Head-to-head Updated

Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Michelin Primacy 4 — Compared

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

CrossClimate 2 is ahead, 84–78

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Tire AMichelin

CrossClimate 2

All Season

Tests 86 · 32 tests Owners 82 · 21,504 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test (dry braking)

“Michelin CrossClimate2 efficiency surprisingly good! Just put in a new set of Michelin CrossClimate2s to go along with a move from LA to New England. I was a bit worried about the mileage/range hit but figured the safety in the winter outweighed it. I'm pleasantly surprised! On an all-highway trip from Boston to New Jersey, gas MPG was a steady 42 mpgs and I got about 45 miles on the battery, although I drive like a grandma at the posted speed limits so I think I was close to 44 mpg/45 EV miles on the old OEM tires. Around town in suburbia in good weather I'm still running between 4.0-5.0 miles/kWh. I estimate, at worst, a 5% drop in efficiency. Pretty good considering the Michelins feel so much stickier!”

Tire BMichelin

Primacy 4

Summer

Tests 82 · 23 tests Owners 74 · 13,344 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 8 in 2021 ViBilagare Summer Tyre Test (fuel consumption)

“Gomme alternative a Primacy 4 Buongiorno, ho una Peugeot 208 del 2020 con delle Michelin Primacy 4 205/45 R 17 88 V, le ho da 4 anni, circa 20000km all’anno tranne quest’anno che non le ho sostituite con le invernali e che quindi dovrei portarle ad usura completa con il prossimo “giro” delle gomme per altri 20000km. In totale arriverò a quasi 100000km, quindi super ammortizzate e le consiglierei sempre anche per la tenuta. Visto che entro fine estate pensavo di sostituirle tutte e quattro, vorrei capire se ci fossero delle alternative un più economiche ma altrettanto valide (un cambio gomme al momento mi costa circa €650-700). Read more”

Category by category

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

  1. 92

    Dry

    CrossClimate 2 +12
    80
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score)9885
    Reviews found online8474
    Dry Braking (% of best)100%96%
    Dry Handling (% of best)98%98%
    Dry (% of best)96%99%
  2. 85

    Wet

    CrossClimate 2 +4
    81
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score)8385
    Reviews found online8777
    Longitudinal Aquaplaning (% of best)92%99%
    Transverse Aquaplaning (% of best)100%96%
    Wet (% of best)92%97%
    Wet Braking (% of best)92%92%
    Wet Circle (% of best)95%92%
    Wet Handling (% of best)96%97%
  3. 89

    Snow

    No comparison
    –
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score)97–
    Reviews found online76–
  4. 72

    Comfort

    Primacy 4 +4
    76
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score)6576
    Reviews found online8374
  5. 80

    Noise

    CrossClimate 2 +9
    71
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score)7974
    Reviews found online80–
    Exterior Noise (% of best)100%100%
  6. 80

    Treadwear

    CrossClimate 2 +3
    77
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
    Professional tests (TWG score)7982
    Reviews found online8171
  7. 80

    Handling

    CrossClimate 2 +6
    74
    Why this score
    SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
    Reviews found online8074
Scores at a glance
Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Michelin Primacy 4: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin CrossClimate 2Michelin Primacy 4
Relative Score 84 78
Dry 92 80
Wet 85 81
Snow 89 –
Comfort 72 76
Noise 80 71
Treadwear 80 77
Handling 80 74

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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Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.

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Recomputed
Headline score

CrossClimate 2

Primacy 4

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

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.

DisciplineCategoryCrossClimate 2Primacy 4ΔBoth?
Curved Aquaplaning Curved 90% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 75% #8/8 · 2021 Camper Van / SUV Tyre Test +14.7 Different tests
Dry Braking Dry 100% #1/16 · 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 96% #5/7 · 2019 NAF Summer Tyre Test +3.6 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 98% #4/5 · 2026 TUV Test Report Goodyear Vector All Season 4 98% #12/20 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test −0.2 Different tests
Dry Dry 96% #3/7 · 2024 Al Volante All-Season Tire Test R17 99% #2/8 · 2022 Al Volante Summer Tire Test R16 −3.1 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 89% #6/7 · 2024 Al Volante All-Season Tire Test R17 99% #3/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test −9.8 Different tests
Fuel Consumption Fuel 96% #5/15 · 2024 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test 100% #1/8 · 2021 ViBilagare Summer Tyre Test −3.8 Different tests
Exterior Noise Noise 100% #1/7 · 2024 Al Volante All-Season Tire Test R17 100% #1/8 · 2022 Motor Crossover Summer Tire Test R17 0.0 Different tests
Noise Other 99% #4/16 · 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 100% #1/8 · 2021 Camper Van / SUV Tyre Test −0.8 Different tests
Price Other 51% #10/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test 46% #7/8 · 2021 ViBilagare Summer Tyre Test +5.1 Different tests
Wet Lateral Stability Other 60% #7/8 · 2024 Promobil Commercial Winter Tire Test R17 98% #3/8 · 2022 Motor Crossover Summer Tire Test R17 −38.0 Different tests
Value Other 67% #7/15 · 2024 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test 79% #7/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test −11.9 Different tests
Wear Other 61% #13/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 97% #4/12 · 2020 ADAC SUV Summer Tyre Test −35.8 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 50% #2/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test 25% #4/10 · 2022 AZ SUV Tyre Test +25.0 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 93% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 100% #1/10 · 2022 ViBilagare Eco vs Normal Tyre Test −6.5 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 80% #3/8 · 2025 Teknikens Varld Summer Tyre Test 75% #4/8 · 2021 ViBilagare Summer Tyre Test +5.0 Different tests
Subj. Dry Handling Subj 100% #1/8 · 2022 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 63% #12/20 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test +36.7 Different tests
Subj. Wet Handling Subj 70% #7/8 · 2024 Promobil Commercial Winter Tire Test R17 93% #2/20 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test −23.3 Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Total 0% #3/15 · 2024 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test 0% #3/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test 0.0 Different tests
Tyre Weight Tyre 95% #6/16 · 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test 100% #2/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test −4.8 Different tests
Longitudinal Aquaplaning Wet 92% #3/8 · 2022 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 99% #2/8 · 2022 Motor Crossover Summer Tire Test R17 −6.2 Different tests
Transverse Aquaplaning Wet 100% #1/8 · 2022 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 96% #2/8 · 2022 Motor Crossover Summer Tire Test R17 +4.0 Different tests
Wet Wet 92% #4/8 · 2022 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 97% #2/8 · 2022 Al Volante Summer Tire Test R16 −4.8 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 92% #4/5 · 2025 TUV Test of Nokian SeasonProof 2 vs Rivals 92% #4/10 · 2021 All Road SUV Summer Tyre Test +0.8 Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 95% #5/5 · 2025 TUV Hankook iON FlexClimate EV Report 92% #13/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test +2.8 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 96% #8/10 · 2025 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season Tyre Test 97% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test −0.7 Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A 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

