Continental VikingContact 8 vs Cooper Evolution Winter tires

Since the 1870s, Continental has been offering quality tires and stands as one of the best tire manufacturers in the world. Headquartered in Hanover, Germany, Continental is one of the apex tire manufacturers when it comes to innovations and technological advancements. It focuses on offering a high-end driving experience with its excellent tire choices, which incorporate new-age features. In the US market, Continental offers all-season, winter, UHP summer, UHP all-season, all-weather, all-terrain, and various other tire types suitable for use on passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, commercial vehicles, farm applications, and industrial equipment.

Cooper is another well-known American tire manufacturer that has been serving since 1914 and is committed to offering high-quality tires with an array of advanced features and technologies. It has different tire lines that meet diversified needs, like the ProControl and Endeavor for everyday passenger cars, and Zeon for a spirited driving experience. Cooper primarily caters to the needs of passengers, CUVs, SUVs, light trucks, and commercial vehicles, and its tires fall in categories like all-season, all-terrain, winter, mud-terrain, commercial van, all-weather, UHP all-season, rugged-terrain, racing, and UHP summer.

Here, in this comparison, we will be comparing two highly capable winter tires from Continental and Cooper, which are the VikingContact 8 and the Evolution Winter, respectively. These two competitors are known for driving on snowy and icy roads during the winter weather. While the Continental tire picked for the comparison is studless, the Cooper tire comes with a studdable tread pattern to provide confident traction and grip. Both tires are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake approved for use in winter weather conditions.

In this VikingContact 8 vs Evolution tires comparison, we will help you make an informed choice by providing you with a comparative analysis of the tires’ traction, handling, longevity, and overall abilities based on our proprietary tire rating system SimpleScore. So, read on and pick the tire that better aligns with your driving style, needs, and budget.

Continental VikingContact 8 tires

First, we will know a few things about the Continental VikingContact 8 before diving deep into the comparison. This tire was launched in February 2024 and is suitable for use on passenger cars, EVs, and plug-in hybrids. With Continental’s innovative features and advanced technologies, it promises confident driving in extreme winter weather in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, it is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake approved for use in winter weather and sports a unique tread pattern with a new-gen rubber compound for maximum flexibility to adapt to harsh Nordic winter environments. It is also optimized for quieter and more comfortable drives, and its low rolling resistance makes it fuel-efficient, further complementing its value.

Overall, the VikingContact 8 earns an 8.8 SimpleScore because of its excellent winter traction, great handling, and long-lasting tread life.

Get Continental VikingContact 8 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Cooper Evolution Winter tires

The Cooper Evolution Winter has been in the market for some time and is a studdable winter tire that’s suitable for use on sedans, CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks. This tire can be pinned with TSMI #12 studs for extra traction in deep snow and ice, and is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rated for confident driving in winter conditions. Cooper has optimized this winter tire for strong winter stability, exceptional ride control in snow, solid traction, improved braking performance, and solid grip.

Overall, the Evolution Winter achieves a great 8.5 SimpleScore, thanks to its long-lasting tread life, dependable handling, and solid winter traction.

Get Cooper Evolution Winter tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Continental VikingContact 8 vs Cooper Evolution Winter tires on traction

In this section, we will be comparing the traction abilities of both tires to help you understand which one runs glued on snow or ice better in severe winter conditions.

Commencing with the VikingContact 8, the tire is rated an excellent 9.3 SimpleScore in traction, assuring outstanding grip and traction on snowy and icy roads in winter weather. This tire features an innovative tread pattern and adaptive tread compound for improved surefootedness, and the presence of 3D sipes, snow edges, and three-layer sipes on the shoulders ensures excellent traction in snowy, icy, and slushy conditions. The rubber compound of the VikingContact 8 is optimized for flexibility in low temperatures, ensuring better grip and performance. Likewise, its lateral grooves improve water and slush channelling from the contact patch for increased traction and grip.

On the other hand, the Evolution Winter scores an impressive 8.4 in traction for consistent grip and traction in winter weather conditions. It features multi-angled corrugated siping for increased biting and traction performance during turns and straightaways. Likewise, its studdable tread pattern improves its ability to lock the surface better for extra traction in snow. All thanks to the proprietary Snow-Groove Technology, it ensures better surface-biting ability on snow and ice. Additionally, the presence of the sawtooth center rib also contributes to better surface control for enhanced traction in winter weather.

