Winter Tyres or 4x4: which is best? - Auto Express

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Winter tyres are going to be on a lot of minds this year - Britain could face a particularly harsh winter this year, with snow falling from as early as November. If you've got a four-wheel drive car, you probably think you're properly prepared - but are you?
We went up to Tamworth Snowdome to find out if a front-wheel drive car with winter tyres has more traction in the snow than a 4x4 with summer tyres fitted. We used two Ford Kugas, both with 2.0-litre diesel engines and manual gearboxes - but one is front-wheel drive, and the other all-wheel drive. The 4x4 Ford Kuga costs £1500 more than the normal model.
In snowy conditions the rubber in summer tyres gets harder and less grippy. Winter tyres use a softer compound, and a tread pattern that's designed to pick up snow - improving grip in these harsh conditions.
In our first test we saw that the front-wheel drive car on summer tyres was hopeless in the snow - but when fitted with winter tyres, it obviously did much better. However we also tested the 4x4 on summer tyres - and the results might surprise you.
With winter tyres, the normal Kuga went 110 metres up the slope, while the 4x4 car only made it 13 metres up, before sliding back down 9 metres. in the end, it ended up no further than the standard did with summer tyres.
We also tested the four-wheel drive Ford Kuga with winter tyres - and the difference was astonishing. There was plenty of grip and the car drove all the way to the top of the steep ski slope without a problem.
Obviously, the best solution for driving on snow is to have a 4x4 on winter tyres - without the right rubber, a 4x4 is just as useless as a two wheel drive car.
Having four-wheel drive won't help with braking, though - and that's much more important.

[@mariyuso]

I'd like to see a comparison of a AWD with all-season tires and a FWD with winter tires.

[@andymaddams580]

most 'untrained' awd/4wd drivers forget, they might be able to drive further or faster by virtue of the extra driven wheels, but they usually seem to forget they can't stop any better than anyone else. This year I have fitted winter tyres to my Citroen C15 and it's like a different vehicle, even driven on sheet ice it still retain a good degree of control. It's so much cheaper to invest in a set of cheap wheels and winter tyres than go to the expense of a trendy soft roader too!

[@pr0xZen]

Andy Maddams This. I've been trying to explain this to friends and family, but some don't seem to realize it. No manner of propulsion traction, is going to help you stop. Ony friction can do that.

[@rolonow12]

me too on my rwd beemer 440i, stupid dangerous on summer tyres in the winter, but with winter tyres it’s safer and the expensive summer set stays out of the worst UK weather. Over 3 to 4 yeas, probably not too expensive.

[@alkaholic4848]

Substitute "untrained" with "dumb" or "lack of common sense" and you're on point. I have an awd, but i know it doesn't have any more brakes than anyone else on the road. Actually the engine braking does help a little, and the power does help you round corners a bit, but not all that much. It's handy for not getting stuck, but i'm always conscious of its limitations. I'm not saying i'll never have an accident because anyone can make mistakes, but i don't tear round recklessly in the snow like the morons that think 4wd makes them invincible.

[@markpritchard]

A lot off four wheel drive cars now have low profile tyres on and they are really bad in the snow. When I was an off road instructor we would say the number one thing that affects the ability is the tyres, If you think about it no matter what car you have, or how good it is, it all comes down to the tyres on you car, and that counts four moving off, corners and even your stopping distance. Power is nothing without control.

[@fatsamcastle]

Nissan nivara with chunky off road tyres faired better than a discovery with normal tyres traveling across a very rutted and wet and muddy track. despite the fact the Nissan was in 2wd. and towing big horse trailer full of people. tyres count. you wouldn't play rugby/football/other football/athletics/cricket in trainers!

[@michaelmcmike8726]

+mark pritchard 100% agree. people on here saying all terrain tyres good enough in icy conditions are dillusional. tyres are so important to conditions for perfomance simple

[@danielcurtin7616]

The thing about adding two more drive wheels to the equation is it has zero effect on available braking and steering traction.

[@paulgaier4525]

I'm shopping for a new car. Thanks for this. Thought I would be better off with AWD for the snow but for my purposes I'll be fine in FWD with winter tires. Saved me a few thousand bucks.

[@lordstevewilson1331]

Note that. 2wd, 4wd, awd, awd symetrical, are all different systems and they all behave differently on snow, ice, water, or road.

[@Oryxxx]

4X4 never ever beats a good set of winter tyres. I'm from Finland and we drive here in REAL winter conditions about 3-5 months a year. Front wheel drive, back wheel drive or 4x4, it doesn't matter. All you need is a good set of studded or nordic non-studded tyres.

[@eerikhm]

I could not agree more. All-season tires are a compromise and they can become useless in REAL winter conditions the likes you find in the Scandinavia. Greetings from snowy Estonia

[@MrAtz1000]

Could not agree more! Greetings from snowy Sweden perkele

[@rileysmith9843]

I use tire chains sometimes. I use the Goodyear Ultra Grip + SUV on my 4wd 2001 GMC Yukon combined with a second set of wheels which also has a matching spare, and leave it in Auto 4wd.

