Head-to-head Updated

Michelin CrossClimate vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 — 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 2 + 33 road tests and 152 + 21,761 owner reviews. How we score

CrossClimate 2 is ahead, 87–74

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Michelin CrossClimate
Tire AMichelin

CrossClimate

All Season

± 6

Tests 75 · 2 tests Owners 74 · 152 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 14 in 2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test (noise)

Michelin CrossClimate 2
Tire BMichelin

CrossClimate 2

All Season

± 4

Tests 87 · 33 tests Owners 87 · 21,761 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 35 in 2023 All Season Tyre 35 Set Shootout (dry braking)

“I have had the Cross Climate 2 tires on my VW All Track now for about a year and thought I would share some findings about them. 1. They are QUIET on the road. Looking at the tread, you might think they are noisy but they are not! Run as quiet as a normal tire. 2. They give excellent traction and handling on dry, wet and snowy roads. This past winter, I had two occasions to drive on roads covered with 6-10" of snow. Excellent traction. 3. They wear very well! After about 12,000 miles, they hardly show any wear. I expect to get about 50,000-60,000 miles out of these tires. 4. They do exact a mileage penalty. I lost about 2 mpg overall since putting on these tires. However, I do not mind that considering the excellent traction I get from them. 5. They tend to pick up stones in the tread, particularly after the great state of Pennsylvania in its wisdom covers the roads before, during and after a snowstorm with gravel. Overall, this tire is a winner. Handling is excellent as is wear and traction. I would recommend this tire to anyone who wants these features and wants to leave a set of tires on their car year around.”

Category by category

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

  1. 76

    Dry

    CrossClimate 2 +19
    95
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimateCrossClimate 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 31 tests7899
    Reviews found online7488

    CrossClimate: 60% × 77.9 + 40% × 73.5 = 76

    CrossClimate 2: 60% × 99.2 + 40% × 88.4 = 95

  2. 76

    Wet

    CrossClimate 2 +11
    87
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimateCrossClimate 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 31 tests7583
    Reviews found online7892

    CrossClimate: 60% × 75.4 + 40% × 77.8 = 76

    CrossClimate 2: 60% × 83.1 + 40% × 91.7 = 87

  3. 69

    Snow

    CrossClimate 2 +22
    91
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimateCrossClimate 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 27 tests7199
    Reviews found online6579

    CrossClimate: 60% × 70.9 + 40% × 65.4 = 69

    CrossClimate 2: 60% × 98.6 + 40% × 78.8 = 91

  4. 73

    Comfort

    CrossClimate 2 +5
    78
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimateCrossClimate 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 4 tests≈ 70 (est.)67
    Reviews found online7686

    CrossClimate: 40% × 70.1 (est.) + 60% × 75.6 = 73

    CrossClimate 2: 40% × 67.1 + 60% × 86 = 78

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

  5. 69

    Noise

    CrossClimate 2 +10
    79
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimateCrossClimate 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 20 tests7177
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)83

    CrossClimate: 60% × 70.7 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 69

    CrossClimate 2: 60% × 76.9 + 40% × 82.5 = 79

    No owner ratings of noise for CrossClimate. 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. 74

    Treadwear

    CrossClimate 2 +10
    84
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimateCrossClimate 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 7 tests7481
    Reviews found online7588

    CrossClimate: 60% × 73.8 + 40% × 74.9 = 74

    CrossClimate 2: 60% × 81.2 + 40% × 88 = 84

  7. 73

    Handling (owners)

    CrossClimate 2 +9
    82
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimateCrossClimate 2
    Reviews found online7382
  8. 76

    Efficiency

    CrossClimate 2 +14
    90
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimateCrossClimate 2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 23 tests7690
Scores at a glance
Michelin CrossClimate vs Michelin CrossClimate 2: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin CrossClimateMichelin CrossClimate 2
Relative Score 74 87
Dry 76 95
Wet 76 87
Snow 69 91
Comfort 73 78
Noise 69 79
Treadwear 74 84
Handling (owners) 73 82
Efficiency 76 90

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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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
± 6

CrossClimate

± 4

CrossClimate 2

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.

DisciplineCategoryCrossClimateCrossClimate 2ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 99% #2/14 · 2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test 100% #2/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 90% #7/14 · 2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test 98% #4/5 · 2026 TUV Test Report Goodyear Vector All Season 4 – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 94% #4/11 · 2017 All Season VS Winter Tyre Test 93% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 87% #9/14 · 2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test 92% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 96% #4/14 · 2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test 93% #5/5 · 2026 TUV Test Report Goodyear Vector All Season 4 – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 91% #5/8 · 2017 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 97% #3/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 99% #2/8 · 2017 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 100% #1/5 · 2026 TUV Test Report Goodyear Vector All Season 4 – Different tests
Noise Noise 100% #1/14 · 2018 New and Worn Summer Tyre Test 98% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 – Different tests
Wear Treadwear 91% #4/10 · 2017 All Season Tyre Test 95% #4/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 100% #1/8 · 2017 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 100% #1/5 · 2026 TUV Test Report Goodyear Vector All Season 4 – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #4/10 2017 All Season Tyre Test #3/15 2024 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test – Different tests
Value Cost 65% #8/10 · 2017 All Season Tyre Test 47% #14/15 · 2025 ADAC All Season Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #9/9 2018 ADAC All Season Tyre Test #2/6 2026 Wybór Kierowców Winter Tire Test R17 – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A CrossClimate

