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MichelinCrossClimate2
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The CrossClimate2 is Michelin's Grand Touring All-Season tire developed for the drivers of sedans, coupes, station wagons, crossovers and SUVs looking for daily driving comfort combined with confident performance in dry, wet and light snow conditions. The CrossClimate2 is designed as an all-weather tire to meet industry severe snow service requirements qualifying for the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol alongside its all-season performance and is intended to function as a one-tire solution for drivers that experience all four seasons but don't receive sufficient snowfall to require a dedicated winter tire.

Michelin CrossClimate2 Callouts

The CrossClimate2 features Michelin's Thermal Adaptive all-season tread compound molded into a V-Formation directional tread design engineered to deliver dry, wet and wintertime performance. Michelin utilized their PIANO Noise Reduction Tuning which employs advanced tread pattern modeling that helps tune out airborne noise by augmenting tread element geometry and timing variation. Longitudinal dry grip is promoted by the center portion of the tread, with blocks that align with fore and aft forces, increasing uninterrupted block area contact when accelerating or decelerating. Braking traction is further enhanced by V Ramp chamfers molded into the leading and trailing edges of the blocks that increase contact with the road surface under load. Further outboard, the shoulder blocks begin to align laterally with the tread, helping increase cornering forces and control. 3D SipeLock technology integrated into the tread, supports block rigidity for confident handling while also increasing traction in inclement weather. The steep angles designed into the tread pattern help channel water away from the contact patch, increasing hydroplaning resistance without the need for circumferential grooves. This grooveless pattern evens out load forces to benefit wear characteristics, while creating more biting area for wintertime traction. Snow performance is further enhanced by the Thermal Adaptive Tread compound, ensuring the tire remains flexible at lower temperatures for increased snow traction sufficient to receive the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.

Internal construction of the CrossClimate2 consists of a two-ply polyester casing supporting two steel belts. A polyamide reinforcement is added to further enhance high speed stability and performance.

Note: While non-winter tires featuring the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol may provide additional longitudinal snow traction beyond what all-season (M+S) tires not bearing the symbol can deliver, they do not match the capability of a true winter tire in all adverse weather conditions.

Related Information: What is the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF)?

Tire Rack Test Results Michelin CrossClimate2

All-Weather vs. Winter Tires: The Definitive Test(12:05)

Brent and TJ set off with a couple of objectives in this, the first test of 2026. The first is to highlight the differences between two types of Grand Touring tires: all-season and all-weather. Second, to see how they stack up to dedicated winter tires. The internet is a great resource, but not all the information out there is accurate, and this test is designed to truly set the record straight.



Read the Full Test Report

Ratings Charts & Reviews Michelin CrossClimate2

Tire Category: Grand Touring All-Season

Consumer Surveys

 
Best in Category
Miles Reported
Recommended
Treadwear
Michelin CrossClimate2
Excellent
100%
48M
9.0 - Excellent
9.4 - Excellent
9.4 Hydroplaning Resistance
9.4 Wet Traction
9.4 - Excellent
9.4 Corner Stability
9.5 Dry Traction
9.3 Steering Response
8.8 - Excellent
9.2 Light Snow Traction
8.8 Deep Snow Traction
8.5 Ice Traction
8.9 - Excellent
9.1 Ride Quality
8.6 Noise
9.1 - Excellent

Michelin Defender T+H Reviews

Drivers consistently rate the Michelin Defender T+H as an outstanding all-season touring tire, with exceptional scores (9-10) in treadwear, dry traction, and hydroplaning resistance. Comfort receives high praise for smooth ride quality and low noise, aligning with touring expectations. Winter traction is generally strong in snow and slush (7-10 range), though a few users report reduced confidence on ice. Wet performance shines with near-perfect ratings for grip and stability. Longevity stands out as a key strength, with many users noting the tread holds up well over extended mileage. While winter capabilities are solid for an all-season tire, occasional lower ice scores suggest cautious driving in severe conditions.

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Customers Like:

259 reviews mention "Wet Traction"

  • 233 positive
  • 26 negative

Most customers rate wet traction as excellent, with scores of 9s and 10s highlighting confident handling and reliable hydroplaning resistance in rainy conditions.

May 30, 2025
4 out of 5 Star Rating
4 out of 5

...A little quieter, better wet traction, MUCH better fuel economy than the goodyear eagle sports...

I put 15 inch wheels on my 2024 Civic Sport to replace the overkill 18s that came from the factory. Got these 205/65r15s from Costco. These are an improvement in every way that matters to me. A little quieter, better wet traction, MUCH better fuel economy than the goodyear eagle sports. With 11k mostly highway miles they have worn down by about 1.5 32nds from 10.5 to 9. They are good tires and I'm happy with them but they are quite pricey and I will be experimenting with less expensive tires next time.

Vehicle: 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport
Miles Driven on Tires: 11,000
Driving Conditions: Mostly Highway
Location: SEVERENCE, CO
Driving Style: Easy Going

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January 09, 2024
(Verified Purchase)
4.6 out of 5 Star Rating
4.6 out of 5

...Very good wet weather traction here on the Gulf Coast. As the tire wears down it even gets better.

These are my second set of this tire on this vehicle. First set got over 100,000 miles. Very good wet weather traction here on the Gulf Coast. As the tire wears down it even gets better.

Vehicle: 2013 Honda Civic Sedan EX
Miles Driven on Tires: 15,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: THEODORE, AL
Driving Style: Average

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134 reviews mention "Winter Traction"

  • 108 positive
  • 26 negative

Most customers rate winter traction highly, with snow and deep snow scores mostly 9s and 10s. Ice traction sees solid 7-8 ratings, indicating reliable all-season performance in typical winter conditions.

September 11, 2023
5 out of 5 Star Rating
5 out of 5

...Excellent traction in dry, wet and snow, even deep snow in a rather low vehicle. I have only gotten stuck with these tires because the snow was too deep that is beached the vehicle, not a tire issue...

I bought these after getting multiple recommendations for Michelin Tires as long lasting tires. What I didn't expect is that the Defenders would serve as the best all around tire there is. Long life, these tires after 3 years and 25000 miles look the same as the day they were put on. Excellent traction in dry, wet and snow, even deep snow in a rather low vehicle. I have only gotten stuck with these tires because the snow was too deep that is beached the vehicle, not a tire issue. They are quiet and the car feels smooth going down the road. Only gripes are I think I lost 1 mpg and they are a bit pricey, but for how long they last, they do make up for it in not paying to new tire installation often. All around, I cannot recommend the Defender series tires enough for on-road use, off-road might be a different story, but no other tire does everything so well for a somewhat reasonable price.

Vehicle: 2013 Chevrolet Impala LS
Miles Driven on Tires: 25,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: PAINESVILLE, OH
Driving Style: Average

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August 06, 2023
(Verified Purchase)
4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
4.8 out of 5

...rain, snow, deep snow, or any wet conditions performs as I exspected...

great tire ,wears well ,no problem ,rain ,snow, deep snow ,or any wet conditions performs as I exspected I will buy these tires again

Vehicle: 2013 Honda Civic Sedan LX
Miles Driven on Tires: 36,000
Driving Conditions: All Highway
Location: LAKEWOOD, CO
Driving Style: Spirited

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284 reviews mention "Dry Traction"

  • 274 positive
  • 10 negative

Customers overwhelmingly rate dry traction as excellent, with most scoring 9s and 10s. The Defender T+H delivers responsive handling and reliable grip, excelling in its all-season touring role with consistent high-performance feedback.

March 19, 2023
(Verified Purchase)
4.6 out of 5 Star Rating
4.6 out of 5

...The dry traction is nothing short of unbelievable. And when they finally do get pushed into sliding traction, they only lose a small amount of adhesion to the road, making vehicle control as easy as when they're in non-sliding mode...

In long sweeping decreasing radius curves I can get enough speed up to push the car into a four wheel slide, but these tires are stuck to the road so firmly that it takes this kind of 60 mph speed in a short radius curve to finally get them to slide. The dry traction is nothing short of unbelievable. And when they finally do get pushed into sliding traction, they only lose a small amount of adhesion to the road, making vehicle control as easy as when they're in non-sliding mode. I routinely push the car to autocrossing cornering loads, because it's just plain exhilarating to whip the car around like driving on a autocrossing course. The tires rarely get pushed hard enough to slide, and it's easy to maintain control. The traction of these tires make me a far better driver than I actually am. Wet traction is just as impressive, they grip to a point that I've never experience before with any other tire I've driven on in 50 years of driving. Nothing but the highest praise for these tires. I wonder if so called performance tires could do any better. My thanks to Michelin for their excellence in tire design, construction, and accurate manufacturing. Well worth the price, I'm putting them on all my vehicles as they need tire replacements.

Vehicle: 2006 Toyota Prius
Miles Driven on Tires: 3,000
Driving Conditions: Track/Autocross
Location: AURORA, IN
Driving Style: Spirited

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283 reviews mention "Ride Quality"

  • 258 positive
  • 25 negative

Most customers rate ride comfort and noise levels highly, with scores predominantly 9s and 10s. The Defender T+H delivers a smooth, quiet driving experience expected from a premium all-season touring tire.

