Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2: Within the unrelenting sphere of tire innovation, Continental has revealed their latest flagship creation, the Continental PremiumContact 7, officially unveiled in 2022 and undergoing its inaugural press evaluation in 2023. Meanwhile, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2, launched in 2020, has garnered a plethora of accolades across various press examinations, affirming its dominance in the premium tire sector.
The Continental PremiumContact 7 emerges from a distinguished lineage of exceptional tires, advancing the accomplishments of its predecessor, the PremiumContact 6. Endowing enhanced handling, reduced braking durations, and elevated ride comfort, the PremiumContact 7 is primed to sustain the Continental tradition. Counterbalancing this competitor, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 exemplifies Goodyear’s inventive prowess in tire craftsmanship. Showcasing remarkable fuel efficiency, subdued aural intrusions, and commendable wet grip aptitude, the EfficientGrip Performance 2 epitomizes Goodyear’s devotion to innovation and environmental stewardship.
As our exploration proceeds into the domain of these remarkable tires, we shall contrast their performances, characteristics, and versatility across varied driving terrains, ultimately assisting you in determining the peerless champion amid the clash of the Continental PremiumContact 7 and the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2.
Table of Contents
New Feature Highlights:
Continental PremiumContact 7: RedChili
Continental’s PremiumContact 7 tire features a new RedChili compound that allows for optimal performance across a wide temperature range. This innovative compound enables the tire to achieve high grip even at low temperatures, without requiring a warm-up phase, making it ideal for use in transitional seasons like spring and fall. The compound is a mix of natural rubber and synthetic components, each of which requires a specific temperature to achieve optimum performance. By selecting and composing the materials in a targeted manner, Continental has been able to develop a tire that performs optimally across a broad temperature range.
Continental PremiumContact 7: Adaptive tread design
The PremiumContact 7 tire’s adaptive tread design enhances stability and ride comfort on both wet and dry roads. Wide lateral openings in the outer areas of the tread pattern allow for optimal drainage when driving straight ahead, while the ground contact surface shifts outward and the lateral openings close again during cornering, providing more rubber and better grip on the road. This design resolves the tradeoff between optimal water removal and perfect dry handling, resulting in excellent driving stability during braking, cornering, and accelerating on wet surfaces.
Results
Results below were taken from the 2023 Tyre Reviews Best Summer Tyres Test which includes 13 top tires in the market. The graph below shows the comparison between Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 based on the relevant performance category. The Continental PremiumContact 7 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%.
The tire size of interest is 205/55R16 which is a common tire size for Volkswagen Golf (2018) and the Toyota Corolla Altis (2018). You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a standard VW Golf.
Wet
Unwaveringly, safety remains the paramount consideration regarding wet performance demands. As wet conditions embody the quintessential benchmark for the touring sector, Tyre Review has executed scrupulous evaluations, encompassing six distinct wet tests. The PremiumContact 7 eclipsed the EfficientGrip Performance 2 in wet braking, ceasing a remarkable 2.8 meters shorter. The PremiumContact 7 emerged as the finest wet braking tire amongst its rivals, while the EfficientGrip Performance 2 settled in a median position. Despite its superior wet braking, the PremiumContact 7 was surpassed in lap time by the EfficientGrip Performance 2, with a slender margin of 0.04 seconds separating them. In wet handling, the PremiumContact 7 secured a more laudable subjective wet handling score, boasting a +5 point advantage over the EfficientGrip Performance 2. A minuscule edge materialized in the wet circle, as the PremiumContact 7 was infront in terms of lateral acceleration.
Concerning aquaplaning, the EfficientGrip Performance 2 and PremiumContact 7 exhibited equivalent performance levels, culminating in a slip speed of 5.8 km/h. This contrasted with lateral aquaplaning results, where the EfficientGrip Performance 2 demonstrated 0.1 m/s2 higher lateral acceleration. In summation, the PremiumContact 7 indisputably excelled beyond the EfficientGrip Performance 2 in wet braking and subjective wet handling, while the remaining metrics were strikingly close, lacking a clear-cut champion.
EfficientGrip Performance 2 :
- -8% in wet braking
- 0% in wet handling (lap time)
- -2.5% in wet handling (subj)
- -0.6% in wet circle
- +0.1% in straight aquaplaning
- +3% in curved aquaplaning
Dry
In dry conditions, safety typically presents fewer challenges, as braking distances are markedly prolonged compared to moist environments. Regardless, this constitutes the conventional daily utilization, and tires must consistently excel. The PremiumContact 7 held a modest advantage by surpassing the EfficientGrip Performance 2 by a 1 meter. The PremiumContact 7 topped the standings in dry braking, while the EfficientGrip Performance 2 nestled within the median group.
Regarding dry handling efficacy, the discrepancies are considerably more accentuated, as the PremiumContact 7 outperformed the EfficientGrip Performance 2 by 0.12 seconds, bestowing a subjective advantage of +10 points in its favor. In essence, on dry surfaces, the PremiumContact 7 retains the upper hand in the dry realm, particularly in the domain of dry handling performance.
EfficientGrip Performance 2 :
- -2.9% in dry braking
- -0.2% in dry handling (lap time)
- -5% in dry handling (subj)
Noise & Comfort
Though noise and comfort might not rank as primary concerns within the touring segment, Tyre Review has duly appraised these aspects. The EfficientGrip Performance 2 substantially excels in exterior noise, possessing a 1.4 dB lower noise emission compared to the PremiumContact 7. A similar tendency manifested in the subjective comfort examination, as the EfficientGrip Performance 2 garnered a 3-point advantage over the PremiumContact 7. In conclusion, the EfficientGrip Performance 2 distinguishes itself as a considerably quieter and more agreeable tire relative to the PremiumContact 7.
EfficientGrip Performance 2 :
- +2% in exterior noise (-1.4 dB)
- +1.5% in subjective comfort
Rolling Resistance
While wet braking holds paramount importance in the touring segment, rolling resistance may not consistently demand the utmost attention, as engineers often wrestle with more pressing design dilemmas. Nevertheless, with the growing significance of sustainability, rolling resistance has risen as a competitive marketing tool, readily observable in label values.
In this regard, the EfficientGrip Performance 2 outperforms the PremiumContact 7, flaunting the 2nd lowest rolling resistance coefficient in the contest with a value of 7.5 N/kN, in contrast to the appreciably higher values of the PremiumContact 7’s 8.4 N/kN coefficient. Should rolling resistance be your primary concern, the EfficientGrip Performance 2 outstrips its rivals by exhibiting the most advantageous rolling resistance among its peers and undeniably warrants consideration.
EfficientGrip Performance 2 :
- +11.4% in rolling resistance
Price
Considering that both Goodyear and Continental reside within the premium echelon, one might expect commensurate pricing for these upscale touring tires. Yet, it emerged that the PremiumContact 7 carried a £6 more substantial price tag than the EfficientGrip Performance 2, a revelation that genuinely astounded us.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
EfficientGrip Performance 2: £87
PremiumContact 7: £93
Difference: -7% more cheaper for EfficientGrip Performance 2.
Summary
In summary, the PremiumContact 7 excels in wet and dry performance, while the EfficientGrip Performance 2 prevails in rolling resistance, noise and comfort. Owing to the supreme importance of wet performance in the touring segment, the PremiumContact 7 ultimately emerges as the champion in this tightly contested rivalry!