[@45eno]

It's near impossible trying to convince my friends and family in the US. The marketing on AWD / 4x4 has people standing firm in their opinion that it is all you need. They buy AWD spending more money on gas and maintenance and then when the snow comes where the AWD is actually helpful they run stock all season tires and are worse off in many situations than a standard FWD with snow/ice tires. They really feel the AWD somehow slows them down even being convinced they "felt" the difference and know AWD is better. Trying to convince them that its primarily in acceleration that they were noticing the AWD working. They don't understand the braking system has little to no effect beside possible added weight might slightly help the downward pressure / grip. Very very common people buying Subaru and other AWD and use them in maybe a couple snow days around 1-6" avg max a season. I have Blizzacks DMV2 & WS90 for my Rav4 & Sienna. People just don't want to hassle with a 2nd set of wheels. I don't mind the hassle knowing I gave my wife & kids one of the better options for travelling during the winter with ice and sometimes snow.

[@yannickdattalens4223]

Right, the same in Switzerland

[@clansome]

When we had our old 55 plate Kia Sorento we had no problems in snow. Mind it had PERMANENT 4x4 and the killer option of changing into low ratio. Made all the difference when everyone else was slipping around.

[@308_Negra_Arroyo_Lane]

Winter tires are not just for snow or ice. Below 7 degrees C, normal tires simply lose their gripping ability.

[@gabiold]

Yeah, at 6.9 degC it does not grip at all. The normal marketing bullshit. If the road is dry, it does not make too much of a difference. But if it gets icy or snowy, then using summer tires is plain dumb and dangerous. Nobody says, but even a 3-4 year old winter tire (depensd heavily on brand), especially if it is halfway worn too, can be as dangerous. The difference (in snow) between an old and new winter tire is as huge as between a summer and winter tire!

[@sharpuslf]

4x4 and AWD are different technologies. Please do not use them interchangably in the same video about the same car.

[@Android3236]

I was just thinking of posting the same comment. 4x4 and AWD are different systems. Awesome post

[@pazuso]

My '15 Pathfinder has a switch knob for FWD, AWD and 50-50 lock (4x4). I also have winter tires (Yokohama IceGuard ig51v). At the end of the day, it is just as good as my '14 Mazda3 with crappy Hankook iPike RC01 winter tires when going to my local Walmart from my house.

[@Android3236]

pazuso, I have a 14 Cherokee 4x4 and we had a nice snow storm this last winter with 35 inches of snow. My jeep drove through the unplowed snow like a boss with just all-season tires. I even drove 2 colleagues home. Every make has their own version of AWD and 4x4. Some are better than others. Subarus are supposed to be the kings of AWD and Jeeps are kings of 4x4

[@pazuso]

Aegist I wouldn't call 35 feet of snow nice. More like "Winter Armageddon" since that would bury the whole city hahah. My wife's company car is a '14 Cherokee Sport 4x4 (2.4L). I think the 2.4L is a bit underpowered on the highway, and wish it had the V6 Pentastar instead, but overall it's a nice car.

[@Android3236]

pazuso lol, sorry. I meant 35 inches. I fixed my comment. I have the 4 cylinder one too. Very sluggish but it gets the job done.

[@TRUE_GR1T]

Just bought a set of Nokian tyres for winter. I drive a 2wd Tacoma pickup and with 200lbs of sand in the bed and these tires, driving in the snow has been a pleasure so far.

[@PaceyPimp]

should have been all season 4x4 tires vs snow

[@MarkAtkin]

+TechPimp Most all wheel drive cars are sold in Europe fitted with summer tyres as standard. That's why they used summer tyres in the test.

[@jeuxpclol1011]

+TechPimp On a snow grip scale, 10 being the best and 0 being the worst, winter tires = 10, all season = 4, summer = 1

[@NickLiang]

+Mark Atkin All cars are fitted with all season tyres as standard, at least in the UK. where are you getting this information?

[@MarkAtkin]

From tyre sellers websites, and from looking at what is fitted to most cars as standard. Where are you getting your information?

[@michaelmcmike8726]

+TechPimp all season are just as useless. there you go answered that for ya!

[@thatabu]

Well here in Finland there's not much choice. Between december and february winter tires are required by law.

[@AKCanadian]

I think in more arctic countries it should be that way.

[@danesebruno]

AKCanadian even in the north of Japan

[@rileysmith9843]

I use winter tires between November and March, all seasons between March and November, summers between May and October.

[@biribobili]

Thanks for doing this test properly. Autocar tried to do this test with a BMW 1 series against a 6 series, one being manual and the other auto, the 6 series using low-profile tyres, and said the cars were "practically identical".

[@darjanator]

I'd also like to see how proper 4WD would work, though. Either Audi's Quattro or something with locking diffs.

[@Serveck]

darjanator I can tell you that not even mud tires on my jeep are a match for snow. my subaru (manual transmission 50:50 power distribution) with winter tires does MUCH better in the snow until it gets greater than a foot deep where it just runs out of ground clearance.

[@takiman1]

Thank you. you have confirmed what everybody up here in the North already know. People saying "well, I've got a great 'ol pick up truck yada yada, got em off road tyres, doin just fine" - they dont really know what "doin just fine" means. You should do a test with 4x4 summer tires vs traction control winter tires Thank you.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

Does not matter how many wheels have power. If they are unable to get a grip, then you will be stuck. It is a shame so many people will never experience winter tires, because they are too cheap to buy winter tires, or they think all wheel drive is the answer. Trust me after driving for 53 years in very snowy winters I have found out that true winter tires on a front wheel drive vehicle are awesome. Passed many stuck 4x4's with all season tires on them with my front wheel drive vehicles over the years. Just simply an amazing difference. And remember you not only need to go but you must also stop and go around turns. Depends on how much you feel your life is worth.