August 21, 2022
(Verified Purchase)
4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
4.5 out of 5

Great comfortable quiet easy driving tire...

Great comfortable quiet easy driving tire. Had them for 6 and a half years and we got 77,000 miles out of them. There are a lot of nice tires out there and this is one of the best. They are very worn down and have some dry rot but they survived Florida for over 6 years and 77000 miles. Thank you Michelin !

Vehicle: 2014 Mazda Mazda6 Sport
Miles Driven on Tires: 77,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: BRADENTON, FL
Driving Style: Average

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May 15, 2025
1.8 out of 5 Star Rating
1.8 out of 5

...They are very comfortable and quiet on the highway, they get great gas milage...

These came on my car from the dealer. At first I was like nice Michelins. I have now driven the car for a year with these tires and boy are they bad in the wet and snow traction is worse then the UHP summer tires on my BMW e30. They are very comfortable and quiet on the highway, they get great gas milage. They are vague at best on the limit. Driving backroads, which i do often, these tires do little to communicate what is going on. Having grown up in western NY I'm accustom to driving in the snow and ice, the little we get in Eastern Maryland these tires could not cope with. They were down right dangerous with any amount of wet, add cold to that and I'm shocked they can label these tires all season. now having to replace one as it is dry rot and chunking off the side wall. Thankfully it is on the dealers dime because they are far to expensive for what they deliver. In the future I will not be going with these tires in fact these have soured me on Michelins altogether.

Vehicle: 2018 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen 1.8T FWD
Miles Driven on Tires: 12,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: PARKVILLE, MD
Driving Style: Spirited

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May 29, 2022
(Verified Purchase)
4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
4.5 out of 5

These tires are quiet and handle great... It pays to spend the little extra for the comfort, safety and longevity.

These tires are quiet and handle great. I've had many sets of Michelins and they never disappoint. I've tried some other brands to save a few bucks, and I've always been disappointed. It pays to spend the little extra for the comfort, safety and longevity.

Vehicle: 2018 Toyota RAV4 LE AWD w/ Push Button Ignition
Miles Driven on Tires: 4,000
Driving Conditions: Mostly Highway
Location: STONE LAKE, WI
Driving Style: Spirited

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214 reviews mention "Treadwear"

  • 192 positive
  • 22 negative

Most customers rate treadwear highly with scores of 9-10, praising exceptional longevity for all-season touring. While a few lower scores exist, the majority highlight reliable durability in standard driving conditions.

September 11, 2023
5 out of 5 Star Rating
5 out of 5

...Long life, these tires after 3 years and 25000 miles look the same as the day they were put on...

I bought these after getting multiple recommendations for Michelin Tires as long lasting tires. What I didn't expect is that the Defenders would serve as the best all around tire there is. Long life, these tires after 3 years and 25000 miles look the same as the day they were put on. Excellent traction in dry, wet and snow, even deep snow in a rather low vehicle. I have only gotten stuck with these tires because the snow was too deep that is beached the vehicle, not a tire issue. They are quiet and the car feels smooth going down the road. Only gripes are I think I lost 1 mpg and they are a bit pricey, but for how long they last, they do make up for it in not paying to new tire installation often. All around, I cannot recommend the Defender series tires enough for on-road use, off-road might be a different story, but no other tire does everything so well for a somewhat reasonable price.

Vehicle: 2013 Chevrolet Impala LS
Miles Driven on Tires: 25,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: PAINESVILLE, OH
Driving Style: Average

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June 28, 2023
(Verified Purchase)
4.7 out of 5 Star Rating
4.7 out of 5

...The treadwear, warranty and reliability are superb...

These are my go-to tires. This is the 4th set I have owned. The treadwear, warranty and reliability are superb. This set of Defenders replaced OEM Bridgestone Ecopias, that were worse than terrible. The Michelins provided a much better ride, along with big improvement on wet, snow and ice.

I will buy Defenders again and highly recommend them.

Vehicle: 2016 Lexus ES 350
Miles Driven on Tires: 12,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: SHREWSBURY, MA
Driving Style: Average

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Consumer Reviews

Media Gallery

All-Weather vs. Winter Tires: The Definitive Test(12:05)

Brent and TJ set off with a couple of objectives in this, the first test of 2026. The first is to highlight the differences between two types of Grand Touring tires: all-season and all-weather. Second, to see how they stack up to dedicated winter tires. The internet is a great resource, but not all the information out there is accurate, and this test is designed to truly set the record straight.



