Continental TerrainContact H/T Tire Review and Rating

Part of the traction improvement is thanks to the TractionPlus technology, which helps the tire have more biting force on most surfaces. Plus, the compound is enriched with +Silane additives that give the tire its performance in warmer and colder weather.

Since it’s a tire that can be driven a bit off-road, Continental thought of that and gave the TerrainContact H/T some performance for those conditions. The rubber is enforced and has increased cut and chip resistance, meaning that you can drive it in lighter conditions without worrying about damage.

The company claims that the tire is very good on wet surfaces, and looking at the design, that may be true. There are 4 circumferential grooves and lateral sipes designed to help the tire eject water away from the blocks. The interlocking sipes go to the full depth of the groove, meaning that it should have excellent traction on snow. On top of that, as the tire wears down, the performance shouldn’t deteriorate.

For noise, the TerrainContact H/T’s tread design incorporates noise blockers which help tone down the sound created from the air under the tire. As a bonus, the blockers work in conjunction with Computer-Optimized Pattern Shifting, reducing the tire noise.

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

The performance of the TerrainContact H/T on dry roads is excellent if you don’t expect too much of it.

Like most touring tires, you will get plenty of performance for that kind of driving, and the tire won’t have any problems with it. Traction and grip levels are excellent for the category, and the tire can take on some twisty roads perfectly fine. With that said, don’t expect to have too much fun with it. The responsiveness is decently good, but it’s far from something you’d get with a high-performance tire.

As a tire designed for highway driving, the TerrainContact H/T is among the best there is. With excellent stability, it’s a tire that is near the top performers in this category.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

The wet performance of the TerrainContact H/T is just as Continental promised – exceptional, regardless if you’re diving in the pouring rain or a drizzle.

Cornering grip feels almost unreal under everyday driving, and even if you push it a bit, the tire will stay planted. The same thing goes for the impressive traction, putting the tire very high in terms of wet performance. You can be quite enthusiastically inclined, and the tire will still remain planted.

Everything that Continental did in terms of wet performance paid off, which can be seen clearly from the aquaplaning resistance. The TerrainContact H/T remains perfectly stable when driving through deeper patches of water at higher speeds. When you combine this with the shortest braking distances in the class, you end up with one of the safest tires you can find.

How is it over snow?

Snow will also not post a problem for the TerrainContact H/T, as it proves to be quite capable in those conditions. The tire’s sipes offer plenty of biting force so that the tire can find traction on snow. It can get away driving on a bit deeper snow, but for anything more than that or a full-on winter storm, you’ll need a winter tire.

Performance on ice isn’t industry-leading, and getting too aggressive with the tire isn’t a wise choice. It will be drivable as long as you are very careful with the inputs.

Is it comfortable and refined?

The TerrainContact H/T lives up to its name as a touring tire, providing high levels of comfort and low noise.

Combining the technology that Continental put into the tire with the higher sidewall results in a very comfortable ride. Smaller imperfections are smooth out to a point where they are almost unnoticeable. You will feel the larger ones, but the tire will absorb most of the impact and won’t transfer much of the vibrations to the passengers.

Noise levels are absolutely marvelous, making the TerrainContact H/T among the quietest SUV touring tires. When driving around town, the tire results with almost no noise; while on the highway, you will hear it a bit, but it’s far from an intrusive experience.

Is it good for off-roading?

Despite being a highway tire, the TerrainContact H/T has some basic off-road capabilities.

When I said basic, I meant that you could drive the tire on a dirt road or maybe some mud, and the tire will live to tell the tale. Continental’s cut and chip-resistant rubber mean that sharper rocks won’t damage it, something you may experience with other tires. You also shouldn’t expect too much performance in these situations and take it easy. The tire will have traction and grip but will struggle if you get too aggressive.

Despite that, the tire lacks some serious off-road performance, like its bigger brother, the TerrainContact A/T.

Is the Continental TerrainContact H/T ideal for sporty driving?

No, the TerrainContact H/T isn’t a tire that can handle sporty driving. First of all, the type of vehicle you’d have it fitted to isn’t designed for that kind of driving. The tire will have plenty of grip on the corners, more than enough to be driven hard. The problem is that you’ll be faced with a flexible sidewall and a driving dynamic that won’t get you excited.

Continental TerrainContact H/T Warranty

In terms of warranty, Continental doesn’t disappoint with the TerrainContact H/T. Since the tire comes in two variations, P-metric and LT, you get two different warranty lengths. The first one comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, while the second has 60,000.

Looking at the numbers means that you are getting a tire that will last a long time.

Continental TerrainContact H/T Pricing: Is it worth the money?

The TerrainContact H/T is worth the money, but it’s not a tire for everyone’s pocket. Prices start from $165, which should be expected from a premium tire manufacturer. The positive thing about it is that you get a premium tire with plenty of performance and almost no drawbacks.

Should I buy the Continental TerrainContact H/T?