Continental ExtremeContact Sport Tire Review

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‍About the Continental ExtremeContact Sport

While your sports car may be equipped with robust horsepower, high maneuverability, and wind tunnel enhancements, it can only perform optimally with the right set of tires.

So, if you want your vehicle to deliver above-average acceleration, handling, and speed, you will need to arm it with ultra-high performance tires. And the Continental ExtremeContact Sport is one such tire.

Launched in 2017, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport was released as a replacement for the ExtremeContact DW.

It’s specifically designed for sports cars, sedans, coupes and other performance vehicles in this range.

According to the manufacturer, this tire is engineered to deliver maximum traction and grip, top-notch cornering grip, as well as a comfortable and refined ride.

So, if you own a performance sedan, sporty crossover, performance coupe or a sports car, then the Continental ExtremeContact Sport may be what your vehicle needs.

Design Features and Technologies

As mentioned above, this tire is designed to deliver steady grip and traction in dry and conditions, combined with reliable wet-weather grip and solid braking. It’s also engineered to deliver a comfortable ride.

To that end, Continental has outfitted it with various notable features and technologies so that it can achieve these goals and compete comfortably against some of the best in the class. These design features and technologies include:

Advanced Summer Tread Compound

Continental has outfitted this ultra-high performance tire with an advanced summer tread compound, featuring its exclusive +Silane technology.

This tread compound is then molded into an asymmetric tread pattern for enhanced grip, traction and handling in both dry and wet conditions.

Large Outside Tread Blocks

The Continental ExtremeContact Sport also comes with larger outside tread blocks. The large outside tread blocks work together with its continuous center rib and the company’s proprietary SportPlus technology to deliver a faster steering response.

Also, this combination helps the tire to deliver outstanding cornering grip and high-speed stability. And this is where it sets itself apart from most of the other ultra-high performance tires on the market.

Wide Circumferential Grooves

Continental has also armed the ExtremeContact Sport with three large circumferential grooves, which work together with the +Silane compound to provide top-notch traction in wet conditions.

The three wide circumferential grooves help to channel water away from beneath the tire, thus helping to minimize the risk of hydroplaning, especially when you are cruising at higher speeds.

With this tire, you can drive with added confidence, knowing that it will not let you down, even when you encounter wet and slippery surfaces.

Robust Internal Construction

As their name suggests, ultra-high performance tires are engineered for spirited drives. Therefore, they should be sturdy enough to withstand high-speed driving and cornering.

Fortunately, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport was specifically built for such driving situations.

Inside this tire are two high-tensile steel belts, which have been reinforced with a spirally wound polyamide cap. It also features two-ply sidewalls, which help to boost the tire’s strength, durability and performance, throughout its speed range.

Quickview Performance Indicators

Continental has also equipped this tire with DW Quickview Performance Indicators. These indicators are similar to what you will find in most of the DW models.

These indicators will help you to track how the tire’s tread is wearing. And from there, you can easily determine whether it has adequate tread depth to handle different road conditions.

The DW markings stand for dry and wet. So, if the W wears down, it’s a sign that the tire’s wet traction is compromised. And when the D disappears, then it’s an indication that the tire can no longer provide reliable traction on both dry and wet surfaces. And you should replace them right away.

Performance in Different Conditions

Tires make a significant difference in your vehicle’s overall performance. Considering they are a vehicle’s sole point of contact with the surface, they will affect it will perform in different surfaces and conditions.

While your vehicle can have the highest horsepower in the world, it will be almost meaningless if you can’t put it on the ground effectively.

The question is, does the Continental ExtremeContact Sport perform as expected. Can it enhance your vehicle’s performance in different conditions and surfaces?

We recently tested this tire using a Chevrolet Malibu, where we evaluated its traction, handling and braking on different surfaces. And we made the following observations:

Dry Performance

As expected, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport performed remarkably well in on dry surfaces. From its impressive straight-lining acceleration to solid cornering grip, it felt as if my vehicle was glued to the road.

