Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Primacy 4+ 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 10 + 4 road tests and 39 + 2,560 owner reviews. How we score

CrossClimate 2 SUV is ahead, 83–77

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Michelin Primacy 4+
Tire AMichelin

Primacy 4+

Summer

± 4

Tests 85 · 10 tests Owners 70 · 39 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test (abrasion)

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV
Tire BMichelin

CrossClimate 2 SUV

All Season

± 5

Tests 87 · 4 tests Owners 83 · 2,560 reviews

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

“I also live in Michigan and we get plenty of all four seasons. I put CC2s on my 2017 RAV4 Hybrid. They have handled all weather conditions up to and including moderate snow with aplomb. If I had to buy new tires tomorrow, I'd get another set.”

Category by category

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

  1. 78

    Dry

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +9
    87
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 4 tests8286
    Reviews found online7189

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 82.3 + 40% × 70.5 = 78

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 60% × 85.8 + 40% × 88.7 = 87

  2. 79

    Wet

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +5
    84
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 4 tests8384
    Reviews found online7485

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 82.6 + 40% × 73.8 = 79

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 60% × 84 + 40% × 84.9 = 84

  3. –

    Snow

    No comparison
    91
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 4 tests–98
    Reviews found online–80

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 60% × 97.6 + 40% × 80.4 = 91

  4. 71

    Comfort

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +15
    86
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 2 tests7382
    Reviews found online6988

    Primacy 4+: 40% × 73.3 + 60% × 69 = 71

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 40% × 82.3 + 60% × 88.3 = 86

  5. 73

    Noise

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +4
    77
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 4 tests7783
    Reviews found online≈ 67 (est.)≈ 67 (est.)

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 76.7 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 73

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 60% × 83.2 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 77

    No owner ratings of noise for Primacy 4+ or CrossClimate 2 SUV. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  6. 85

    Treadwear

    Primacy 4+ +15
    70
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / – tests95≈ 68 (est.)
    Reviews found online6973

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 95.3 + 40% × 68.9 = 85

    CrossClimate 2 SUV: 60% × 68.4 (est.) + 40% × 72.6 = 70

    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 0.35).

  7. 65

    Handling (owners)

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +24
    89
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Reviews found online6589
  8. 78

    Efficiency

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +9
    87
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 3 tests7887
Scores at a glance
Michelin Primacy 4+ vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin Primacy 4+Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV
Relative Score 77 83
Dry 78 87
Wet 79 84
Snow – 91
Comfort 71 86
Noise 73 77
Treadwear 85 70
Handling (owners) 65 89
Efficiency 78 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
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

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

Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 4

Primacy 4+

± 5

CrossClimate 2 SUV

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

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.

DisciplineCategoryPrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUVΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 96% #3/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 100% #1/7 · 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 98% #4/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 83% #6/9 · 2025 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Curved Aquaplaning Wet 86% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 87% #3/9 · 2025 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 82% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 100% #1/7 · 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 91% #5/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 99% #3/7 · 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 – Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 97% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 97% #6/7 · 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 95% #6/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 83% #6/9 · 2025 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 88% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 100% #1/7 · 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 – Different tests
Exterior Noise Noise 83% #4/6 · 2024 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ Summer Tire Test R17 99% #3/7 · 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 – Different tests
Noise Noise 96% #6/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 100% #3/9 · 2024 Motor SUV All Season Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 90% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 90% #2/9 · 2025 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Overall Ranking Overall #4/8 2025 EV Tyre Test #1/7 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A Primacy 4+

Pros

  • Excellent ride comfort and a smooth, compliant 'limousine-like' feel over bumps
  • Strong and reliable grip in both wet and dry conditions, inspiring confidence
  • Noticeable improvement in quietness and traction compared to predecessor tires or factory options

Cons

  • Loud road noise and a harsh drone on rough or coarse asphalt surfaces
  • Soft sidewalls can reduce steering agility and initial responsiveness compared to dedicated sport tires
  • High premium price point relative to competitors
All owner themes in the Primacy 4+ 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

Michelin Primacy 4+

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

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.

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”

r/rav4club ·1 upvote ·2026-10-07

“I also live in Michigan and we get plenty of all four seasons. I put CC2s on my 2017 RAV4 Hybrid. They have handled all weather conditions up to and including moderate snow with aplomb. If I had to buy new tires tomorrow, I'd get another set.”

r/SubaruForester ·1 upvote ·2024-09-13

“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.”

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 · Michelin Primacy 4+ B · Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV
CategorySummerAll Season
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverSUV and 4x4
Sizes available6635
Rim diameters16″ – 21″17″ – 22″
Sizes in common99

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Primacy 4+

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV

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

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 89 vs 65 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 85 vs 70 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 86 vs 71 on comfort.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 87 vs 78 on dry.

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

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Primacy 4+ or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Which is better in the wet, Primacy 4+ or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV, 84 vs 79 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Primacy 4+ or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV, 87 vs 78 on our dry score.

Which is quieter, Primacy 4+ or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV, 77 vs 73 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Primacy 4+ or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV, 86 vs 71 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Primacy 4+ or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Michelin Primacy 4+, 85 vs 70 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Primacy 4+ or CrossClimate 2 SUV?

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV, 87 vs 78 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