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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

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

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
9.2 Ride Quality
8.6 Noise
9.1 - Excellent

Michelin Defender2 Reviews

Customer feedback data reveals strong performance across all categories for this all-season touring tire. Treadwear receives exceptional praise with frequent 9-10 scores, with many noting long-lasting durability. Comfort stands out for smooth ride quality and low noise levels. Winter traction earns consistent 8-10 ratings, showing reliable capability in light snow and slush. Wet traction impresses with 9-10 scores for grip and hydroplaning resistance. Dry traction receives near-universal acclaim (9-10) for confident handling and stability. High satisfaction is evident, with many customers emphasizing the tire's balanced performance and expressing intent to repurchase. No significant concerns emerge across key metrics.

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Customers Like:

523 reviews mention "Wet Traction"

  • 505 positive
  • 18 negative

Customers overwhelmingly rate the Michelin Defender2's wet traction as excellent, with most scores 9-10. Strong hydroplaning resistance and confident grip in rainy conditions make it a standout all-season performer.

February 03, 2026
4.6 out of 5 Star Rating
4.6 out of 5

...Defender 2 tends to slip a little bit in dry corning traction when going tight corners however wet traction and hydroplaning resistance is greeat I was on a road going 50mph, and out of nowhere the road had about 4 inches of standing water on it and did great i did not feel the car lose traction

Great tire, you get your values worth noise quiet is great, dry traction is nice, Defender 2 tends to slip a little bit in dry corning traction when going tight corners however wet traction and hydrop[laning resistance is greeat I was on a road going 50mph, and out of nowhere the road had about 4 inches of standing water on it and did great i did not feel the car lose traction

Vehicle: 2007 Buick Lucerne CXL V6
Miles Driven on Tires: 4,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: HEMPSTEAD, TX
Driving Style: Average

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February 20, 2026
4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
4.8 out of 5

...In the rain, you wonder what a water hazard is. Haven?t experienced any hydroplaning...

Car was bought at carmax with substantial dry rot on the tires. Did a on best rated for my jeep cherokee. They recommended these and the cross climate. The cross climate were way more money for slightly better conditions. These had an 80,000 mile warranty which was insane. Once I got them, it snowed about 2 weeks later about 10 inches. I drove to work like a boss. I had one unplowed road that slipped me about 1 second and the 4x4 and tires all pulled through and muscled through it. I’ve ran Pirelli Winter tires on a FWD Mazdaspeed3 that handled about the same as these. In the rain, you wonder what a water hazard is. Haven’t experienced any hydroplaning. I’ve driven on very light ice and still haven’t had much of an issue. Done with the weather. I wanna see these in some dry heat! Very low road noise and exceptional handling and bounce resistance. Highly recommend these tires!

Vehicle: 2021 Jeep Cherokee 4X4 Limited
Miles Driven on Tires: 2,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: BRISTOL, RI
Driving Style: Spirited

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219 reviews mention "Winter Traction"

  • 202 positive
  • 17 negative

Customers praise the Defender2's winter traction with most snow/deep snow scores at 9-10 and ice ratings mostly 7-10. While a few report lower ice performance, the majority highlight confident grip in winter conditions, aligning well with its all-season capabilities.

February 20, 2026
4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
4.8 out of 5

...Once I got them, it snowed about 2 weeks later about 10 inches. I drove to work like a boss. I had one unplowed road that slipped me about 1 second and the 4x4 and tires all pulled through and muscled through it...

Car was bought at carmax with substantial dry rot on the tires. Did a on best rated for my jeep cherokee. They recommended these and the cross climate. The cross climate were way more money for slightly better conditions. These had an 80,000 mile warranty which was insane. Once I got them, it snowed about 2 weeks later about 10 inches. I drove to work like a boss. I had one unplowed road that slipped me about 1 second and the 4x4 and tires all pulled through and muscled through it. I’ve ran Pirelli Winter tires on a FWD Mazdaspeed3 that handled about the same as these. In the rain, you wonder what a water hazard is. Haven’t experienced any hydroplaning. I’ve driven on very light ice and still haven’t had much of an issue. Done with the weather. I wanna see these in some dry heat! Very low road noise and exceptional handling and bounce resistance. Highly recommend these tires!

Vehicle: 2021 Jeep Cherokee 4X4 Limited
Miles Driven on Tires: 2,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: BRISTOL, RI
Driving Style: Spirited

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January 06, 2026
(Verified Purchase)
5 out of 5 Star Rating
5 out of 5

...Enjoy the piece of mind that my family is riding on these tires this winter.

Purchased because of ratings and past positive experience with Michelin. Tire rack purchases are always seamless. I had a local shop install the tires. These tires do everything well. It seems like they got gripier in hard cornering after about 5000 miles. Enjoy the piece of mind that my family is riding on these tires this winter.

Vehicle: 2018 Mazda CX-9 AWD Signature
Miles Driven on Tires: 12,000
Driving Conditions: Mostly Highway
Location: HAGERSTOWN, MD
Driving Style: Spirited

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585 reviews mention "Dry Traction"

  • 575 positive
  • 10 negative

Customers overwhelmingly rate dry traction as excellent, with most scoring 9s and 10s. High marks highlight reliable grip and responsive handling in dry conditions, ideal for all-season touring use.

February 03, 2026
4.6 out of 5 Star Rating
4.6 out of 5

...dry traction is nice, Defender 2 tends to slip a little bit in dry corning traction when going tight corners...

