Who makes Continental tyres?

Continental is a German company founded in Hanover in 1871, making it one of the oldest and largest tyre makers in the world. It’s also a giant automotive supplier — brakes, electronics and safety systems — which feeds real engineering depth into its tyres. Continental is common original-equipment (OE) fitment on European cars from Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. As with every brand sold here, Continentals sold in Australia are imported.

What tier is Continental?

Continental is a premium, Tier 1 brand, sitting alongside Michelin, Bridgestone and Goodyear. It competes at the top of the market on performance and safety rather than price.

Are Continental tyres good — especially in the wet?

Wet braking is Continental’s signature strength. Its tyres regularly top independent wet-performance tests and it is one of the brands to beat when the road turns greasy — which matters in a Queensland summer downpour or a Melbourne winter. On Tyre Review Australia Continental scores around 76% overall across 400-plus reviews, with dry grip about 87% and wet about 83% (a guide only). Treadwear and value rate a little lower (around 71%) — the trade-off for premium, grip-biased compounds and a premium price. Newer ranges are engineered to be EV-ready, with the higher load capacity and low noise that heavier electric cars need.

What are Continental’s main tyre ranges in Australia?

Range	Type	Typical use
PremiumContact 6 / 7	Premium touring	Sedans, prestige cars
UltraContact UC6 / UC7	Value-premium touring	Everyday passenger cars, SUVs
ComfortContact	Comfort touring	Quiet, comfortable commuting
SportContact 6 / 7	Ultra-high-performance	Sports and performance cars
CrossContact / ContiCrossContact	SUV / 4WD	Highway and light off-road SUVs
EcoContact 6	Low rolling resistance	Fuel and EV economy
VanContact	Commercial	Vans and light commercials

The PremiumContact and UltraContact families are the ones most Australian sedan and SUV drivers will shortlist. Both appear in our guides to the best wet-weather tyres for a sedan and the best wet-weather tyres for a small SUV, while the EcoContact is a contender in the best fuel-efficient tyres for a hatchback and the ComfortContact suits anyone chasing the quietest ride.

What do Continental tyres cost?

As a 2026 guide, expect Continental passenger tyres from roughly $180–$400 a corner, with larger SUV and performance sizes higher again. As with any tyre, check the load index against your placard — an XL / reinforced tyre may be required — and ask for the fitted, out-the-door price. Confirm current pricing with your retailer.

Bottom line

Continental is a genuine premium brand and arguably the benchmark for wet braking. If safety in the rain, comfort and a quiet cabin top your list — and the premium price fits your budget over the life of the tyre — it’s one of the best choices on the market. See how it stacks up against the other giants in our Michelin vs Continental and Continental vs Goodyear comparisons.

Frequently asked questions

Are Continental tyres made in Australia?

No. Continental tyres sold here are imported from its global factories; no passenger tyres have been manufactured in Australia since 2010.

Are Continental tyres the best in the wet?

Continental is consistently among the top brands for wet braking in independent testing, along with Michelin. It’s a leading choice if wet-weather safety is your priority.

Are Continental tyres good for EVs?

Yes. Continental’s newer ranges are engineered to handle the extra weight, instant torque and noise sensitivity of electric cars, and several are available in the higher load ratings heavier EVs need.

Why are Continental tyres more expensive?

They’re a premium brand using grip-biased compounds and advanced construction. The trade-off is sometimes slightly shorter tread life, so compare on cost per kilometre rather than the sticker price. Always keep tread above the 1.5mm legal minimum.