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Continental SportContact 7
The Continental Sport Contact 7 is a high performance tyre developed to deliver a safe and high end performance on both wet and dry surfaces.
Price from
Find your size112.99to452.46
Continental tyres vs Toyo tyres – which brand should you buy?
It's a battle between a German premium powerhouse and a Japanese brand built on providing top tyres at great value.
Of course, we're talking about Continental and Toyo. The former has been engineering premium rubber since the late 1800s, while the latter has made itself a master of the mid-range.
For UK drivers, deciding between the two isn't simply a question of paying more for better. Continental and Toyo are strong in different areas, so the real question is which of those strengths matter for the way you drive.
Here, we compare their history, innovation and the tyres they offer today to help you choose the right one.
Continental or Toyo: the quick verdict
Short on time? Here's which brand suits which priority, at a glance.
| If you want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| A-rated fuel efficiency | Continental – all three best-selling models are A-rated and flagged as a Greener choice |
| One tyre for all year | Continental – the AllSeasonContact 2 carries the 3PMSF winter symbol; no Toyo best-seller does |
| A tyre for an EV or hybrid | Continental – all three best-sellers are EV approved |
| Track days and sporty driving | Either – the SportContact 7 and Proxes Sport 2 are both genuine contenders |
| A budget option on a 15in to 17in car | Toyo – the Proxes Comfort and Proxes TR1 both cover those sizes |
Continental: premium performance
There's a lot of ground to cover when it comes to summarising the history of one of the most prolific tyre manufacturers around: after all, they've been operating since 1871, having been founded in Hanover, Germany.
In their own words, though, from day one Continental have been about making mobility and transport more sustainable, safer, more convenient, more customised, and more affordable.
Continental supply original equipment tyres to manufacturers including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover and Porsche, and feature on more than 200 car models in Europe. Getting there takes roughly two years of development per tyre and around 100 internal tests before it reaches a production line.
That process is a large part of what separates a premium manufacturer from a mid-range one – and it's the reason Continental tyres carry the price they do.
That's not just talk, either. Roughly one in three cars built in Europe leaves the factory on Continental tyres. In 2025, all ten of the highest-volume electric vehicle manufacturers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa chose Continental as an original equipment supplier – and 17 of the top 20 worldwide do the same.
Best Continental tyres
With a broad catalogue covering everything from high-performance summer tyres to all-season and winter options, Continental have ensured there's a tyre for virtually every driver.
Key models include, but are not limited to:
SportContact 7
The Continental SportContact 7 offers confidence with its safe and stable performance on both wet and dry surfaces.
Engineered with a perfect blend of an extra-soft BlackChili compound and an extra-stiff pattern, it delivers long-lasting driving performance.
AllSeasonContact 2
With the innovative Chili Blend compound, AllSeasonContact 2 ensures optimal grip in all weather conditions, whether it's wet, dry, or winter roads.
By carefully selecting ingredients and incorporating advanced technology, these tyres offer consistent performance that will instil unwavering confidence.
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Continental AllSeasonContact 2
The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 is an all season tyre that allows you to be prepared, no matter the weather.
Price from
Find your size89.99to400.99
EcoContact 6
With enhanced grip and handling, the Continental EcoContact 6 increases safety thanks to the uniquely designed tread pattern.
Its innovative asymmetric pattern combined with the precise position of the sipes delivers outstanding grip, with the tyre never losing contact with the ground.
Continental Eco Contact 6
Designed for maximum fuel efficiency, the Eco Contact 6 is the ideal tyre for the eco-friendly driver.
Price from
Find your size88.51to357.99
Are Continental tyres good?
Continental are committed to the premium end of the market and, as a result, consistently show up in the top end of the tyre metrics that matter.
Their tyres are regularly praised for delivering remarkable fuel efficiency as well as safe, high-end performance on wet and dry terrain. At the time of writing, Continental boast over 35,000 reviews on Blackcircles.com with an average rating of 4.7/5. Many drivers cite Continental's consistently exceptional grip and handling across various driving conditions.
For safety-conscious drivers, and especially those with EVs or performance cars, Continental's depth of engineering and OE relationships make them one of the most trusted names on UK roads.
Need new Continental tyres?
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Toyo: remarkably reliable
For more than 80 years, Toyo Tyres have been building performance tyres, and today they rank among the world's leading manufacturers. Founded in 1945 in Japan, the company has gone from strength to strength, with considerable expansion across Europe.
