You're viewing new Continental CrossContact UHP Tire | 285/50R18 | SL | Manufacturer Part No 03149850000.
Continental CrossContact UHP 285/50R18 109W — Ultra High Performance SUV Tire
A proven wide-footprint W-rated UHP fitment for premium midsize SUVs on 18-inch wheels, combining high load capacity with confident performance SUV handling. The Continental CrossContact UHP brings the brand's motorsport compound expertise to the premium SUV segment — delivering the confident high-speed dynamics, short wet stopping distances, and consistent dry grip that drivers of performance-oriented luxury SUVs increasingly expect from a tire that must also carry a full family and their gear in everyday use.
Ultra High Performance Handling
The 285/50R18 is a classic high-performance SUV size that combines a wide 285mm tread with a taller 50-series sidewall — delivering load-carrying structural strength alongside confident handling. Continental's asymmetric tread pattern provides strong lateral grip for sport-tuned SUVs while maintaining effective wet-road drainage through four circumferential channels. Continental's asymmetric tread pattern positions its highest-rigidity block geometry on the outer shoulder, resisting lateral deformation during cornering and maintaining a consistent contact patch shape at high lateral g-loads. The result is steering feedback that remains precise and informative throughout the full cornering arc — from initial turn-in to apex and exit.
Wet Weather Safety
At the speeds performance SUVs travel on US interstates and expressways, wet-road safety margins are critical. The CrossContact UHP's four circumferential grooves create high-volume water evacuation channels that pump water continuously away from the contact patch. Wide angled lateral channels assist in slush and spray management, while the inner tread zone's sipe architecture provides micro-grip on damp and rain-covered pavement. The compound's silica formulation maintains wet friction even as temperatures rise during sustained high-speed driving.
Ride Comfort & NVH
Continental's pitch-sequence noise engineering minimizes tread pattern resonance at highway speeds, keeping interior noise levels appropriate for the premium cabin environments of luxury SUVs. The tire's carcass compliance is tuned to absorb road surface imperfections without transmitting harshness into the cabin — preserving the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) standards that define vehicles in this segment.
Tire Specifications
- Size: 285/50R18
- Load Index: 109 — 2270 lbs per tire
- Speed Rating: W — up to 168 mph
- Construction: Standard Load
- OE / Special Markings: None
- Type: Ultra High Performance (UHP) — Summer / All-Season
Standard construction delivers reliable high-speed performance within the load parameters of this vehicle category.
Compatible US Vehicles
The 285/50R18 fitment is used on a range of premium performance SUVs. Compatible models include:
- BMW X5 48V (E53) — standard
- Porsche Cayenne S (9PA)
- Mercedes-Benz ML 500 (W163/W164)
- Volkswagen Touareg V8 (7L)
- Lexus GX 470 (J120)
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport 4.2 (L320)
Always verify your vehicle's correct tire size on the door-jamb sticker or owner's manual. For vehicles with OE or N-marked tire requirements, confirm the correct approval marking before purchasing a replacement.
