Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Primacy 4+ vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV — Compared

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

CrossClimate 2 SUV leads, 79–77 Narrow edge

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Tire AMichelin

Primacy 4+

Summer

Tests 83 · 10 tests Owners 72 · 39 reviews

Best test result: #3 of 20 in 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test (straight aqua)

Tire BMichelin

CrossClimate 2 SUV

All Season

Tests 86 · 4 tests Owners 79 · 2,539 reviews

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

“For the RAV4, get Michelin Defenders. They are perfect for this car. Much better ride than your Dunlops. Cross Climates are fantastic tires, I have them on two other vehicles. If you get a lot of snow you may experience issues with the CC2s on the RAV. Snow tends to accumulate in the front wheel wells with these on a RAV. Fantastic all weather tires where you don’t need actual snow tires, but not for this cars.”

Category by category

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

  1. 79

    Dry

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +8
    87
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)8389
    Reviews found online7384
    Dry Braking (% of best)79%100%
    Dry Handling (% of best)91%100%
  2. 77

    Wet

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +3
    80
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)7980
    Reviews found online7580
    Longitudinal Aquaplaning (% of best)83%100%
    Transverse Aquaplaning (% of best)70%87%
    Wet Braking (% of best)91%97%
    Wet Circle (% of best)97%97%
    Wet Handling (% of best)95%99%
  3. –

    Snow

    No comparison
    87
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)–94
    Reviews found online–77
  4. 72

    Comfort

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +8
    80
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)7277
    Reviews found online7283
  5. 72

    Noise

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +6
    78
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)7585
    Exterior Noise (% of best)83%89%
  6. 83

    Treadwear

    Primacy 4+ +15
    68
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)91–
    Reviews found online7169
  7. 69

    Handling

    CrossClimate 2 SUV +14
    83
    Why this score
    SourcePrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUV
    Reviews found online6983
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 79
Dry 79 87
Wet 77 80
Snow – 87
Comfort 72 80
Noise 72 78
Treadwear 83 68
Handling 69 83

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

Primacy 4+

CrossClimate 2 SUV

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.

DisciplineCategoryPrimacy 4+CrossClimate 2 SUVΔBoth?
Curved Aquaplaning Curved 86% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 100% #1/10 · 2023 SUV All Season Tyre Test −13.9 Different tests
Dry Braking Dry 79% #8/6 · 2024 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ Summer Tire Test R17 100% #1/10 · 2023 SUV All Season Tyre Test −21.4 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 91% #2/6 · 2024 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ Summer Tire Test R17 100% #2/10 · 2023 SUV All Season Tyre Test −9.0 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 90% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 90% #2/9 · 2025 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 0.0 Different tests
Exterior Noise Noise 83% #4/6 · 2024 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ Summer Tire Test R17 89% #2/9 · 2025 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 −5.6 Different tests
Noise Other 96% #6/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 100% #3/9 · 2024 Motor SUV All Season Tyre Test −3.2 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 25% #4/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 100% #1/7 · 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 −75.0 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 98% #3/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test 100% #2/9 · 2024 Motor SUV All Season Tyre Test −1.6 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 88% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 100% #1/7 · 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 −12.5 Different tests
Longitudinal Aquaplaning Wet 83% #5/6 · 2024 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ Summer Tire Test R17 100% #1/7 · 2025 Quattroruote All-Season Tire Test R19 −16.7 Different tests
Transverse Aquaplaning Wet 70% #3/6 · 2024 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ Summer Tire Test R17 87% #3/9 · 2025 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ All-Season Tire Test R17 −16.7 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 91% #5/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 97% #3/9 · 2024 Motor SUV All Season Tyre Test −6.2 Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 97% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 97% #6/10 · 2023 SUV All Season Tyre Test −0.4 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 95% #6/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 99% #5/9 · 2024 Motor SUV All Season Tyre Test −4.1 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 opinion on the Michelin CrossClimate 2 (and SUV variant) is overwhelmingly positive, with drivers praising its exceptional winter traction, severe snow service rating (3PMSF), and confidence-inspiring wet and dry grip. While a few users note minor drawbacks like a noticeable decrease in EV range/fuel efficiency, higher initial pricing, or slight road noise, the tire remains a top-tier recommendation for all-weather performance.

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/CarTalkUK ·1 upvote ·2023-10-09

“Michelin Cross Climate 2 vs 2 SUV Hi I am looking at new tyres and am pretty convinced to go for the Michelin Cross Climates, but I am confused by the Cross Climate 2 vs the Cross Climate 2 SUV; they seem the same tyre, albeit the non-SUV version has better fuel economy, according to the EU Label system. I asked Michelin, but their response was meaningless: they just listed the same bullet points for each. Can anyone advise the difference, and do I need the SUV version? One car for these is a 2023 Skoda Kodiaq 2.0L TSI190 4x4 (well, the Volkswagen version of 4x4), tyre size 235/50/19. The other car is a 2019 Kia Sportage, which needs 225/60/17; in this car's case, it is just the non-SUV version available despite both cars being SUVs and of similar weights, albeit this car is a 1.6L 130hp. As a family, we have used winter tyres in the past, but since changing cars this year, we are thinking of switching to all seasons as we think they will suit us perfectly rather than switching tyres every April and November. Live in Lincolnshire. So we get all weathers ranging from -10 through to +35. Thanks for any and all advice. Paul Read more”

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 Weather and Rain Grip#EV Range and Fuel Efficiency#Treadwear and Longevity#Price and Value#Road Noise and Comfort

Based on 45 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Primacy 4+ B · Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV
CategorySummerAll Season
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverSUV and 4x4

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Primacy 4+

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV

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

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 83 vs 68 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 83 vs 69 on handling.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 87 vs 79 on dry.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV scores 80 vs 72 on comfort.

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

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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.

79

Narrow edge

CrossClimate 2 SUV

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