Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Continental WinterContact TS 860 and Dunlop Winter Sport 5 appear in 36 tests, 5 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 WinterContact TS 860 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 91/100, based on 10 tests.
How the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 performs. It does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, based on 26 tests.
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 Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in overall performance and Tire Lab Score. The Continental WinterContact TS 860 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise snow
Choose Dunlop Winter Sport 5 if
- You prefer the Dunlop Winter Sport 5's brand, sizing or price
Test profile
| Metric | Continental WinterContact TS 860 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Performance Winter | Performance Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 10 | 26 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 5.2 | 8.6 |
| Latest test | 2020 | 2025 |
| Tire Lab Score | 91 | 91.6 |
Tire Lab Score
Continental WinterContact TS 860
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 860 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 3.3 74 | Avg rank 8.0 244 | Continental WinterContact TS 860 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 4.4 531 | Avg rank 10.1 1 | Continental WinterContact TS 860 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 4.5 452 | Avg rank 6.3 1334 | Continental WinterContact TS 860 |
| 🧊Ice | Avg rank 3.0 11 | Avg rank 7.4 | Continental WinterContact TS 860 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 6.0 32 | Avg rank 8.3 543 | Continental WinterContact TS 860 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 7.7 1 | Avg rank 8.0 14 | Continental WinterContact TS 860 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 9.4 1 | Avg rank 11.2 | Continental WinterContact TS 860 |
Tests used in this comparison
Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 5 independent tests:
💧 Wet: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Continental WinterContact TS 860 wins this category with an average rank of 3.3, compared to 8.0 for the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
☀️ Dry: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Continental WinterContact TS 860 wins this category with an average rank of 4.4, compared to 10.1 for the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
❄️ Snow: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Continental WinterContact TS 860 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 6.3 for the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
🧊 Ice: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Continental WinterContact TS 860 wins this category with an average rank of 3.0, compared to 7.4 for the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Continental WinterContact TS 860 wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 8.3 for the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
📏 Mileage: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Continental WinterContact TS 860 wins this category with an average rank of 7.7, compared to 8.0 for the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
🔋 Efficiency: Continental WinterContact TS 860 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Continental WinterContact TS 860 wins this category with an average rank of 9.4, compared to 11.2 for the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Continental WinterContact TS 860 or Dunlop Winter Sport 5?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 860 ranks higher on average than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Continental WinterContact TS 860 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Continental WinterContact TS 860 ranks better than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Continental WinterContact TS 860 shows better mileage performance than the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Continental WinterContact TS 860 appears in 10 independent tests, Dunlop Winter Sport 5 in 26, with 5 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 →