[@mohammadalrefai8253]

would be interesting to see how all-season tires would compare here. From personal experience, I can make it through the winter season with all-season tires, but noticed it sacrifices ~30% braking distance and about 50% ice grip vs my winter set. Car is a 6spd a4 quattro (so its AWD) driven daily in Edmonton, Canada (yes it snows a lot here and gets very very cold).

[@allenee3108]

I think summer tyres might be a British umbrella term that encompasses both of what Americans call summer and all-season tires. Also, there are varying degrees of light-snow handling capability in recent all-seasons. The added capability comes with compromises as with most things.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Edmonton is cold but doesn't actually get that much snow. It's also not extremely hilly. Even Calgary isn't loaded with steep roads

[@brucenorval2308]

I have never driven on winter tyres and never got stuck in my old Audi B5 A4 Quattro on low profile wide summer tyres. I've been in 2ft deep on a hill and pulled up no problem, incidentally I didn't stick to 2k revs. That car was amazing in the snow on any tyre.

[@Cornwall1888]

Bruce Norval yeah you can go but you still can't stop or turn

[@brucenorval2308]

Cornwall1888 I drove stopped turned fine for the past 8 years in snow on summer tyres. It's more to do with driving ability , experience and the car than the tyres.

[@Cornwall1888]

Bruce Norval sure you can get away with it if you know what you're doing, but all your doing is getting by, in terms of emergency stops and sharp turns you have no chance in snow with summer tyres vs winter tyres Winter tyres in snow stop the car in less than half the distance My BMW Z4 with snow tyres runs rings around 4X4 jeeps with summer tyres Get winter tyres then the car will be super capable in the snow

[@JeffreyHyun]

I've been driving an old civic without tcs with winter tires and just toy with 4x4's in snow. It's a hoot. I love the video and the tests as I've been trying to convince my friends forever and this gives definitive proof. One thing that is missing I feel is due to the nature of setting up a quantitative scientific experiment. When I'm driving my civic, I'm not holding it at 2k waiting to loose all momentum, I'm gunning it like a dune buggy in sand. Might even get the fwd to the top. I get you won't have the same control as the awd but provided that you pull through turns with over steer and the wheels spinning, there's plenty of "control". Why not include that scenario in the tests?

[@bikergamersoldierspy533]

Not arguing, just saying: This winter both my Impreza and Forester were on summer tires. Never got stuck, not once. In fact I helped several people tow their cars up a hill on my way back from work.

[@justrockon426]

you got to take in consideration the stopping distance and the control that is highly increased with winter tires. Those two aspects are THE most important things when driving under snow/ice conditions. personally i dont care if i need to go anywhere unless i know i'll be able to stop on time if theres a kid crossing the street! ... if I run into heavy traffic or a stop light!!! -From a 20 yrs old!

[@justrockon426]

now lets see both w/ winter tires 4wd vs. 2wd!

[@stinkycheese804]

justrockon426 They did that the last run. Stopping is just something you accept will increase and drive slower, brake sooner.

[@pr0xZen]

Stinky Cheese You do realize that you have to have decent emergency braking performance too? Not all sudden stops can be planned ahead. Doesn't matter if you were doing 25 in the 55 - if you come to a stop 50 meters after you ran over the kid.

[@stinkycheese804]

pr0xZen Having never been in a winter slide scenario and having driven for 3 decades in slippery snow/etc, I'm going to have to call BS on that logic, that it's still just a matter of knowing your vehicle and driving sanely. Certain winter tires do climb hills better, but beyond that it's just a band-aid for idiots. No matter what tires you have on at a particular moment you must drive safe for the condition. PERIOD. Don't suggest things within the context of driving as fast as possible because that's the person who wrecks, when obviously time was not so precious or else the person wouldn't be on youtube at all.

[@pr0xZen]

By no means am I promoting driving any faster or less defensive, than your capacity to safely control the vehicle you're currently driving, under the circumstances that you you are currently driving. And I believe I've made that very clear. But no matter how you turn it, Just because you maintain to never have experienced winter slides, does not mean that other experienced and careful drivers have not. By your "only thread matters", people should expect superior winter tractions with shoe soles carved from a block of polished wood, as long as the thread is appropriate. That simply is not true. That require the material surface you contact with, to be soft enough for tracks to sink in, but firm enough to hold the torque of a driving wheel - which is rarely the case during winter time.

[@anishsomani]

this is the best test done so far i have found on the internet...this should be trended and people's misconceptions must be broken that you dont require awd,,just fwd with good tyres is better option and greener aswell as u will get more mpg

[@henrysit9623]

It is so lovely that Matt has the ski board :)

[@Bryan-fg3ey]

one of the few tests were they used identical spec cars and tyres.very eye opening.

[@chitpaul]

I have a 4x4 but also have a can of spray chain.. sticky spray stuff that gives you extra grip on snow and ice. Works well.

[@alkaholic4848]

:-O i didn't realise that stuff existed. Always carried chains or snow socks historically. This might be an interesting alternative.

