Firestone Winterhawk 4

Strengths

Excellent grip and safe handling on snow, ice, and wet roads, including strong aquaplaning resistance.

Low fuel consumption and lightweight construction.

Very good winter performance with balanced dynamics and high grip, making it easy to control in snowy conditions.

Quiet ride with low rolling noise.

Moderate pricing and good value for a branded winter tire.

Weaknesses

Below-average handling and reduced braking performance on dry roads, including delayed steering response and strong understeering.

Somewhat higher wear rate and limited projected tread life compared to top competitors.

Moderate driving comfort, with interior rolling noise noticeable to some users.

Slightly increased rolling resistance in certain situations, which may affect efficiency under specific conditions.

Customer Popularity

90%

Customer Popularity

Based on 20 reviews

What customers like ...

Good price-performance ratio 4
Good handling on snow 6
Good wet performance 3
Low noise 2
Reliable and quality product 3

What customers dislike ...

A bit noisy 1
Not effective on icy snow 1

Performance Analysis: Firestone Winterhawk 4

This graph shows how the tyre ranks across different properties compared to other tested tyres. Higher percentile means better performance - 100% means better than every tyre in every test, 0% means worse than every tyre in every test.

50%

Exterior noise

Snow handling

Aquaplaning - longitudal

Snow traction

Wet braking

Interior noise

Wet circle cornering

Wet handling

Aquaplaning - cross

Comfort

•••

Loading comparison data...

Timeline

2020

Firestone Winterhawk 4 was launched and replaced Firestone Winterhawk 3.

2020

Firestone Winterhawk 4 was tested 1x (Használtautó.hu)

2021

Firestone Winterhawk 4 was tested 4x (Autobild,...)

2022

Firestone Winterhawk 4 was tested 4x (ADAC,...)

2023

Firestone Winterhawk 4 was tested 4x (ADAC,...)

2024

Firestone Winterhawk 4 was tested 3x (AUTOBILD,...)

2025

Firestone Winterhawk 4 was tested 3x (Autobild,...)

Sizes

Firestone Winterhawk 4 is made in 101 sizes, starting from 155/65 R14 up to 275/45 R20.

14"

15"

16"

17"

18"

19"

20"

◀

▶

show prices

Similar tires

Winterhawk 4

3.05/5

R14 - R20

Price from:

UltraGrip Performance 3

R14 - R22

4.75/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

Goodyear better at:

• Dry braking
• Dry handling
• Wet handling

Goodyear worse at:

• Interior noise
• Snow handling

Price from:

Compare

WinterContact TS 870 P

R16 - R22

4.65/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

Continental better at:

• Dry braking
• Dry handling
• Comfort

Continental worse at:

• Aquaplaning - longitudal
• Snow traction
• Snow handling

Price from:

Compare

Winter Sport 5

R14 - R21

4.4/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

Dunlop better at:

• Comfort
• Aquaplaning - cross
• Dry braking

Dunlop worse at:

• Exterior noise
• Aquaplaning - longitudal
• Snow handling

Price from:

Compare

Blizzak LM-005

R14 - R22

4.15/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

Bridgestone better at:

• Dry handling
• Dry braking
• Comfort

Bridgestone worse at:

• Exterior noise
• Snow handling
• Snow traction

Price from:

Compare

G-FORCE WINTER 2

R14 - R19

4.15/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

BFGoodrich better at:

• Dry braking
• Comfort
• Snow traction

BFGoodrich worse at:

• Wet circle cornering
• Wet handling
• Wet braking

Price from:

Compare

Speed-Grip 5

R14 - R21

3.75/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

Semperit better at:

• Dry handling
• Dry braking
• Interior noise

Semperit worse at:

• Snow traction
• Exterior noise
• Wet handling

Price from:

Compare

WinterExpert

R13 - R20

3.6/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

Uniroyal better at:

• Dry braking
• Dry handling
• Aquaplaning - cross

Uniroyal worse at:

• Snow handling
• Interior noise
• Wet handling

Price from:

Compare

Alpin 6

R15 - R20

3.1/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

Michelin better at:

• Dry braking
• Dry handling
• Comfort

Michelin worse at:

