Continental Tire Review (2021)

Continental Review Our opinion: Continental is an exceptional manufacturer of all-season tires for drivers interested in performance, touring or standard all-season models. Although Continental tires are not cheap, they tend to be more affordable than Michelin or Goodyear models. Industry Condition: Tire Variety: Availability: Customer Satisfaction: Pros: Strong Industry Reputation Excellent all-season tire options. for all-terrain tires4

Continental is a well-known tire manufacturer. Although Continental tires didn't make the top five in our best tire roundup, they did make it into the top ten.

In this review, we take an in-depth look at Continental tires, including industry rankings, popular models, cost, and more. We will also discuss two alternative tire brands to see if Continental is right for you. You can start comparing tire prices across brands, including Continental, at TireRack.com.

Overview of Continental tires

Continental was founded in 1915. The head office is located in Hannover, Germany. The brand is the fourth largest tire manufacturer in the world, accounting for 12.9% of global sales in 2018, according to Statista. It enjoys the same reputation in the industry as Michelin and Goodyear, two leading manufacturers.

Although Continental is a German manufacturer, it also has its Americas headquarters in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The company has strong relationships with both luxury and everyday vehicle manufacturers, making it a popular choice for original equipment (OE) tires. However, Continental also manufactures replacement tires, automotive safety systems, some electronics and transmission parts.

Used by luxury brands such as Audi, Tesla and Porsche, Continental makes well-established performance, touring and standard all-season tire models. The brand has also spent years testing and innovating on the braking performance and stability of its tires.

Continental Industry Ratings

Continental tires, like other passenger car tire manufacturers, comply with the rating system developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This system is called Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG), and it grades tires - with the exception of specialist tires - based on their tread wear, grip, and heat resistance.

Here is an explanation of the UTQG grading system:

Tread wear: this rating determines the life of your tires. To calculate tread wear, tires are compared to a control tire that is rated 100. If a tire has a tread wear rating of 500, it means it has lasted five times longer than the control. According to SaferCar.gov, most passenger tires have tread wear between 300 and 500.

Clutch . This grade determines how well your tires hold up in the wet. Traction ratings are given on an AA, A, B, or C scale. Good tires for everyday use usually get an A rating.

Temperature . This grade ranks a tire's heat resistance on an A, B, or C scale. Tires must withstand different temperatures depending on their specialty. For example, high-performance tires typically run at much faster speeds than an all-season tire and, in turn, have higher temperature ratings.

It is important to note that the NHTSA does not oversee the UTQG tests. Manufacturers and independent companies employed by brands are responsible for tire testing and reporting.

Below, we have listed several highly rated Continental tire models along with their tread wear, grip and temperature ratings using data from SaferCar.gov.

If you want to learn more about a Continental tire you already own, you can check the sidewall of the tire for UTQG class.

Most popular Continental tires

Continental tires have been at the forefront of innovation, safety and quality since the company was founded in 1871. While many tire models are popular, a few Continental tire models stand out from the rest.

Here are some of the brand's most popular tires based on Continental tire reviews and customer satisfaction ratings on Tire Rack:

• Continental TrueContact : A proven all-season passenger car tire that performs well in wet, dry and snowy conditions.
• Continental WinterContact Snow & Ice (SI) : inexpensive non-studded winter tire with PolarPlus technology ^TM .
• Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 : An ultra-high performance tire designed for sporty driving that also handles snow and slush well.
• Continental PureContact LS : A wide touring tire designed with Continental ComfortRide and EcoPlus technologies, making them more comfortable, durable and better suited to wet and dry roads.

Each of these Continental tires has received a 4.0 star rating or higher on Tire Rack and a similarly high rating on other retailer sites.

Continental's tire warranties are as competitive as those of its competitors. The company offers a standard limited warranty for defective materials for up to six years. The longest tread life warranty is up to 80,000 miles, the highest in the industry. We also like Continental's 60-day replacement warranty if you're not happy with the tires you've purchased.

Continental tire prices

According to our research, Continental tires can range from $70 to $420 per tyre, but the more popular models lean up. For example, replacing a Continental TrueContact Touring tire on a popular commuter car like the 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid will cost just over $100.

Continental tires may be expensive, but they are not as expensive as Michelin tires. And in the end, you get what you pay for. Many drivers feel the higher price is worth it given the company's rigorous testing standards, quality materials, and tread life warranty.

Continental customer testimonials

Cost, reputation and industry ratings are important factors to consider when buying a tire, but customer reviews can give you a better idea of how Continental tires really perform on the road.

Below we have summarized both positive and negative customer reviews of Continental tires so that you can get a complete picture of the quality of the brand. In general, reviews of Continental tires are positive, most models received high marks from buyers.

Positive feedback about Continental tires

"[ Continental PureContact LS has] first-class performance in wet weather, [runs] relatively quietly, and [has] fairly good handling in dry weather. Best in class tire, very safe and predictable in many conditions. One tire survived a pothole that was tough enough to bend the underlying steel rim without breaking.” - via Tire Rack

"[ Continental WinterContact SI -] excellent winter tire with excellent grip both in winter conditions and on dry roads. Tire noise levels are a little higher than the original model, but nothing as obnoxious as studded tires… There are probably two more winters left, so wear is outstanding.” - via Tire Rack

Negative feedback about Continental tires

“[I have driven this tire alone] 6800 miles and it has 25% (3/32) left. Tires [ ContiSportContact 2 ] is the third brand I've used on this car... I have a set of winter tires from Continental that I really like, but I'll go buy another set. - via Tire Rack

"[ Continental ContiTrac ] was included with my 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty. They were marginal even when they were newcomers. Terrible wet weather and I live in southern Alabama where we average 70 inches of rain a year so that's a huge downside." - via Tire Rack

Our final thoughts on Continental tires

In our 2021 Best Tire Review, we ranked Continental tires seventh overall and gave them a 4.0 out of 5.0 star rating. Continental tires are a great option for all-season drivers and are particularly safe in both wet and dry conditions. The brand also offers several well-respected winter tires that can be a good option for drivers looking for a more affordable price. However, Continental will not always be our first choice for some types of tires.

To buy Continental tires, visit TireRack.com.

Best Tire Recommendations

Although Continental makes high quality all season tires and winter tires, you may be looking for a different special model or a different price range. Other brands recommended in our best tire roundup include Michelin and Cooper.

Michelin: Best Overall

After reviewing all the major brands in the industry, we have determined that Michelin is the best tire company on the market today. As one of the largest manufacturers in the world, Michelin tires are almost synonymous with durability and quality.

Whether you need to fit your truck, SUV, crossover or passenger car with a new set of tires, specialty tires or anything else, you can count on Michelin to provide you with a great choice. However, be aware that Michelin tires tend to be more expensive than average.

Find out more in our Michelin tire review or compare Michelin tire prices directly on TireRack.com.

Cooper: Most Affordable

If Continental tires are out of your price range, Cooper tires are a smart alternative. While the company doesn't have a long-standing reputation for other tire brands, Cooper balances affordability and quality quite well.

The manufacturer specializes in the production of replacement tires at much lower prices than the industry average. It also offers decent tread warranties, with the longest reaching the 80,000-mile mark, which is close to Goodyear or Michelin.

Find out more in our full Cooper tire review, or start buying Cooper tires at TireRack.com.