Comparison: Gt Radial Fe2 vs. Continental PremiumContact 7 vs. Falken e.Ziex

GT Radial FE2 and Continental PremiumContact 7 target different niches of the summer tyre market—FE2 as a UHP-oriented option and PremiumContact 7 as a high-end touring tyre—but many buyers will cross-shop them for balanced road performance. Below is a concise, test-based comparison to help you choose the right fit.

Manufacturers: Continental produces the PremiumContact 7 across several European plants (FR, SK, DE, CZ), while the FE2 comes from GT Radial. As of publication, neither tyre has been replaced by a newer model. Note: PremiumContact 7 is the successor to the PremiumContact 6 and ContiPremiumContact 5.

Head-to-head test results
Across comparable tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 consistently outperforms the GT Radial FE2, particularly in safety-critical disciplines:

• Autobild (55 tyres tested): PremiumContact 7 – 1st; GT Radial FE2 – 19th. Continental excelled with standout dry and wet braking and wet circle performance, confirming class-leading grip and control. FE2 finished mid-pack without category wins.


• Autobild 2024 summaries: FE2 praised for good wet and dry handling, a pleasant balance, and low rolling resistance, but noted for extended wet braking and only average aquaplaning resistance. PremiumContact 7 earned accolades for exemplary wet and dry performance, with the shortest braking distances and good mileage.


• TyreReviews.com 2023: PremiumContact 7 delivered the highest overall wet grip, a clear lead in wet braking with joint-fastest wet handling, plus the shortest dry braking and best dry handling. Trade-offs included average rolling resistance, average aquaplaning resistance, and increased external noise. The FE2 was not ranked in this particular test.

What the data says about each tyre
Continental PremiumContact 7 — Strengths:

• Class-leading safety: repeatedly the shortest braking on wet and dry and top-tier handling stability.


• Wet mastery: highest wet grip scores and wet-cornering confidence across tests.


• All-rounder for daily use: strong results coupled with good mileage make it a premium touring benchmark.

• Efficiency/noise trade-offs: only average rolling resistance and aquaplaning resistance, with elevated external noise in some tests.

GT Radial FE2 — Strengths:

• Balanced handling in both wet and dry, with agreeable steering feel.


• Low rolling resistance, appealing for efficiency-focused drivers.

• Extended wet braking distances versus the best-in-class, affecting safety margins in the rain.


• Average aquaplaning resistance, limiting confidence at higher speeds in standing water.

Verdict: which tyre wins overall?
If your priority is maximum safety and performance in real-world conditions, the Continental PremiumContact 7 is the clear winner, dominating mutual tests—most notably taking 1st of 55 at Autobild—thanks to unrivaled braking and handling on both wet and dry roads. The GT Radial FE2 offers a well-balanced drive with lower rolling resistance, making it a reasonable choice for drivers emphasizing efficiency and everyday comfort, provided you accept longer wet braking and only average aquaplaning performance.

Bottom line: choose PremiumContact 7 for top-tier safety and driving precision; choose FE2 if you value efficiency and balanced handling at the expense of ultimate wet-braking performance.