• Interior noise
• Exterior noise
• Snow handling

Price from:

Compare

Kristall Control HP2

R15 - R19

2.95/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

Fulda better at:

• Aquaplaning - cross
• Comfort
• Dry handling

Fulda worse at:

• Exterior noise
• Wet circle cornering
• Wet handling

Price from:

Compare

Polaris 5

R13 - R19

2.9/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

Barum better at:

• Dry handling
• Dry braking
• Interior noise

Barum worse at:

• Wet handling
• Aquaplaning - longitudal
• Wet braking

Price from:

Compare

Wintrac Pro

R17 - R22

2.85/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

Vredestein better at:

• Dry braking
• Dry handling
• Wet circle cornering

Vredestein worse at:

• Exterior noise
• Snow handling
• Aquaplaning - longitudal

Price from:

Compare

Premitra Snow WP6

R14 - R19

2/5

Comparison with Firestone Winterhawk 4:

Maxxis better at:

• Dry handling
• Dry braking
• Comfort

Maxxis worse at:

• Snow handling
• Snow traction
• Wet braking

Price from:

Compare

Comparison: tyres similar to Firestone Winterhawk 4

Firestone Winterhawk 4 in tyre tests

All tyre tests where Firestone Winterhawk 4 was featured:

All tests

ADAC Winter tyre test 2025 225/40 R18
sufficient
Ranked #18 of 31

Name	Enviromental impact
Best values in test	1.7
Firestone Winterhawk 4	2.7
Show test details

Source: www.adac.de

Autobild Winter tyre test 2025 225/40 R18

Ranked #7 of 51

Name	Wet	Snow
Best values in test	32.6	27.1
Firestone Winterhawk 4	34.8	28.2
Show test details

Source: www.autobild.de

Autobild Winter tyre test 2025 225/40 R18
satisfactory
Ranked #16 of 20

16th out of 20 competitors, final rating 'Satisfactory'. The tyre proved a snow specialist with very high snow traction and also showed good grip in wet conditions, but suffered from spongy handling and extended braking distances on dry roads; it did not finish last in any measured property.

Name	Wet	Dry	Snow	Running costs
Best values in test	2+	2+	1–	1
Firestone Winterhawk 4	3	2	2+	3
Show test details

AUTOBILD Winter tyre test 2024 205/55 R16
satisfactory
Ranked #18 of 20

Finishing 18th out of 20 competitors, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 earned a final rating of 'Satisfactory.' It performed admirably with good winter suitability and secure handling characteristics on wet tracks. However, the tire was criticized for its delayed steering response and limited mileage performance. Notably, it was most successful in the aquaplaning (longitudinal) discipline, demonstrating strong performance in this particular area.

Name	Wet	Dry	Snow	Running costs
Best values in test	2+	2+	1	2+
Firestone Winterhawk 4	3	3	3	3
Show test details

ADAC Winter tyre test 2024 215/55 R17
satisfactory
Ranked #10 of 16

Name	Winter	Wet	Dry	Enviromental impact	Noise	Wear	Fuel consumption
Best values in test	1.7	2.1	2.2	1.7	2.7	1.6	1.3
Firestone Winterhawk 4	3.1	3.1	3.5	2.9	4.3	3.0	2.2
Show test details

AUTOBILD Winter tyre test 2024 205/55 R16

Ranked #10 of 55

Name	Stopping distance on wet	Stopping distance on snow
Best values in test	34.6	28.9
Firestone Winterhawk 4	35.5	30.9
Show test details

ADAC Winter tyre test 2023 205/60 R16
good
Ranked #7 of 16

Name	Enviromental impact	Driving safety
Best values in test	2	2.1
Firestone Winterhawk 4	3	2.3
Show test details

Autobild Winter tyre test 2023 225/45 R18

Ranked #6 of 54

Name	Stopping distance on wet	Stopping distance on snow
Best values in test	31,4	29,2
Firestone Winterhawk 4	33,9	31,0
Show test details

Autobild Winter tyre test 2023 225/45 R18
not recommended
Ranked #20 of 20

The Firestone Winterhawk 4 finished in last place, ranking 20th out of 20 competitors. In the assessment, it was particularly criticized for its markedly understeering dry handling, extended braking distances on dry surfaces, and increased rolling resistance. Despite showing balanced driving behavior on snow and wet conditions, these shortcomings led to a final verdict of "Not recommended." This evaluation highlights a significant contrast between its performance in different conditions, emphasizing the areas where improvements are necessary for better overall safety and efficiency in winter driving conditions.