[@wilf81]

A clear and fairly incredible demonstration especially with the FWD car. It's a very expensive upgrade though.

[@gabiold]

It doesn't matter how many wheels are driven, when you want to brake and stop in time. It also does not matter when you slide out in a corner. I think it answers everything. By the way, everyone knew the outcome of this test in advance.

[@sannyp120963]

First year I’ve had dedicated summer and winter tyres - I see why it’s a legal requirement in some countries

[@charlier6807]

4:10 big goodyear tyre banner says it all

[@Ratkill9000]

I have not had a single issue running a A/T tire all year round here in Minnesota. Studded tires and snow chains are illegal here unless you are using an ATV. Snow tires I feel are not worth the cost unless you drive a 2wd vehicle. They don't last long and in some cases are more expensive than a set of all season or A/T tires. Most expensive snow tire is the Firestone Firehawk PVS (Pursuit Vehicle Snow) are $600 each.

[@johanvanleeuwen6887]

The very best is an off-road carr with AT tires, when there was a lot of snow even people with winter tires couldn't get off their parking spot. We just put it in 4x4 and diff-locks and off we went

[@consaka1]

Johan van Leeuwen I drive with AT tires all the time. But winter tires are still better. I have driven out of some amazing messes that other people with AT tires couldnt.

[@laurence9618]

1 important point to mention, when driving up a steep hill with winter tyres, you should turn off the traction control which will help you get up that hill all the way!

[@adamJeepstuff]

I'm going to st using winters on my jeep, but to be fair it does amazing with all season.

[@Isuzulu]

Would be interesting to see all season tyres thrown in there too

[@Slash1066]

The trouble with the UK is that most cars use summer tyres and there is no mandated time of year to switch. When we do get snow the place grinds to a halt with 2wd cars on the wrong rubber. Even those like me who drive a 4x4 on snow rated tyres get stuck in the queues when the others can't get up a hill

[@Bryan-xe3pj]

I live in Manitoba Canada, I drive an awd Ford escape, 2015, all season tires it is pretty flat prairie here but I find in very snowy colder weather I turn the traction control off and I find all tires are moving and I don't get stuck. I would rather go with an all weather tire. It's a pain in the ass to have to change and store every winter.

[@23chicco]

the tyres quality is very important BUT is very important also how works the awd system.

[@SuperGreenough]

+23chicco Yes, but tyres are far more important when it comes to driving in the snow. Most Swedish cars are 2WD, most cars you'll find in alpine areas are also 2WD, these are places where they're certain to have snow, but just cope with tyres perfectly well. A good 4WD system will obviously help further, but it's really not necessary. He could have Got up that hill in the blue car with a bit more driving skill

[@23chicco]

+SuperGreenough i agree the tyres quality is very important i drive circa 80000km/year and i confirm.

[@SuperGreenough]

I do a similar distance, I was amazed how much difference they make

[@saucysimpson259]

A car is only as good as its tyres

[@brucenorval2308]

Lukestersim :3 definitely, never buy cheap brands they are often worse than a bald tyre

[@saucysimpson259]

Bruce Norval pointless taking a hypercard on a track day with eco tyres

[@skirmich]

People getting mad because of the 4x4 vs AWD nomenclature.. Heck BOTH of them would have performed exactly the same in this test... Both cant do shit without TRACTION and TRACTION is Ultimately entirely up to the Tires.

[@bosshoss69lee]

try mud tires, do a summer, winter, at, mild mud tire and serious mud tire (aka super swamper boggers) challenge that would be very interesting and use a yj wrangler, they're light reliable some what cheap and 2, 4 and 4 low and have no TC! or what ever you chaps have thats similar, thanks for putting the snow tires on the awd and making the test go full circle! well done!

[@markmorgan2075]

so glad I have quattro and winter tyres that go on Dec-March :O)

[@michaelmcmike8726]

+Mark Morgan i got quattro but £400 for a set of winter tyres is hard to swallow,but nessesary.im looking at nokian(nordic friction tyre) what do you have?

[@demon2701]

+michael mcmike Stop looking at them and buy them! You wont be sorry... I have A6 quattro with nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires and it's awesome! 5 season on them and still gripping strong :)

[@michaelmcmike8726]

demon2701 i will 4sure.can u ask,do you have them on their own wheels or just swap your tyres over and have the hassle of getting them changed and storing the 4massive summer tyres somewhere? such a ball ache,i wish you could keep them on all year!

[@Re_Kitty]

+michael mcmike have two sets, and use the winter tyres only during the cold winter months. maybe 3 months every year??

[@MarkAtkin]

+michael mcmike I have Dunlop Wintersport fitted to a front wheel drive Toyota. I have climbed hills with these in the snow which 4 wheel drive cars on summer tyres have failed to climb. I would recommend Dunlop. They are not quite the best on snow, but are very good in wet weather. Ideal for UK winters

[@cawley345]

I use all season tires here in the northeast of the USA. My car is front wheel drive and feels like all wheel drive on snow

[@vitaminb4869]

I'm glad your buttometer makes you feel safe.

[@cawley345]

Vitamin B well we see snow only a quarter of the year so all season makes sense. It gets the job done when I'm on the road during the elements

[@fadi6730]

How about comparing winter vs. all season. More accurate since more people use all season rather than summer tires.

