Michelin CrossClimate 2 Tire Review

Michelin CrossClimate 2 Review (Updated 2023)

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The Michelin CrossClimate 2 performs above average compared to normal all-season tires. It’s widely known for providing drivers with enhanced traction capabilities and improving performance in various weather conditions.

In my experience, the directional tread design with V-shaped chamfers has been a game-changer. This design helps with braking distance and enhances grip on the road. This is an essential feature when I'm driving through unexpected weather changes.

Right away, drivers notice how well the Michelin Cross Climate 2 rides in difficult conditions. This includes better snow braking, dry braking, snow handling, and wet handling. Plus, the straight aqua planing ranks highly compared to other all-season tires.

Another point that caught my attention was the CrossClimate 2's quiet and comfortable ride. As someone who spends a significant amount of time on the road, I appreciate the relaxed nature of the ride, which makes long journeys less tiring.

However, the tread wear warranty is shorter than other tires in its category. This is a consideration to remember when deciding on the right tires for you. Expect 60,000 miles of cover, ranking below other all-season tires or grand touring tires.

Michelin CrossClimate 2 Tire Test

We ran a test using these tires to make things easier. The Crossclimate was graded based on performance in various categories like braking, dry handling, and comfort. Below is a table with the results for each category and how we review Michelin tires. 

Michelin CrossClimate 2 Key Features

There is no way to properly review the Michelin CrossClimate2 tire without examining the key features. But don't just take my word for it — let me show you what I found.

3-Peak Mountain & Snowflake (3PMSF)

Since the Michelin CrossClimate2 is an all-weather tire, it has been designed for year-round use. A big plus is its 3-peak mountain and snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. This indicates the tire meets the snow traction requirements for severe snow conditions.

As someone who's driven through heavy snow in the past, this fact really caught my attention. It won’t perform like a proper winter tire but can hold its own when conditions get difficult in freezing temperatures.

PIANO Noise Reduction Tuning

One key feature that stood out was the comfortable ride this tire offers. I noticed how it effectively absorbed road imperfections, making for a smooth driving experience. I'll admit, I was really impressed by how little vibration and noise there was.

This extreme comfort and low road noise are because of the PIANO Noise Reduction Tuning rubber compound. This softer tire compound has better tread geometry that targets airborne and cabin noises to suppress road vibrations.

3D SipeLock Technology

Wet performance exceeds expectations because of the 3D SipeLock Technology. The traction is so precise you could easily confuse this with a high-performance summer tire. This is one of the notable safety features drivers can expect when using this tire, and it's why the wet braking is so precise. 

This technology helps with block rigidity too. Drivers can expect more confidence when handling in poor weather conditions because of the steeper angle grooves. They can channel water out of the contact patch faster, so even smaller cars can handling heavy rain and light snow. 

Thermal Adaptive All-Season Tread Compound

What truly grabbed my attention with this tire was the Thermal Adaptive all-season tread compound. This technology amazed me with its ability to provide a solid grip on dry and wet surfaces while keeping the tire flexible in the cold.

I could tell that Michelin had put some serious thought into making this tire dependable for various driving conditions. It forms a V-Formation directional tread design to target dry and wet pavement with the same objective - maximum grip.

Michelin CrossClimate 2 Tire Sizes & Specs

Michelin has expanded this tire's catalog recently. There are over 30 sizes currently available, including the following.

How Many Miles Do The Michelin CrossClimate 2 Tires Last?

Michelin tires are generally the most expensive and most durable products. Most all-season tires like this one should last for 60,000 miles. The CrossClimate 2 outlasts competitors by 15,000 miles and reaches 75,000 miles in tread life.

This translates to an extra year of tread life compared to other tires on the market. For me, this added longevity is a major advantage of choosing the CrossClimate 2 tires.

However, they only offer a 60,000-mile warranty. This is below average if you were to compare it across the industry. But the advanced thermal adaptive tread compound makes this performance tire one of the most durable.

After driving on the CrossClimate 2 tires for quite some time, I can confidently say that their performance continues to impress me. The tires have withstood various road conditions and weather challenges without any noticeable decrease in quality and improved my car handling. 

Is The Michelin CrossClimate 2 All Season Tire Worth Buying?

When I first heard about the Michelin CrossClimate 2, I was skeptical. I've always been a fan of all-season tires, but I thought, could these really live up to the hype?

What really sold me was the traction. I learned that this tire provides excellent deep snow performance due to its blocky shoulders and wide grooves supported by 3D SipeLock technology. It was not as impressive as some dedicated winter tires, but still one of the best in its class.

When I took them for a spin, I immediately noticed how quiet these tires were. It was a relief compared to my old tires that would scream on the highway. But what truly impressed me was the mileage.

