The Michelin CrossClimate 2 has long dominated as the premier all season/all weather tire, consistently outperforming other brands in its class in numerous tests over the past three years. However, the situation has shifted with the introduction of three new premium all season tires since last year's review, each poised to challenge the supremacy of the CrossClimate 2.
Compelled by these developments, TyreReviews undertook comprehensive evaluations to determine if the latest offerings from Bridgestone, Continental, and Pirelli measure up to the Michelin standard. To broaden the scope, Tyrereviews also included new models from Dunlop and Yokohama. Will any of these contenders manage to surpass the CrossClimate 2, or will they fail to meet expectations? Keep reading to find out the results.
Wet
The test scenario included a thorough evaluation in wet road conditions to determine the safety and handling provided by each tire. Among the tires tested, the budget option proved challenging, especially on the Volkswagen Golf 1.4. The strong concentration required to maintain road control suggests that this tire may not be suitable for rear-wheel drive vehicles.
Yokohama and Michelin: Both brands showed slower response times in wet conditions, characterized by significant understeer. Yokohama tires provided a softer steering feel, which, while adequate, did not excel in Tyrereviews tests.
Bridgestone and Dunlop: Bridgestone closely mirrored Michelin in both appearance and performance, offering solid grip despite noticeable understeer. Dunlop, classified as a sport tire due to its asymmetric design, delivered a consistent and enjoyable driving experience, though it did not stand out in the sports performance category.
Pirelli and Continental: These brands were the top performers in Tyrereviews wet handling tests. Pirelli tires were noted for their sporty feel and excellent steering responsiveness, achieving a neutral balance, although they fell slightly behind Continental when driving very close to the tire’s performance limit. Continental impressed with its well-rounded capabilities, providing slightly better steering feedback than Pirelli.
Wet Handling
- Continental
- Pirelli
- Dunlop
- Bridgestone
- Michelin
- Yokohama
- Fronway
Info! Wet handling time, in seconds [Average Temperature 21c].
In wet braking tests, Bridgestone outperformed the competition, stopping nearly a meter ahead of Continental, with Continental itself surpassing Pirelli by over a meter. The budget tire, however, lagged significantly, still moving at 45.1 km/h when Bridgestone had completely halted from an initial speed of 80 km/h.
Wet Braking
- Bridgestone
- Continental
- Pirelli
- Dunlop
- Michelin
- Yokohama
- Fronway
Info! Wet braking, in meters (80 - 5 km/h) [Average Temperature 17.5c].
Straight Hydroplaning
- Pirelli
- Bridgestone
- Michelin
- Continental
- Dunlop
- Yokohama
- Fronway
Info! Float speed in km/h.
In the hydroplaning tests, Pirelli established a significant lead, demonstrating superior control in preventing water from compromising tire grip. Bridgestone and Michelin followed with strong performances, effectively displacing water to maintain traction. Notably, Pirelli excelled, showing a high level in managing wet conditions without any severe hydroplaning issues.
Dry
In dry conditions, the focus for 16" all-season tires shifts from lap times to braking and steering response. Extensive testing included steering adjustments and aggressive lane changes to simulate typical driving conditions.
The Fronway was notably the slowest in the lap times. Despite its commendable performance during lane changes, where it felt direct and responsive, it struggled on the track with pronounced understeer that was both audible and challenging.
Other tested tires exhibited closely matched handling characteristics. Yokohama and Michelin displayed a tendency towards understeer on the track. However, Michelin stood out for its superior sub-limit steering capabilities. Bridgestone, initially vague around the center, proved reactive and sporty during turns, delivering impressive lap times and effective braking.
Continental and Dunlop were on par in overall lap time. Dunlop's asymmetric tread pattern responded swiftly, although it required a moment to stabilize on the sidewall. Continental excelled, offering precise control during handling laps, with the vehicle responding well to both steering and throttle inputs, marking it as exceptionally impressive in both handling and sub-limit performance.
Dry Handling
- Pirelli
- Dunlop
- Continental
- Bridgestone
- Michelin
- Yokohama
- Fronway
Info! Dry handling time, in seconds.
Dry Braking
- Pirelli
- Bridgestone
- Michelin
- Continental
- Dunlop
- Fronway
- Yokohama
Info! Dry braking, in meters (100 - 5 km/h) [Average Temperature 17.5c].