In traction, it is the VikingContact 8 that excels with a higher rating in winter, outperforming the Cooper winter tire.

ADVANTAGE: Continental VikingContact 8

Continental VikingContact 8 vs Cooper Evolution Winter tires on handling

Now, let’s take a look at the handling performances of both tires and find out which one is better when it comes to steering response, braking performance, lane changing, stability, ride control, and cornering.

Starting with the VikingContact 8, it scores an 8.8 in handling and assures crisp steering response on snowy and icy roads. Its optimized tread pattern reduces noise levels to provide better ride comfort, while the sipes improve ride control and braking on wet and icy surfaces. Its wide and flat contact patch improves stability and handling response, and likewise, the solid, extended shoulder blocks improve cornering ability by resisting the tread pressures.

Contrarily, the Evolution Winter has an 8.2 SimpleScore in handling, which is good enough to prove that the tire responds well to steering commands. The sawtooth center rib allows this tire to maintain optimum stability and control in wintry conditions, while the Snow-Groove Technology takes responsibility for improving handling and stopping performance in deep snow. As the tire is studdable with TSMI #12 studs, it ensures better ride control and extra stopping ability on snow and ice. Additionally, confident cornering is assured by the tire’s multi-angled corrugated siping.

As indicated by the SimpleScores, the VikingContact 8 maintains its supremacy in the handling area too, while the Evolution Winter returns satisfactory performance in this area.

ADVANTAGE: Continental VikingContact 8

Continental VikingContact 8 vs Cooper Evolution Winter tires on longevity

Longevity is another key area that helps a tire buyer find a long-lasting tire. In our analysis, we found an interesting shift in the performance of these tires. Here’s our detailed longevity comparison:

First, let’s talk about the VikingContact 8, which is rated an 8.2 SimpleScore and hints at a decent service life. The construction of the tire is energy efficient for a controlled wear rate, and likewise, its rolling resistant rubber compound further boosts its ability to last longer. The tread of the VikingContact 8 and robust inner construction keep the tire in shape for a long-lasting service, and similarly, the flat contact patch also prevents premature wear.

On the other hand, the Evolution Winter scores an 8.9 SimpleScore in longevity. Thanks to the wide and flat contact patch, the tire wears evenly for a long-lasting service, and its sipes are arranged to keep the tread in shape for longer wear. The inner construction and robust rubber compound also allow the tire to serve longer in wintry conditions.

In longevity, it is the Evolution Winter that beats the VikingContact 8 and offers extended service life.

ADVANTAGE: Cooper Evolution Winter

When to use each

Both the VikingContact 8 and the Evolution Winter fall in the winter tire category and are suitable for driving on snow and ice-covered roads in winter weather, in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. While both are Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and are good for driving in extreme winter environments, the Evolution Winter offers the additional convenience of pinning the studs (where permitted by law), whereas the Continental tire is studless but outshines in performance front, maintaining its top-tier class. These tires should be used only if you live in a region that witnesses snowfall or severe winter weather for 6 or more months. If you want tires for mild winter conditions, you can choose from all-weather or all-season tire choices available on the market.

Talking about rim sizes, the VikingContact 8 is available in 15- to 22-inch rim sizes, whereas the Evolution Winter is available in 15- to 20-inch rim choices.

Which one should you choose?

Looking at overall SimpleScores, the VikingContact 8 is better than the Evolution Winter (8.8 vs 8.4). However, both tires have their own strengths, and therefore, your decision to buy tires must be based on your driving preferences and budget.

Let’s talk about the prices of these tires. While the VikingContact 8 is available at a starting price of at least $209 per tire, the Evolution Winter is available at a starting price of at least $110 per tire. This means that a set of four VikingContact 8 tires can be purchased at a price of at least $836, whereas a set of four Evolution Winter tires is offered at a starting price of at least $440.

Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Continental VikingContact 8 if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Ford Escape, Chevrolet Cruze, or Subaru Crosstrek
• Need a tire that’s better in handling (8.8 vs 8.2)
• Need a tire that’s better in traction (9.3 vs 8.4)
• Need a tire in the rim size range of 15- to 22-inch
• Are comfortable paying more to buy an overall better tire with studless tread

On the other hand, you should consider the Evolution Winter if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Jeep Compass, Kia Sportage, or Lincoln MKZ.
• Want a tire that’s better in longevity (8.9 vs 8.2)
• Want a tire in the rim size range of 15- to 20-inch
• Want a decent performing studdable winter tire at a lesser price

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help, as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.