2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test
The BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 finishes 11th with a 'good' verdict. It is one of the better tires on snow, but imprecise dry handling cost it a safety penalty and a place in the top ten.
Tested 26 times by independent publications, the BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 7th. Its strongest discipline is Snow Braking, beating 90% of the field across 20 tests; its weakest is Dry Handling, at 22% across 11 tests.
2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test P11 of 20
The BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 finishes 11th with a 'good' verdict. It is one of the better tires on snow, but imprecise dry handling cost it a safety penalty and a place in the top ten.
Where the BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 12 | P12.3 of 19.7 | 39% | - |
| Dry Handling Weak | 11 | P16.3 of 20.1 | 22% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 20 | P12 of 32.3 | 55% | - |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 1 | P12 of 16 | 27% | - |
| Wet Handling | 11 | P12.3 of 20 | 39% | - |
| Wet Circle | 7 | P15.3 of 21 | 28% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 12 | P4 of 19.7 | 82% | 3 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 9 | P7.6 of 19.2 | 61% | - |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking Strong | 20 | P3.3 of 24.4 | 90% | 5 |
| Snow Traction | 10 | P3.9 of 19.4 | 86% | 3 |
| Snow Handling | 11 | P4.2 of 19.3 | 84% | 3 |
| Snow Slalom | 6 | P3.5 of 21 | 88% | 1 |
| Ice | ||||
| Ice Braking | 1 | P11 of 16 | 33% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 2 | P8 of 20 | 63% | - |
| Noise | 12 | P6.8 of 19.7 | 70% | 2 |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 10 | P9 of 19.6 | 57% | - |
| Value | 9 | P12.2 of 20 | 41% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 11 | P10.7 of 19.5 | 46% | - |
| Fuel Consumption | 1 | P6 of 16 | 67% | - |
| Abrasion | 1 | P2 of 16 | 93% | - |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 72% | |
| 19 | 19 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 18 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 47% | |
| 17 | 3 | 14 | - | 18% | |
| 14 | 9 | 5 | - | 64% | |
| 14 | 3 | 11 | - | 21% | |
| 13 | 13 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 11 | 11 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 60% | |
| 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 60% | |
| 10 | 10 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 10 | 10 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 10 | 0 | 10 | - | 0% | |
| 9 | 9 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 63% | |
| 9 | 2 | 7 | - | 22% | |
| 9 | 2 | 7 | - | 22% | |
| 8 | 8 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 8 | 5 | 3 | - | 63% | |
| 8 | 4 | 4 | - | 50% |
Drawn from 25 tests. Updated October 13, 2026.
Across 25 independent winter tests, the BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 shows an unusually clear split personality: it is repeatedly among the very best on snow and often class-leading for aquaplaning resistance, but gives away too much performance on wet (and sometimes dry) tarmac. The snow performance is the defining trait in both data and verdicts - for example it is 1st for snow braking in several Auto Bild full tests (e.g. 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test; 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test) and was described as an “absolute snow king with outstanding performance on snow-covered surfaces across all disciplines” (2025 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test). It also frequently posts standout aquaplaning results, including multiple straight-line aquaplaning wins (e.g. 1st of 22 in straight aquaplaning, 2025 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test; 1st of 21, 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test), and it is often noted as quiet (e.g. 1st of 14 in noise, 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tire Test).
The recurring exception is wet braking and broader wet-road grip, where it is commonly mid-to-lower field and sometimes explicitly devalued by testers despite strong winter credentials. Auto Bild repeatedly records noticeably longer wet braking distances (e.g. 17th of 22, +17.8% from best in 2025; 18th of 23, +10.8% in 2024), and ADAC notes wet handling issues and only satisfactory wet performance (2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test). Dry-road behavior is also a regular weak point in some tests (spongy/slow steering and understeer are mentioned), even though a few reports find it broadly safe rather than sporty (e.g. 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test notes safe wet/dry characteristics but still flags longer dry braking). Overall, it tends to place well when snow weighting is high (e.g. 2nd/9 in 2020 ACE; 4th/20 in 2023 Auto Bild) and drift towards mid-pack when wet/dry balance dominates (e.g. 12th/20 in 2025 Auto Bild).