Great tire, you get your values worth noise quiet is great, dry traction is nice, Defender 2 tends to slip a little bit in dry corning traction when going tight corners however wet traction and hydrop[laning resistance is greeat I was on a road going 50mph, and out of nowhere the road had about 4 inches of standing water on it and did great i did not feel the car lose traction

Vehicle: 2007 Buick Lucerne CXL V6
Miles Driven on Tires: 4,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: HEMPSTEAD, TX
Driving Style: Average

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585 reviews mention "Ride Quality"

  • 562 positive
  • 23 negative

Customers overwhelmingly praise the Defender2's comfort, with most scoring 9s and 10s for smooth ride quality and low noise levels. A few 7-8 ratings indicate minor variations, but the tire consistently delivers refined all-season comfort that meets or exceeds expectations for touring use.

January 08, 2026
(Verified Purchase)
4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
4.8 out of 5

THE most comfortable and quiet riding tire I've ever purchased(68yrs old). Very responsive.

THE most comfortable and quiet riding tire I’ve ever purchased(68yrs old). Very responsive.

Vehicle: 2020 Kia Sorento FWD EX
Miles Driven on Tires: 5,000
Driving Conditions: Mostly Highway
Location: OSHKOSH, WI
Driving Style: Spirited

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January 01, 2026
4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
4.8 out of 5

...The ride comfort is excellent, and the road noise is incredibly low-perfect for a family van...

I previously drove 65,000 miles on the original Michelin Defender 1, so moving to the Defender 2 was a natural choice for my Sienna.

I am now 23,000 miles into this new set, and I love them just as much, if not more. The ride comfort is excellent, and the road noise is incredibly low—perfect for a family van.

If you are looking for a smooth, quiet ride with lots of miles, this is it.

Vehicle: 2011 Toyota Sienna FWD LE V6
Miles Driven on Tires: 23,000
Driving Conditions: Mostly Highway
Location: MASON, OH
Driving Style: Average

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January 25, 2026
(Verified Purchase)
5 out of 5 Star Rating
5 out of 5

...Ultimately decided on the defender 2 because I really wanted a quiet ride. And the tires are quiet... Took a long drive in -8 deg weather and the ride was smooth and quiet...

Just bought these tires. Went back and forth trying to decide between the crossclimate2 and defender 2 for my Palisade. Ultimately decided on the defender 2 because I really wanted a quiet ride. And the tires are quiet. Previous to these tires, I thought I had a bad bearing on the back side of my car, but the noise was just worn out tires. When I picked these up, the noise was completely gone. Took a long drive in -8 deg weather and the ride was smooth and quiet. Love these tires so far.

Vehicle: 2022 Hyundai Palisade AWD SEL
Miles Driven on Tires: 100
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: NAPERVILLE, IL
Driving Style: Easy Going

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376 reviews mention "Treadwear"

  • 367 positive
  • 9 negative

Michelin Defender2 receives overwhelmingly positive treadwear ratings, with most customers scoring 9s and 10s. Excellent tread life and durability in all-season conditions, with some 8s indicating strong long-term performance for touring use.

February 19, 2026
(Verified Purchase)
3 out of 5 Star Rating
3 out of 5

...The tread of Defender was durable and wear was excellent. Interestingly, the tires frequently picked up nails, but none ever penetrated fully or caused a loss of air...

I ran a set of Michelin Defender tires on my Corolla for three years in the Northeast after the Michelin Energy Saver A/S were fast worn. On the positive side, I never experienced a flat. The tread of Defender was durable and wear was excellent. Interestingly, the tires frequently picked up nails, but none ever penetrated fully or caused a loss of air.

Highway stability and wet-road performance were reassuring. In rain, they felt planted and predictable. However, winter performance was clearly a weakness. In light snow they slipped easily, and on ice they felt borderline unsafe—although I never actually lost control. Lateral grip was also limited; when pushed through curves at speed, the front end would wash out and understeer sooner than expected.

One major disappointment was sidewall durability. By the third year in the Northeast climate, visible dry rot had developed, which is unacceptable at this price point.

Some reviews praise the Defender for comfort and quietness, but in my experience these were its weakest attributes. Ride quality and cabin noise were inferior to other tires I’ve used including Continental (premium), Toyo (mid-tier), and even Radar (budget).

Michelin’s warranty response (not Tire Rack) was equally disappointing. After contacting them, I was told:
"If the replacement tires are from a brand outside of these three, unfortunately we are unable to offer warranty coverage, as it only applies to our affiliated brands."

Given the cost and the customer service experience, I would not purchase Michelin again.

Vehicle: 2018 Toyota Corolla LE
Miles Driven on Tires: 30,000
Driving Conditions: Mostly City
Location: WATERTOWN, MA
Driving Style: Average

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February 02, 2026
(Verified Purchase)
5 out of 5 Star Rating
5 out of 5

...The tires show almost no wear after a year and about 8,000 miles of city and highway driving...

I got 4 tires, 2 to this spec and 2 to the other spec for my 2021 VW Id.4. The tires show almost no wear after a year and about 8,000 miles of city and highway driving. The noise is not appreciably different from the manufacturer's tires. I read some concerns about decreased distance with a charge with these tires. However, I have not noticed any appreciable difference the distance I get with a charge. I ordered the tires from Tire Rack to be delivered to my local mechanic to put on. The delivery happened as promised. I think I got a great deal! Overall, I'd buy these again.

Vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen ID.4
Miles Driven on Tires: 8,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: ATLANTA, GA
Driving Style: Average

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Consumer Reviews

Media Gallery

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)

Ultra High Performance All-Season tires are the best of the best when it comes to maximizing warm-weather traction while maintaining four-season usability. In this test, we compare 9 tires from this category to see what stands out and what leaves more to be desired.

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.

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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.

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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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