Continental SportContact 7 vs Nankang AR 1: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Continental SportContact 7 and Nankang AR 1 appear in 21 tests, 1 of which put both tires on the same track on the same day. 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 SportContact 7 performs. It takes the win in wet, noise / comfort, mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 86/100, based on 20 tests.
How the Nankang AR 1 performs. It takes the win in dry, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 80/100, based on 1 test.
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.
Verdict
The Continental SportContact 7 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Nankang AR 1 still wins on dry, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Continental SportContact 7 if
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise noise / comfort
- You prioritise mileage
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise efficiency
Test profile
| Metric | Continental SportContact 7 | Nankang AR 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | UUHP/Track, UUHP | UUHP/Track |
| Type | Summer | Summer |
| Tests used | 20 | 1 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 3.9 | 6.3 |
| Latest test | 2026 | 2022 |
| Tire Lab Score | 85.9 | 80.1 |
Tire Lab Score
Continental SportContact 7
Nankang AR 1
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Continental SportContact 7 | Nankang AR 1 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 3.7 2288 | Avg rank 10.0 | Continental SportContact 7 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 2.5 2283 | Avg rank 2.0 2 | Nankang AR 1 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 4.4 958 | Avg rank 5.5 1 | Continental SportContact 7 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 12.0 | No data | Continental SportContact 7 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 6.2 12 | Avg rank 2.0 1 | Nankang AR 1 |
Tests used in this comparison
Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 1 independent test:
💧 Wet: Continental SportContact 7 vs Nankang AR 1
The Continental SportContact 7 wins this category with an average rank of 3.7, compared to 10.0 for the Nankang AR 1.
☀️ Dry: Continental SportContact 7 vs Nankang AR 1
The Nankang AR 1 wins this category with an average rank of 2.0, compared to 2.5 for the Continental SportContact 7.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Continental SportContact 7 vs Nankang AR 1
The Continental SportContact 7 wins this category with an average rank of 4.4, compared to 5.5 for the Nankang AR 1.
📏 Mileage: Continental SportContact 7 vs Nankang AR 1
The Continental SportContact 7 wins this category with an average rank of 12.0, compared to no data for the Nankang AR 1.
🔋 Efficiency: Continental SportContact 7 vs Nankang AR 1
The Nankang AR 1 wins this category with an average rank of 2.0, compared to 6.2 for the Continental SportContact 7.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Continental SportContact 7 or Nankang AR 1?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Continental SportContact 7 ranks higher on average than the Nankang AR 1.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Nankang AR 1 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Continental SportContact 7 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Continental SportContact 7 ranks better than the Nankang AR 1.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Continental SportContact 7 shows better mileage performance than the Nankang AR 1.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Continental SportContact 7 appears in 20 independent tests, Nankang AR 1 in 1, with 1 head-to-head tests where both were measured.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →