Head-to-head Updated

Firestone Firehawk AS vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 0 + 4 road tests and 8 + 2,579 owner reviews. How we score

CrossClimate 2 SUV is ahead, 83–69

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Firestone Firehawk AS
Tire AFirestone

Firehawk AS

All Season High Performance tires

± 8Provisional

Tests – · none yet Owners 69 · 8 reviews

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV
Tire BMichelin

CrossClimate 2 SUV

All Season

± 5

Tests 87 · 4 tests Owners 82 · 2,579 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2023 SUV All Season Tyre Test (dry braking)

“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.”

Category by category

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

  1. 70

    Dry

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +17
    87
    Why this score
    SourceFirehawk ASCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 4 tests≈ 69 (est.)86
    Reviews found online7188

    Firehawk AS: 60% × 69 (est.) + 40% × 70.6 = 70

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 60% × 85.9 + 40% × 88.1 = 87

    No road tests of dry for Firehawk AS. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.41).

  2. 69

    Wet

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +15
    84
    Why this score
    SourceFirehawk ASCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 4 tests≈ 69 (est.)84
    Reviews found online6885

    Firehawk AS: 60% × 69.4 (est.) + 40% × 68.4 = 69

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 60% × 83.9 + 40% × 84.7 = 84

    No road tests of wet for Firehawk AS. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).

  3. 66

    Snow

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +24
    90
    Why this score
    SourceFirehawk ASCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 4 tests≈ 68 (est.)97
    Reviews found online6280

    Firehawk AS: 60% × 67.9 (est.) + 40% × 62.4 = 66

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 60% × 97.4 + 40% × 80.1 = 90

    No road tests of snow for Firehawk AS. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).

  4. 69

    Comfort

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +16
    85
    Why this score
    SourceFirehawk ASCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 2 tests≈ 69 (est.)81
    Reviews found online6988

    Firehawk AS: 40% × 68.7 (est.) + 60% × 68.8 = 69

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 40% × 81.3 + 60% × 87.6 = 85

    No road tests of comfort for Firehawk AS. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 70

    Noise

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +6
    76
    Why this score
    SourceFirehawk ASCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 4 tests≈ 66 (est.)82
    Reviews found online74≈ 66 (est.)

    Firehawk AS: 60% × 66.4 (est.) + 40% × 74.1 = 70

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 60% × 82.1 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 76

    No road tests of noise for Firehawk AS. The test half is the tested tires’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.

    No owner ratings of noise for CrossClimate 2 SUV. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  6. 70

    Treadwear

    Level
    70
    Why this score
    SourceFirehawk ASCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 68 (est.)≈ 69 (est.)
    Reviews found online7273

    Firehawk AS: 60% × 68.5 (est.) + 40% × 71.9 = 70

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 60% × 68.8 (est.) + 40% × 72.7 = 70

    No road tests of treadwear for Firehawk AS. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

    No road tests of treadwear for CrossClimate 2 SUV. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 67

    Handling (owners)

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +22
    89
    Why this score
    SourceFirehawk ASCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Reviews found online6789
  8. –

    Efficiency

    No comparison
    87
    Why this score
    SourceFirehawk ASCrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 3 tests–87
Scores at a glance
Firestone Firehawk AS vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryFirestone Firehawk ASMichelin CrossClimate 2 SUV
Relative Score 69 83
Dry 70 87
Wet 69 84
Snow 66 90
Comfort 69 85
Noise 70 76
Treadwear 70 70
Handling (owners) 67 89
Efficiency – 87

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

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
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Neutral
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Less important
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Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Recomputed
Headline score
± 8

Firehawk AS

± 5

CrossClimate 2 SUV

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A Firehawk AS

Pros

  • Exceptionally quiet and smooth ride quality
  • Strong dry handling and improved cornering response
  • Good water dispersion and wet road performance for most users

Cons

  • Potential susceptibility to hydroplaning in heavy rain according to select reviewers
  • Requires proper balancing to prevent irregular tread wear
All owner themes in the Firehawk AS 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