They delivered quick steering responses, making it easy to move and change directions. What impressed me most about these tires is how well they performed under hard and fast braking.

I didn’t experience any skidding or similar issues, even when I was bringing the car to a stop at high speeds.

With a set of this tire on your vehicle, you can expect enhanced handling as well as better ride stability.

So, if you own a fast and powerful sports car outfitted with a powerful engine, then you will enjoy this tire’s high-speed handling.

Compared to other ultra-high performance tires I’ve sampled, I can say, without any doubt, that the Continental ExtremeContact Sport is one of the best in its class.

Wet Performance

The predecessor to this tire, that’s the ExtremeContact DW, was one of the best performers in wet conditions.

The good news is, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport has managed to improve upon its predecessor’s wet weather performance.  

During my test ride, this tire performed remarkably well in wet conditions. It cuts through wet surfaces like a hot knife through butter.

I didn’t experience any loss of traction, grip or braking power. It handled wet surfaces with confidence, even on slippery roads.

Compared to some of the other UHP tires that I’ve tested in wet conditions, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport remains one of the best performers. If I was to rate it on a scale of one to ten, I would give it an eight. Its wet performance was that impressive.

Performance in Snow

The Continental ExtremeContact Sport is marketed as an ultra-high performance-touring tire. And this means it’s mainly engineered for dry conditions. So, can you use it for driving in snowy conditions?

I didn’t get an opportunity to test this tire in snowy conditions. However, the majority of drivers who have used this tire in snowy conditions note that it’s extremely poor.

It only supplies a small amount of traction, which may not guarantee safe driving in snow and ice.

So, if you live in one of the areas around the country that experience heavy snowing during winter, you should equip your vehicle with a proper set of snow or winter tires.

Off-Road Driving

The Continental ExtremeContact Sport is not an off-roading tire. It lacks the adequate tread to deliver usable traction in off-road terrains.

Furthermore, the tread compound used to make this tire is not resistant to chips, cuts and punctures from rocks and other types of elements.

Therefore, using this tire for off-roading will shorten its tread life considerably. Also, you will void its warranty, since it’s not built to be used in such terrains.

So, if you are an off-roading enthusiast, it will be highly advisable to outfit your vehicle with a dedicated set of off-road tires.

Ride Quality

As earlier noted, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport is a UHP summer touring tire. And as a touring tire, it should deliver a comfortable and refined rid. So, does it deliver on this promise?

Without a doubt, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport delivers a comfortable and refined ride. While its ride may not be as refined as that of a standard all-season touring tire, you will not experience excessive road noise or too many vibrations.

Whether you are driving on the highway or on city streets, you will enjoy every mile on the road when your vehicle is rolling on a set of these tires.

Warranties and Guarantees

The Continental ExtremeContact Sport is covered by Continental’s Total Confidence Plan.

The Total Confidence Plan features several warranties and guarantees, designed to protect buyers against loss after buying the brand’s tires.

This plan features a materials and workmanship warranty, mileage warranty, road hazard coverage, roadside assistance service and customer satisfaction guarantee.

Workmanship and Materials Warranty

Continental stands behind this tire with a 72-month workmanship and materials warranty.

Under this warranty, Continental promises to replace your ExtremeContact Sport tire, if it becomes unserviceable due to materials and workmanship defects.

The replacement can be free of charge or on a pro-rata basis, depending on when the tire is removed from service.

Free Replacement

If your Continental ExtremeContact Sport is removed from service due to materials and workmanship defects during its first 2/32-inch of the original usable tread or within its first 12 months from the purchase date, Continental will replace it with a comparable new tire, free of charge.

Continental will also take care of the tire’s mounting and balancing, while the buyer will pay for applicable taxes and related service charges.

Pro-Rated Replacement

If the tire is removed from service outside the free replacement window, Continental will replace it on a pro-rated basis. And this means you will contribute a certain percentage of the tire’s replacement costs.

An authorized Continental tire dealer will determine the amount you will contribute towards the tire’s replacement by multiplying the percentage of the original usable tread worn off the tire by its current selling price.

You will also pay for the tire’s shipping charges as well as mounting, balancing, applicable taxes and miscellaneous service fees.

Coverage extends for three years from the tire’s purchase date or until it’s worn down to its treadwear maintenance indicators, whichever comes first.

Treadwear Warranty

Also known as mileage warranty, this warranty helps to cushion buyers against loss, if a particular tire wears down to its treadwear maintenance indicators before attaining the promised mileage.

The Continental ExtremeContact Sport comes with a 30,000-mile treadwear warranty. So, if it wears down completely without hitting 30,000 miles, it will be eligible to be replaced.

Continental doesn’t offer a free tire replacement with this warranty. Instead, all replacements will be purely on a pro-rata basis.

Therefore, Continental and the buyer will share the tire’s replacement costs.  An authorized Continental tire dealer will determine the buyer’s replacement amount.

The figure is arrived at by multiplying the percentage of the original warranted mileage the tire has delivered by its current selling price.

For example, your Continental ExtremeContact Sport may wear out down to its treadwear maintenance indicators, after only attaining 15,000 miles. And this means that it has only delivered 50% of the warranted mileage.

Assuming that the tire is currently retailing at $300, you will contribute approximately $150 for the tire’s replacement while Continental will cover the rest.

You will also pay for the tire’s shipping, mounting, balancing, applicable taxes and any other cost that may be incurred during its replacement.

Road Hazard Coverage

The Continental ExtremeContact Sport is also eligible for Continental’s road hazard coverage.

As the name suggests, this warranty is designed to cushion you against loss, if your Continental ExtremeContact Sport tire becomes unserviceable due to road hazards.

Under the road hazard coverage, Continental commits to replace your ExtremeContact Sport tire with a comparable new one, if it’s removed from service due to road hazards like punctures, bruises, snags, impact breaks or cuts.

You will be responsible for the tire’s shipping, demounting, and mounting charges. Also, you will pay for disposal fees, applicable taxes and other service fees that may arise during the tire’s replacement.

Coverage under this warranty extends for 12 months from the tire’s purchase date or during its first 2/32-inch of the original usable tread.

Flat Tire Roadside Assistance Service

Like most of the other tires from this manufacturer, the Continental ExtremeContact Sport also qualifies for the company’s Flat Tire Roadside Assistance service. This service is designed to help the tire buyer in case they encounter a flat when driving.

To qualify for this service, you will first need to register online via the company’s website. To register, you will be asked to provide your purchase receipt, your vehicle information number (VIN) as well as your vehicle’s make and model.

If the registration is successful, you will now enjoy 24/7 flat tire roadside assistance service, provided via third-party independent contractors.

It’s important to mention that every tire change comes with a $200 limit. So, if the service exceeds this amount, you will have to cover the balance out of pocket.

Also, you will need a properly inflated spare tire. If you currently don’t have a properly inflated tire or the vehicle has several tires, this service will cover its towing to the nearest auto repair shop.

The towing service offered comes with a 150-mile radius. So, if the towing exceeds the covered 150 miles, you will have to cover the additional mileage out of pocket.

Customer Satisfaction Trial

All brand passenger and light truck tires from this brand come with a 60-day customer satisfaction trial.

Hence, if you buy a set of four Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires and you are not satisfied with their performance, you are free to return them within 60 days from the purchase date, and you will get an exchange.

You can opt to exchange the tires with a comparable set or choose a different type of tires, as long as they are from this brand.

If you decide to exchange them with another costlier set, you will be required to pay the difference. You will also pay for the tires’ shipping as well as all applicable taxes.

In case you decide to choose a cheaper set of tires than the Continental ExtremeContact Sport, the dealer will issue a refund for the price difference.

You should note that this guarantee will only apply if you buy a set of four new Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires. You will be required to pay all applicable taxes for the tires.

