You walk into a tire store. Rows of tires stare at you, daring you to choose one, and you have no idea where to start. The numbers decorating the sidewalls might as well be a foreign language, and who knew tires have seasons?
A salesperson walks up to you and starts talking about a nice set of Continental tires. They rattle off an extensive list of brand accomplishments and assure you that the giant price tag is worth every penny. Still, you cannot help but wonder, are continental tires good?
Although they are a bit more expensive than other leading brands, Continental tires are durable, fuel-efficient, and in some cases, capable of repairing themselves.
That being said, it may be possible for drivers to find similar tires in a cheaper price range. Continue reading to learn more about the Continental brand and whether their tires are truly worth the money.
The Continental Brand
Founded in 1871, Continental is one of the oldest tire manufacturers in the world. At that time, the company made thousands of rubber products, including rubber balls and hoofers. As the automotive industry grew, Continental grew with it, and the company’s focus eventually shifted from rubber products to rubber tires.
The next 150 years brought a lot of change, but one thing remained consistent—the company’s dedication to innovation. Continental developed the world’s first pneumatic tire in 1904, the first aircraft tire in 1924, and the first winter tire in 1934. Additionally, it was the first company to release grooved passenger tires, which changed the tire industry dramatically.
While there are a lot of tire manufacturers in today’s market, it could be argued that no other company has contributed to the development of tires quite as much as Continental has and continues to do.
How Much Do Continental Tires Cost?
We checked around, and although it is important to remember that prices may be different depending on where you live and what size/type of tire you need, you can find a list of average prices below.
Location | Least Expensive Tire | Most Expensive Tire | Range |
Walmart | $75.99 Carlisle Radial Traill HD Trailer Tire – ST205/75R14LRD 8PLY | $288.57 Continental ProContact GX SSR 245/40R18 97 H Tire | $75.99 – $288.57 Trailer tires to passenger tires. |
Amazon | $23.95 Continental Ride Cruiser ETRTO (55-559) 26 X 2.0 REFLEX Bike Tire | $431.10 CONTISPORTCONTACT 5P 275X30ZR21 Tire – Summer Performance | $23.95 – $431.10 Bike tire to sport tire. |
Tire Rack | $69.21 WINTERCONTACT SI 185/65-15 XL Tire | $585.99 EXTREMECONTACT SPORT 355/30-19 LL Tire | $69.21 – $585.99 Passenger Tires Only |
Discount Tire | $74.00 PREMIUM CONTACT 2 175/65 R15 84H SL BSW BM | $477 HSR+225/70 R19.5 128N BSW ST | $74.00 – $477 Passenger Tires Only |
We found that the price of Continental tires ranges from $24 to $477, but passenger tires typically fall between $75 and $420. This is significantly higher than some of the cheaper brands, such as Cooper or Falken, which typically run under $85 a tire.
Shoppers often expect there to be a price gap between a cheaper brand and a top-name brand, but when compared to other leading brands, we find that Continentals high price tag is not actually all that high. In fact, in many cases, they ended up being cheaper than Michelin, Goodyear, and Bridgestone. Although, many of those other brands run seasonal deals that lower the price of a set.
Below you can find a chart comparing the price ranges of four top tire brands from several locations. *
Location | Goodyear | Michelin | Continental | Bridgestone |
Walmart | $62 – $314 | $126 – $574 | $76 – $289 | $88 – $318 |
Amazon | $75 – $467 | $125 – $340 | $86 – $262 | $55 – $737 |
Tire Rack | $92 – $216 | $86 – $1,012 | $70 – $585 | $155 – $336 |
Discount Tire | $74 – $261 | $74 – $1,012 | $85 – $1,010 | $112 – $545 |
Google Shopping | $69 – $646 | $112 – $969 | $76 – $680 | $99 – $750 |
*The prices were rounded to the nearest dollar amount and only passenger tires were priced.
How Long Will They Last?
Due to differences in driving habits, locations, and road conditions, it is almost impossible to predict exactly how long a tire will last. However, many of the warranties that come with a new set of Continental tires expect the tire to last between 50,0000 to 80,000 miles. That being said, there are a lot of stipulations placed on these warranties. For example, in order to be covered, the tires must be rotated at a certain mileage and consistently maintained.
Although the tires are put through rigorous testing, many customers have expressed disappointment when their new tires lasted only half as long as expected. For example, many reviews mention drivers needing to replace their tires after just 30,000 miles. This could be a result of poor maintenance, rough driving conditions, or tires that honestly do not last as long as the company suggests.
Fans of the Continental brand, who might otherwise be unhappy about the short lifespan of some of the tires, might be happy to learn that Continental has been working on a proprietary blend that may revolutionize the tire industry even further. Not only will it increase the longevity of tires, but it is more sustainable than the popular rubber blends currently being used.
Are Continental Tires Worth the Price?
Putting price aside, there are many things to like about Continental tires. Since the company has essentially led the pack in terms of innovation and design, you know when you buy a Continental tire that you are buying a tire full of innovative technology and leading design features.
For example, many Continental sport tires feature SportsPlus technology, which enhances the tire’s tread life, increases steering response, and improves your traction on wet surfaces. Additionally, you will no longer have to fret about being stranded with a flat because of Continental’s ContiSeal technology, which can successfully seal up to 80% of punctures.
Finally, if you depend on your car for peace and quiet, ContiSilent technology, which reduces road noise and vibration, was made for you.
Ultimately, you get what you pay for, and if you are looking for a tire that you can depend on to provide precise steering and handling, while also reducing fuel consumption by up to 8%, you may be happy to pay a bit more.
However, if you do not care too much about the added features and just need a cheap tire, you may not find Continental tires to be worth the price. Therefore, it is important for shoppers to know exactly what they need from a tire before they start shopping around.
You may find the following posts helpful:
Should I buy tires from Amazon?
Should I buy tires from Walmart?
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer on Rustyautos.com. He’s been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and has worked for GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Land Rover, and Jaguar dealerships.
John uses his know-how and experience to write articles that help fellow gearheads with all aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.