Hello and welcome to my Continental SureContact RX review.
High-performance tires are the favorites of car enthusiasts – they offer much better handling responsiveness than almost every other tire so that if you drive a sports car, or sport-focused compact car or sedan, you should definitely think about trying high-performance tires.
But not all high-performance tires are created equally. Even in this seemingly tight category, you can find wildly different price points. Price does make a difference, but what about the premium class where almost every tire is priced equally.
In this review, I am going to write about one of the premium high-performance tires, the Continental SureContact RX. This is a tire that tries to do seemingly everything – excellent handling in dry and wet conditions, better traction and braking performance in snow conditions, and improved tread life. This is something that is not as easily achievable as some would think, but if someone can do it, it’s certainly Continental.
The SureContact RX is made for owners of midsize and executive sedans, sports sedans, sports coupes, and even sporty crossovers. It’s available in sizes ranging from 16”-20”, and is priced a tad lower when compared to the likes of Michelin and Bridgestone. Sure, it is expensive, but read on down below to find out why it is absolutely worth the money.
Continental SureContact RX Overview
According to Continental, the SureContact RX provides precise handling, security on slippery roads and excellent tread life. It is rated as an ultra-high-performance tire, which means that it will appeal to more aggressive drivers and vehicles with lot more power under the hood.
To achieve the ultra-high-performance moniker, the SureContact is equipped with SportPlus RX technology that improves tread life, enhances grip on very slippery roads, and provides the driver with responsive handling and precise steering control. The traction grooves and biting edges with traction teeth in pattern grooves, together with additional sipes dramatically improve braking performance, high-speed cornering, and acceleration in the snow.
Continental wouldn’t be one of the most innovative companies in the world if it weren’t for some other interesting technologies, such as the QuickView indicator. This indicator shows the driver if the wheels are perfectly aligned so that they don’t degrade very quickly.
When you look at the indicators, you will surely notice the tread design. It’s like Continental made a combination of a high-performance summer tire, heavy rain tire, and winter tire. It looks certainly looks impressive, but what it does is even more impressive. Here are my impressions.
Continental SureContact RX Review
Treadwear and Durability
I’ve said this hundreds of times by now – high-performance tires degrade more quickly than touring tires. However, this is a Continental we’re talking about here. I’ll not lie to you – if your primary concern is durability and extended tread life, grand-touring tires are the best bet. But if you want maximum driving enjoyment and durable tire, the SureContact RX is one of the best out there.
Even when driven hard, the SureContact can last a very long time. If you use it only in the summer, it will easily last for several years, but it may lose its snow abilities by year two. That’s a better result than most tires in this class and price range – most competitors lose even dry grip much sooner. And when compared to budget offerings in the ultra-high-performance sector, the Continental is simply on another level.
Dry Traction and Grip
If you’re looking for a high-performance tire, chances are you drive your car vigorously in the corners. Well, one of the best tools to tackle those corners is the Continental SureContact RX tire. It provides the driver with an amazing grip in dry weather – you can enter the corners with higher speeds and press on that gas pedal much sooner. The tires will just bite the asphalt and you can get ready for the next corner.
And it’s not just the grip. The response this tire has is up there with the best sports tires. Every steering input you make will be instantly transferred to the pavement, with a precision that most tires lack. The SureContact RX is also very controllable at the limit and provides great high-speed stability. Absolutely one of the best tires if you’re into performance driving. Of course, all of this translates into much safer everyday driving.
Wet Traction
All that I said about dry performance, translates into wet performance, and then more. Continental has always differentiated itself from the competitors with excellent traction in the rain, and the SureContact is a perfect example of that. This is one of the safest tires I’ve driven in wet conditions, period. It has great traction and response, short braking distances, and it resists hydroplaning very well.
Snow Traction and Braking Performance
A high-performance all-season tire that can tackle the snow? It may sound like a dream, but you’ll be surprised at how good the SureContact RX is in winter conditions. If you set your expectations right and you don’t expect it to replace your winter tires, they can provide you with very good traction in light snow and good braking performance.
I would still strongly recommend replacing them with winter tires if you live in areas with a lot of snow in the winter, but if it snows only several days a year in your area, you might get away with the SureContact RX.
Comfort & Noise
No one buys high-performance tires for comfort and quietness and the SureContact RX will not change that. When compared to other tires in this category they’re reasonably comfortable and quiet, but far from the level of refinement, a proper grand-touring tire will give you. That said, most premium sedans have better sound insulation and more advanced suspension systems, so the tires will not make that big of a difference.
Continental SureContact RX Review: Conclusion
The SureContact RX is definitely one of the best ultra-high-performance tires. Dry handling is excellent, up there with the best-in-class tires, while wet performance is on top of everyone else. I also liked that it does provide good traction in the winter as well and that it’s durable for what it is. The price is high, especially on larger models, but it’s still a bit lower than competing tires from Michelin and Bridgestone. Highly recommended without any reservation.
Thanks for reading and I hope you found this Continental SureContact RX review helpful. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
Pros:
- Excellent handling response and steering precision
- High-speed stability
- Best-in-class wet performance
- Provides traction on light snow
- Durable for an ultra-high-performance tire
Cons:
- A tad loud on the highway