Shopping for new tyres on a family saloon or SUV usually leads to the same shortlist: something quiet, something safe in the rain, and something that won't need replacing again in a year. Two tyres that consistently come up in that search are the
Bridgestone Turanza 6 and the
Continental PremiumContact 7.
Both sit at the top of their respective manufacturer's touring ranges, and both have been engineered specifically to handle the demands of modern cars, including hybrids and EVs. But
Bridgestone and
Continental have taken slightly different routes to create these capable offerings.
Below, we've broken down the tread technology, EU label scores, test results, and owner feedback for each tyre, so you can see exactly where they overlap and where one pulls ahead of the other.
Bridgestone Turanza 6 Overview
Positioned as Bridgestone's flagship summer touring tyre, the Turanza 6 was built with one objective above all else: setting a new standard for wet-weather safety in its class.
At the heart of the tyre is Bridgestone's combination of EW Mixing and Filler-Polymer Chemistry, a compound technology aimed squarely at improving water drainage and traction the moment the road turns wet.
Helping deliver that water clearance is a Divergent Shoulder Lug Design, engineered to evacuate water efficiently from the contact patch and reduce the risk of aquaplaning. The result is a tyre that aims to feel composed and predictable in heavy rain, rather than nervous or vague.
Comfort and longevity haven't been left behind either. Double Angle 3D Washboard Sipes create an interlocking structure within the tread that adds stiffness and helps resist slippage, contributing to both a smoother ride and improved mileage over the tyre's predecessor, the
Turanza T005. Bridgestone's ENLITEN technology also plays a role here, trimming rolling resistance to support better fuel economy in combustion cars and improved range in EVs and hybrids, alongside a quieter ride that's particularly well suited to the near-silent cabins of electric vehicles.
The Turanza 6 is offered across passenger car and 4x4/SUV variants, spanning 16 to 22 inch rim sizes, making it a genuinely broad fit for modern family cars, executive saloons, and SUVs alike.
Buy Bridgestone Turanza 6 tyres
Continental PremiumContact 7 Overview
Now in its seventh generation, Continental's PremiumContact line has long been a byword for dependable, all-round performance. The latest model looks to continue that tradition with a sharper focus on adaptability.
Central to the tyre is its adaptive tread pattern technology, which widens its lateral grooves in the outer tread area during cornering. As the contact patch shifts outward under lateral load, more rubber is brought into play, helping maintain grip and stability through bends, braking, and acceleration on both wet and dry surfaces.
Continental has also tailored the tyre's construction to specific vehicle classes and drivetrains, rather than applying a single design across the board. This size-specific approach means the PremiumContact 7 is engineered to suit everything from lighter passenger cars to heavier vehicles, including electric and hybrid models, without compromising ride comfort.
A standout feature is Continental's RedChili compound, formulated to maintain strong grip across a wide temperature range. This is particularly useful during the unpredictable conditions of spring and autumn, and it also means the tyre needs very little warm-up time, delivering reliable braking performance from the very first few miles of a journey.
Continental's own testing, carried out over more than 93,000 miles, points to a 10% mileage improvement over its predecessor, the PremiumContact 6, along with wet handling gains of 5%, wet braking improvements of up to 7%, and a 2% reduction in aquaplaning risk. These developments help the PremiumContact 7 achieve an "A" rating for wet grip on the EU tyre label.
Buy Continental PremiumContact 7 tyres
Tyre Label Ratings
Label ratings for tyres are EU regulated, outlining tyre models’ performance across key tyre categories.
These ratings often vary between different tyre sizes and fitment options.
The categories that are rated are:
- Fuel Efficiency – Ranked A to E
- Wet Grip – Ranked A to E
- Tyre Noise – Ranked with numbers and A to C / Decibels (dB)
Bridgestone Turanza 6 Tyre Label Ratings
- Fuel Efficiency: A-C
- Wet Grip: A-B
- Tyre Noise: 66-72 dB
Continental PremiumContact 7 Label Ratings
- Fuel Efficiency: B-C
- Wet Grip: A
- Tyre Noise: 71-73dB
Bridgestone Turanza 6 Awards & Recognition
Since launching, the Bridgestone Turanza 6 has been recognised by press and public alike.
Key commendations and accolades include:
- AutoBild Summer Tyre Test: Exemplary (2024)
- DriverReviews Customer Choice Awards: Best Tyres For Family Cars (2024)
Continental PremiumContact 7 Awards & Recognition
The PremiumContact 7 has also built a strong test record since its release, picking up praise from leading independent testing bodies.
This recognition includes:
- WhatCar? Tyre Test: Excellent values in the braking categories for wet and dry conditions (2024)
Customer Reviews
Customer feedback on Blackcircles.com is provided through DriverReviews, allowing drivers to share their experiences and opinions on tyres they’ve already purchased.
The review categories include:
- Overall ratings
- Would the customer buy the tyres again
- Does the car feel better to drive
- Were the tyres value for money
Bridgestone Turanza 6 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Bridgestone Turanza 6 as follows:
Continental PremiumContact 7 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Continental PremiumContact 7 as follows:
Bridgestone Turanza 6 Common Tyre Sizes
Continental PremiumContact 7 Common Tyre Sizes
Bridgestone Turanza 6 Common Car Models
Continental PremiumContact 7 Common Car Models
Price Ranges
Prices for tyre ranges will typically differ between different sizes and specialised car manufacturer fitments.
Fully fitted prices for the Bridgestone Turanza 6 range from £ to £ .
Fully fitted prices for the Continental PremiumContact 7 range from £ to £ .
Which tyre is better?
Both the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and Continental PremiumContact 7 represent the best of what their respective brands offer in the premium touring segment, but each has their own unique strengths.
If your priority is class-leading wet-weather security, low rolling resistance, and a hushed cabin, particularly if you're running an EV or hybrid, the Turanza 6's wet-focused engineering and ENLITEN technology make it the stronger pick.
On the other hand, if you want a tyre that adapts intelligently across temperatures and driving styles, with size-specific tuning for your exact vehicle type, the PremiumContact 7's RedChili compound and adaptive tread design are hard to overlook.
Whichever suits your car and driving style best, your perfect set of tyres is just a few clicks away. Browse the full range of premium touring tyres today.
Buy Bridgestone Turanza 6 tyresBuy Continental PremiumContact 7 tyres Frequently Asked Questions
What is different between the Bridgestone Turanza 6 and Continental PremiumContact 7?
The Turanza 6 is built primarily around best-in-class wet performance and efficiency through Bridgestone's ENLITEN technology, while the PremiumContact 7 focuses on adaptive handling across a wide temperature range thanks to Continental's RedChili compound, with size-specific tuning for different vehicle classes.
Is the Bridgestone Turanza 6 EV ready?
Yes. Turanza 6 tyres are designed with electric and hybrid vehicles in mind, offering low rolling resistance, reduced road noise, and a construction suited to the extra weight and torque of EV powertrains.
Is the Bridgestone Turanza 6 or Continental PremiumContact 7 better in the wet?
Both achieve an "A" rating for wet grip on the EU tyre label. Independent TÜV SÜD testing has shown the Turanza 6 leading on lateral wet grip and aquaplaning resistance, while Continental's own benchmarking shows strong wet braking and wet handling gains for the PremiumContact 7 over its predecessor.