Michelin CrossClimate 2 Advantages

Here are some of the key advantages you get as a driver when using the Michelin CrossClimate 2 tire.

Improved Hydroplaning Resistance

I immediately noticed its improved hydroplaning resistance when using this tire in wet conditions. The V-shaped directional tread design looks good and helps channel water away from the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning.

This tire handles exceptionally well on wet and slippery roads because of this tread design. This is another example of why Michelin is the top tire brand too.

Excellent Tread Life

One thing I truly appreciate about these tires is their excellent tread life. The CrossClimate 2 offers up to one extra year of tread life, which is really impressive.

I loved the tread wear indicators on the sides of the tire too. This helps drivers monitor the minimum tread depth. Tire Rack also offers the best warranty when buying this tire.

Amazing Wet & Dry Traction

When it comes to wet and dry traction, the CrossClimate 2 has really lived up to my expectations. I can confidently say they provide outstanding braking performance in both dry and wet conditions, even better than some of its leading competitors.

Great Comfort, Handling, & Minimal Road Noise

I'm often on the road for long periods of time, so tire comfort and road noise are essential factors for me. With the Michelin CrossClimate 2, I've noticed a significant reduction in road noise and a much smoother ride, making my driving experience enjoyable.

Michelin CrossClimate 2 Disadvantages

This tire is far from perfect. We decided to take a look at some of the key disadvantages worth mentioning below too.

Poor Treadwear Warranty

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 tire has a 60,000-mile warranty. This might sound alright for an all-season tire, but compared to other tires in the market, it's pretty average.

I find this discouraging since I want my tires to last as long as possible without having to replace them too soon. The tire does last longer, so you get stuck without a warranty in the final few years of tread life.

Below Average Steering Response

During my experience with these tires, I noticed that the grip and performance on wet and dry roads is impressive. But there's a noticeable trade-off in the driving dynamics, specifically in the steering response.

When taking sharp turns or navigating through winding roads, I'd expect a more precise and direct feel from my tires. But overall, I would still recommend this tire.

Stiffness

I couldn't help but notice the stiffness when driving with this tire. Some would consider this a benefit, but I prefer a softer tire for winter driving. This is especially important for the rear tires.

The stiffness might be attributed to the tire's construction, aimed at providing dependability in all weather conditions. Since my preference leans more towards comfort over performance in different weathers, I found this to be a disadvantage.

Comparing the Michelin CrossClimate 2 Against Competitors

Here is a detailed comparison of the Michelin CrossClimate 2 and some of the other top-ranking tires in its class. We ranked each tire based on wet performance, dry performance, durability, etc.

Firestone WeatherGrip

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires provide a smooth, quiet ride. In comparison, the Firestone WeatherGrip tires also provide good traction in wet and snowy conditions.

If you are on a budget, the Firestone WeatherGrip is the obvious choice. It’s cheaper and provides amazing winter traction and snow performance. The CrossClimate 2 is more of a premium tire with higher prices.

Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack

Next, I tested the Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack tires to gather proper data on which tire is better. The clear winner is the CrossClimate 2, but both tires are awesome.

This is an exceptional tire for comfort and the wet road and snow performance was commendable. However, it still didn't outshine the performance of the Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires in those conditions.

Goodyear Assurance Comfortdrive

As I switched to Goodyear Assurance Comfortdrive tires, I noticed an emphasis on comfort and low noise levels, which stood out to me. In terms of handling, they offered decent grip and responsiveness.

With that said, they still couldn't quite match the all-weather performance of the Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires. I loved this Goodyear tire because it has the shortest braking distances and a lower speed rating. It holds its own on wet roads too.

Michelin Defender T+H

Lastly, I explored the Michelin Defender T+H tires. As a proud member of the Michelin family, these tires provided an impressive tread life and excellent ride comfort. But this is a poor winter tire.

When it comes to handling in wet and snowy conditions, performance decreases significantly. It struggles in deeper snow and the traction is poor. The CrossClimate 2 is the clear winner for any winter driving needs.

Can You Use The Michelin CrossClimate 2 As a Winter Tire?

Yes, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 can be used as a winter tire. It has a unique tread pattern that offers improved grip and stability on wet, snow, and ice-covered roads. But it's not sturdy and durable enough to provide the same type of traction in deep snow.

It also has a 3-Peak Mountain & Snowflake (3PMSF) rating. This means it will handle deeper snow much better than the average tire. This is why it ranks as one of the best all-season tires on the market for winter driving.

Overall, this is an exceptional tire that can easily tackle tough winter conditions. The tread element geometry and narrow rubber bars are key factors in why this tire does so well too.