Sizes and Fitment

The Continental ExtremeContact Sport is available in more than 70 sizes, ranging from 15 inches to 20 inches.

With such a vast size range, it shouldn’t be hard to find a tire that fits your vehicle. Some of the vehicles that this tire can fit include:

• Chevrolet Malibu, Sonic, Cruze, Cobalt, Impala, Cruze Limited, Impala Limited, Caprice, Malibu Limited, SS, Colorado Camaro and Corvette
• Audi S6, A3, TT Quattro, A3 Quattro, A4 Allroad, A5, A6 Quattro, A5 Sportback, A7 Quattro, Q3 Quattro, S5 Sportback, TT RS Quattro, S7, R8,  A4, S4, and A3
• Honda CRZ, Civic and Accord
• Jaguar XJ, XE, E-Pace, XJR, XK, XFR, XF, F-Type, XKR-S
• Dodge Charger, Dart and Challenger
• Aston Martin Rapid, Vanquish, DBS, Giulia, V8 Vantage, DB9, V12 Vantage, DB11, Virage, and Vantage
• Lotus Evora, Elise, Exige, and Evora GT
• Kia Soul, Rondo, Optima, Rio, Forte5, K900, Cadenza, Rio5, Stinger, Soul, Forte Koup, Niro, K5 and Forte
• Lincoln MKZ, MKS, Corsair, MKC, Continental
• Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Regal Sportback, Envision, Regal TourX, Cascada, and Verano
• Acura RSX, RL, TL, TSX, TLX, NSX, ZDX and ILX
• Ford Fiesta, Fusion, GT, EcoSport, Taurus, Fiesta, Escape, Mustang Mach-E, Focus and Mustang
• Mitsubishi Eclipse
• Scion tC and xB
• Lexus IS300, IS250, IS350, GS350
• Subaru WRX STI, Legacy and Impreza
• Volvo S80, S60, C70 and S80
• Porsche Cayman, 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, 718 Spyder, 911, Panamera, Taycan and, 918 Spyder
• Hyundai Genesis, Sonata, Tiburon, Genesis, Equus, Azera, Elantra GT, Azera, Sonata, Veloster N, Ioniq, Veloster and Elantra
• Cadillac CTS, CT5, CT4, CT6, XT4, STS, XTS, ELR,  and ATS
• Toyota Prius, Corolla, Prius C, Matrix, Yaris, Corolla iM, GR Supra, 86, Camry, Matrix and Avalon
• Nissan Leaf, Juke, Versa, GT-R, Altima, 370Z, Maxima, 350Z and Sentra
• Saab 9-3X, 9-3 and 9-5
• Mini Cooper Paceman, Countryman, and Clubman
• Tesla Roadster, Model 3 and Model Y
• Infiniti M56, G37, Q60, M37, Q50, Q70L, and QX30
• Land Rover Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque
• Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mazda5, RX-8 and Mazda3
• Lamborghini Gallardo, Huracan, and Aventador
• Chrysler PT Cruiser, 300, 200, and SS
• Volkswagen Touareg, Beetle, Jetta, Golf, Rabbit, CC Sport and Passat

Continental ExtremeContact Sport Price Range

The Continental ExtremeContact Sport is currently going for around $120 to $400. The actual cost will vary from one wheel size to the other. And as you may expect, the bigger the wheel size, the higher the cost.

Continental ExtremeContact Sport Pros

• Excellent handling and traction on dry surfaces
• Outstanding wet traction
•  Top-notch cornering grip
• Precise, quick and responsive steering
• Quiet and comfortable ride

Continental ExtremeContact Sport Cons

• Not ideal for wintry conditions

Should You Buy the Continental ExtremeContact Sport?

If you own a sports car, sedan or coupe and are looking for a UHP tire that can guarantee maximum dry and wet performance, high-speed handling and stability, excellent cornering grip as well as a comfortable and refined ride, then the Continental ExtremeContact Sport.