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Head-to-head Updated

Hankook Kinergy 4S2 vs Michelin CrossClimate 3 — 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 27 + 9 road tests and 3,659 + 3,258 owner reviews. How we score

CrossClimate 3 is ahead, 85–70

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Hankook Kinergy 4S2
Tire AHankook

Kinergy 4S2

All Season

± 4

Tests 78 · 27 tests Owners 60 · 3,659 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (curved aquaplaning)

“Zimske gume - premium ili neka srednja klasa? Nakon 2 proklizavanja u skretanju ovaj vikend (po kiši) zaključila sam da je vrijeme da kupim nove gume. Otkako sam uzela auto (prosinac 2022.) imam jedne te iste cjelogodišnje gume, Hankook Kinergy 4S2, 225/45/R17. Prošlu zimu kad je bilo snijega jedva sam kući s posla išla koliko sam se klizala po ulici, kiša još nekako ali snijeg i led katastrofa. Ove godine je i na kiši počeo proklizavati. Auto je zadnji pogon, 115ks ništa specijalno. Ono što me zanima je koliko ima smisla uzeti neke premium gume obzirom da godišnje radim oko 15k kilometara, većinski po gradu (Slavonija), tu i tamo autoput do Zg, možda 2 puta godišnje Mađarska/Austrija/Slovenija. Vidim da svi hvale Continental Wintercontact TS870 ali poprilično su skupe pa imate li možda preporuku za nešto jeftinije, a kvalitetno? Više me zanima da su dobre za kišu jer snijega nema nešto specijalno i sve će biti bolje nego ove koje sad imam. Što se dimenzije tiče imam jedne alu felge pa bih onda uzela istu dimenziju čisto da se ne moram izut iz cipela zbog troškova s kupovanjem još i felgi. TLDR: Zimska guma, 225/45/R17, zadnji pogon, što kupiti? Read more”

Michelin CrossClimate 3
Tire BMichelin

CrossClimate 3

All Season

± 4

Tests 85 · 9 tests Owners 86 · 3,258 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 15 in 2025 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test (snow braking)

“Winter ready: Michelin Cross Climate 3 All season tyres fitted today on the C63. Michelin Cross Climate 3 Sport (Front) Michelin Cross Climate 3 (Rear) Sizing availability is the reason for the slight difference in specifications. PS5s are wrapped up until next year! Read more”

Category by category

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

Key facts

  • In 3 tests that measured dry braking for both, Kinergy 4S2 won 1 and CrossClimate 3 won 2 (average 93% vs 94% of the best).
  • In 3 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, Kinergy 4S2 won 1 and CrossClimate 3 won 2 (average 95% vs 95% of the best).
  • In 3 tests that measured wet braking for both, Kinergy 4S2 won 1 and CrossClimate 3 won 2 (average 93% vs 93% of the best).
  • In 3 tests that measured snow braking for both, Kinergy 4S2 won 0 and CrossClimate 3 won 3 (average 96% vs 100% of the best).
  • In 3 tests that measured snow traction for both, Kinergy 4S2 won 0 and CrossClimate 3 won 3 (average 94% vs 99% of the best).
  1. 72

    Dry

    CrossClimate 3 +13
    85
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2CrossClimate 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 26 / 9 tests8384
    Reviews found online5688
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–293%94%
    Dry Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–098%97%
    Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–088%78%

    Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 82.9 + 40% × 56 = 72

    CrossClimate 3: 60% × 83.8 + 40% × 87.5 = 85

  2. 78

    Wet

    CrossClimate 3 +5
    83
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2CrossClimate 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 26 / 9 tests8781
    Reviews found online6587
    Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–089%81%
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–295%95%
    Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–079%66%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–293%93%
    Wet Circle (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–099%94%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–097%94%

    Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 86.8 + 40% × 64.9 = 78

    CrossClimate 3: 60% × 80.8 + 40% × 86.7 = 83

  3. 72

    Snow

    CrossClimate 3 +19
    91
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2CrossClimate 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 21 / 7 tests7999
    Reviews found online6179
    Snow Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–396%100%
    Snow Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–195%100%
    Snow Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–296%100%
    Snow Slalom (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–196%100%
    Snow Traction (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–394%99%
    Snow Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–286%100%

    Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 78.6 + 40% × 60.9 = 72

    CrossClimate 3: 60% × 99.2 + 40% × 78.7 = 91

  4. 61

    Comfort

    CrossClimate 3 +27
    88
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2CrossClimate 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 4 tests7288
    Reviews found online5488
    Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–188%94%