Toyo's reputation is built in large part on motorsport. The company competes in the Nürburgring Endurance Series with race tyres from its flagship Proxes range, and its Open Country tyres have run the Dakar Rally and Pikes Peak. Toyo use these race programmes to test compounds that later feed into their road tyres.
Behind that sits Nano Balance Technology, Toyo's approach to designing rubber compounds at the nano scale to balance grip, wear and rolling resistance. It's the reason a mid-range tyre can hold its own against pricier rivals on the characteristics that matter most.
Toyo also supply original equipment in Europe, appearing on models including the Mazda 3, Mazda 6 and CX-5, the Toyota Prius+, and the Audi S6 and RS 5. So while Toyo sit below Continental on price, they're not a brand that manufacturers overlook.
Which raises the obvious question: why are Toyo cheaper? It comes down to manufacturing base, the mix of OE contracts they hold, and how much they spend on marketing – not the quality of the rubber.
Best Toyo tyres
With over 70 tyre models available, it's safe to say Toyo Tyres provide a bucketload of options for all kinds of drivers.
Within their catalogue, key models include, but are not limited to:
Proxes Comfort
Toyo's best-selling tyre, and the one built around ride quality – Auto Express rated it 'Recommended' in 2023 and 'Commended' in 2024, and Auto Bild rated it 'Good' in its 2024 summer test.
A rib-based tread design keeps it stable and quiet, making it the pick if refinement matters more to you than outright pace.
Price from
Find your size76.99to164.99
Proxes Sport 2
The Proxes Sport 2 is Toyo's ultra-high-performance tyre and the direct rival to Continental's SportContact 7.
A high elastic modulus compound keeps it stable under load, delivering strong wet and dry braking with the handling confidence to match.
It won a Red Dot design award in 2023 and was rated 'Good' by Auto Bild in 2024.
Toyo Proxes Sport 2
The Toyo Proxes Sport 2 is an ultra-high performance tyre unveiled by Toyo in 2022.
Price from
Find your size81.87to219.84
Proxes TR1
The TR1 brings Toyo's sporty character to smaller cars, covering 15in to 18in only – so check your size before you set your heart on it.
Visual wear indicators let you track how much tread you've got left, which is genuinely useful on a tyre aimed at drivers who push on.
Toyo Proxes TR1
The Toyo Proxes TR1’s unique tread pattern delivers superb grip and optimal handling in wet and dry conditions.
Price from
Find your size89.99to163.99
Are Toyo tyres good?
With a commitment to doing things 'The TOYO WAY' – which includes advancing creativity and showing initiative – Toyo deliver on their promise.
Their tyres are regularly praised for being reliable, especially when it comes to their grip on wet roads. At the time of writing, Blackcircles.com has over 12,000 customer tyre reviews for Toyo with an average rating of 4.6.
For drivers who want performance credibility without premium pricing, Toyo's motorsport pedigree and OE fitments make them a genuinely credible alternative, not a compromise.
Need new Toyo tyres?
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Continental vs Toyo: the head-to-head
Comparing tyre brands is only fair if you compare the same size. EU label grades are assigned per size, not per model, so a brand can look better or worse depending on which fitment you pick.
We have used two of the most common UK sizes: 225/40 R18 for the performance pairing, and 205/55 R16 for the everyday pairing.
Performance pairing – 225/40 R18
| Continental SportContact 7 | Toyo Proxes Sport 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet grip | A | A |
| Fuel efficiency | C | D |
| Noise | 72 dB (B) | 71 dB (B) |
| EV approved | Yes | No |
Everyday pairing – 205/55 R16
| Continental EcoContact 6 | Toyo Proxes Comfort | |
|---|---|---|
| Wet grip | A | A |
| Fuel efficiency | A | C |
| Noise | 71 dB (B) | 70 dB (B) |
| EV approved | Yes | No |
Continental vs Toyo: which models match up?
Comparing brands is easier when you compare like with like. Here is how each brand's three best-selling tyres line up against each other.
| Continental | Toyo | Which to pick |
|---|---|---|
| SportContact 7 | Proxes Sport 2 | The closest match on the page. Both are ultra-high-performance summer tyres, and both score A for wet grip. Continental is one grade better on fuel; Toyo is cheaper. |
| EcoContact 6 | Proxes Comfort | Both are aimed at everyday driving but built for different things. The EcoContact 6 is rated A for fuel efficiency against the Proxes Comfort's C, while the Toyo is built around ride quality and comes in marginally quieter. |
| AllSeasonContact 2 | no direct match | Toyo's answer is the Celsius AS2, which sits outside their three best-sellers. If you want one tyre for all year, Continental has the more established option. |
| no direct match | Proxes TR1 | Toyo's sporty option for smaller cars. Continental's nearest equivalent is the EcoContact 6, which covers smaller rim sizes but is built for efficiency, not fun. |
Which is better for your driving?
