Continental Tires Review: Durable, Reliable, and Pricey
Continental is the only tire company that has existed since before the invention of automobiles. The German tire manufacturer has been around since 1871. In contrast, it was only in 1886 that the patent for a “vehicle powered by a gas engine” was filed.
Such a big head start over other tire brands isn’t the only reason Continental ranks among the top tire sellers globally. After all, many other tire manufacturers were around when Continental released its first vehicle tire in 1894. The majority doesn’t exist today.
Instead, Continental’s rise to the 4th biggest tire brand globally owes much to the latest technologies and high-end construction materials its tires possess. Had that not been the case, the company’s tires wouldn’t have been on the roads of more than 100 countries.
This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about Continental tires. We’ll kick things off by reviewing this brand’s best-selling models. Next, we’ll answer all the questions you may have about Continental tires. Read on to know more.
Continental Tires Review
Here are the best Continental tires currently on the market:
#1. Continental TrueContact Tour – Best All-Season Touring Tire
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The TrueContact Tour may be an excellent option for you if you live in an area that sees light to moderate snow. And you want a tire that excels in both dry and wet conditions.
Apart from boasting the above qualities, this tire keeps your vehicle firmly planted on the road regardless of how fast the driving speed is. Additionally, you can count on this all-season tire to enhance your automobile’s ride quality and fuel efficiency.
DWS indicators will let you know when this model is no longer (or less) reliable for Dry, Wet, and Snow driving. Finally, an 80,000-mile warranty means it will stay with you for a long time.
Pros
- Backed by an 80,000-mile tread life warranty
- Offers superb fuel economy
- Provides a plush ride quality
Cons
- Poor ice traction
#2. Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 – Best High-Performance All-Season Tire
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The ExtremeContact DWS06 is a must-have for drivers fond of pushing their cars to their limits.
On dry roads, this model’s silica-rich tread compound gives you the confidence to press your foot on the accelerator. In wet conditions, its asymmetric tread pattern keeps your vehicle firmly glued to the road. As such, you won’t have to worry about the loss of road grip.
Cornering grip is another area where this tire shines. Thanks to large shoulder blocks, you can attack bends at speed without a hint of oversteering. Also, while not unheard of, a 50,000-mile tread life warranty is definitely one of the higher ones you’ll ever get from a UHP tire.
Pros
- Provides excellent steering feedback
- Backed by a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty
- Offers superior dry and wet grip
Cons
- Relatively long braking distances on wet roads
#3. Continental PremiumContact 6 – Best Low-Profile Tire
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The PremiumContact 6 isn’t one of those tires that settle for enhancing your vehicle’s looks. Besides using its aggressive tread design to that effect, this low-profile tire will also improve your ride’s handling, road grip, and responsiveness.
In addition, this tire’s rubber strikes the perfect balance between firmness and flexibility. You can thus expect reliable performance in summer and winter conditions. Moreover, the three grooves on its tread do more than enough to minimize the risk of aquaplaning.
On top of everything else, the PremiumContact 6 is surprisingly quiet for a summer tire. Though its ride could have been more refined.
Pros
- Offers dynamic handling
- Short braking distances in wet conditions
- Will enhance your vehicle’s outlook
Cons
- Ride could be more refined
#4. Continental PureContact LS – Best Luxury Touring Tire
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The Continental PureContact LS has everything you may expect from a luxury touring tire.
For starters, this model offers excellent wet traction. If Continental is to be believed, this model offers a 10% extra wet grip than the one it replaced. Its wear rate, which determines how soon you have to replace a tire, is also 23% lower than the PureContact.
However, as its comparison with the Michelin Premier AS shows, it isn’t just its colleagues that this tire outperforms. Instead, as far as performance, road life, and tread warranty are concerned, the PureContact LS can stand up to other brands’ flagship tires.
Pros
- Offers an unbelievably quiet ride
- Comes with a 70,000-mile tread life warranty
- Performs superbly on wet and light snowy roads
Cons
- May wear quickly if regularly pushed to the limits
#5. Continental TerrainContact A/T– Best Tire for Bad Roads
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The TerrainContact A/T is a must-have for anyone who regularly drives on bumpy roads.
This model doesn’t just smooth out major road imperfections to keep the ride as calm as possible. It also prevents road noise from getting into the cabin. Equally importantly, the TerrainContact A/T has what it takes to stay damage free upon encountering bad roads.
Plus, the fact that this tire is M+S (Mud and Snow) rated means it can handle its fair share of snow, gravel, and slush. A 6-year/60,000-mile warranty serves as icing on the cake.
Pros
- Performs superbly in challenging conditions
- Backed by a 60,000-mile tread life warranty
- Tough sidewall helps avoid punctures and blowouts
Cons
- Not the best option for driving in mud
#6. Continental CrossContact LX25 – Best SUV Tire
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The CrossContact LX25 has all the attributes to be one of the best tires for SUVs.