[@fartman10284]

Ford puts different tires for the UK market as standard equipment, hence they are using a Kuga, not an Escape. See Tirerack for comparisons appropriate for the US market

[@kalebbrown93]

Yeah this makes no sense. Who uses summer tires with AWD?

[@fartman10284]

Apparently the Brits do, as Auto Express is a UK magazine.

[@normlor8109]

I drove a 1998 Subaru with 4 winter Toyos on it and not once did I ever spin out or get stuck in drifts 3 ft deep. too bad I had to donate it and end up with a Kio Rio 5 door but I just this morning fitted it with 4 winters and dying to see what it does here in Montreal in deep snow!!

[@ardagumusalan6043]

i do not disagree with the results but as someone who has spent years in Buffalo, NY a.k.a. the winter wonderland, I have never had problem going around with my 4-wheel car with all season tires even after several feet of snow. Also, disable the traction control, it kills the momentum in the snow according to my experience.

[@michaelmcmike8726]

bullshit. next time, try going up or down a hill and let me know how it goes

[@robolsen3506]

+michael mcmike just fine. I've lived in Wisconsin, Maine, and Michigan, which arguably have much worse winters than the UK. Never fitted winter tires on my SUVs, and have yet to run into a problem. Not all all-season tires are created equally though. Ones that are biased to fuel economy will perform much worse due to their tread patterns, and rubber softness.

[@ardagumusalan6043]

michael mcmike I very often go skiing which the ride includes going up and down on a hill. Still no problem.

[@michaelmcmike8726]

+Mark Ziubinski arctic circle... why? I'm still right!

[@ericimi]

I'm also from buffalo the stopping distance is much better in snow tires and they are better in icy conditions.

[@GT86crazy]

Very informative video. Doesn't snow much here, but it does get cold and wet.

[@christopherwheeler5736]

1. The silver vehicle is AWD not 4X4. There's a difference. 2. Why would you put summer tires on your vehicle if you live in a mostly snowy/icy environment?

[@svein-haraldribland8559]

My father just bought a new 4WD, a pickup, Mitsubishi L200. He could not afford wintertyres, so he runs 4WD with summer tires in winter;) He lives in Norway in a very snowy/icy environment ;)

[@christopherwheeler5736]

Well, that answers that.

[@b57ecv]

+Svein-Harald Ribland hi I drive a second generation model suzuki grand vitara-four wheel drive-and i don't put winter tyres on mine either I just lower the tyre pressure and it grips just fine in all weather conditions on road and off.

[@hejamodo]

Christopher Wheeler, 2 Because they're twats. Summer tires on snow and ice is a terrible combination no matter how many wheels are driving. And as cheap skate b57evc said, lowering the air pressure it doesn't make much difference. Try to aviod an Elk with summer tires on ice and he'll be shitting in the front seat sooner than you think. By the way, I live in sweden and works at a bodyshop. Winter is heaven in my line of work, especially those stupid enough to use summer tires (or old winter tires) in winter conditions. ka-ching, laughing all the way to the bank.

[@christopherwheeler5736]

That's what I'm talkin' about, dude. If you live in a mostly snowy/icy place, be prepared, don't try to be a hard ass, get some damn snow tires or get some kitty litter for traction to get you going.!!! Not driving like an idiot may also help.

[@ppalavichkoo]

Best would be a combination of both. Silly headline for a clip

[@rubikfan1]

if you go pure snow. swap your winter tyres for nordic winter tyres. and use stubs aswell. or even chains

[@fatwalletboy2]

Interesting video. I run a banger on budget tyres and during the snow 2018 managed to extricate myself from a snow infested retail park but had to sit and watch some numpty in his awd Kuga next to me make a right fool of himself. He was going back and forth spinning up and you saw the look of frustration. Man i wish id been running some winters at the front to really rub his nose in it. I could have driven straight off.....

[@markharris2539]

Would be interesting to know how the new 'All Weather Tyres' compare to dedicated snow tires.

[@bosede-nage8467]

To get the awd working properly in those conditions you need to keep your foot down to ensure that the awd stays engaged...it's a matter of technique. The reason that I believe these cars are both quite poor on snow is their weight, I am willing to bet that a 1980s Fiesta with summer tyres can match the awd with winter tyres! ...any takers?

[@Mladjasmilic]

Problem is braking - when you brake it doesn't matter if you have 2 or 4 wheel drive , only matter which type of tyre you have . I have at begin of every winter 2 new winter tyres on front wheels , from last season at rear and I never had any problems . Car is supermini , Hyundai Atos , tyres are always Tigar Wintera 155/70/R13 beacuse these are cheapest , here these cost about 25 pounds each . I live up very steep 15% incline and it never got stuck .

[@jing713]

didn't know it would make SUCH a BIG difference..

[@jasonleon1976]

You can have 20 wheel drive. If the rubber is wrong you have 0 wheel drive. Interesting seeing it in practice though. Some people don’t realise the importance of the correct compound for the season. I was naive to this also, up until about 8 years ago when I bit the bullet and got my first set of winters. The myth of only needing winters in the snow is also wrong. Even on a dry road below 7 degrees Celsius, summer tyres are about as much use as a chocolate fire guard.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

For most drivers, the considerable extra expense (purchase and maintenance) of a 4x4 or AWD car is a total waste of money. You're much better off buying a set of wheels shod with winter tyres and storing them in the garage. If you've ever driven a FWD or RWD car in the snow with winter tyres you'll know how amazingly well they grip on the snow.

