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Continental Tyres vs Dunlop Tyres

Both Continental and Dunlop are two leading premium tyre brands that manufacture some of the most sought-after models on the market.

With the two companies being founded in the late 20th century, these brands have over 250 years of expertise and experience within the tyre industry that is highlighted throughout their tyre model line-up.

This article will cover Continental and Dunlop, giving an overview of both brands and reviewing some of their most popular tyres.

Continental Overview

Founded as a company in 1871, Continental have been a mainstay within the premium tyre market for the span of two centuries.

Diversifying in tyre types such as car tyres, motorcycle tyres, truck tyres and more, Continental have established themselves as a top player globally that cater their tyre production to many road vehicles.

Their globalisation is highlighted through their operations in over 60 countries worldwide, making the German tyre manufacturers such a recognisable brand across all continents.

From summer tyres to winter tyres, Continental continue to produce premium products that help motorists throughout all seasons.

Some innovative technologies that Continental have developed over the years are as follows:

• ContiSeal: Continental's ContiSeal utilizes a self-sealing layer within the tyre to automatically repair punctures up to 8mm in diameter. This effectively addresses small punctures, preventing immediate deflation and the need for roadside repairs.
• BlackChilli: The BlackChilli compound, a proprietary rubber blend, is designed to improve the tyre's overall performance characteristics. This translates to enhanced grip, particularly in wet conditions, lower rolling resistance contributing to improved fuel efficiency, and a longer lifespan compared to traditional tyre compounds.
• SSR (Self Supporting Runflat): Continental's SSR technology enables continued driving even with complete air loss. This system allows for a limited range of travel (up to 50 miles at a maximum speed of 50 mph), providing sufficient mobility to reach a safe location for repair. A noteworthy benefit is the increased boot space, allowing up to 80 litres of additional storage capacity compared to equivalent non-runflat tyres.
• ContiSilent: ContiSilent technology employs a special foam layer within the tyre to absorb sound waves generated during rolling. This significantly reduces the perceived noise level, improving the overall driving experience by mitigating tyre-generated road noise. The reduction in noise is measured up to 9 dB, a substantial decrease noticeable to the driver.

The technologies listed have greatly contributed to the premium feel of their tyres.

Popular Continental Tyre Models

Continental’s vast production of premium tyres have seen them manufacture some of the most popular models on the market.

EcoContact 6

A leading summer tire from Continental, the EcoContact 6 provides a strong balance of grip and mileage, delivering consistent performance since its 2019 release.

Over 1,883 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the EcoContact 6 as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.6/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.1/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.2/5

Prices for the Continental EcoContact 6 range from £87.35 to £348.02.*

SportContact 7

Engineered for responsive handling and enhanced safety, the SportContact 7 is a high-performance summer tyre designed for drivers who value dynamic road performance.

Over 620 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the SportContact 7 as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.7/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.7/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.4/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.2/5

Prices for the Continental SportContact 7 range from £107.99 to £359.57.*

PremiumContact 6

The PremiumContact 6 offers a refined blend of sporty handling and comfortable ride quality, making it a versatile high-performance summer tyre option.

Over 1,655 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the PremiumContact 6 as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.6/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.7/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.2/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.1/5

Prices for the Continental PremiumContact 6 range from £91.03 to £340.66.*

AllSeasonContact

Continental's flagship all-season tyre, the AllSeasonContact provides reliable traction and fuel efficiency across diverse weather conditions throughout the year.

Over 1,720 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the AllSeasonContact as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.5/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.2/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.1/5

Prices for the Continental AllSeasonContact range from £83.33 to £300.38.*

SportContact 5 SUV

Specifically engineered for SUVs and 4x4s, the SportContact 5 SUV utilises BlackChilli technology to deliver shorter braking distances in both wet and dry conditions, enhancing safety and control.

Over 890 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the SportContact 5 SUV as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.6/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.7/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.1/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.1/5

Prices for the Continental SportContact 5 SUV range from £144.33 to £338.64.*

Are Continental Tyres Good?

Continental are known to be one of the top tyre brands globally, with their extensive range of tyre models being massively praised by customers and industry experts alike.

