km/H |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:82.4Km/H | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 78.9Km/H |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:81.1Km/H | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 73.6Km/H |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:84Km/H | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 80.6Km/H |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:84.3Km/H | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 80.9Km/H |
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during five curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 slipped out at a 16.44% higher speed than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:2.96m/sec2 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 2.64m/sec2 |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:8.1m/sec2 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 6.8m/sec2 |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:3.3m/sec2 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 2.7m/sec2 |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:3.7m/sec2 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 3m/sec2 |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:3.82m/sec2 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 3.16m/sec2 |
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during six snow braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 4.91% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Snow Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:26M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 28.1M |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:27.8M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 29.3M |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:9.5M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 10.2M |
2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:29.1M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 30.2M |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:9.9M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 10.2M |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:29.1M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 30.2M |
Best In Snow Traction:
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:5.1s | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 5.1s |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three snow traction tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 had 1.37% better snow traction than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Snow Traction: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:2712N | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 2661N |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:252N | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 249.7N |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:229N | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 233N |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:2520N | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 2491N |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.9% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:81.8s | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 85.2s |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:116.5s | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 114.9s |
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]:
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:60Km/H | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 60Km/H |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 scored 0.87% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:30 Points | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 14 Points |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:85 Points | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 100 Points |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 0.91% faster through a slalom than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Snow Slalom: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:3.28m/sec2 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 3.25m/sec2 |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two ice braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle 2.83% shorter than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Ice Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:19.5M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 19.8M |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:18.3M | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 19.1M |
Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 measured 0.56% quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:71dB | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 72dB |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:72dB | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 72.4dB |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:71.1dB | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 70.9dB |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:71dB | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 71.4dB |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during one noise tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 measured 1.44% quieter than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Noise: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:69.5dB | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 68.5dB |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three wear tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 is predicted to cover 15.01% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Wear: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:55900KM | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 52800KM |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:43800KM | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 34000KM |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:47970KM | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 38700KM |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one value tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 proved to have a 9.1% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Value: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:2.99Price/1000 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 2.99Price/1000 |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:9.59Price/1000 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 10.85Price/1000 |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 was better during three price tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 cost 5.08% less than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Price: Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:640 | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 600 |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:166.49 | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 165.99 |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:167 | ✓ Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 158 |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 had a 7.63% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:8.1kg / t | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 8.6kg / t |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:8.4kg / t | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 8.9kg / t |
2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:7.83kg / t | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 8.83kg / t |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 used 0.92% less fuel than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870:5.7l/100km | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 5.7l/100km |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:5.1l/100km | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 5.2l/100km |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two abrasion tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 emitted 18.71% less particle wear matter than the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
Best In Abrasion: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:65.3mg/km/t | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 73.9mg/km/t |
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870:59mg/km/t | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2: 79mg/km/t |
Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental WinterContact TS 870 and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
In total the Continental WinterContact TS 870 has been reviewed 16 times and drivers have given the tire 85% overall.
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 has been reviewed 3 times and drivers have given the tire 78% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
In conclusion the Continental WinterContact TS 870 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], dry handling [km/h], wet braking, wet braking - concrete, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], subj. wet handling, wet circle, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, snow braking, snow traction, snow handling [s], subj. snow handling, snow slalom, ice braking, noise, wear, value, rolling resistance, fuel consumption and abrasion, while the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 performed better in subj. dry handling, noise and price.
Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in snow handling [km/h], showing that they are closely matched in these areas.
Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Continental WinterContact TS 870 seems to be the best tire overall.
However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.
Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.
Overall Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire 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 tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire 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 tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.