one of the better tires on snow- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
absolute snow king with outstanding performance on snow-covered surfaces across all disciplines- 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test (2025)
Top performance on snow and, good safety reserves in aquaplaning, quiet rolling noise- 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2024)
very good driving performance on packed snow- 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2022)
Good on snow and ice, low wear- 2022 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 (2022)
almost the most traction, joint third-shortest braking- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
it achieves the shortest braking distance on snow in the entire test- 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test (2025)
scores well for braking and handling- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)
second-best winter tire in curved aquaplaning and among the better ones in a straight line- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
Top performance on snow and, good safety reserves in aquaplaning, quiet rolling noise- 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2024)
good aquaplaning properties- 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2023)
good aquaplaning reserves- 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2022)
Top performance on snow and, good safety reserves in aquaplaning, quiet rolling noise- 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2024)
pleasantly quiet driving comfort- 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2022)
quiet pass-by noise- 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tire Test (2021)
low noise level- 2020 ACE Winter Tire Test (2020)
low noise- 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tire Test (2019)
its projected lifespan is rated as just good- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)
low wear- 2022 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 (2022)
top marks for wear- 2021 ADAC 15 Inch Winter Tire Test (2021)
low wear- 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test (2020)
low wear- 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tire Test (2019)
it has low rolling resistance- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
it performs well in fuel efficiency- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)
top marks for wear and fuel consumption- 2021 ADAC 15 Inch Winter Tire Test (2021)
Top marks in the snow, low fuel consumption and wear- 2017 ADAC SUV Winter Tire Test - 215/65 R16 (2017)
safe driving characteristics on wet and dry tracks- 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2023)
stable wet handling- 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2021)
Good on snow and ice, low wear- 2022 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 (2022)
Good grip on ice and snow- 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2021)
pleasantly quiet driving comfort- 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2022)
good ride comfort- 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2017)
Slightly extended wet braking distance- 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2024)
Slightly longer wet braking distances- 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2022)
long wet braking- 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tire Test (2021)
among the slowest on the dry handling course- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
handling feels spongy and imprecise- 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test (2025)
Understeer balance in the dry- 2020 ACE Winter Tire Test (2020)
braking distances are extended- 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test (2025)
Slightly extended dry braking distances- 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2023)
it struggles on both wet and dry roads- 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test (2025)
Weaknesses on dry and wet roads (devaluation.)- 2022 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 (2022)
Average wet grip- 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tire Test (2021)
Slightly weak in the wet- 2021 ADAC 15 Inch Winter Tire Test (2021)
Slightly weaker in the wet and dry when compared to the best- 2017 ADAC SUV Winter Tire Test - 215/65 R16 (2017)
Slow steering- 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2021)
Slow steering- 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2017)
Weaknesses on dry and wet roads (devaluation.)- 2022 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 (2022)
Limited dry performances- The Best Winter Tires for 2020 (2020)
Slightly weaker in the wet and dry when compared to the best- 2017 ADAC SUV Winter Tire Test - 215/65 R16 (2017)
below average on the wet handling course and the wet circle- 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2026)
struggles in wet handling due to excessive understeer or oversteer- 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test (2023)
understeer in the dry- 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2017)
Every tester write-up on the BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 (16 tests) and 23 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 finishes 11th with a 'good' verdict. It is one of the better tires on snow, but imprecise dry handling cost it a safety penalty and a place in the top ten.
The BF Goodrich g-Force Winter 2 establishes itself as an absolute snow king with outstanding performance on snow-covered surfaces across all disciplines. As one of Michelin's secondary brands, it achieves the shortest braking distance on snow in the entire test and delivers exceptional traction and grip when temperatures plunge. However, this intense focus on winter performance creates a notably unbalanced tire. It struggles on both wet and dry roads, with the dry performance being particularly compromised—handling feels spongy and imprecise, while braking distances are extended. The tire essentially sacrifices three-season capability for maximum winter competence. At approximately €510 per set, it's reasonably priced for a specialized product. This tire is specifically suited for drivers in harsh winter climates with consistent snow cover who primarily drive during winter months and are willing to sacrifice dry and wet performance for ultimate snow confidence and safety.
The BF Goodrich g-Force Winter 2 excels in winter conditions, offering top performance on snow. It also provides good protection against aquaplaning and offers a quiet ride. Its main drawback is a slightly longer braking distance in wet conditions. This tire seems well-suited for areas with harsh winters but may be less ideal for regions with frequent wet conditions.
The BFGoodrich G-FORCE WINTER 2 provides only satisfactory steering feedback on dry roads but remains stable at the limit. Its braking is rated as "still good," earning it an overall good rating for dry conditions. On wet roads, the tire receives a satisfactory overall rating; while its braking and aquaplaning are rated as good, it struggles in wet handling due to excessive understeer or oversteer. On winter roads, it scores well for braking and handling but falls short in ice braking, receiving a satisfactory rating. Environmentally, the tire achieves a barely good rating; its projected lifespan is rated as just good, its wear is clearly good, and while it performs well in fuel efficiency, its weight is only rated as satisfactory.
The BFGOODRICH G-Force Winter 2 just missed out on a good overall rating and is therefore "recommended". However, due to slight weaknesses on dry and wet roads, he did not get more than a satisfactory result in these tests, which led to the downgrading of the overall grade.
Recommended.
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All BFGoodrich tires