EXPERT IN AUTO PARTS
12 September 2025 (updated) Table of Contents
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P is a premium winter tire for mid-range and luxury vehicles that has established itself as a reliable companion for the cold season. As part of the Continental product family, this tire is aimed at demanding drivers who value balanced winter properties in various weather conditions.
| Test organization | Year | Dimension | Test result |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADAC | 2020 | 235/55 R17 | 3,4 |
| ÖAMTC | 2020 | 235/55 R17 | 3,4 |
Continental WINTERCONTACT TS 850 P tyres
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P reviews show a solid performance in winter snow conditions with noticeable weaknesses in wet performance. The special tread design with a high number of block edges ensures improved traction on snow and supports braking behavior on wintry roads. The high degree of siping helps to reduce the thin film of water that can form on icy surfaces thanks to the so-called windshield wiper effect. The sipe arrangement has been optimized compared to the previous TS 830 P model, resulting in five percent better handling on snow. The special tire shape enables a faster and more direct response to steering movements, which optimizes overall handling on snow-covered roads. The testers attest to the tire's easily calculable lateral control on snow with largely stable and, above all, very balanced dynamics.
ADAC 2020 snow test: Grade 2.7 (satisfactory) - also slightly weaker on snow
ÖAMTC 2020 snow test: score of 2.7 in the overall assessment for snow characteristics
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P shows its clearest strength in wet road conditions and achieves the best test values in this area. The round tread contour is specially designed to quickly displace water laterally, which ensures a high level of aquaplaning resistance. The tread design with the characteristic PowerSipes optimizes braking performance and control, especially in wet conditions. The testers attest to the tire's particularly good properties on wet roads, which makes it a preferred choice for regions with frequent precipitation. The wet grip is supported by modern rubber compounds and the special tread design, which enables effective water evacuation. Since the product launch in 2013, this tire has regularly achieved very good ratings for wet performance in various tests.
ADAC 2020 wet test: Grade 1.9 (good) - particularly good in the wet
ÖAMTC 2020 wet test: overall rating of 1.9 for wet conditions
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P shows its greatest weaknesses on dry roads and only achieves satisfactory performance. The test results indicate that the tire offers less convincing performance in dry conditions than in other weather conditions. Nevertheless, the testers attest to the tire's safe understeering behavior on dry roads, which contributes to driving safety. Handling on dry roads has been improved compared to the previous model through optimized tread design, but does not reach the level of wet performance. The special tire shape ensures a more direct response to steering movements, which also optimizes handling on dry roads. The all-round properties are rated as "very good" by testers, with performance on dry roads being the weakest area.
ADAC 2020 dry test: Score 3.4 (satisfactory) - relatively weak on dry roads
ÖAMTC 2020 dry test: Score of 3.4 in the overall assessment for dry handling
The braking performance of the Continental WinterContact TS 850 P varies depending on the road conditions and is particularly impressive on wet roads. On wet roads, the tire achieved a braking score of 1.75 in the ÖAMTC test, which is a very good performance. In winter conditions on snow, the tire achieved a score of 2.5 for braking with ABS, which can be rated as good. The high number of block edges contributes to the improved braking performance on snow and ice. On ice, the tire also achieves a score of 2.5 when braking with ABS. The PowerSipes technology specifically optimizes braking performance and control in various weather conditions. The S-GRIP design and PrecisionPlus also increase traction and stability, which has a positive effect on braking performance.
ÖAMTC 2020 wet braking: grade 1.75. Snow braking (ABS): grade 2.5. ÖAMTC 2020 ice braking (ABS): grade 2.5
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P shows very good economic properties, especially in terms of wear and fuel consumption. The tire achieved an excellent score of 1.5 for wear in both the ADAC and ÖAMTC tests, which attests to very good mileage. Fuel consumption is rated 2.1, which is good and contributes to the tire's economy. The very good mileage is also confirmed in other tests and is considered one of the strengths of this tire model. The tire combines excellent driving performance with economic benefits such as low wear and reduced fuel consumption. The tire's durability makes it an attractive choice for users who value a good price-performance ratio. The tire label shows a rolling resistance of class C for the 235/55 R17 dimension, which corresponds to the good fuel consumption values.
ADAC 2020 fuel consumption: grade 2.1 (good). Wear: Grade 1.5 (very good)
ÖAMTC 2020 wear: grade 1.5 (very good)
In terms of noise development, the Continental WinterContact TS 850 P shows satisfactory values with an overall score of 3.1 in the ADAC test. The exterior noise was rated 3.4 in the ÖAMTC test, while the interior noise scored slightly better at 2.75. According to the EU tire label, the tire achieves a noise level of 72 dB, which is in the middle of the classification range. Although the noise characteristics are not the strong point of this tire, they are within an acceptable range for a winter tire. In various tests, noise comfort is rated as satisfactory, without this having a significant negative effect on the overall rating. At 5%, the weighting of the noise criterion is relatively low compared to the driving dynamics properties.
ADAC 2020 noise/comfort: Score 3.1 (satisfactory)
ÖAMTC 2020 exterior noise: grade 3.4. Interior noise: grade 2.75
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P offers a balanced price-performance ratio for a premium winter tire, whereby the strengths in wet conditions and the very good mileage are particularly noteworthy. As a tire for mid-range and luxury vehicles, the model is positioned in the mid to upper price segment, but justifies this with solid overall performance in most test criteria. The excellent wear values mean a longer service life, which reduces the total cost per kilometer driven. The very good properties on wet roads make the tire particularly interesting for drivers who are often on the road in wet weather conditions. Despite its weaknesses on dry roads, the tire offers a balanced winter performance that meets the requirements of most drivers. The all-round properties are consistently rated as very good, which underlines the good overall package.
| Advantages | Weak points |
|---|---|
| Particularly good in the wet | Relatively weak on dry roads |
| Very good mileage | Somewhat weaker on snow |
| Excellent braking performance | |
| High aquaplaning resistance | |
| Easily predictable lateral control on snow | |
| Safe understeering in dry conditions | |
| Very good all-round properties |
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P received satisfactory reviews with an overall rating of 3.4 in the 2020 tests. Particularly noteworthy are the excellent properties on wet roads with a score of 1.9, which is one of the best values in the test field. The very good mileage with a score of 1.5 for wear makes the tire economically attractive, even if weaknesses on dry roads affect the overall rating. The tire shows a balanced winter performance with clear strengths in wet conditions.
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