Fulda Kristall Control HP2 vs Semperit Speed Grip 5
- TR Score
- 7.2/10
- Owners say
- 70% · 12
- TR Score
- 8.5/10
- Owners say
- 92% · 3
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Semperit Speed Grip 5 finished ahead 8 times and the Kristall Control HP2 once. The Kristall Control HP2 lasted 5.6% longer in the wear tests; the Speed Grip 5 stopped 4.7% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Buy the Semperit Speed Grip 5. It won seven of the eight shared tests and sweeps wet braking, dry braking, dry handling and straight aquaplaning. The Fulda Kristall Control HP2 is the choice only if deep snow traction, comfort and purchase price outrank braking distance for you.
Where the Kristall Control HP2 is stronger
- Better snow traction in all four measurements, 2537N against 2436N at Auto Bild
- Won two of three snow slaloms and two of three snow handling comparisons
- Cheaper per 1000km in two of three calculations and rated more comfortable
Where the Speed Grip 5 is stronger
- Won seven of the eight shared tests, 3rd of 23 against 18th at Auto Bild in 2024
- Clean sweep of wet braking, eight measurements to nil, around 5.5 percent shorter
- Clean sweeps of dry braking, dry handling, straight aquaplaning and rolling resistance
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Kristall Control HP2 vs Speed Grip 5 at a glance
| Category | Kristall Control HP2 | Gap | Speed Grip 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won9 shared tests | 1 | 8 | |
| Dry7 measurements | 0 | The Speed Grip 5 stopped 2.7% shorter in the dry (4 tests) | 7 |
| Wet24 measurements | 3 | The Speed Grip 5 stopped 4.7% shorter in the wet (9 tests) | 21 |
| Snow19 measurements | 11 | 8 | |
| Ice1 measurement | 0 | Level between the two. | 0 |
| Comfort5 measurements | 2 | The Speed Grip 5 was 0.6 dB quieter (4 tests) | 3 |
| Value9 measurements | 2 | The Speed Grip 5 had 9.8% lower rolling resistance (3 tests) | 5 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.2/10 | The Speed Grip 5 by 1.3 | 8.5/10 |
| Owner rating12 and 3 reviews | 70% | The Speed Grip 5 by 22 points | 92% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Speed Grip 5 was dearer in 3 of 5 | +1.6% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 41 | 29 sizes made in both | 90 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 9 tests, 2022 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Kristall Control HP2 | Field | Speed Grip 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets | P26 of 50 | P13 of 50 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | P18 of 20 | P11 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P18 of 51 | P15 of 51 | |
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | P13 of 31 | P15 of 31 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P18 of 20 | P3 of 20 | |
| 2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test | P20 of 55 | P6 of 55 | |
| 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | P23 of 54 | P19 of 54 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P19 of 20 | P9 of 20 | |
| 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview | P18 of 56 | P10 of 56 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 9 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Kristall Control HP2
Speed Grip 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Kristall Control HP2
Speed Grip 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Kristall Control HP2
Not ahead in any category
Speed Grip 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Kristall Control HP2 70% from 12 reviews and the Speed Grip 5 92% from 3. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Kristall Control HP2 | Gap | Speed Grip 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46.25 | 2.7% | 45 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 115 | 0.6% | 115.7 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44.68 | 4.7% | 42.63 | 0-9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 40 | 6% | 37.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73.43 | 2.3% | 75.14 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.9 | 11.5% | 2.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.82 | 2.4% | 12.52 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 76.18 | 2.8% | 78.3 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.98 | 1.1% | 2.95 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 26.44 | = | 26.47 | 3-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,954 | 2.3% | 1,917 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 57.07 | 0.1% | 57.07 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.31 | 1.5% | 3.27 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 17 | = | 17 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 19.4% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.85 | 0.6 dB | 71.3 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 45,624 | 5.6% | 43,401 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.67 | 9.8% | 7.82 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.8 | = | 5.8 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69 | 4.3% | 66 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Kristall Control HP2 scores 7.2 and the Speed Grip 5 8.5 out of 10.
| Kristall Control HP2 | Category | Speed Grip 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Dry | 62 | ||
| 59 | Wet | 80 | ||
| 11 | Comfort | 25 | ||
| 74 | Value | 73 | ||
| 70 | Snow | 51 | ||
| 46 | Ice | 32 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Kristall Control HP2 | Category | Speed Grip 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | Dry Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 7 | Wet Grip | 9.7 | ||
| 7.5 | Road Feedback | 9 | ||
| 6.9 | Handling | 9 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 7.4 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 6.1 | Snow Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 4.1 | Ice Grip | 9.3 | ||
Owners rate the Kristall Control HP2 70% from 12 reviews and the Speed Grip 5 92% from 3. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- 70%from 12 reviews
- 58%would buy again
- 446,800 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally report the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 as a strong value winter tyre, with many high-scoring reviews praising confident wet-road grip, safe/predictable handling, good snow traction, and a quiet, comfortable ride. Several owners also find it competitive with more premium brands for everyday winter driving. A recurring concern is that performance can deteriorate noticeably with age as the compound hardens, leading to reduced wet/ice/snow grip after a few seasons/years for some users.
- Strong wet grip and stability
- Good snow traction and winter safety
- Predictable handling and secure steering feel
- Quiet and comfortable ride
- Grip can drop significantly as the tyre ages/hardens over multiple seasons
Summarised by AI from 11 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 12 Kristall Control HP2 reviewsOverall good, but really nothing stands out about this tyre. Reasonable wear, very good in dry, confident in wet, average in snow.
Reasonably quiet and comfortable.
Great buy at around EUR 83 for 205 60 16.
