Continental tires
German engineering with class-leading wet grip. Typically $100–$300 per tire.
Continental AG was founded in Hanover, Germany in 1871 and today is one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world, making brakes and electronics as well as tires. Its tire division builds US-market passenger tires in Mount Vernon, Illinois and Sumter, South Carolina, and it also owns the General Tire brand.
Continental's reputation in the US was built on wet performance. Its tires consistently post some of the shortest wet-braking distances in independent tests, and the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus has been the default recommendation for an ultra-high-performance all-season tire for a decade. The PureContact LS is a refined touring tire, the CrossContact LX25 covers crossovers and SUVs with a long warranty, and the TerrainContact A/T is one of the quieter all-terrain tires for trucks.
Prices land slightly below Michelin and roughly level with Goodyear and Bridgestone. Continental's Total Confidence Plan is one of the better warranty packages: a 60-day trial period, three years of flat-tire roadside assistance and a limited road-hazard component on many models. The trade-off is that Continental's tread life, while good, does not quite reach Michelin on the longest-wearing touring lines, and the brand has fewer aggressive off-road options.
$110 prepaid Mastercard, up to $200 with Continental card
$110 Continental Tire Prepaid Mastercard on 4 qualifying tires (CrossContact, TerrainContact, SecureContact, VikingContact and van lines), +$90 when paid with the Continental Tire (Synchrony) credit card. Dealer pages state the fall window as 9/14-12/6/2026 with forms due 12/31/2026, but continentaltire.com still showed the Jul-Aug offer as ended on 9/26 - confirm before quoting dates. Submit at continentaltire-rebates.com. Ends Dec 6, 2026.
Continental models worth buying
| Model | Type | Mileage warranty | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PureContact LS | All-Season Tires | 70,000 mi | $150 | Sedans and coupes that want a quiet ride with better-than-average grip in the rain. |
| ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus | Performance Tires | 50,000 mi | $170 | Performance sedans and sports cars in four-season climates that see wet roads and occasional snow. |
| TerrainContact A/T | All-Terrain Tires | 60,000 mi | $200 | Pickups and SUVs that need light off-road ability but spend most miles on the highway. |
| CrossContact LX25 | Highway Truck & SUV Tires | 70,000 mi | $180 | Crossovers and SUVs that want long tread life and a comfortable, quiet ride. |
| VikingContact 7 | Winter Tires | None | $150 | Drivers in heavy-snow regions who want a studless winter tire that is also good on wet roads. |
| ExtremeContact Sport 02 | Summer Tires | 30,000 mi | $180 | Track-day enthusiasts and spirited drivers who want summer grip with a mileage warranty. |
| ProContact TX SSR | Run-Flat Tires | None | $190 | BMW and Mini owners replacing original-equipment run-flats with the matching tire. |
Strengths
- Consistently excellent wet braking across the lineup
- ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is the reference UHP all-season tire
- Total Confidence Plan includes road-hazard coverage on many models
Weaknesses
- Tread life slightly behind Michelin on touring tires
- Limited choice for mud-terrain and heavy off-road use
Continental tires: common questions
Where are Continental tires made?
Continental builds many of its US-market passenger tires in Mount Vernon, Illinois and Sumter, South Carolina. Some sizes are imported from Germany, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Mexico or Malaysia. The DOT plant code on the sidewall identifies the factory.
Are Continental tires good in snow?
The all-season and all-weather models are competent in light snow, and the ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus is better than most performance tires in slush. For real winter conditions Continental's VikingContact 7 is a dedicated studless tire that competes with the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and Michelin X-Ice Snow.
What is the Continental Total Confidence Plan?
It is the warranty package included with most Continental passenger and light-truck tires. It includes a 60-day customer-satisfaction trial, three years of flat-tire roadside assistance, mileage coverage up to 70,000 miles depending on the model, and limited road-hazard coverage for the first year on eligible tires. Registration is not required, but keep your receipt.