Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 — a clash of two different worlds. The DWS 06 Plus is an ultra-high performance all-season, built for versatility, while the Sport 02 is a max-performance summer UHP, focused on outright grip and precision. So the question is simple: what are their true performance differences — balanced usability or pure performance? Let’s find out.
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Results: Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02
Results below were taken from the Tire Rack’s “EV Specific vs Non EV Tires” test. A total of 11 tires were tested this time around in Tire Rack’s own proving ground. The graph below shows the comparison between Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 based on the relevant performance category. The Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for subjective evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if tire A is graded 7 while tire B is graded 6, A is better than B by 5%.
As both tires are categorized as all season tires, Tire Rack has included snow & ice in its testing portfolio. The tire size of interest is 235/40R19 which is a common tire size for Audi A4 & BMW 3 series. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a 2023 Model 3 Performance.
Wet
In wet braking, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus clearly leads, stopping 19.4 feet shorter, which equals a 13% advantage. In wet handling lap time, both tires are essentially identical, with just 0.12 seconds difference, translating to a 0% difference. Subjectively, the DWS 06 Plus still comes out ahead, scoring 1.19 points higher, equivalent to a 6% advantage in driver confidence.
What’s surprising here is that the all-season UHP DWS 06 Plus takes the lead, as summer tires typically outperform in wet conditions. Overall, despite similar lap times, the DWS 06 Plus delivers stronger braking and higher confidence, making it the more secure performer in the wet.
ExtremeContact Sport 02 :
- -13% in wet braking
- -6% in wet handling (subj)
- 0% in wet handling (lap time)
Dry
In dry braking, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 takes a clear lead, stopping 9.2 feet shorter, which equals an 8% advantage. In dry handling lap time, the Sport 02 is also faster, completing the lap 0.96 seconds quicker, translating to a 3% advantage. Subjectively, the gap grows further, with the Sport 02 scoring 1.25 points higher, equivalent to a 6% advantage in driver confidence.
Overall, as expected, the summer UHP Sport 02 dominates in the dry, delivering shorter braking, faster lap times, and sharper handling, clearly highlighting its focus on pure performance.
ExtremeContact Sport 02 :
- +8% in dry braking
- +6% in dry handling (subj)
- +3% in dry handling (lap time)
Noise/Comfort/Ride Quality
In noise, comfort and ride quality, both tires are extremely close, with the Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 scoring just 0.08 points higher, which translates to a ~0% difference.
ExtremeContact Sport 02 :
- 0% in average of Noise, Comfort & Ride Quality.
Mileage
Looking at UTQG, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus carries a 560 treadwear rating, compared to 340 for the Sport 02, which is a 220-point difference, translating to a 65% higher rating. This aligns closely with the mileage warranty, where the DWS 06 Plus offers 20,000 miles more (50k vs 30k), equivalent to a 67% advantage in expected lifespan.
What’s surprising here is that the DWS 06 Plus also delivered stronger wet performance earlier, as typically better wet grip comes at the expense of mileage. So this result goes against the usual trade-off — let’s see how rolling resistance turns out.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental | DWS 06 Plus | All | 560 | AA | A |
| Continental | Sport 02 | All | 340 | AA | A |
Efficiency
In efficiency, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 takes the lead, delivering 11 miles more range (248 vs 237 miles), which equals a 5% advantage.
This now completes the typical trade-off picture — while the DWS 06 Plus surprisingly led in wet performance and mileage, the Sport 02 pulls ahead in efficiency, showing that its lower rolling resistance helps extend EV range.
ExtremeContact Sport 02 :
- +5% in efficiency
Price
For tire size 235/40R19, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 is priced $66 higher than the DWS 06 Plus ($307 vs $241), which equals a 27% premium.
Overall, the Sport 02 demands a significantly higher price, reflecting its positioning as a max-performance summer UHP, while the DWS 06 Plus offers a much more accessible entry with stronger value.
Tire size: 235/40R19
- ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus : $ 241
- ExtremeContact Sport 02 : $ 307
Difference: +27% more expensive for ExtremeContact Sport 02.
Summary
From my perspective as a tire engineer, this comparison highlights two very clear strengths. The Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 delivers exactly what you expect from a max-performance summer tire — superior dry braking, sharper handling, and better efficiency, making it the right choice if your priority is outright performance. On the other hand, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus impresses with significantly longer mileage, lower cost, and real all-season versatility, and of course, we would expect it to be far better in snow.
However, what truly surprised me here is that the DWS 06 Plus actually outperformed in wet performance, which goes against the usual expectation where summer tires typically dominate. That makes this result particularly interesting — showing just how well-developed modern all-season UHP tires have become.
Dr Edwin Pang