[@mikeb3498]

Too true. My FWD MINI's with winter tyres have always been great and never got me stuck on roads I've seen AWD and 4x4's struggling on. I know people that think their Qashqai can do well in the snow when it's got all-season tyres and it's only FWD. But if it looks like an off-roader, people will try to treat it like one!

[@alkaholic4848]

Depends on your circumstances and where you live, many people simply don't have anywhere to store 4 massive sets of wheels all year round, and for some even if they do, the expense of that storage and changing them twice a year far outweighs the little extra it costs to get a 4wd which gives you many advantages not just snow, and without any of the inconvenience.

[@callavegetable1412]

Try stopping. That is all that matters in the winter. (I live at 7500ft and have to descend 1200ft to get groceries)

[@biplav32]

I want this test done with subaru or audi's quattro.

[@nicks2908]

I had a B7 RS4 on sports summer tyres - never got stuck (Highlands of Scotland). Subaru forester - no need to change tyres. But they are proper AWD, the second presenter admits the Kuga isnt REALLY a 4x4

[@user-os8sq3uh4n]

FWD possibly could have made it if you turned traction control off when you got stuck. You should *always* try that at low speeds stuck in snow. Or use snow mode if your car has it.

[@AlternativeUses]

summer v. all seasons should have been tested. summer rites are pretty rare in areas that receive snow and anyone who drives in snow with them deserves to skid around

[@MrGuyOhh]

would like to see comparison of winter tires vs all season tires

[@Bigbrowndawg]

I like this test better than the ice rink test

[@grapsorz]

The last coment with braiking is the moste important in the hole story. braiking and cornering is JUST as bad on the 4x4 as on the FWD car on the summer tires. and usaly ppl stop when they have slided in the ditch r somthing like that. you can look at the video "Daily drive on the snow covered roads in Norway" where i drive on snow with a RWD volvo and have no problem's it's just more fun then in the summer ;)

[@MiyuruWeerarathna]

Shows the significance of tyres!

[@audimetallica]

Well guys... ive owned a Audi quattro 2,3 coupé 1986 for about 9 years ago... i could get up a pretty step Hill/road we have in our City- in Denmark. On SUMMER goodyear F1 tires in 6-10 cm snow...... how about that :-D i was impressed- and still is....

[@XtreeM_FaiL]

audimetallica Steep hill in Denmark? Oh, you mean a bumb?

[@chunhaylee]

Now do a test with summer tires DEFLATED down to 15psi. All off-roaders know the best way to get traction is to deflat the tires.

[@b57ecv]

just lower the tyre pressure it gives a wider tread pattern and more pliable gripping tyre, that doesn't cost any extra, and of course drive slower more safely in bad conditions.

[@riccardocorazzari1844]

The concept to achieve the right answer is simple, and we don't need a video to understand that: traction (so 4x4) doesn't give you GRIP (which is the main thing), but correct tyre set do! ;)

[@needforsuv]

the thing is those summer tyres are crap maybe all terrains have a better chance

[@Wigglythegreat2]

Meanwhile, I go up the hill on a snowmobile 😋 Joking. I do want to see an All Season tire comparison too.

[@jrea424]

amazing difference between tyres.. hope it opens a few peoples eyes

[@adamJeepstuff]

Ima start using my winter

[@silkschoka008]

Great test. Wished all seasons were tested too.

[@MrRambo523]

The 4WD with winter tires is all time winner.

[@HowToGoSupernova]

why would anyone put SUMMER tires on an suv?

[@oddities-whatnot]

James Lopez Because most come with them fitted as standard, and in the UK most SUVs are front wheel drive only. People buy them to show off for some odd reason, yet are useless in bad weather.

[@ScoobyFermentation]

Actually most if not all come with all-season tires. I'm not sure if these Brits are using the two terms interchangeably or not. If they are literally on "summer" tires, then this test is shite as they say over the pond.

[@oddities-whatnot]

ScoobyFermentation cheers for reply, seriously though most SUVs in the UK are on standard tyres, apart from the Panda 4x4 which has mud and snow tyres as standard. Range rovers, subarus, etc are all standard road tyres as nobody expects you to go off road in them.

[@Fizz826]

Some brits call tires bought in summer - Summer tires. Tires bought in the winter - winter tires. That’s what I experienced last time I was in London.

[@MaxwellDuff]

because race car

[@_multiverse_]

Wow no link to the next video in the description...thanks.

[@DGRWPF]

hm... i never used winter tyres. From this video, it seems they make a huge difference. Maybe i'll buy a set for this winter. :)

[@TituslovesPop]

Nice advert, sponsored by? the tyres you quoted. That edit completely kills any sense of a fair test. I have no doubt winter tyres work but , how many people drive up ski slopes , from a standing start when its bad weather?

