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Winter tyres vs grip control - which is better in the snow?

Does a car with winter tyres grip the road as well as a car with grip control?

Asked on 20 September 2021 by Ell

Answered by Dan Powell
Your car is only as good as the tyres that are fitted to it. Therefore, I'd argue that a front-wheel drive car with winter tyres or all-season tyres will always grip the road better than a vehicle with summer tyres and four-wheel drive or a grip control system.

Both winter and all-season tyres are made from a different compound of rubber that uses more silica. They also have extra grooves in the tread, which makes them softer and better at generating heat in low temperatures. Wet weather road handling is also improved, with the extra grooves doing a better job of dispersing water compared to standard tyres.
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