Pros

  • Exceptional tread life and durability
  • Strong wet-weather grip and hydroplaning resistance
  • Reliable traction in light snow and cold conditions

Cons

  • Tendency to pick up and retain small stones in the tread pattern
  • Noticeable drop in performance as tread depth decreases
  • Potential for reduced fuel economy compared to dedicated summer tires
All owner themes in the CrossClimate review

Tire B CrossClimate 2

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and traction in snow, slush, and winter weather conditions
  • Strong braking and handling performance on dry and wet pavement
  • Long-lasting tread wear and durability

Cons

  • Higher initial purchase price
  • Slight negative impact on fuel economy / EV range for some drivers
  • Potential for increased road noise or harshness as the tires wear down
All owner themes in the CrossClimate 2 review

What real owners are saying

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

Tire A

Michelin CrossClimate

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

Tire B

Michelin CrossClimate 2

Positive

The community overwhelmingly praises the Michelin CrossClimate 2 for its exceptional snow, ice, and wet-weather traction, often describing it as an ideal all-weather tire. While many drivers report a quiet, comfortable ride and solid durability, some users note potential downsides including reduced fuel or battery efficiency, road noise on certain surfaces, and premium pricing. A few commenters also point out that the tire may be overkill for regions without significant winter weather.

r/Subaru_Outback ·14 upvotes ·2024-01-17

“My Official review of the Cross Climate 2 tires. I put some new shoes on the Outback after reading some threads on here and decided with my weather here in Missouri the Cross Climate 2s were the best fit. In rain, they are great so no more sliding or hydroplaning what so ever. In snow, they are even more amazing. They grip extremely well. The one downside to them that concerns me, and I didn't think about this when I purchased them, is that fact you can't do a full tire rotation to them like conventional tires as they are directional so you can only do front to back and vise versa. For this reason I am concerned if I will get 60K out of them and avoid the inner/outer wear. Sure you can dismount the tire from the wheel and remount them but I had heard that's bad for them. Overall, they are excellent. If you are concerned about the tire rotation thing, I would say the Michelin Defenders or the Falkan Wildpeaks are probably a better bet. I plan on getting the Falkans next but hopefully that wont be for at least 50K more miles. Read more”

mavericktruckclub.com ·9 upvotes ·2024-08-12

“I replaced the factory Continentals at 9,258 miles at the end of August 2023 with the stock size 225/65R17 Michelin CrossClimate 2's. I waited until the local tire shop had a sale and had these mounted/balanced for under $800. 348 days, 10,004 miles and 4 seasons have passed since then. I spend much of my time around "town" with speed limits under 55 while also having a handful of longer highway drives. These are the closest thing to a "no-compromise" all season tire that I can imagine. They are smooth, quiet and have incredible grip in all weather conditions. Snow, rain, etc. Admittedly, I have not taken my FWD Maverick through any meaningful amount of mud. Maybe there is a tire better suited to this. There are also certainly performance oriented tires that will outperform this tire when it is hot and dry. Last, and certainly not least - there does not seem to be any fuel economy change. I have tracked every tank before and after these tires. Both my best (48.5MPG) and worst (27MPG) full tanks have happened since these were installed. 38.8 overall.”

r/ecoboostmustang ·2 upvotes ·2025-07-28

“On a 2015 Highlander Hybrid, the CC2 is excellent anti-hydroplaning, wonderful snow and ice handling, both moving and stopping. I am a rideshare driver averaging 200 or so miles per day. The tires are only just now a bit noisier at 78,000 miles. Wear is down to 3/32 and went through a wild, heavy rain storm today with no lack of confidence whatsoever. Only downside is that >80 degrees F and gas mileage goes down by 2 mpg. Love the tires so much that I feel the slight loss during summer is still worth it.”

Top themes
#Snow and ice traction#Wet handling and hydroplaning#Road noise and comfort#Fuel economy and range#Tread wear and longevity#Premium price point#Directional tread design

Based on 762 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin CrossClimate B · Michelin CrossClimate 2
CategoryAll SeasonAll Season
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available—92
Rim diameters—15″ – 21″
Tread depth—9 - 10/32″
UTQG—640 B A
Treadwear warranty—60,000 mi
Sidewall—Black Side Wall
Max pressure—50 - 51 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin CrossClimate

Michelin CrossClimate 2

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

Pick tire B You drive through snowy winters

Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 91 vs 69 on snow.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 95 vs 76 on dry.

Pick tire B You want lower fuel or energy use

Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 90 vs 76 on efficiency.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 87 vs 76 on wet.

Tire A · Michelin CrossClimate
Tire B · Michelin CrossClimate 2

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CrossClimate or CrossClimate 2?

Which is better in the wet, CrossClimate or CrossClimate 2?

Michelin CrossClimate 2, 87 vs 76 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, CrossClimate or CrossClimate 2?

Michelin CrossClimate 2, 95 vs 76 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, CrossClimate or CrossClimate 2?

Michelin CrossClimate 2, 91 vs 69 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, CrossClimate or CrossClimate 2?

Michelin CrossClimate 2, 79 vs 69 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, CrossClimate or CrossClimate 2?

Michelin CrossClimate 2, 78 vs 73 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, CrossClimate or CrossClimate 2?

Michelin CrossClimate 2, 84 vs 74 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, CrossClimate or CrossClimate 2?

Michelin CrossClimate 2, 90 vs 76 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