[@kezyyxxa]

the practical comparison is AWD+All season vs FWD+Snow

[@CaptHollister]

Snow tires would still win this comparison. In cold weather two winter tires provide more maximum grip than four all-season tires. That doesn't mean the AWD A/S combination couldn't cope, but the FWD Winter would still be more sure-footed. BTW, they are properly called Winter tires, not Snow tires. In winter, snow is not the only issue. Another biggie is cold air and cold pavement. Winter tires provide a more grip on cold, dry pavement than any 4 season tire.

[@mikejames5590]

I drive a awd kuga on summer tyres and it is far better in snow than any 2wheel drive car!!!

[@alkaholic4848]

Similar story here - Insignia AWD with summer tyres, and it's incredible in the snow. When all the 2wds are getting stuck, i'm just cruising past them without any drama. I don't know what they were doing in this video exactly, but they didn't do it very well. Very misleading.

[@jjbloyber]

Any one who can read knows that summer tires are for high performance driving in warm weather and are not suitable for snow use.

[@kylefarnsworth372]

In Alberta we see big trucks on the side of the road. I'll take a little Hyundai with quality winter tires over a big pick up with all seasons.

[@minnesotajack1]

Any vehicle with winter tires is better than every vehicle without them.

[@mrlotto32]

Not a fair test of the 4x4 having it in auto where the rear wheels don't kick in until the front wheels start spinning. It's already toast once that happens. 4x4 needed to be locked in from the moment you put it in drive to be fair. It would've done much better in full time all wheel drive or locked in 4x4.

[@Mouzourakism]

An all season vs winter tires would be a better comparison. Who has summer tires other than expensive sport cars. Majority of cars come with all season tires.

[@sic22l]

Auto Express is from UK and not only there but in thw whole Europe people are using either summer or winter tires. All seasons almost don't exist since they're nowhere near as good as summer tires on dry road and not even close to winter tires on snow.

[@ibiza1982]

why don't you wait for march to post videos about winter tires?

[@Sherukka]

In my experience RWD with winter-tries gets more easily stuck in snow than a FWD with winter-tires. A car with 4WD and winter-tires can often be found a long way besides the road because stopping the car is equally hard in every car but in 4WD you feel much safer until you loose the grip and away you go! 4WD is of course better in the winter if you remember that point.

[@kristoffer3000]

That's exactly the opposite of my experience with fwd and rwd cars, never had an issue with rwd and it's actually far more competent at getting up hills and fwd is quite useless a lot of the time, I can't drive a fwd car because they struggle too much with the hill outside my house

[@BrodeyDoverosx]

Disable traction control, you'll climb right on up. Also those summer tires are Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 2s, very good Max Performance Tires.

[@pr0xZen]

Brodey Dover Its not really a traction control issue, more a haldex issue. The awd is a viscous coupling. Takes a bit of slip time, before it locks up. By that time you've lost too much momentum,

[@BrodeyDoverosx]

Traction control will prevent you from wheelspin; something that is necessary to climb hills in the winter. I regularly pass CUVs in my Abarth going up to the ski hill.

[@pr0xZen]

I saw plenty of wheelspin in the video - don't think the slip control in the Kuga would allow for such lengthy wheelspin before starting to lock up. But nothing is going to help here other than more friction - as its clear that on the summer tires they didn't have enough friction to overcome the weight of the car on the incline. That means you'll have to go "in" with initial built-up speed, and lightly deaccelerate all the way up the hill, otherwise you'll break the friction bond with the surface. If that happens, your screwed :/

[@bob15479]

1. No one will have true summer tires in a place where it snows. 2. The driver has a whole lot to do with this. Getting good traction in snow isn't as simple as just pressing the gas

[@buca9696]

Summer tyres in snow won't do jack shit even if you're Peter Solberg. Even no name winter tyres are better in the snow than brand summer tyres.

[@pascobert]

You would go up with the frontweel drive on winter tires - but not on 1st gear - use 2nd or 3rd. Thats one of the most failure that poeple do when does not used to drive in snwo . Greetings from Switzerland

[@riggerrogger101]

I'm not denying that winter tyres make a massive difference! But that comment of "But without the right rubber, an AWD car is just as useless as a 2WD car.." is a bit false. My friend couldn't get anywhere going up a hill near where we live last winter, but I went straight up not problems in my car. Both on Summer Tyres, he actually had Michelins and I was using some cheapo Chinese brand at the time!

[@riggerrogger101]

He has a 2011 1.2 Vauxhall Corsa, I have a 2005 2.0 Subaru Impreza non-turbo

[@monalisalover2007]

Are you advertising a specific brand of tyres

[@etphonegrow]

i wish they did 4x4 with all season tires and FWD with snow tires.

[@Mp57navy]

It's not a 4x4. Unless the car has diff-locks. Misleading at best.

[@ibana8449]

+Mp57navy The reference to 4x4 is purely whether all wheels are driven, not whether they have diff locks. Trucks come in many different configurations, many without diff locks, but they still use 4x4, 6x4, 6x6 term to describe the drive configuration. Its not misleading at all.

[@cpufreak101]

+Mp57navy LSD's work out quite well aswell

[@arealsourapple]

+Mp57navy My '93 Dodge has big "4x4" lettering on the tailgate and it has no locking differentials. It has an open differential front, open rear, and the 4wd transfer case will lock the front and rear together but cannot act as a differential. Other vehicles might have one or more locking differentials. Many Silverados, for example, come with an auto-locking rear differential. But that's besides the point...4x4 does not imply differential locks, as said above. 4x4 is a category, under which full-time 4WD, part-time 4WD, and AWD...and others...fall under.