    Kinergy 4S2: 40% × 71.6 + 60% × 54.4 = 61

    CrossClimate 3: 40% × 87.9 + 60% × 87.6 = 88

  5. 64

    Noise

    CrossClimate 3 +11
    75
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2CrossClimate 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 21 / 6 tests6280
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)
    Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–297%99%
    Noise (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–191%96%

    Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 61.6 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 64

    CrossClimate 3: 60% × 79.9 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 75

    No owner ratings of noise for Kinergy 4S2 or CrossClimate 3. 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. 67

    Treadwear

    CrossClimate 3 +16
    83
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2CrossClimate 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 10 / 3 tests7282
    Reviews found online6086
    Abrasion (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–284%98%
    Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–285%96%

    Kinergy 4S2: 60% × 72.5 + 40% × 59.7 = 67

    CrossClimate 3: 60% × 81.8 + 40% × 85.6 = 83

  7. 56

    Handling (owners)

    CrossClimate 3 +34
    90
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2CrossClimate 3
    Reviews found online5690
  8. 51

    Efficiency

    CrossClimate 3 +29
    80
    Why this score
    SourceKinergy 4S2CrossClimate 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 21 / 6 tests5180
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–387%96%
Scores at a glance
CategoryHankook Kinergy 4S2Michelin CrossClimate 3
Relative Score 70 85
Dry 72 85
Wet 78 83
Snow 72 91
Comfort 61 88
Noise 64 75
Treadwear 67 83
Handling (owners) 56 90
Efficiency 51 80

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

Weight the categories that matter to you

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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Recomputed
Headline score
± 4

Kinergy 4S2

± 4

CrossClimate 3

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

In the overall rankings of 3 tests that ran both, Hankook Kinergy 4S2 finished ahead 1 times and Michelin CrossClimate 3 2 times.

DisciplineCategoryKinergy 4S2CrossClimate 3ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 93% 94% −1.2 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Dry Handling Dry 98% 97% +1.0 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Dry Handling (tester's mark) Dry 88% 78% +9.2 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Curved Aquaplaning Wet 89% 81% +7.5 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 · 225/40 R18
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 95% 95% −0.9 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Wet Braking Wet 93% 93% +0.6 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Wet Circle Wet 99% 94% +4.7 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Wet Handling Wet 97% 94% +3.6 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Wet Handling (tester's mark) Wet 79% 66% +13.1 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Snow Braking Snow 96% 100% −3.6 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Snow Circle Snow 95% 100% −5.2 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test · 225/40 R18
Snow Handling Snow 96% 100% −4.0 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Snow Handling (tester's mark) Snow 86% 100% −13.6 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Snow Slalom Snow 96% 100% −3.9 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Snow Traction Snow 94% 99% −4.9 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 88% 94% −6.1 0–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Noise Noise 97% 99% −1.8 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Noise (tester's mark) Noise 91% 96% −4.9 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 · 225/40 R18
Abrasion Treadwear 84% 98% −13.3 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Wear Treadwear 85% 96% −11.0 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 87% 96% −8.5 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #7/15 #5/15 – 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test · 225/40 R18
Value Cost 85% 77% +8.3 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17
Overall Ranking Overall #6/10 #4/10 – 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test · 225/45 R17

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A Kinergy 4S2

Pros

  • Exceptional wet weather grip, braking, and aquaplaning resistance
  • Strong performance and confidence in cold temperatures, light snow, and slush
  • High overall value for money compared to premium tier alternatives

Cons

  • Increased road noise and occasional highway 'whining' or howling between 120-140 km/h
  • Some reports of faster-than-expected tread wear or uneven inner tread deformation
  • Softer sidewalls can induce initial steering delay or a slight floating feel during aggressive cornering
All owner themes in the Kinergy 4S2 review

Tire B CrossClimate 3

Pros

  • Superior wet weather grip and braking performance
  • Enhanced ride comfort and smoothing of road imperfections
  • Low road noise levels and quiet operation

Cons

  • Premium price point compared to competitors
  • Softer sidewalls can reduce cornering precision or steering feel
  • Tread pattern tends to pick up and hold small stones
All owner themes in the CrossClimate 3 review

What real owners are saying

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

Tire A

Hankook Kinergy 4S2

Mixed

The Hankook Kinergy 4S2 is widely regarded as a good-value 3PMSF all-weather tire, often recommended as a cheaper alternative to the Michelin CrossClimate 2 thanks to strong wet performance and good independent test results. Complaints include a stiff ride, highway road noise, fast or uneven tread wear, and weaker snow and ice grip for some owners. Several users noted that ice performance wasn't tested and that it suits milder, wet climates best.

