Head-to-head Updated

Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.

CrossClimate 2 SUV leads, 80–76 Narrow edge

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Tests 75 · 3 tests Owners 79 · 6,409 reviews

Best test result: #2 of 9 in 2024 Tire Rack UHP All Season Tyre Test (snow handling)

“235s Factory Michelin Pilot Sport PS4s —> 245s Continental Extreme Contact DWS-06 Plus Just a quick first impression after changing from stock Summer tires 235/40/18 dimensions to 245/40/18 all season tires. I chose to take a chance and up the tire size/change the compound hoping to not sacrifice too much driving feel. As many are already aware, this 245 tire size is standard for the Morizo Edition*. Overall, I do not regret changing the tire size. Drive 9/10. Looks 10/10. A very small amount of steering feel was lost, but not enough to take away from the experience. If the car was a “track” setup I would stick with stickier performance tires or stock Michelins… but for a daily driver, the Continental Extreme Contact DWS-06 Plus tires in the 245/35/18 dimensions suits the GR Corolla MUCH better in my opinion. The drive is smoother just cruising (does not feel as bouncy over bumps) and tire noise is virtually non existent. The slightly larger sidewall also gives a little more peace of mind on crappy NY roads, pot holes etc. (I have had to plug the stock Michelins 4 times in the last 15 months). Will add more impressions later on if I can give more feedback. **Have not confirmed if speedo accuracy improved or got worse**”

Tire BMichelin

CrossClimate 2 SUV

All Season

Tests 86 · 4 tests Owners 78 · 2,551 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 7 in 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 (dry braking)

“We run CC2s on our ‘20 Ascent in central Minnesota and they’ve been excellent in all weather conditions over 40k miles. We occasionally drive gravel roads and they do not pick up noticeable amount in the tread. I ordered them for our Forester at Costco since they are on sale right now. The other tire I considered were the Nokian WRG4s (or now 5 is the new model). I had previously put the WRG3s on the Forester, but they were very loud the last 10k miles.”

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 79

    Dry

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +6
    85
    Why this score
    SourceExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUSCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)7587
    Reviews found online8582
    Dry Braking (% of best)99%100%
    Dry Handling (% of best)99%100%
  2. 80

    Wet

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +2
    82
    Why this score
    SourceExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUSCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)7482
    Reviews found online8781
    Wet Braking (% of best)93%94%
    Wet Handling (% of best)99%99%
  3. 76

    Snow

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +11
    87
    Why this score
    SourceExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUSCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)8095
    Reviews found online7177
    Snow Braking (% of best)92%99%
    Snow Handling (% of best)98%100%
  4. 77

    Comfort

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +6
    83
    Why this score
    SourceExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUSCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)7582
    Reviews found online8183
  5. 74

    Noise

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +1
    75
    Why this score
    SourceExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUSCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)7181
    Reviews found online78–
  6. 67

    Treadwear

    Level
    67
    Why this score
    SourceExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUSCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Reviews found online6969
  7. 80

    Handling

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +2
    82
    Why this score
    SourceExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUSCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Reviews found online8082
Scores at a glance
Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryContinental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUSMichelin CrossClimate 2 SUV
Relative Score 76 80
Dry 79 85
Wet 80 82
Snow 76 87
Comfort 77 83
Noise 74 75
Treadwear 67 67
Handling 80 82

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

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Headline score

ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS

CrossClimate 2 SUV

The professional test results behind the scores

Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.

DisciplineCategoryExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUSCrossClimate 2 SUVΔBoth?
Dry Braking Dry 99% #2/4 · Tire Rack Ultra High Performance All-Season Tyre Test 100% #1/7 · 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 −1.0 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #3/4 · Tire Rack Ultra High Performance All-Season Tyre Test 100% #3/9 · 2024 Motor SUV All Season Tyre Test −0.7 Different tests
Noise Other 99% #4/5 · 2025 AutoView Ultra High Performance All-Season Tyre Test 100% #3/9 · 2024 Motor SUV All Season Tyre Test −0.5 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 33% #3/5 · 2025 AutoView Ultra High Performance All-Season Tyre Test 100% #1/9 · 2024 Motor SUV All Season Tyre Test −66.7 Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 92% #3/9 · 2024 Tire Rack UHP All Season Tyre Test 99% #2/9 · 2024 Motor SUV All Season Tyre Test −7.4 Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 98% #2/9 · 2024 Tire Rack UHP All Season Tyre Test 100% #1/9 · 2025 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 −1.9 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 99% #2/5 · 2025 AutoView Ultra High Performance All-Season Tyre Test 100% #1/7 · 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 −1.4 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 93% #6/9 · 2024 Tire Rack UHP All Season Tyre Test 94% #6/10 · 2023 SUV All Season Tyre Test −1.2 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 99% #2/4 · Tire Rack Ultra High Performance All-Season Tyre Test 99% #5/9 · 2024 Motor SUV All Season Tyre Test −0.1 Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS

Pros

  • Exceptional wet traction and resistance to hydroplaning
  • Quiet and comfortable ride quality that transforms vehicle dynamics
  • Strong dry grip and responsive, predictable cornering capabilities

Cons

  • Accelerated tread wear and shorter-than-expected lifespan for some drivers
  • Increased road noise and drone developing as the tires wear down
  • Softer sidewalls can result in slightly delayed initial steering response or a 'squishy' feel
All owner themes in the ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS review

Tire B CrossClimate 2 SUV

Pros

  • Exceptional wet, ice, and snow traction that inspires winter-weather driving confidence
  • Significantly improved ride comfort and impact absorption over road imperfections
  • Impressive tread life and durability yielding long-term value