Firestone Firehawk AS

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Tire B

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV

Positive

Community members generally view the Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV as a premium, dependable tire known for strong snow and dry performance, comfortable driving feel, and valuable 3PMS certification. Discussions frequently center around sizing availability, comparison to other models like the Primacy or standard CrossClimate 2, and choosing between specific speed or OEM ratings.

mbworld.org

“So here's the latest on Tires recommendations: (still dithering). Looking for smooth, soft ride, good mileage. I do have a mountain home; use ~30ish days during winter ski season, but mostly highway driving in Southern California ( don't disparage me for being a Californian. I cant stand the people or the government too lol. But it's a beautiful state). 2020 300GLC 4MATIC California car, 235/60 18H rating What will it be...?????? MICHELIN DEFENDER LTX M/S - seems like you guys are in favor. But hard to get. And the size is a 235/60 106T designation. Is the T speed max of 116mph not safe enough when OEM was an H rating 130mph? MICHELIN DEFENDER2. $238. Tire rack MICHELIN CrossClimate2 SUV tire rack $248. - hearing both good and bad. I heard they're soft and mileage tanks. Check out reviews on the Michelin USA official site. Pretty interesting. CONTINENTAL CROSSCONTACT LX25 $222. tire rack high rating? Also just got this from TireRack customer service CONTINENTAL EXTREMECONTACT DWS 06 PLUS. $238. Not sure, seems like TR is trying to promote them for Cont.”

r/CarTalkUK ·2 upvotes ·2024-11-07

“Opinions please ... Michelin Primacy 4+ vs Michelin Cross Climate 2 SUV? Hi all ... I'm coming up to tyre replacement time so I've looking at what's around. Currently on Bridgestone Turanzas cos that's what came with the car, but I'm not hugely impressed with their lifespan, they seem to pick up sidewall damage easily and the tread seems to age quickly. Which is not much cop when all i do is commute round Southern England. I've pretty much settled on Michelin Primacy 4+ or Cross Climate 2 SUV but I'm having difficulty making a final decision. So I thought the hivemind might settle this: in your experience which one is best for lifespan and fuel consumption? Car is a 2018 SEAT Ateca with 18" alloys. Edit: well guys, I went with the Cross Climates, thanks for the advice!”

r/tires ·1 upvote ·2025-11-12

“I just bought Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV for my Range Rover Sport and the reason is that I needed/wanted 3PMS certification. Also in my driving career I’ve always found Michelin better for everyday use compared to Pirelli which I instead preferred for performance and weekend fun.”

Top themes
#snow and dry performance#speed and OEM ratings#tire size availability#comfort and driving feel#comparison with Primacy#SUV versus standard version

Based on 8 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Firestone Firehawk AS B · Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV
CategoryAll Season High Performance tiresAll Season
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverSUV and 4x4
Sizes available535
Rim diameters15″ – 18″17″ – 22″
Tread depth11/32″—
UTQG480 A A—
Treadwear warranty50,000 mi—
SidewallBlackwall—
Max pressure44 psi—
Sizes in common00

Which one should you actually buy?

Firestone Firehawk AS

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV

Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV — better snow, handling and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score. Firestone Firehawk AS rests on little evidence so far (0 tests, 8 reviews), so read this result as provisional.

Pick tire B You drive through snowy winters

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 90 vs 66 on snow.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 89 vs 67 on handling.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 87 vs 70 on dry.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 85 vs 69 on comfort.

Tire A · Firestone Firehawk AS
Tire B · Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV

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Firehawk AS or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Which is better in the wet, Firehawk AS or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV, 84 vs 69 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Firehawk AS or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV, 87 vs 70 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, Firehawk AS or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV, 90 vs 66 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, Firehawk AS or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV, 76 vs 70 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Firehawk AS or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV, 85 vs 69 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Firehawk AS or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Neither, by our numbers: 70 vs 70 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.

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.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

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