r/tires ·2 upvotes ·2024-11-16

“We're able to get the Kinergy 4S2 from Discount Tires (America's Tires) for less than half the price of. the Cross Climate 2's. We plan to give them a try on a Nissan LEAF and Prius Prime. Hot take: Hit the "found a lower price" feature on the Discount Tire site and see what they offer you! We were very pleasantly surprised!”
subaruoutback.org ·3 upvotes ·2022-11-09

“I had the Kinergy 4s2 tires and they were not good. They wore unevenly, especially on the outsides of the fronts and handling was poor. When cornering the tire felt like the sidewall was folding under which would explain the increased wear on the outside tread block of the tires . The alignment was verified to be perfect. Go with the CC2 or anything Nokian . I ran some old Nokian WRG2s and was very impressed. Id imagine the latest versions are also very good.”
r/mercedes_benz ·8 upvotes ·2026-09-06

“Tire recommendations E-class Hi all, I've been enjoying my first E-class for a couple months now. The only thing that has been bothering me is the loud noise the tires make at about 130 kph. I've ruled everything out so I'm really certain it is just the tires. They are hankook kinergy 4s2 h750 all seasons, so a bit of noise is to be expected but these really make a loud humming noise at highway speeds. Does anyone have recommendation for quiet all season tires? They do need to have the 3pmsf certifaction. My sizes are front: 245/40 R19 & back: 275/35 R19. Read more”
Top themes
#Value vs CrossClimate 2#Wet traction#Snow and ice grip#Tread wear concerns#Ride comfort stiffness#Road noise#Tyre Reviews test results#EV and range use

Based on 34 community posts

Tire B

Michelin CrossClimate 3

Mixed

Community opinion on the Michelin CrossClimate 3 is mixed, with drivers praising its excellent snow capabilities, longevity, and comfortable ride. However, many express disappointment over its compromised wet and dry performance compared to competitors, while widespread frustration surrounds limited sizing and its unavailability in the North American market.

r/AMG ·160 upvotes ·2025-10-25

“Winter ready: Michelin Cross Climate 3 All season tyres fitted today on the C63. Michelin Cross Climate 3 Sport (Front) Michelin Cross Climate 3 (Rear) Sizing availability is the reason for the slight difference in specifications. PS5s are wrapped up until next year! Read more”
r/SubaruForester ·2 upvotes ·2025-08-22

“CC3 are not available in the US as they where only released in the UK in July and no plans on the US market yet.”
r/enyaq ·3 upvotes ·2026-05-03

“I don't know what you wrote but I just purchased cross climate 3 to my Enyaq. Quite quiet and so far good.”
Top themes
#US market unavailability#Snow and winter performance#Weak wet and dry grip#Longevity and tread life#CC3 vs CC3 Sport differences#Ride comfort and low noise#Limited size availability

Based on 97 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Hankook Kinergy 4S2 B · Michelin CrossClimate 3
CategoryAll SeasonAll Season
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available9582
Rim diameters14″ – 20″16″ – 22″
UTQG500 A A—
Sizes in common3131

Which one should you actually buy?

Hankook Kinergy 4S2

Michelin CrossClimate 3

Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 3 — better handling, efficiency and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin CrossClimate 3 scores 90 vs 56 on handling.

Pick tire B You want lower fuel or energy use

Michelin CrossClimate 3 scores 80 vs 51 on efficiency.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin CrossClimate 3 scores 88 vs 61 on comfort.

Pick tire B You drive through snowy winters

Michelin CrossClimate 3 scores 91 vs 72 on snow.

Pick tire A Your priority is dry handling

Hankook Kinergy 4S2 won 2 of 2 shared dry handling tests.

Tire A · Hankook Kinergy 4S2
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Tire B · Michelin CrossClimate 3
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Kinergy 4S2 or CrossClimate 3?

Which is better in the wet, Kinergy 4S2 or CrossClimate 3?

Michelin CrossClimate 3, 83 vs 78 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Kinergy 4S2 or CrossClimate 3?

Michelin CrossClimate 3, 85 vs 72 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, Kinergy 4S2 or CrossClimate 3?

Michelin CrossClimate 3, 91 vs 72 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, Kinergy 4S2 or CrossClimate 3?

Michelin CrossClimate 3, 75 vs 64 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Kinergy 4S2 or CrossClimate 3?

Michelin CrossClimate 3, 88 vs 61 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Kinergy 4S2 or CrossClimate 3?

Michelin CrossClimate 3, 83 vs 67 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Kinergy 4S2 or CrossClimate 3?

Michelin CrossClimate 3, 80 vs 51 on our efficiency score.

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