[@fartman10284]

Don't you mean a transfer case? By your definition a Toyota RAV4 is a 4x4 because it can lock it's center differential or electronic coupling

[@melinuxfool]

Had you shut off the traction control when you started, you would likely have made it all the way to the top in the front-wheel drive. Traction control works against you in winter conditions.

[@scottishbadboy1]

just put at tyres on your 4x4..the new general grabbers are great in the snow

[@hungryboy424]

Could you run 2wd on the winter tyres all year round !

[@LegacyIvyTerascale]

you can put winter tires on awd , but not the other way arround

[@nicks2908]

So first - It seems like the presenter doesn't know how to start off on snow, he just floors it. Second the next presenter FINALLY admits that actually the "all wheel drive" Kuga is actually 2 wheel drive and only when traction is lost at the front is power transferred to the rear - that's not what real 4WD is. A fairer test (to prove difference between 4x4 & winter tyres 2x4) would be say a Subaru XV vs a Ford focus. You could get them on extremely similar size wheels etc. Lastly the thundering surprise of the day: 4x4 with winter tyres is best. Sherlock Holmes rides again!

[@sic22l]

Subaru XV is a front wheel drive car with electronic differential just like Kuga. Only WRX and STI have old school AWD with mechanical diffs.

[@nicks2908]

sic22l you're wrong. XV is permanent all wheel drive. All Subaru's are. They use an Lsd centre diff viscous coupling to allow for front and rear rotational difference but all wheels are always driven. Simple indicator is that fuel economy in Subaru's is worse than '4x4' competitors using switchable 2x4. This is why Subaru specifically say AWD not 4x4.

[@sic22l]

Shaxston Smith That was the truth long time ago, but no longer is. Especially with CVT transmissions they use the simpliest AWD that can send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels. That's worse than Kuga! (which also have constant AWD, you can't switch it off) Even Forester has electronic diff with electronic locking activated by the switch (X-mode), Fuel consumption is worse because Subarus are pretty simple cars these days with old style engines. Real permanent AWDs that send power to all wheels all the time are very rare, I think only bigger Audis and WRX/STI have them.

[@nicks2908]

From Auto car review: "Sharing a platform, many components and a viscous coupling-based full-time four-wheel drive system with the Impreza hatchback, the XV has a longer wheelbase than the regular hatch as well as a more generous ride height." If you look on Subaru website and look at the XV technical specs you can see it is AWD all the time, and has a LSD viscous coupling, not an ediff.

[@alansach8437]

That's what all wheel drive is by definition; front wheel drive until they begin to slip. Then power is sent to the rear. There are also many different ways this is accomplished. All all wheel drives are not equal, Subaru and Audi often considered the best. Bottom line though is that tires make a huge difference no matter the vehicle.

[@gasteratosn]

It depends on the car. A Land Rover works perfectly on snow even summer tyres. Although ot is true that winter tyres are better. Is it possible that those car grip on mud as well? In thos case we will not have to buy A/T tyres and listen to them on the tarmak

[@pr0xZen]

gasteratosn AWD give you better traction, but not more friction. It "just" distributes torque to all 4 corners. Some do a very good job at juggling that distribution, too. NO awd solution however, is ever going to help you STOP on a slippery surface. That requires more /friction/.

[@Toastmaster_5000]

gasteratosn You're right - it does highly depend on the car. Many cars with AWD attempt to be intelligent with wheel slippage and doesn't evenly divide the power, which is great for extra performance but usually completely useless once you start slipping. Meanwhile, cars that evenly split the power are better at handling poor road conditions. This is probably why companies like Subaru and Audi are of the best for AWD. But aside from how the AWD system itself is operated, something like a Land Rover has HUGE tires. A greater surface area is better when trying to get more traction.

[@mikeb3498]

Pfft. The Haldex system is still an on-demand setup, and the new Audi's are going to their "Ultra" technology, which is pretty much FWD most of the time, just like the Kuga. Maybe it's claimed to be better, but it's still the same principal as most of the AWD systems out there. Ford use the Haldex in the RS, so the technology isn't just limited to car manufacturer. I'd prefer a FWD with snow tyres over any other system on all-seasons, because they are DESIGNED to be grippier below 8C and the tread picks up snow to help grip too. I had a 4x4 Isuzu and it was lethal on ice (big, heavy, high c-of-g) compared to a FWD Mini on proper tyres.

[@alkaholic4848]

@@mikeb3498 Depends if you've got room to store 4 massive wheels in your house or garage all year round. And have enough reason to justify changing them twice a year.

[@mikeb3498]

@@alkaholic4848 I have space, time and money to do so. Certainly better than having a heavy and thirsty 4x4 when proper tyres are much better in most situations I'd encounter. I see more AWD cars and SUV types in ditches and odd places when it's icy as they have a false sense of security. AWD will get you moving, but not necessarily the right direction and certainly won't help stop you on ice and snow.

[@mieguistumas]

All seasin tires are bad in summer and bad in winter. In Lithuanian, where we have lots of snow and ice on roads, we say, that all season tires are no season tires with a fancy name. Trust me, if it snows in your location every year, you don't want to have all season tires.