Semperit Speed Grip 5
- 92%from 3 reviews
- 20,500 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 Speed Grip 5 reviewsSehr guter Winterreifen im mittleren Preissegment. Fahre 100 km täglich durchs Mittelgebirge (Stadt, BAB, Bundesstraßen) und hatte nun alle Bedingungen: Schnee, Eis, Regen, Trockene Fahrbahn. Toller Grip auf Schnee und Eis bedeckten Straßen. Habe mich stehts sicher gefühlt.
215/55 R18 99V XL. Made in France. Neuprofiltiefe gemessene 8,7 mm. Nach 10500 km vorn 8,2 mm, hinten 8,0 mm bei sehr ruhigem, entspanntem Fahrstil. D. h. sehr wenig Verschleiß und hohe zu erwartende Laufleistung. Laufgeräusch ist wie bei allen Winterreifen hörbar, aber nicht sonderlich auffällig.
Bin sehr zufrieden, würde sie wieder kaufen.
Meine vorherigen Reifen Bridgestone LM001 mit 5 mm Profil, 2 Jahre alt, waren auf nasser und trockener Fahrbahn top, hatten aber bei Schnee und Matsch null Grip und drehten durch.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 41 sizes of the Kristall Control HP2 and 90 of the Speed Grip 5, 29 of them made in both.
| Category | Kristall Control HP2 | Speed Grip 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 41 sizes, 15 to 19 inch | 90 sizes, 14 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 29 sizes 195/50 R15195/55 R15195/65 R15195/50 R16195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16205/45 R17205/50 R17and 17 more | |
| EU label wet grip | C83%B15%D2% | C76%B24% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%D20%B6% | C70%D18%B12% |
| EU label noise | 70-73 dB B100% | 71-75 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 54 of 54 | 137 of 137 |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2021 |
| Replaced | Fulda Kristall Control HP (2021) | Semperit Speed Grip 3 (2017) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Speed Grip 5 was the dearer tyre in 3 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 1.6% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Eight shared tests, seven wins for the Semperit Speed Grip 5. Its best results are wide: 3rd of 23 against the Fulda Kristall Control HP2's 18th at Auto Bild in 2024, 6th of 55 against 20th in the 2024 braking test, 9th of 22 against 19th in 2022 and 10th of 57 against 18th in the market overview.
Wet braking decides it, and it is a clean sweep: the Semperit stopped shorter in all eight measurements, 54.5m against 57.7m at Auto Bild in 2025 and 34.9m against 36.9m in the braking test, both around 5.5 percent. It also won all four dry braking measurements, all three dry handling comparisons, all four straight aquaplaning runs and all three rolling resistance measurements.
The Fulda's answer is snow traction and price. It pulled harder in all four snow traction measurements, 2537N against 2436N at Auto Bild, won two of three snow slaloms and two of three snow handling comparisons, and it was cheaper per 1000km in two of three calculations.
Conclusion
The Semperit Speed Grip 5 is the stronger tyre, winning seven of the eight shared tests. The margins are often large: 3rd of 23 against the Fulda Kristall Control HP2's 18th at Auto Bild in 2024, 6th of 55 against 20th in the 2024 braking test, 9th of 22 against 19th at Auto Bild in 2022, 10th of 57 against 18th in the 2022 market overview, 11th of 22 against 18th in 2025 and 15th of 52 against 18th in the 2025 braking test. Wet braking is a clean sweep, eight measurements to nil, around 5.5 percent shorter in both 2025 tests, and so are dry braking, four to nil, dry handling, three to nil, straight aquaplaning, four to nil, and rolling resistance, three to nil, 8.15 against 8.9 kg/t. It also took five of eight snow brakings and was quieter in three of four noise measurements.
The Fulda Kristall Control HP2 wins where the snow is deep and at the till. It pulled harder in all four snow traction measurements, 2537N against 2436N at Auto Bild in 2025, took two of three snow slaloms, 2.99 against 2.8 m/sec2, and two of three snow handling comparisons, and its one test win came at ADAC in 2025, 13th of 31 against 15th. It was cheaper per 1000km in two of three calculations, 10 against 11.14 at Auto Bild in 2025, cheaper to buy, and Auto Bild's panel rated it more comfortable, 8 points against 6.7.
Note the shape of the split: the Fulda's strengths are in traction, where a tyre gets moving, while the Semperit's are in braking, where it stops. For most winter driving the braking numbers matter more, and the Semperit wins every single one of them. Buy the Semperit unless deep snow traction and comfort are your priorities.
Kristall Control HP2 vs Speed Grip 5: your questions
Is the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 or the Semperit Speed Grip 5 the better tyre?
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Semperit Speed Grip 5 finished ahead 8 times and the Kristall Control HP2 once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Kristall Control HP2 scores 7.2 and the Speed Grip 5 8.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Kristall Control HP2 or the Speed Grip 5?
The Speed Grip 5 led 21 of the 24 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.7% shorter in the wet across 9 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Speed Grip 5 led 7 of the 7 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.7% shorter in the dry across 4 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Kristall Control HP2 led 11 of the 19 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Kristall Control HP2 lasted 5.6% longer in the wear tests (4 tests); the Speed Grip 5 had 9.8% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the Kristall Control HP2 and 9/10 for the Speed Grip 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Speed Grip 5 was 0.6 dB quieter (4 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.4/10 for the Kristall Control HP2 and 8.3/10 for the Speed Grip 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Kristall Control HP2 70% from 12 reviews and the Speed Grip 5 92% from 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the Speed Grip 5 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 1.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Kristall Control HP2 is made in 41 sizes (15 to 19 inch) and the Speed Grip 5 in 90 (14 to 21 inch). 29 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Kristall Control HP2 is graded C for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Speed Grip 5 C and C.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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