With over 25,200 customers at Blackcircles.com reviewing Continental tyres, the German tyre brand has averaged a 4.6/5 star rating, highlighting the brand’s quality and performance products.

Dunlop Overview

Established in 1889, Dunlop are a premium tyre brand that manufacture some of the top tyres on the market.

Dunlop is owned by Goodyear in the US and Europe, with Sumitomo having ownership for operations in Asia.

Known for their speciality in performance tyre production, Dunlop pride themselves on giving motorists reliable tyres that offer fantastic grip and precise handling.

Whilst specialising in performance car tyres, they are also known for their motorcycle tyre production, being one of the leaders within the segment market.

Technologies that Dunlop have developed over the years include, but are not limited to:

• Noise Shield Technology: Dunlop’s Noise Shield Technology is designed to tackle tyre noise pollution. This technology cuts interior sound levels by up to 50%, further adding to the comfortability of a drive without comprising performance.
• RunOnFlat Tyres: Much like Continental’s Self Supporting Runflat technology, Dunlop’s RunOnFlat tyre technology allows you to drive up to 50 miles on a flat tyre. Further reducing the risk of a high-speed tyre blowout, safety is enhanced through this technology, reducing the chance of roadside tyre changes.
• Hybrid Overlay Technology: This jointless nylon bandage with a 0° layer, this technology reduces circumferential deformation at high speeds. Wear resistance is strengthened, along with stability at higher speeds, enhancing a tyre’s performance during all speeds.
• Multi Blade System: Dunlop’s Multi Blade System technology offers different types of blades for varying road conditions. This makes the tyre have excellent durability and performance in challenging driving surfaces.

These technologies have boosted the performance of Dunlop tyres, highlighting the brand’s seamless innovation within the tyre industry.

Popular Dunlop Tyre Models

Dunlop have manufactured various types of tyre models over the years, with the premium tyre brand having various popular models amongst Blackcircles.com customers.

SP Sport Maxx RT 2

Developed with enhanced cornering and short braking distance, the SP Sport Maxx RT 2 is a performance tyre that is designed for high-end performance vehicles.

Over 3,160 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the SP Sport Maxx RT 2 as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.6/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.3/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.3/5

Prices for the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT 2 range from £89.99 to £277.02.*

Sport BluResponse

The Dunlop Sport BluResponse is a summer tyre that delivers improved wet grip and braking performance.

Over 4,720 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the Sport BluResponse as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.6/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.2/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.3/5

Prices for the Dunlop Sport BluResponse range from £78.35 to £166.62.*

SP Sport Maxx RT

Designed for high performance driving, the SP Sport Maxx RT uses cutting edge technology to provide motorsport levels of grip and braking.

Over 1,860 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the SP Sport Maxx RT as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.5/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.2/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.2/5

Prices for the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx RT range from £91.44 to £264.18.*

SP Sport Maxx GT

An ultra-high performance (UHP) tyre that brings motorists excellent handling and road feedback, the SP Sport Maxx GT features an innovative asymmetric tread design to ensure high levels of performance.

Over 1,860 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the SP Sport Maxx GT as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.6/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.2/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.2/5

Prices for the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT range from £138.47 to £479.60.*

Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV

The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV is a high performance tyre designed for SUVs. This tyre delivers precise steering and excellent grip through an innovative tyre tread compound.

Over 85 Blackcircles.com customers have reviewed the Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.6/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.8/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.3/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.4/5

Prices for the Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV range from £133.12 to £278.95.*

Are Dunlop Tyres Good?

Rated by over 17,400 Blackcircles.com customers, Dunlop tyres have an overall average rating of 4.5/5 stars.

This highlights the top rated performance of Dunlop’s tyres, especially for the sporty performance capabilities of their top models.

Continental or Dunlop?

With both Continental and Dunlop being top premium tyre brands that have a global reach, it can be argued that the choice of what brand is better is subjective.

Dunlop are known for their production of performance tyres, with their tyres catering to high-end performance vehicles.

Continental are a versatile tyre brand, manufacturing all sorts of tyre types such as 4x4 tyres and all-season tyres to name a couple.

We just hope you’re better informed on both tyre brands and their top tyre models.

*Please note that prices may fluctuate in time, with prices listed throughout this article being from the date of writing (18/11/2024)