SUVs are heavier than cars and are primarily used for long trips. As such, they need tires that can handle the extra strain while still offering a quiet ride. Which is precisely what the CrossContact LX25, with its sturdy internal construction and an extra layer of rubber inside the tread, does.
The LX25 also has a higher number of grooves than your average touring tire to offer improved traction in various weather conditions. Also, thanks to its symmetric tread pattern, this all-season touring tire offers a balanced ride on the highway.
Throw its 70,000-mile warranty into the mix, and it gets easier to see why SUV owners are infatuated with this model.
Pros
- Offers an ultra-comfortable ride
- Plenty of grip and traction in multiple weather conditions
- Delivers outstanding aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- Not the best for spirited driving
#7. Continental VikingContact 7 – Best Winter Tire
Price Check
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The Continental VikingContact 7 isn’t your average snow tire.
This model isn’t just capable of taking Scandinavian weather head-on and coming out as a winner. It also has the capabilities needed to keep your vehicle stable on bone-dry roads. Put another way, it can offer the traction and grip of a winter tire and the reliability of a touring tire.
Yet no corners have been cut in this model’s snow performance. Multiple sipes on its tread trap snow to induce snow-on-snow contact, enhancing its winter traction. A directional tread further helps this model offer stud-tire-rivaling grip on icy roads.
Pros
- Can tackle the harshest of weather conditions
- Superb grip and traction in dry and wet conditions
- Delivers excellent aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- Comfort and noise levels aren’t class-leading
#8. Continental TerrainContact H/T – Best Light Truck Tire
Price Check
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Marvelous year-round performance? Check. An incredibly comfortable and quiet ride? Present. Solid levels of traction on unpacked snow? Absolutely. All these qualities make the TerrainContact H/T one of the market’s leading all-season touring tires.
To further up the ante, Continental has supplemented this model with excellent treadwear warranties. The P models of this tire come with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, while the LT ones are backed to last up to 60,000 miles.
Pros
- Comfort and noise levels are among the best
- Offers marvelous dry and wet performance
- Is surprisingly usable on snow
Cons
- Astronomically expensive
Continental Tires Buying Guide
What is there to like about Continental tires? What is it that distinguishes these tires from the chasing pack? Are there areas where Continental tires could or should have done better? Any shortcomings that could potentially be deal-breakers? This section has all the answers.
Why Should You Buy Continental Tires?
What is there to like about Continental tires? What is it that distinguishes these tires from the chasing pack? Are there areas where Continental tires could or should have done better? Any shortcomings that could potentially be deal-breakers? This section has all the answers.
Why Should You Buy Continental Tires?
Here’s why Continental Tires should be on your short list of tire brands to buy next:
Comfortable and Quiet Rides
Do you enjoy hearing your car’s tires growl? Want to feel every little stone that comes underneath the rubber? Neither do most people. Fortunately for you, Continental tires offer plush rides that can rival those of Michelin, Bridgestone, and other premium tire brands.
Cutting Edge Technologies
Over the decades, Continental has invested eye-watering sums in the research and development side of things. The result is technologies like EcoPlus, ContiSilent, and many more that enhance its tires’ ride quality, fuel efficiency, and much more.
Class-Leading Treadwear Warranties
As you have already seen, Continental doesn’t shy away from backing its tires with extended treadwear warranties. And it isn’t just its all-season touring tires that come with years-long guarantees. Even all-terrain and high-performance tires bearing Continental’s name are backed to last years.
Why Should You Not Buy Continental Tires?
Here’s why Continental tires may not be right for you:
High Asking Prices
Continental tires may not be the right option if you are on a budget. Brands like Falken and Kumho may be more up your alley if you’re in the market for mid-range tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Continental tires?
Continental AG manufactures Continental tires for automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles.
Where are Continental tires made?
Continental has production facilities all over the world. Two are located in the US, two in Germany, one in Mexico, and one in Russia. France, Ecuador, Brazil, Portugal, South Africa, Malaysia, India, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and China also host Continental tire manufacturing plants.
How long do Continental tires last?
Continental tires are typically backed to last from 60,000 to 80,000 miles. However, the exact mileage your Continental tire may last depends on its type, your driving style, and weather conditions.
Is Continental a good brand?
Continental is globally renowned for equipping its tires with cutting-edge technologies, market-leading treadwear warranties, and high-end construction materials. It regularly ranks among the top three tire manufacturers in the world (in terms of revenue).
Are Continental tires noisy?
Continental tires tend to be quiet. Most of them come with technologies (i.e., ContiSilent Technology) or construction materials that help them minimize the transfer of noise to the cabin.
Are Continental tires good for snow?
Continental has a dedicated lineup of snow tires. For example, the VikingContact 7 ranks among its peers from Michelin and Bridgestone as one of the market’s best winter tires.
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a premium set of tires, there’s an excellent chance that someone will recommend you to opt for Continental tires. That is because the German tire manufacturer’s models are winners in terms of road manners, dependability, and road life.
