When it comes to choosing the right tires for your vehicle, the options can be overwhelming.
That’s why I decided to delve into the world of tire brands and compare two popular contenders: Continental vs Nokian.
In this post, I’ll take you on a journey through their fascinating histories, examine their performances in dry, wet, and snow conditions, explore their mileage warranties and average lifespan, consider their prices, and weigh their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
Let’s dive in!
Continental vs Nokian – Comparison Table
| Continental | Nokian | |
| Country of Origin | Germany | Finland |
| Year Founded | 1871 | 1988 |
| Made In | mostly in Germany but they have manufacturing facilities in the United States and possibly China | Finland and Russia |
| Parent | Schaeffler Group (Germany) | Nokian Tyres plc (Finland) |
About the Brands
1. Continental
Continental, a renowned tire brand, has a rich history that dates back to its founding in Germany in 1871.
Originally known as Continental-Caoutchouc und Gutta-Percha Compagnie, the company started as a rubber manufacturer and soon diversified into producing bicycle tires.
Over the years, Continental expanded its product range, delving into automobile tires and becoming a leading tire manufacturer globally.
Under the umbrella of its parent company, Schaeffler Group, the brand has continued to innovate and excel.
Renowned for its commitment to safety, performance, and quality, Continental has become a trusted choice for drivers worldwide.
With a legacy spanning over a century and a half, Continental has earned a reputation for excellence and has become synonymous with German engineering and precision.
Today, it stands as one of the world’s leading tire brands, offering a wide range of products for various vehicles, from passenger cars to motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Trucks
- Buses
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Vans
- Motorcycles
- Bicycles
2. Nokian
Nokian Tyres, a renowned tire brand, was founded in Finland in 1988 and is currently a subsidiary of Nokian Tyres plc.
With a rich history spanning over three decades, Nokian has established itself as a leading global tire manufacturer.
The brand’s commitment to innovation and high-quality products has earned it a strong reputation in the industry.
Nokian is particularly known for its expertise in winter tires, thanks to its Finnish roots and the country’s demanding weather conditions.
The brand’s tires are designed to provide exceptional grip, safety, and durability in harsh winter conditions, making them popular worldwide.
Nokian’s continuous research and development efforts have resulted in numerous breakthroughs, including the introduction of unique technologies and eco-friendly materials in their tire manufacturing processes.
Today, Nokian Tyres continues to deliver cutting-edge tire solutions, catering to diverse customer needs across different regions.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Vans
- Light trucks
- Heavy machinery
Differences
1. Dry Performance
I’m going to compare the performance of two summer tires as they are the ideal type in dry weather.
I’m taking a look at the Continental ExtremeContact Sport vs the Nokian zLine.
Based on my research, I would rate the Continental ExtremeContact Sport’s dry performance as a 4.6 out of 5.
It excels in dry handling and braking, thanks to SportPlus Technology and the two-ply sidewall construction.
On the other hand, the Nokian zLine achieves a 4.2 out of 5, offering precise handling, good traction, and a sporty feel.
While both tires perform admirably in dry conditions, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport edges ahead with its slightly higher rating.
Therefore, I declare the Continental ExtremeContact Sport as the better tire for dry performance, albeit by a narrow margin.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs the Nokian WR G4.
Based on my research and rating system, I would rate the wet performance of the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus tire as 4.4 out of 5.
Reviews consistently praise its faultless performance, magnificent wet performance, relentless grip, and great wet handling.
However, it has been noted to have slightly longer braking distances on wet roads.
On the other hand, the Nokian WR G4 tire receives a rating of 4.6 for its excellent wet grip and good wet cornering performance.
It is designed as an all-weather tire and features an asymmetric tread design for enhanced grip.
Therefore, based on these ratings, the Nokian WR G4 tire emerges as the winner for wet performance, albeit by a slight margin.
3. Snow Performance
We all know that you need dedicated winter tires if you’re going to be driving on harsh winter conditions.
That’s why I’ll be comparing the snow performance of two specialized winter tires – Continental WinterContact SI vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5.
As the one giving the snow performance rating from 1 to 5, I have thoroughly researched the Continental WinterContact SI and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 tires.
After careful consideration, I rate the Continental WinterContact SI with a snow performance score of 4.4, and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 with a score of 4.8.
Both tires offer impressive snow performance, but the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 edges slightly ahead due to its Double Block Grip design and eco-friendly focus.
Therefore, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is the better tire for snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Continental | Nokian | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Continental tires are expected to have a lifespan of 20,000 to 70,000 miles. | The lifespan of Nokian tires can vary but on average they can last anywhere between 40,000 to 85,000 miles. |
Based on my research, both Continental and Nokian tires offer treadwear warranties of up to 80,000 miles.
However, when it comes to average lifespan, there are some differences.
Continental tires generally last between 20,000 to 70,000 miles, while Nokian tires can range from 40,000 to 85,000 miles.
So, in terms of longevity, Nokian tires tend to have a slightly longer average lifespan compared to Continental tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Continental vs Nokian.
I’ll be using one of the biggest tire and wheel retailers in the US for this comparison – Discount Tire.
Here is a comprehensive table that showcases each brand has to offer:
| Continental | Nokian | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $81 to $614 /ea | $73 to $585 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Control Contact Tour A/S PLUS goes from $81 – $192 /ea | Nordman 7 goes from $73 – $177 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Scandinavia HD3 goes from $614 /ea | Hakkapeliitta 10SUV goes from $173 – $696 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Continental
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Advanced technologies that provide maximum fuel-saving, noise reduction, and performance | ❌ Fewer options compared to other brands |
| ✔ Strong reputation in the tire industry | |
| ✔ They are known for their reliability, comfort, and quietness |
Nokian
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Your go-to brand for winter tires and only tire manufacturer in the world with its own permanent winter tire testing facility | ❌ Limited market presence |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, buses, and heavy-duty equipment | |
| ✔ Innovative technology, such as the Hakkapeliitta R3’s “Aramid Sidewall Technology,” which uses the same material used in bulletproof vests |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Continental:
- ExtremeContact DWS 06
- TrueContact Tour
- TerrainContact A/T
Some of Nokian’s best tires are shown below:
- Hakkapeliitta R3
- WR G4
- Rotiiva AT Plus
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After carefully considering the dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, average lifespan, and the pros and cons of both Continental and Nokian tires, the winner emerges as Nokian.
While Continental excels in dry performance, Nokian takes the lead in wet performance and snow performance.
Additionally, Nokian offers a slightly longer average lifespan.
Considering all these factors, Nokian is the better pick overall.