Name	Wet	Dry	Snow	Running costs
Best values in test	2+	2+	1	2+
Firestone Winterhawk 4	2+	3	2	2
Show test details

Autobild Winter tyre test 2023 225/60 R18
not recommended
Ranked #9 of 10

The Firestone Winterhawk 4 finished in the 9th position out of several competitors, receiving a final rating of "Not recommended." Despite being praised as a winter specialist with good aquaplaning qualities and a low price level, significant drawbacks were highlighted that impacted its overall performance. The tyre demonstrated strong understeering during dry handling, delayed steering response, and extended braking distances on both wet and dry surfaces. Despite these criticisms, it's important to note that the Firestone Winterhawk 4 excelled in snow braking, snow cornering, and snow handling, indicating its effectiveness under specific winter conditions. However, these strengths were not enough to offset the identified weaknesses, leading to its final evaluation.

Name
Firestone Winterhawk 4
Show test details

ADAC Winter tyre test 2022 185/65 R15
satisfactory
Ranked #9 of 16

Securing the 9th position out of 16 competitors, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 earned a final rating of "Satisfactory." Despite performing well on wet roads, snow, and ice, and showing the best score in terms of fuel consumption and wear, its weaknesses on dry roads led to a downgrading of its overall assessment. This tire showcased commendable results in challenging winter conditions, highlighting its efficiency and durability. However, its performance on dry surfaces couldn't measure up, resulting in a recommendation with reservations. The Winterhawk 4 shines in its economic use of fuel and resilience but falls short when it comes to dry pavement, balancing its strengths and weaknesses in winter driving scenarios.

Name	Wet	Dry	Snow	Ice	Rolling resistance	Noise	Wear
Best values in test	1,7	1,9	1,8	1,9	1,7	2,5	1,5
Firestone Winterhawk 4	2,0	3,2	2,2	2,1	1,7	2,8	2,5
Show test details

Autobild Winter tyre test 2022 215/55 R17

Ranked #14 of 56

Name	Stopping distance on wet	Stopping distance on snow
Best values in test	32,8	25,4
Firestone Winterhawk 4	36	26,4

Autobild Winter tyre test 2022 215/55 R17
satisfactory
Ranked #16 of 19

The Firestone Winterhawk 4 secured the 14th position out of 19 competitors in a notable evaluation, indicating a competitive but not top-tier performance. Among its strengths, the tire boasts impressive snow handling capabilities, minimal noise while rolling, and an outstanding tread life, satisfying those looking for durability and a quiet ride during winter conditions. However, its performance was not without drawbacks. The tire displayed only adequate performance on dry surfaces, coupled with extended braking distances on both wet and dry roads, and a ride comfort that left something to be desired. Despite these mixed outcomes, specific areas of absolute best or last performance did not emerge, underscoring its balanced, though not exemplary, capabilities across various criteria.

Name	Wet	Dry	Snow	Running costs
Best values in test	2+	2+	2+	2+
Firestone Winterhawk 4	2	3+	2+	2+
Show test details

Source: www.autobild.de

AutoMotorSport Winter tyre test 2022 245/45 R19
good
Ranked #5 of 8

Securing the fifth position among eight competitors, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 earned itself a 'Good' final rating in a notable winter automotorsport event. Testers praised the tire for its easily manageable nature, impressive driving dynamics, high level of grip, and considerable reserves on snow, which made it stand out, especially in the disciplines of snow handling and lateral guidance on snow. However, the tire was not without its drawbacks; its performance was marred by weak braking capabilities, a lack of grip reserves, sensitivity to load changes on wet surfaces, an increased risk of aquaplaning, and longer braking distances on dry roads. Additionally, it was noted for generating noticeable noise while rolling, contributing to a less comfortable driving experience. Despite its dynamic prowess in snow-rich environments, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 showed significant deficits in wet and dry conditions.