How much doContinental tyrescost?
The German premium benchmark, with the shortest typical wet-braking distance of any major brand. OE-dominant on VW Group, BMW and Mercedes. £82-£235 per tyre across the range in 2026.
The range
Continental lines mapped to UK use
| Model | Best for | Common size | Per-tyre price | Typical life | Wet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PremiumContact 7 | Touring / family saloon | 205/55 R16 | £100-£128 | 32-40,000 mi | A |
| EcoContact 6 | Fuel-economy touring | 195/65 R15 | £82-£105 | 35-42,000 mi | A |
| EcoContact 6 Q | SUV-specific touring | 215/65 R16 | £108-£135 | 35-40,000 mi | A |
| SportContact 7 | Performance saloon and hatch | 245/45 R18 | £175-£235 | 22-28,000 mi | A |
| AllSeasonContact 2 | All-season UK road use | 205/55 R16 | £110-£140 | 30-38,000 mi | B |
| WinterContact TS 870 | Winter-dedicated | 205/55 R16 | £105-£128 | 25-30,000 mi | B |
| VanContact Ultra | Light commercial | 225/65 R16C | £135-£170 | 40-50,000 mi | A |
Wet braking and OE dominance
Why Continental wins in the wet
Continental's defining attribute as a brand is wet-braking distance. Across the past decade of EU label testing, independent tyre tests by Auto Express and AutoBild, and side-by-side comparisons by Tyre Reviews, Continental has more often than not delivered the shortest wet-braking distance of any major premium brand. The 2024 generation PremiumContact 7 extended that lead with a claimed 6 per cent improvement over PremiumContact 6, validated in independent test publications.
Why this matters in practical UK terms: the difference between an A wet-grip tyre and a C wet-grip tyre at 50mph in heavy rain is roughly 9 metres of stopping distance, or about two car lengths. In an emergency stop scenario, that is the difference between stopping short of an obstacle and a collision. Continental's consistent wet-braking lead within the A-grade band gives a small additional safety margin against other premium brands. On a year-round UK road where rain is normal, this matters more than the few-metres-saving on dry braking.
The second defining attribute is OE fitment depth. Continental is the most common OE brand on Volkswagen Group cars (VW, Audi, Skoda, SEAT), with deep specifications on BMW and Mercedes. The OE relationship is engineering-deep, with co-development on chassis-and-tyre matching that goes beyond simple supply contracts. Buying Continental as the replacement for OE Continental is the safest possible like-for-like; the car will feel exactly as it did when new, which matters on cars with sport-tuned suspension or driver-assist systems calibrated against specific tyre characteristics.
The range maps to UK use cases cleanly. PremiumContact 7 is the touring choice for family saloons, estates and motorway commuters. EcoContact 6 is the fuel-economy-focused touring tyre, lighter on rolling resistance, for hybrid and lower-power cars. EcoContact 6 Q is the SUV-specific version of the same line, with reinforced construction for higher kerb weights. SportContact 7 is the performance choice for sport saloons and hot hatches, with A wet grip across most sizes. AllSeasonContact 2 is the all-season choice. WinterContact TS 870 is the dedicated winter tyre for drivers who do seasonal swaps. VanContact Ultra covers light commercial.
Pricing-wise, Continental sits within 5 to 10 per cent of Michelin at the same size and tier. PremiumContact 7 in 205/55 R16 is £100 to £128 per tyre in May 2026; Michelin Primacy 4+ in the same size is £105 to £135. Continental is sometimes a few pounds cheaper, sometimes equal, rarely above. The choice between them is more about preference (wet braking vs tread life) than about price.
Where to buy Continental in the UK. Costco UK (members only) usually leads on Continental pricing, often £15-£25 below high street. Blackcircles is the cheapest non-membership online retailer with consistent stock. ATS Euromaster, despite being Michelin-owned, stocks Continental at competitive prices because of the deep market demand. Kwik Fit and Halfords (Motoring Club) are within a few pounds of each other. National Tyres' £25 off £150 promo cycle works well at Continental price points because a full set crosses the threshold.
FAQ
Continental tyre cost, common questions
How much do Continental tyres cost in the UK in 2026?+
Continental tyres in the UK in 2026 range from £82 per tyre for the EcoContact 6 at city-car sizes up to £235 for the SportContact 7 at executive saloon sizes. The volume seller PremiumContact 7 at 205/55 R16 sits at £100 to £128 per tyre or £115 to £142 fitted. A full set of 4 PremiumContact 7 fitted typically lands at £460 to £570.
How does Continental compare to Michelin on price and performance?+
Continental is typically within 5 to 10 per cent of Michelin pricing at the same size and tier. On performance, Continental usually leads on wet-braking distance (often shortest in EU label and AutoBild tests). Michelin usually leads on tread life. For wet-weather UK drivers, Continental has the safety edge. For high-mileage motorway commuters, Michelin has the cost-per-mile edge. Both are legitimate top-tier choices.
Are Continental tyres OE on most German cars?+
Yes. Continental is one of the most common OE-fitment brands on Volkswagen Group cars (VW, Audi, Skoda, SEAT), BMW, and Mercedes. The relationship is deep enough that several Continental models are co-engineered with these manufacturers to match the chassis dynamics. Buying Continental as a replacement for OE Continental is the safest like-for-like swap.
What is the difference between PremiumContact 6 and PremiumContact 7?+
PremiumContact 7 is the 2023 generational successor to PremiumContact 6. The key improvements are shorter wet-braking distance (Continental claims 6 per cent improvement in EU label test), 7 per cent longer tread life, and a refined cabin-noise profile. The PremiumContact 6 is still widely available at a small discount, but PremiumContact 7 is the current recommended buy.
Should I choose AllSeasonContact 2 or CrossClimate 2 for all-season use?+
Both are A wet grip rated and carry the 3PMSF mountain-snowflake winter mark. On Auto Express and Tyre Reviews comparison tests, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 typically leads on wet braking and dry handling; the Michelin CrossClimate 2 typically leads on snow grip and tread life. Pricing is within 5 per cent. The decision often comes down to whether your priority is wet UK winters (favour Continental) or occasional snow capability (favour Michelin).
Where is the cheapest place to buy Continental tyres in the UK?+
Costco UK (membership required) typically wins on premium Continental pricing, often £15-£25 below high street. Blackcircles is the cheapest non-membership option and stocks the full Continental catalogue. ATS Euromaster, despite being Michelin-owned, stocks Continental at competitive prices. Kwik Fit and Halfords (Motoring Club) are typically within £5-£10 of each other; National Tyres often runs promo cycles that close the gap.
Are Continental tyres made in Germany?+
Some are, some are not. Continental operates a global manufacturing network with major plants in Germany (Hannover and Korbach), Romania, Portugal, the USA, Mexico, Brazil and Malaysia. The same model can be manufactured in multiple plants depending on size and market. The factory code on the DOT date stamp identifies the plant; for European buyers, German and Portuguese production is most common. There is no measurable quality difference between Continental plants for warranty purposes.
Related pricing pages
Sources: Continental range data via continental-tyres.co.uk. EU label and wet-braking data per EPREL. Tread-life and test data from Auto Express tyre tests 2023-2025 and AutoBild Reifentest. Pricing observed at SW1A postcode during May 2026. Independent and not affiliated with Continental AG.