Firestone Winterhawk 4 vs Fulda Kristall Control HP2
The Firestone consistently delivers shorter wet braking and stronger wet handling/aquaplaning margins, while the Fulda often edges snow braking and shows notably longer mileage. Pricing sits close, so the choice hinges on your winter mix: frequent rain and slush versus mileage and light-to-moderate snow use.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been twelve tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Firestone Winterhawk 4 | nine | |
| Fulda Kristall Control HP2 | two | |
| one draws in one tests | ||
While it might look like the Firestone Winterhawk 4 is better than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Class-leading wet braking across tests (e.g., 34.8 m vs 36.9 m; 33.9 m vs 37.4 m)
- Stronger wet handling and straight aquaplaning margins
- Lower noise and generally better rolling resistance/fuel use
- Competitive snow traction/handling with balanced winter capability
- Consistently strong snow braking performance
- Excellent mileage and wear (often test-leading longevity)
- Stable, car-like dry handling feel and subjective comfort
- Good value for high-mile drivers despite mixed wet results
Dry Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 stopped the vehicle in 0.13% less distance than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Dry Braking: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during three dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was 0.5% faster around a lap than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from eleven tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during eleven wet braking tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 stopped the vehicle in 7.18% less distance than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Wet Braking: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during two wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 stopped the vehicle in 6.82% less distance than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during four wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was 2.74% faster around a wet lap than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 had 20.69% higher lateral wet grip than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Wet Circle: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during five straight aqua tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 floated at a 3.52% higher speed than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Straight Aqua: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 slipped out at a 6.29% higher speed than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from eleven tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during eight snow braking tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 stopped the vehicle in 1.34% less distance than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Snow Braking: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during three snow traction tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 had 0.26% better snow traction than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Snow Traction: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during three snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was 1.35% faster around a lap than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during two snow slalom tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was 1.21% faster through a slalom than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Snow Slalom: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during one ice braking tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 stopped the vehicle 1.35% shorter than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Ice Braking: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 scored 8.75% more points than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during six noise tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 measured 2.76% quieter than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Noise: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during four wear tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 is predicted to cover 12.78% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Wear: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during one value tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 proved to have a 0.1% better value based on price/1000km than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Value: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during one price tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 cost 3.03% less than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Price: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 had a 4.52% lower rolling resistance than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 and Fulda Kristall Control HP2 performed equally well in fuel consumption tests.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during two abrasion tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 emitted 16.77% less particle wear matter than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Abrasion: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Firestone Winterhawk 4 Driver Reviews
Drivers generally rate the Firestone Winterhawk 4 highly for everyday winter use, with strong confidence in snow and rain, short braking distances, and reassuring all-round performance. Many highlight its good value versus premium brands, along with a quiet, comfortable ride and responsive feel. Overall satisfaction is high across the majority of reviews.
Based on 5 reviews with an average rating of 79%
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 Driver Reviews
Drivers of the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 generally report strong wet and snow traction, predictable handling, and good comfort/noise levels, with several noting good value and even low rolling resistance. High-scoring reviews particularly praise its stability and confidence in winter conditions. A minority highlight longer-term issues, citing performance deterioration as the rubber hardens with age and instances of uneven rear wear/cupping that can raise noise. Overall sentiment skews moderately positive with some durability/aging caveats.
Based on 11 reviews with an average rating of 68%
Conclusion
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 counters with strengths in snow braking (wins most comparisons), very good projected mileage and wear, and decent dry composure. However, repeated wet-road shortcomings-longer wet stops and weaker lateral wet grip-limit its safety envelope in common winter conditions. If you prioritize longevity and operate in colder, drier climates with consistent snow but less rain, the Fulda can make sense; otherwise, Firestone's wet safety advantage is the more compelling everyday choice.
Key Differences
- Wet safety: Firestone wins wet braking in virtually all tests; Fulda lags by 5-13% in several key sizes.
- Snow focus: Fulda often stops shorter on snow; Firestone balances snow traction/handling but trails in snow braking.
- Dry behavior: Fulda tends to feel sharper on dry with slightly better handling; Firestone can feel soft/vague.
- Aquaplaning split: Firestone stronger in straight-line aquaplaning; Fulda occasionally better in curved aquaplaning.
- Noise/efficiency: Firestone is typically quieter and has lower rolling resistance/fuel use.
- Longevity: Fulda delivers clearly higher mileage and lower abrasion; Firestone's lifespan is mid-pack.
Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.