Read the Full Test Report

Are EV-Specific Tires Better than Popular Non-EV Tires? – 2025 Test 1 - With Winter Update(39:48)

In the first test of 2025, we run it back with EV vs non-EV tires with an eleven-tire, five-category grouping.  Using our pair of Teslas, we delve into efficiency, road characteristics, wet and dry handling/braking, and of course, the overall rankings when combined! Including a final chart with tires from 2024 added! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the first test of 2025!



Read the Full Test Report

View All Winter Test Results

Premium Touring Tires: Elevating the Journey - 2024 Test 8 - With Winter Update(28:51)

The Camry is back in action in this premium touring tire test. 9 Grand Touring All-Season tires, 6 of which are 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake and 2 Standard All-Season tires, are tested to see how they stack up in this highly competitive and popular category. This test is a spiritual successor to Test 4, which saw 9 other touring tires ranked. The ante has been raised this time around as we combine the results of both tests and winter updates to help you make the most informed choice.

Read the Full Test Report

View All Winter Test Results

All-Season vs. All-Weather Tires: What’s the Best Touring Tire for Premium CUVs? – 2024 Test 2 – With Winter Update(22:11)

We’ve tested Touring All-Season tires before, but never like this! Eight Touring tires, the best of the best, both 3PMSF branded [all-weather] and traditional all-season options, take to the street and the track to see how they stack up. Using our new Alfa Romeo Stelvio to represent the popular CUV segment, TJ and Brent put these eight contenders through the paces on the road, on the track, and in the winter elements to get a read on what to consider when comparing all-weather vs. all-season tires.



Read the Full Test Report

View All Winter Test Results

Experience the Michelin CrossClimate2(00:59)

The Michelin CrossClimate2 was developed for drivers of sedans, coupes, minivans, crossovers, and SUVs looking for a well-rounded daily driver. Along with delivering on-road refinement and confident traction in the dry and the wet, the CrossClimate2 is also branded with the 3 peak mountain snowflake symbol, meaning this tire is a great option for milder winter climates as well.

Testing Grand Touring All-Season Tires: Michelin CrossClimate2(02:15)

The Michelin CrossClimate2 has historically been strong in the Grand Touring All-Season category, a consistent, high-level tire that continues to impress. An excellent benchmark to test against, our team has seen significant improvement across the board by its rivals.

Our evaluation used 2022 Subaru BRZ Limited test vehicles fitted with new, full tread depth 225/40R18 tires mounted on 18x8.0 wheels.

Read the Full Test Report

Comparing Electric Vehicle (EV) Tires: Michelin Original Equipment vs. CrossClimate2 (03:59)

Range is a very important consideration for Electric Vehicles, and the Original Equipment tires often place a strong emphasis on efficiency. But what do they give up? We compared the Tesla Model 3’s Original Equipment Michelin tires to popular replacement market tires from the same brand to see how each one affects the vehicle’s range and traction.

Read the Full Test Report

Testing Grand Touring All-Season Tires: Michelin CrossClimate2(02:21)

The Michelin CrossClimate2 is a consistent, high-level performer in our tests and well-liked by consumers in all regions, so should serve as a strong benchmark for the competition.

Read the Full Test Report

Testing Premium Grand Touring All-Season Tires 2021: Michelin CrossClimate2(02:33)

The Michelin CrossClimate2 goes head-to-head against one of its closest competitors along with two new additions to the Grand Touring All-Season category.

Read the Full Test Report

Testing Premium Touring All-Season Tires 2021: Michelin CrossClimate2(02:14)

Consistently at the top of the consumer ratings and Tire Rack test results, we compared the CrossClimate2 to the newest and best Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tires.

Read the Full Test Report

Testing Crossover/SUV & Grand Touring All-Season Tires: Michelin CrossClimate2(01:59)

Michelin’s CrossClimate2 has proven itself a strong competitor in our testing, so we used it as a benchmark to measure the performance of one of the newest in Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season.

Read the Full Test Report

TJ Talking: Michelin CrossClimate2 2020 (18:24)

On this episode of TJ Talking, Tire Rack Information and Testing Manager, TJ Campbell, and Michelin Product Category Manager, Karl Koenigstein, discuss an exciting new entry built on the previous success of their top-performers, the Michelin CrossClimate2.

Testing Grand Touring All-Season Tires 2020: Michelin CrossClimate2(01:57)

The CrossClimate2 is Michelin’s latest Grand Touring All-Season tire that promises to raise the bar on all-season traction and road refinement.

Read the Full Test Report

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