Tire B Primacy 4

Pros

  • Exceptional tread life and long-lasting durability
  • Low road noise and a very quiet, comfortable ride
  • Reliable and consistent wet and dry grip

Cons

  • Vague, numb, or floaty steering feel with soft sidewalls under hard cornering
  • High price point compared to competitors
  • Occasional reports of increased road noise or harsher ride as the tread wears down
All owner themes in the Primacy 4 review

What real owners are saying

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

Tire A

Michelin CrossClimate 2

Positive

Community opinion on the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is overwhelmingly positive, with drivers frequently praising its exceptional wet-weather grip, impressive winter and snow performance, and comfortable ride quality. While a minority of users report mixed experiences regarding road noise, potential MPG/efficiency drops, or limited benefits in mild climates without snow, the vast majority consider it a gold-standard all-weather tire.

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”

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.”

r/ModelY ·4 upvotes ·2026-06-01

“New CrossClimate 2 tires almost stranded my family. Massive efficiency drop on Model Y. Just a heads-up for anyone swapping to Michelin CrossClimate 2s. Put a set on my Model Y about 3 weeks ago from Discount Tire and just did a road trip from Denver to Taos, NM with my wife and two toddlers. We charged up to 90% at the Pueblo Supercharger, and the Tesla app estimated we would arrive in Taos with 15% battery remaining. Well, the new tire efficiency hit is incredibly real. The range dropped so fast that we were tracking to hit 0% and had to make an emergency Type 2 charging stop on the way just to make sure we didn't get stranded with the kids in the car. I’m now seriously thinking about taking advantage of Discount Tire's return policy and going back to the OEM Continental ProContact RX. Has anyone else faced similar problems or massive efficiency drops when switching to the CC2s? Does the range eventually get better after a break-in period, or should I just cut my losses and swap back to the Continentals? I need something reliable for road trips with the family, so I'd love to hear your suggestions and experiences!”

Top themes
#Snow and Winter Traction#Wet Weather Performance#Road Noise and Ride Comfort#Tread Wear and Longevity#Fuel Economy and Range Impact#Price and Value

Based on 404 community posts

Tire B

Michelin Primacy 4

Positive

Community feedback for the Michelin Primacy 4 is largely positive, highlighting its excellent balance of low road noise, high comfort, dependable wet and dry grip, and strong longevity for daily driving. While some users note concerns over rapid wear on specific heavy or EV applications, and poor snow performance due to its summer tire nature, most drivers find it a superior touring tire compared to factory options.

Top themes
#Ride Comfort and Smoothness#Low Road Noise#Wet and Dry Grip#Tread Life and Longevity#Comparison with Pilot Sport 4#Winter and Snow Limitations

Based on 32 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin CrossClimate 2 B · Michelin Primacy 4
CategoryAll SeasonSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available9257
Rim diameters15″ – 21″15″ – 20″
Tread depth9 - 10/32″—
UTQG640 B A—
Treadwear warranty60,000 mi—
SidewallBlack Side Wall—
Max pressure50 - 51 psi—

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin CrossClimate 2

Michelin Primacy 4

Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2 — better dry, noise and handling. Pick the Michelin Primacy 4 if comfort matters most to you.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 92 vs 80 on dry.

Pick tire A You want a quieter cabin

Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 80 vs 71 on noise.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 80 vs 74 on handling.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 85 vs 81 on wet.

Tire A · Michelin CrossClimate 2
Tire B · Michelin Primacy 4

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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.

84

Leads

CrossClimate 2

Amazon