Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 90%
Wet Conditions – 80%
Snow – 70%
Comfort – 90%
Noise Reduction – 80%
Durability – 90%
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Tire manufacturers always aim to deliver newer models on the market, designed to be better than their predecessors. As soon as a new model comes to the market, the predecessor will remain a while and after that it gets discontinued. With that said, there are some manufacturers, mainly the premium ones, which keep some of the older models alive.
There are many reasons behind this decision, most of which revolve around performance that can compete with modern rivals. The second and more important one is the size options. Tires that are over a decade old will cover the smaller sizes much better than the newer ones. Sure, there are plenty of cheap tires that do the same, but most of those aren’t the safest options, so I’d recommend avoiding them if possible.
You’ll find plenty of older models still on the shelves and one of those is the ControlContact Tour A/S Plus. In addition to being a relic compared to newer tires, it’s also a Discount Tire exclusive, but in recent years we began to see it pop up on Priority Tire and other retailers as well.
Is Continental’s idea of keeping this model a good one and should you consider getting a set?
Pros
- Performance in dry and wet conditions is excellent
- Performance in dry and wet conditions is excellent
- Treadwear warranty is on par with its modern rivals
- Offers solid traction in snowy conditions
Cons
- It’s a bit pricy considering its age
- There is some noticeable roar at higher speeds
The Features of the Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus
As an all-season touring tire, the ControlContact Tour A/S Plus covers all the basis for a tire that should offer dependable performance with excellent longevity.
Let me start with the most obvious feature – the rubber. Continental used its all-season compound aimed at delivering performance throughout the year, while remaining a long-lasting model.
You’ll also notice that the pattern looks similar to many newer models, meaning that despite the newer technologies, this manufacturer is sticking to a well-performing formula.
Seeing a symmetrical pattern means that you should expect touring-like performance. The tire also features a 5-rib design with full depth sipes, aspects that should help it with traction on damp and snow-covered roads.
Another notable feature of the tread pattern is the optimization to ensure the noise levels remain low. Since it’s an older model, you shouldn’t expect to see technologies like ContiSilent, but as a premium one, I’m hoping it’s not overly loud.
Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus in Dry Conditions
I’ve tested a lot of tires, and I haven’t seen one from a reputable brand that does a poor job in dry conditions, and the same goes for the ControlContact Tour A/S Plus.
Despite its age, the tire is still a competitive performer, offering plenty of grip and traction for daily driving. It’s not a performance tire, so track days are off the table, unless you want to see how poor a touring tire is. Apart from that, any other kind of driving from normal to a bit aggressive is something that the tire will handle with ease. It also offers short braking distances, meaning that it’s a safe tire.
The handling is pretty good, considering the category. It won’t be the same sharpness as models from Continental’s sporty models, but at the end of the day it’s not designed for that. With a good amount of responsiveness and feedback, it’s a commuter car that will cover most people’s need without any issues.
Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus on Wet or Slippery Roads
Continental is known for making excellent tires for wet conditions, and the ControlContact Tour A/S Plus proves that.
As a touring model, the performance on damp roads is excellent, providing enough traction to prevent slip and offer a generally safe experience. There is just a whiff of understeer when going into a corner, but that’s the case with most of its rivals. Luckily you have relatively short braking distances to keep you safe.
This is a tire that will keep you safe as long as you’re not being overly aggressive with it. The conditions aren’t ideal, so it won’t perform as good as on dry roads. With that said, if you’re not asking too much of it, it will deliver a planted experience.
The same goes for the aquaplaning resistance. Continental’s tread pattern with its 4 circumferential grooves does a phenomenal job of evacuating water, resulting in excellent aquaplaning resistance.
Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus in Snow
Tires like the ControlContact Tour A/S Plus are designed to deliver decent performance in winter conditions and this one does an admirable job.
The traction on snow is pretty good, meaning that for the most part you won’t experience any major issues. It’s important to keep in mind that this applies only for lighter conditions. The tire handles packed and unpacked snow well, meaning that as long as it’s not too cold or the snow too deep, you won’t experience any major issues.
Similar to many all-season tires, the performance on ice is passable, but still far from what a proper winter tire can do.
Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus Off-Roading
You’re looking at a touring tire for it’s properties on paved roads, not in off-road conditions. The ControlContact Tour A/S Plus is a tire that will struggle driving on non-paved surfaces and the severity of the issue depends on how extreme the situations are. Driving on a dirt road is generally fine, but rock-crawling or mud are not for this tire.
Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus for Sporty Driving
Touring tires shouldn’t be your first choice for sporty driving, so the ControlContact Tour A/S Plus won’t win any awards with enthusiasts. Sure, there is some room to push it, and the handling isn’t terrible, but at the end of the day, it’s not a very dynamic tire to have fun with.
Does the Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus Ride Comfortably?
Premium tires are known for their refinement and the ControlContact Tour A/S Plus is no different. With that said, it’s not perfect.
On the comfort side of things, the tire does a phenomenal job of providing a plush ride. The comfort band does wonders and allows it to absorb bumps and imperfections and prevent vibrations from entering the cabin.
The noise levels are also very good and quite low in most cases. Around town, the hum is barely noticeable even if you’re driving on rougher roads. At highway speeds, the noise increases a bit and may be noticeable in certain situations. It’s still a relatively quiet tires, but some of the modern options suppress the noise a bit better at these speeds.
Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus Warranty
The ControlContact Tour A/S Plus comes with a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles, which is pretty good for a decade old tire. In comparison, it’s on the same level as several models in Continental’s lineup and better than some of Michelin’s newer tires.
Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
Now we come to the elephant in the room – the price. The ControlContact Tour A/S Plus isn’t the most affordable tire, and when you consider that it’s not the newest on the market, it can be a tough pill to swallow for some. When you compare it with the TrueContact Tour, you’ll find that the price difference isn’t massive.
Should I Buy the Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus?
The ControlContact Tour A/S Plus is a relatively old model and when you consider everything it may not be the most ideal tire for you.
On the performance side of things, the tire does a phenomenal job. It won’t be the absolute best at everything, but it will do a very good job in most conditions, which is what most people are after. The short braking distances combined with the solid handling rounds up the package, meaning that there aren’t too many things to complain about.
Speaking of complaining, in terms of refinement, I have to mention the slightly higher noise levels at highway speeds. It’s not obnoxious, but it’s noticeable. With that said, the comfort levels are very close to the top of its class. The tire also comes with a long treadwear warranty, but not the most competitive price.
The ControlContact Tour A/S Plus is still an excellent tire after all these years. It does many things right and if you feel like the budget isn’t an issue, you won’t be disappointed.
What Vehicles Will the Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus will fit:
- Buick LaCrosse
- Chevrolet Impala
- Honda Odyssey
- Hyundai Sonata
- Kia Amanti
- Nissan Altima
- Saturn Vue
- Scion xB
- Subaru Legacy
- Toyota Camry
Tire Sizes of the Continental ControlContact Tour A/S Plus
14″
- 185/65R14 86H
15″
- 185/60R15 84H
- 185/65R15 88H
- 195/65R15 91H
- 205/65R15 99H XL
- 215/65R15 96H
16″
- 205/55R16 91H
- 205/60R16 92H
- 205/65R16 95H
- 215/55R16 97H XL
- 215/60R16 95H
- 215/65R16 98H
- 225/60R16 98H
- 235/65R16 103H
17″
- 205/50R17 93V XL
- 215/50R17 95V XL
- 215/55R17 94V
- 215/60R17 96H
- 215/65R17 99H
- 225/55R17 97H
- 225/60R17 99H
- 225/65R17 102H
- 235/65R17 104H