Everyday commuting and city driving
Continental if you want to spend less on fuel, Toyo if you want to spend less up front. In 205/55 R16, the EcoContact 6 is rated A for fuel efficiency against the Proxes Comfort's C – but both score A for wet grip, so safety isn't the trade-off.
Motorway miles
Continental, because rolling resistance compounds over distance. The higher your annual mileage, the more that A rating against a C is worth, and the more likely the pricier tyre works out cheaper overall.
Winter and all-season
Continental, clearly. The AllSeasonContact 2 carries the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol for severe winter conditions, while all three of Toyo's best-sellers are summer tyres.
SUVs, 4x4s and vans
Toyo if you go off tarmac, Continental if you don't. Neither brand's top three covers this, so look at Toyo's Open Country or Continental's CrossContact range instead.
Track days and spirited driving
Both, and it comes down to budget. The SportContact 7 has the stronger competition record – Auto Express UUHP winner 2022, overall Evo award 2023 – while the Proxes Sport 2 matches it on wet grip and costs less.
How do Continental and Toyo compare with other brands?
Continental sit in the premium tier alongside Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone and Pirelli – the group that supplies most original equipment on European cars and tends to win the independent tests. Against those rivals, they compete on wet performance and efficiency, not price.
Toyo sit in the mid-range with Falken, Hankook and Kumho. That group has closed the gap considerably over the past decade, and Toyo's motorsport programme gives them more performance credibility than most tyres at its price.
So, if your shortlist is premium, compare Continental against Michelin and Goodyear. If it's value, compare Toyo against Falken and Hankook. Comparing across the two tiers – as this article does – is really a question about your budget, not which brand is better.
Should I buy Continental or Toyo tyres?
Buy Continental if you want the lowest running costs, an all-season option, or a tyre for an EV – their best-sellers are A-rated for fuel efficiency, and all three are EV-approved. Buy Toyo if you want to spend less up front without giving up wet grip, since both brands score A on the sizes we compared.
Whichever you choose, our fully fitted prices include VAT, delivery, fitting, balancing and disposal, so the price you see is the price you pay. Every car, van and SUV tyre comes with our Lifetime Guarantee at no extra cost.
You can have them fitted at any of our 2,200-plus fitting centres across the UK, or choose mobile fitting and have them fitted at home or at work. Not sure what size you need?
Enter your registration, and we'll show you the tyres that fit your car.
Need Continental or Toyo tyres?
Enter your registration and postcode and we’ll show you the Continental and Toyo tyres that fit your car
Frequently asked questions
Are Toyo tyres as good as Continental?
In some areas, yes. On the sizes we compared, both brands score A for wet grip and sit in the same noise class, and Toyo is marginally quieter. Continental is clearly ahead on fuel efficiency and is the only one of the two with an all-season option among its best-sellers. Toyo is cheaper. Neither is a bad tyre; they suit different priorities.
Why are Toyo tyres cheaper than Continental?
It comes down to manufacturing base, the mix of original equipment contracts each brand holds and how much each spends on marketing – not the quality of the rubber. Toyo compete in the mid-range by design rather than by cutting corners.
Do Continental tyres last longer than Toyo?
There is no reliable answer to this, because the EU tyre label does not measure tread life and no independent UK test covers both brands directly. Both are designed for longevity – Continental with its Green Chili 2.0 compound, Toyo with wear-focused tread designs and, on the Proxes TR1, visual wear indicators. Treat any mileage claim from either manufacturer as a claim.
Can I fit Continental and Toyo tyres on the same car?
You should not mix different tyres on the same axle, as differences in grip and handling can affect stability. Fitting one brand on the front axle and another on the rear is legal, but it is not ideal. Where possible, fit all four the same.
Which is better in the wet, Continental or Toyo?
On the EU label, they tie. In both the sizes we compared, Continental and Toyo scored A for wet grip – the highest available grade. Bear in mind that A is a band rather than a precise score, so two A-rated tyres can still stop at slightly different distances, and independent tests do separate them.
Do Continental and Toyo both make EV tyres?
Continental's three best-sellers are all EV approved. None of Toyo's three carries that marking. If you drive an electric or hybrid car, Continental is the more straightforward choice from these six models.
