Continental IceContact 3 vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850

Continental IceContact 3 vs Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850: the full picture

This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Continental IceContact 3 and Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 appear in 12 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.

How the Continental IceContact 3 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 10 tests.

How the Starmaxx Ice Gripper W850 performs. It does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. It has limited comparative test data, so treat its results as indicative.

What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.