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Comparison: Fulda Kristall Control HP2 vs. Sava Eskimo HP2 (2026)

3 mutual test(s) with detailed data

Fulda grips harder on snow; Sava lasts longer and brakes shorter on dry roads.

Both the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 and the Sava Eskimo HP2 occupy the budget winter segment, but they arrive with meaningfully different priorities. Fulda's offering leans hard into snow and winter traction, accepting compromises in dry handling and tyre life to deliver confident cold-weather performance. Sava, backed by the Goodyear group, takes a more balanced approach — stronger on dry roads, longer-lasting, and more fuel-efficient, but less dominant in deep winter conditions. Across 12 shared tests the Fulda finishes ahead eight times to Sava's four, a gap that reflects its edge in snow-focused evaluations. That said, neither tyre reaches the upper tier of winter performers, and the choice between them depends heavily on what your winters actually look like.

Fulda Kristall Control HP2
Good for
Drivers in consistently snowy winter regions Those prioritising snow traction over all else Drivers frequently encountering standing water at speed Budget buyers wanting strong aquaplaning resistance
Not ideal for
Drivers sensitive to road noise Those covering high annual kilometres Drivers needing confident dry handling
Sava Eskimo HP2
Good for
High-mileage drivers wanting longer tread life Mixed-condition commuters in mild winters Drivers valuing dry braking confidence Value seekers wanting a quiet, fuel-efficient winter tyre
Not ideal for
Drivers in heavy or persistent snowfall regions Those needing strong aquaplaning resistance Buyers prioritising snow traction above all

Test Profile

Fulda
Kristall Control HP2
Sava
Eskimo HP2
Number of tests
25
15
Best position
#2
#6
Average position
12.4
15.5
Latest test
2025
2025
Available sizes
55
29

Performance comparison

Averaged from 3 tests

Wet Performance
Confidence
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
70%
Fulda
Kristall Control HP2
Sava Eskimo HP2
62%
Sava
Eskimo HP2
Wet Braking
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
61%
Sava Eskimo HP2
61%
Wet Handling
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
63%
Sava Eskimo HP2
60%
Wet Circle Cornering
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
59%
Sava Eskimo HP2
59%
Aquaplaning Longitudinal
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
74%
Sava Eskimo HP2
57%
Aquaplaning Cross
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
91%
Sava Eskimo HP2
73%

Wet braking between these two is remarkably close: the Fulda averages 36.3 metres against the Sava's 36.7 metres across six measured wet braking tests — a gap too small to decide anything on its own. Where they genuinely diverge is aquaplaning: the Fulda scores a healthy 77.9 in aquaplaning resistance, while the Sava's 65.8 is a notable weak point. Testers have flagged wet handling weaknesses in both, but the Sava's poorer dispersal of standing water at speed is a more structural concern. In heavy rain or flooded roads, the Fulda's aquaplaning advantage is real and worth considering.

Dry Performance
Confidence
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
68%
Fulda
Kristall Control HP2
Sava Eskimo HP2
68%
Sava
Eskimo HP2
Dry Braking
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
66%
Sava Eskimo HP2
63%
Dry Handling
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
70%
Sava Eskimo HP2
72%

On dry roads the Sava is the more capable tyre. Its dry braking score is substantially higher, and real-world owners back this up — a Volkswagen Golf driver praised its dry grip as punching well above its price point, and a Passat owner noted consistently predictable behaviour at the limit. The Fulda, by contrast, has a documented tendency toward understeer on dry tarmac and longer stopping distances — a weakness flagged repeatedly in testing. Neither tyre is a driver's choice on dry asphalt, but the Sava's greater precision and shorter dry stops make it the more reassuring option when the roads clear.

Snow Performance
Confidence
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
74%
Fulda
Kristall Control HP2
Sava Eskimo HP2
79%
Sava
Eskimo HP2
Snow Braking
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
89%
Sava Eskimo HP2
89%
Snow Traction
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
88%
Sava Eskimo HP2
82%
Snow Handling
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
57%
Sava Eskimo HP2
72%
Snow Circle Cornering
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
61%
Sava Eskimo HP2
74%

Snow is where the Fulda makes its clearest case. Although raw snow braking figures are almost identical — 26.9 metres for the Fulda versus 26.7 metres for the Sava across six tests — the Fulda's broader snow performance scores (82.1 versus 77.5) point to an edge in snow handling and traction that braking numbers alone don't capture. High lateral grip and traction on compacted snow are consistent positives in its test record, and a BMW 530d owner who tested it on heavy snow roads described it as genuinely effective. The Sava is no disgrace in winter conditions — ADAC noted solid snow and ice performance — but for drivers who regularly face serious snowfall, the Fulda is the more committed winter tool.

Comfort & Noise
Confidence
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
84%
Fulda
Kristall Control HP2
Sava Eskimo HP2
76%
Sava
Eskimo HP2
Noise Exterior
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
74%
Sava Eskimo HP2
69%
Ride Comfort
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
93%
Sava Eskimo HP2
83%

Running costs and refinement tilt clearly toward the Sava. Its projected tread life score (75.8 versus 62.0) is a meaningful long-term advantage, and its rolling resistance is lower — relevant both for fuel bills and for electrified vehicles. With over 200 owner reviews averaging 9.2/10, Sava buyers consistently highlight quiet operation as a standout attribute. The Fulda, meanwhile, has been explicitly flagged for loud road noise at higher speeds, and an owner on a BMW 530d confirmed it becomes noisy above 100 km/h. The Fulda does score well for fuel efficiency in its test detail data, so the gap in running costs is partly offset — but the Sava is simply the more relaxed daily companion.

Economy
Confidence
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
83%
Fulda
Kristall Control HP2
Sava Eskimo HP2
79%
Sava
Eskimo HP2
Rolling Resistance
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
83%
Sava Eskimo HP2
83%
Mileage
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
82%
Sava Eskimo HP2
74%

Performance spider chart

Verdict

If your winters regularly bring genuine snowfall and you want a budget tyre that prioritises cold-weather traction above all else, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 earns its place — it wins the majority of shared tests and its snow credentials are solid for the price. Its aquaplaning resistance is also a quiet advantage over the Sava. The Sava Eskimo HP2 makes more sense for drivers whose winters are mixed — cold and occasionally snowy rather than persistently white — and who care about tyre longevity, lower noise and better dry confidence. With a vast base of satisfied owners and strong value-for-money ratings, the Sava is the easier tyre to live with day-to-day. Choose the Fulda for snow; choose the Sava if balance and mileage matter more.

Tests used in comparison

OrganizationSeasonYearDimension
AutobildAutobild
Winter
2021205/55 R16View
AutobildAutobild
Winter
2019225/45 R17View
ADACADAC
Winter
2021225/50 R17View

Dimensions and prices

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