Continental SportContact 7 Wins evo Tyre Test 2024

Looking for the very best tyres to suit your performance car? The results of evo’s annual tyre test are in: the Continental SportContact 7 is the overall winner for 2024.

The Continental SportContact 7 is a high-performance tyre designed to elevate the driving experience of sporty vehicles; operating in a sphere which includes stiff competition from market rivals like Michelin’s Pilot Sport range and Pirelli’s P Zero range. 

The evo Tyre Test is renowned for its rigorous assessment of tyre performance. However, despite this, and the fellow big hitters joining it out on track, once fitted to its compatriot — the Volkswagen Golf GTI — it was the German engineered SportContact 7 that drove away with the top spot.

Entering the winner's circle

So how did Continental bring home the win for the overall best tyre of 2024? Across the series of road tests, braking tests, and fast laps in both wet and dry conditions, the SportContact 7 seized the opportunity to showcase its suite of features aimed at maximising performance. 

Design refinements have yielded a significant 6% improvement in dry braking compared to its predecessor, while wet braking distances have been trimmed by an impressive 8%. This translates to enhanced safety and control in all road conditions — as evo quickly found out.

John Barker, Contributing Editor at evo, praised the tyre's well-rounded capabilities, stating:

"To its solid performance in the wet, the Continental adds feel, feedback and refinement in the dry. Strong technically and now strong subjectively, the SportContact 7 is a great tyre offering an unmatched blend of attributes."

The tyre factor

The selection of tyres can significantly impact a vehicle's performance and driving dynamics, and the combination of some size 235/35 R19 Continental SportContact 7s and a Golf GTI turned out to be a potent one. 

The tyre's exceptional grip and tactile handling characteristics complement the Golf’s performance capabilities and renowned road feel. This allows for precise cornering and confident acceleration, while remaining composed and resisting understeer, even at higher speeds. 

It’s not all heavy metal driving though. Out on the road route the tyre’s bump suppression and quietness were on full display, achieving top marks from evo, and showcasing that refined comfort is part of the SportContact 7’s day-to-day repertoire.

But wait, there’s more. The improved braking distances offered by the SportContact 7 also provide an added layer of safety, enabling drivers to maintain better control in emergency situations — even in tricky weather conditions. Quite the all-rounder.

Value across the board

While specific pricing for the SportContact 7 is dependent on the tyre size, you can always expect to invest in a premium driving experience. 

And luckily, this premium rubber is far from limited to nippy hot hatches. Designed to fit a broad spectrum of vehicles, the SportContact 7 is available in sizes ranging from 19 to 23 inches, ensuring compatibility with a wide array of high-performance cars.

So, is the award-winning Continental SportContact 7 the right tyre to unlock your car's full potential?

Hero image credit:  Continental Tyres