BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 vs Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- TR Score
- 8.3/10
- Owners say
- 89% · 30
- TR Score
- 7.2/10
- Owners say
- 70% · 12
In the 19 independent tests that ran both tyres, the BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 finished ahead 19 times and the Kristall Control HP2 not once. The gForce Winter 2 stopped 3.8% shorter in the wet; the Kristall Control HP2 lasted 10.1% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 for harsh or mixed winters, frequent wet roads, and maximum cold-weather safety. Choose Fulda Kristall Control HP2 for milder winters, budget-led purchases, and drivers prioritizing longer life and lower fuel use over ultimate wet/snow grip.
Where the gForce Winter 2 is stronger
- Class-leading wet braking and strong wet handling consistency (2-6% advantages in multiple tests)
- Outstanding snow performance (braking, traction, handling) with repeat test leadership
- Very good aquaplaning resistance and generally lower noise
Where the Kristall Control HP2 is stronger
- Lower rolling resistance in most tests and typically better purchase value
- Longer projected tread life in several independent wear assessments
- Good steering precision and stability on dry roads
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.
gForce Winter 2 vs Kristall Control HP2 at a glance
| Category | gForce Winter 2 | Gap | Kristall Control HP2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won19 shared tests | 19 | 0 | |
| Dry15 measurements | 8 | The gForce Winter 2 stopped 2.4% shorter in the dry (8 tests) | 7 |
| Wet41 measurements | 35 | The gForce Winter 2 stopped 3.8% shorter in the wet (16 tests) | 6 |
| Snow32 measurements | 27 | The gForce Winter 2 stopped 2.2% shorter on snow (16 tests) | 5 |
| Ice1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Comfort9 measurements | 8 | The gForce Winter 2 was 2.4 dB quieter (8 tests) | 1 |
| Value17 measurements | 6 | The Kristall Control HP2 lasted 10.1% longer in the wear tests (8 tests) | 11 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.3/10 | The gForce Winter 2 by 1.1 | 7.2/10 |
| Owner rating30 and 12 reviews | 89% | The gForce Winter 2 by 19 points | 70% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 100% | The gForce Winter 2 by 42 points | 58% |
| Pricein the 6 tests that listed prices | +13.8% | The gForce Winter 2 was dearer in 6 of 6 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 75 | 36 sizes made in both | 41 |
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 19 tests, 2017 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.
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 19 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
gForce Winter 2
Kristall Control HP2
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 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 5 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
gForce Winter 2
Kristall Control HP2
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
gForce Winter 2
Kristall Control HP2
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the gForce Winter 2 89% from 30 reviews and the Kristall Control HP2 70% from 12. 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 | gForce Winter 2 | Gap | Kristall Control HP2 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.41 | 2.4% | 46.53 | 7-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 110.9 | 0.3% | 111.2 | 1-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 41.93 | 3.8% | 43.58 | 16-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 41 | 2.6% | 42.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 73.33 | 2.5% | 71.54 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12.7 | 1.6% | 12.92 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 83.24 | 3.4% | 80.69 | 7-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.04 | 4.6% | 3.18 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25.7 | 2.2% | 26.31 | 14-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,289 | 2% | 2,263 | 5-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 60.13 | 1.7% | 59.14 | 5-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.37 | 1.9% | 3.31 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | 4.8% | 20 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 9.6% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 70.33 | 2.4 dB | 72.69 | 8-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40,043 | 10.1% | 43,800 | 3-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8.6 | 3.8% | 8.27 | 2-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.7 | 1.8% | 5.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56 | 13.8% | 65 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 gForce Winter 2 scores 8.3 and the Kristall Control HP2 7.2 out of 10.
| gForce Winter 2 | Category | Kristall Control HP2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Dry | 21 | ||
| 78 | Wet | 59 | ||
| 62 | Comfort | 11 | ||
| 49 | Value | 74 | ||
| 92 | Snow | 70 | ||
| 15 | Ice | 46 | ||
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
| gForce Winter 2 | Category | Kristall Control HP2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | Dry Grip | 8.1 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 7 | ||
| 7.9 | Road Feedback | 7.5 | ||
| 8.5 | Handling | 6.9 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 7.3 | ||
| 9.2 | Comfort | 7.4 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 6.1 | ||
| 8.8 | Ice Grip | 4.1 | ||
Owners rate the gForce Winter 2 89% from 30 reviews and the Kristall Control HP2 70% from 12. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
- 89%from 30 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 215,300 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally rate the BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 very highly, with repeated praise for confident traction on snow and ice and strong wet-weather performance with good aquaplaning resistance. Many also highlight excellent value for money, stable behavior in harsh winter conditions, and generally good comfort/quietness for a winter tyre. A smaller set of reviews note compromises on dry roads, describing softer handling, reduced steering/on-center response, and occasional higher noise depending on speed and surface.