Pirelli topped the performance in dry conditions, excelling in stability during lane changes and offering some of the finest steering responses. It felt the most akin to a summer tire on the track, a significant attribute for an all-season tire. The new Pirelli SF3 model was highly commendable.
In terms of dry braking, Pirelli led, stopping over a meter ahead of Bridgestone, the next best performer. This left Michelin, typically dominant in dry braking, in third place. The braking test highlighted significant differences, with the least effective tire still moving at nearly 40 km/h when the best had fully stopped.
Snow
Most all-season tires tested showcased strong performance in snowy conditions. However, the Dunlop, as the only non-directional tire in the test, did not fare as well. Its asymmetric design resulted in the slowest lap times and provided a less stable rear end on a typically stable vehicle, making it a challenging but fun option for those seeking a driving challenge on snowy roads.
The Bridgestone tire displayed notable comfort on snow-covered surfaces, despite unusually light steering. It maintained a well-balanced rear, but fell short in overall grip compared to the top performers, suggesting a trade-off between its excellent wet braking and its snow capabilities.
Yokohama tires improved grip levels significantly, delivering smooth and effective traction and braking, solidifying its position as a reliable option in snowy conditions.
The competition for third place was a close tie between the new Continental and the budget-friendly Fronway. Both tires delivered nearly identical lap times, but the Continental offered a more predictable and enjoyable driving experience, particularly when exiting corners. This highlighted the disparity between a budget tire that performs well in a single condition and a premium tire that excels across various conditions.
Snow Handling
- Michelin
- Pirelli
- Fronway
- Continental
- Yokohama
- Bridgestone
- Dunlop
Info! Snow handling time, in seconds [Average Temperature -5c].
Pirelli claimed the second spot, mirroring its performance in dry and wet conditions with enjoyable handling in the snow. It excelled in turning, traction, and braking, making it one of the most enjoyable tires to drive in snowy conditions.
Michelin's CrossClimate 2 stood out as the top performer in snow handling, reinforcing its reputation as the best option for snowy conditions. With strong braking and excellent grip, it maintained a safe and balanced drive throughout the tests.
Snow Braking
- Yokohama
- Michelin
- Fronway
- Dunlop
- Continental
- Bridgestone
- Pirelli
Info! Snow braking, in meters (40 - 0 km/h) [Average Temperature -1c].
Snow Traction
- Yokohama
- Continental
- Dunlop
- Pirelli
- Bridgestone
- Michelin
- Fronway
Info! Snow acceleration time (0 - 20 km/h).
Objective assessments of traction, braking, and performance in snow conditions supported these findings. Continental and Yokohama were jointly the best in snow traction, while Michelin and Yokohama led in snow braking. Michelin continued to dominate in the snow circle test, underscoring its superior design for winter weather handling.
Ice
During the ice traction tests, Pirelli emerged as the top performer, closely followed by Continental. The budget Fronway also showed commendable performance, suggesting its composition might lean more towards a winter-specific compound despite being marketed as an all-season tire.
In the ice braking category, Yokohama excelled, with Continental again performing strongly, and Michelin securing the third position. This consistent performance across different ice tests indicates that, overall, Continental may be the most effective on ice among the tires tested, despite none being specifically designed for icy conditions.
Ice Traction
- Pirelli
- Continental
- Bridgestone
- Fronway
- Michelin
- Yokohama
- Dunlop
Info! Ice acceleration time (0 - 20 km/h) [Average Temperature -5c].
Ice Braking
- Yokohama
- Continental
- Michelin
- Fronway
- Pirelli
- Bridgestone
- Dunlop
Info! Ice braking in meters (20 - 0 km/h) [Average Temperature -5c].
Value
The latest tire wear results stem from a real-world convoy test, recognized for its superior accuracy in measuring tire longevity compared to machine-based methods. Unfortunately, due to the high costs associated with this method, the budget tire was excluded from this segment of testing.
Continental led the group, showing exceptional durability with an estimated lifespan of nearly 50,000 kilometers before reaching a tread depth of 1.6mm—a notable achievement given its high performance in grip tests. Bridgestone, traditionally lagging in wear tests, surprised by ranking second, indicating a potential positive shift in their tire longevity. In North America, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 may be known for its 60,000-mile warranty; however, the version tested here is tailored for the EU market. This variant features a lower starting tread depth and reduced rolling resistance, aligning with specific regional requirements.
Treadwear
- Continental
- Bridgestone
- Michelin
- Yokohama
- Dunlop
- Pirelli
- Fronway
Info! Predicted tread life, in km.