Cons

  • Higher initial purchase price compared to competitors
  • Minor fuel economy or range drop reported by some users, especially on hybrids and EVs
  • Occasional low-pitched or increased road noise at highway speeds (between 50-70 MPH)
All owner themes in the CrossClimate 2 SUV review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS

Positive

The community highly regards the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS as an exceptional ultra-high performance all-season tire, frequently praising its superior wet and light snow traction, comfortable ride, and low road noise. While commonly preferred over competitors like Michelin for its value and everyday compliance, some users note trade-offs such as slightly softer sidewalls, minor steering feel loss, initial tread squirm, and occasional balancing or treadwear concerns. Overall, owners enthusiastically recommend it for daily driving, spirited commuting, and versatile year-round capability across a wide range of vehicles.

r/etron ·6 upvotes ·2026-09-14

“Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus on standard wheel Q4 Prestige Has anybody done something as dumb as I have here? Can you guys share which tires you guys have on your Q4’s? I’ve had the Bridestone Alenza EV tires since I got the car 10 months ago, and I hated the sidewall look, lackluster handling, and their terrible grip in the snow. So I decided to bite the bullet, and get the set of tires I’ve been dying to have on this car since day one. I gotta say, I got the ugliest wheels offered on the q4, but man do the extreme contacts make this car look just a bit more sporty, the tread is aggressive and I don’t hear any increase in tire noise in the cabin which is always fantastic. I drive this car pretty hard and the Bridestone Alenza’s couldn’t hold up to my driving habits. The only downside I’ve encountered was feeling a bit more resistance from the car while cruising since EV tires have low rolling resistance in mind, and I know I will get less range from the tires. But cmon it’s hard not to absolutely love these tires on such a boring looking mom car.”

mbworld.org

“I have these same tires on my SL 550 and my wife's GLC 43 AMG. The tires are wearing great so far. Smooth ride on both vehicles. I have around 16,000 miles on the set on my SL 550 and around 18,000 miles on my wife's SUV. Plenty of tread life left on both sets. 19" wheels on the SL and 20" wheels on the GLC. Both sets are staggered, so no rotating of either set. Will definitely buy these again when needed.”

r/Golf_R ·102 upvotes ·2026-09-21

“Apex VS-5RS 17x9 on Mk. 8.5 Just had my Apex 17” wheels shoed with Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus XL tires in 245/45/17 size. I’ve only driven it a few miles but the ride quality is definitely superior to the OEM wheel/tire combo on bad road surfaces. Wheel color is Anthracite. For anyone in the Westchester / Yonkers / Bronx area I highly recommend The Wheel Doctor for fitments.”

Top themes
#Wet traction performance#Ride comfort improvement#Light snow capability#Michelin tire comparison#Soft sidewall feel#Road noise levels#Wheel balancing consistency

Based on 138 community posts

Tire B

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV

Positive

Community sentiment for the Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV is largely positive, with drivers consistently praising its exceptional grip and safety in snow, slush, and heavy rain. The primary trade-offs frequently cited are reduced fuel/range efficiency—particularly noted by EV owners—along with a premium price tag, directional rotation limitations, and mixed opinions on road noise.

chrforums.uk ·2 upvotes ·2024-06-04

“I have the Michelin Cross Climate 2 SUV tyres . The many reviews I read approved of their performance in snowy conditions (if that is an issue where you live) and also their dry condition performance. They supposedly have a decent life span. They felt nicer to drive on than the Primacy tyres . They weren't cheap at about £170 each fitted but will give me some insurance about snowy conditions and will hopefully last until I swap the car in about 3 years.”

r/tires ·3 upvotes ·2026-02-12

“Look at all weather tires (3PMSF rated) instead of a basic all season. Michelin CrossClimate2 is hard to beat for safety and snow grip and they’re not that loud in my experience. I put them on my wife’s Highlander and they’ve been smooth and confident in slush and highway rain. If you want something a little quieter and softer riding, Bridgestone WeatherPeak or Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive are also solid. When I priced 245/50R20 CC2s recently, Costco was around $314 per tire installed $1,256 set before tax during a promo, Tire Rack was about $302 per tire $1,208 before install and Discounted Wheel Warehouse had them closer to $279 per tire $1,116 before install so roughly $140 difference on a set before mounting”

subaruoutback.org ·2 upvotes ·2017-07-20

“I've had great luck with various Michelin tires on my cars and motorcycles over the years. Currently running the CC2s on my Outback , and am extremely happy with the wet grip and quietness. As some have noted, there is a noticeable increase in rolling resistance (causing a 2-3 MPG drop in my case), but for me that's a trade-off I'm willing to make.”

Top themes
#Snow and winter traction#Wet grip and hydroplaning resistance#EV range and fuel efficiency impact#Road noise and ride comfort#High price and premium value#Directional tread rotation limits#Treadwear and longevity

Based on 97 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS B · Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV
CategoryAll SeasonAll Season
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverSUV and 4x4
Sizes available12035
Rim diameters16″ – 22″17″ – 22″
Tread depth10/32″—
UTQG560 - 740 A - AA A—
Treadwear warranty50,000 mi—
SidewallBlack Side Wall—
Max pressure50 - 51 psi—

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV

Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV — better snow, dry and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire B You drive through snowy winters

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 87 vs 76 on snow.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 85 vs 79 on dry.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 83 vs 77 on comfort.

Tire A · Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 PLUS
Tire B · Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV

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How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.

80

Narrow edge

CrossClimate 2 SUV

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