- Excellent snow traction
- Strong ice grip for a studless winter tyre
- Very good wet grip and aquaplaning resistance
- Great price-to-performance/value
- Dry grip/handling is only average (softer feel, more roll than summer tyres)
- Reduced steering feedback/on-center response compared with other tyres
- Some report increased noise on certain surfaces/speeds (wet roads or above ~90 km/h)
Summarised by AI from 24 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 30 gForce Winter 2 reviewsI'm using on a Dacia Duster. Before, for winter, on this car I had Michelin Latitude Alpin 1 and Kleber Krisalp HP3 (same as Bf Goodrich). The snow grip was very good for 4 winters (same as Kleber), never let me down. The wet grip was also very good. But what surprised me a lot, was the emergency braking, that was very very good, on wet and dry. The only minus, was that I need to make some corrections on the directions compared with a summer touring tyre (michelin primacy 3 or hankook), but the care never lost control with those tyres, even if I drove too fast for it. In conclusion I will buy again (bf goodrich or kleber, in function of price).
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.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 75 sizes of the gForce Winter 2 and 41 of the Kristall Control HP2, 36 of them made in both.
| Category | gForce Winter 2 | Kristall Control HP2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 75 sizes, 14 to 20 inch | 41 sizes, 15 to 19 inch |
| Made in both | 36 sizes 195/50 R15195/55 R15195/65 R15205/65 R15195/45 R16195/50 R16195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16and 24 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B90%C10% | C83%B15%D2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D50%C48%B3% | C74%D20%B6% |
| EU label noise | 68-71 dB A80%B20% | 70-73 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 115 of 115 | 54 of 54 |
| On the market since | 2016 | 2021 |
| Replaced | - | Fulda Kristall Control HP (2021) |
| Price in the shared tests | The gForce Winter 2 was the dearer tyre in 6 of the 6 tests that listed prices, by 13.8% 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.
This head-to-head puts two long-running European winter staples under the microscope: BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2, a premium-touring winter tyre from the Michelin family, versus Fulda Kristall Control HP2, a Goodyear group high-performance winter option. Across 18 shared tests from 2017-2025 in sizes from 16-18 inches, we have a robust picture spanning dry, wet, snow/ice, comfort, wear, efficiency, and value.
Expect a clear split in character. The BFGoodrich consistently leads on objective safety metrics in the wet and on snow, often by 2-6% in braking and with strong aquaplaning reserves, while the Fulda counters with lower rolling resistance, longer projected life, and better purchase value. Dry handling feel is usually marginally better on the Fulda, but the BFGoodrich's all-weather stopping power and snow traction repeatedly translate into higher overall test finishes.
Conclusion
The data shows a decisive performance edge for the BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 in safety-critical areas: it dominates wet braking (15/15 wins), leads wet handling, straight aquaplaning, and is repeatedly among the best on snow for braking, traction, and handling. It also tends to run quieter. These gains are often meaningful (2-6% shorter stops), contributing to consistently higher overall rankings across years and sizes.
Fulda's Kristall Control HP2 makes its case on cost of ownership: stronger wear results in several tests, lower rolling resistance more often than not, and better value/price metrics. Steering precision in the dry is a recurring positive, but wet-grip shortfalls and unbalanced winter capability limit its confidence in harsher conditions. If you prioritize winter safety and wet-road competence, choose the BFGoodrich. If you drive in milder winters, value long life and lower running costs, and want a keener purchase price, the Fulda can fit the brief.
gForce Winter 2 vs Kristall Control HP2: your questions
Is the BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 or the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 the better tyre?
In the 19 independent tests that ran both tyres, the BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 finished ahead 19 times and the Kristall Control HP2 not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the gForce Winter 2 scores 8.3 and the Kristall Control HP2 7.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the gForce Winter 2 or the Kristall Control HP2?
The gForce Winter 2 led 35 of the 41 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.8% shorter in the wet across 16 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The gForce Winter 2 led 8 of the 15 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.4% shorter in the dry across 8 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The gForce Winter 2 led 27 of the 32 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.2% shorter on snow across 16 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Kristall Control HP2 lasted 10.1% longer in the wear tests (8 tests) and had 3.8% lower rolling resistance (7 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the gForce Winter 2 and 7.3/10 for the Kristall Control HP2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The gForce Winter 2 was 2.4 dB quieter (8 tests). Owners rate comfort 9.2/10 for the gForce Winter 2 and 7.4/10 for the Kristall Control HP2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the gForce Winter 2 89% from 30 reviews and the Kristall Control HP2 70% from 12. 100% of gForce Winter 2 owners would buy it again, against 58% for the Kristall Control HP2.
Which is more expensive?
In the 6 tests that listed prices, the gForce Winter 2 was the dearer tyre in 6 of them, by 13.8% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The gForce Winter 2 is made in 75 sizes (14 to 20 inch) and the Kristall Control HP2 in 41 (15 to 19 inch). 36 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the gForce Winter 2 is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Kristall Control HP2 C and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Kristall Control HP2 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the gForce Winter 2 in 2016. The Kristall Control HP2 replaced the Fulda Kristall Control HP.
More comparisons with these tyres
vs 
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 vs Kleber Krisalp HP3
13-5 in 20 shared tests
vs 
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3
5-3 in 8 shared tests
vs
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 vs Kleber Krisalp HP3
4-18 in 22 shared tests
vs 
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 vs Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
3-14 in 17 shared tests
vs
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3
0-7 in 7 shared tests
vs 
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
0-7 in 7 shared tests
vs
Barum Polaris 5 vs BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
0-13 in 13 shared tests
vs 
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 vs Semperit Speed Grip 5
1-8 in 9 shared tests
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.
Discussion