Value
- Fronway
- Continental
- Yokohama
- Bridgestone
- Dunlop
- Michelin
- Pirelli
Info! Euros/1000km based on cost/wear.
The assessment of value, considering both wear and purchase price, placed Continental at the top again. Yokohama took second place due to its durability combined with a competitive purchase price. On the other hand, Michelin's higher cost and Pirelli's lesser wear performance categorized them as less economical choices.
Additionally, in terms of rolling resistance—a factor influencing fuel efficiency—Michelin recorded the lowest, followed closely by Dunlop. Conversely, Yokohama experienced a decrease in its value rating due to having the highest rolling resistance, over 30% more than the leading tire in this category.
Price
- Fronway
- Yokohama
- Dunlop
- Bridgestone
- Continental
- Pirelli
- Michelin
Info! Price in local currency.
Rolling Resistance
- Michelin
- Dunlop
- Continental
- Fronway
- Pirelli
- Bridgestone
- Yokohama
Info! Rolling resistance, in kg/t.
Comfort
Although there was limited opportunity to thoroughly assess comfort, initial observations suggest that all 16" tires tested provided a smooth ride. External noise levels were comparable across the board. Based on preliminary evaluations, Bridgestone, Dunlop, and Michelin are likely to offer the most comfortable driving experience overall.
Noise
- Micheiln
- Continental
- Fronway
- Bridgestone
- Pirelli
- Dunlop
- Yokohama
Info! External noise, in dB.
Overall Verdict
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 has long reigned as the benchmark for all-season and all-weather tires, excelling in numerous tests over the past three years. However, the tire landscape has evolved with the introduction of new premium competitors from Bridgestone, Continental, and Pirelli. Each has brought innovations aiming to challenge the dominance of the CrossClimate 2. Through comprehensive evaluations, it’s clear that while Michelin continues to perform exceptionally well, particularly in snow handling, the newer models from Continental and Pirelli have shown they can compete vigorously, excelling in wet and dry conditions respectively. The evolving competition underscores a dynamic market where Michelin's leadership is continually tested by innovative advancements from rivals.
Results
1st Place: Continental / AllSeasonContact 2 - Rated 1.3
Quick Take
Continental AllSeasonContact 2
The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 showcased exceptional performance in the Tyre Reviews All-Season Tire Test R16, excelling particularly in wet handling and snow traction. It demonstrated strong capabilities in dry handling and performed admirably on ice. However, its dry braking and hydroplaning resistance were areas needing improvement.
2nd Place: Bridgestone / Turanza All Season 6 - Rated 1.4
Quick Take
Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6
The Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 delivers solid performance in both dry and wet conditions, with commendable hydroplaning resistance and low wear, making it a good value choice. Despite its below-average snow performance and average rolling resistance, it offers a significant advantage over summer tires in snowy conditions, suited for regions with occasional snow.
3rd Place: Pirelli / Cinturato All Season SF 3 - Rated 1.5
Quick Take
Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF 3
The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stands out in the test, excelling in dry conditions with top marks in braking and handling, and demonstrating superior hydroplaning resistance. It also performs admirably in wet and snow conditions and leads in ice traction. However, its lower wear resistance and higher cost per 1000km slightly mar its overall value proposition.
4th Place: Michelin / CrossClimate 2 - Rated 2.1
Quick Take
Michelin CrossClimate 2
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 exhibits robust performance, especially in snow conditions where it leads the segment, and boasts the lowest noise level and rolling resistance in the test. However, its performance in wet braking and the high cost per kilometer due to average wear detract from its overall appeal.
5th Place: Dunlop / Sport All Season - Rated 2.1
Quick Take
Dunlop Sport All Season
The Dunlop Sport All Season delivers commendable dry and wet handling and shows good performance in snow braking, supported by low rolling resistance. However, its longer braking distances in both dry and wet conditions, along with the least effective grip on ice and only average wear performance, affect its overall value and ranking.
6th Place: Yokohama / BluEarth 4S AW21 - Rated 2.2
Quick Take
Yokohama BluEarth 4S AW21
The Yokohama BluEarth 4S AW21 excels in winter conditions, offering top-notch snow traction and ice braking, but it falls short in dry and wet performance with long braking distances and lower grip levels. Despite its effective snow and ice performance, its high rolling resistance and less impressive handling in non-winter conditions affect its versatility as an all-season tire.
