Michelin CrossClimate2 Review: Honest Opinion After 18,000 Miles of Use

Last Updated: October 6, 2025

I purchased my car's Michelin CrossClimate2 all-season tires over a year ago and wanted to share my thoughts on them. Overall, I have been impressed with their performance. They have provided excellent traction in various weather conditions, including rain, snow, and even ice. Michelin CrossClimate2 tires are excellent all-season tires for any vehicle. They have performed extremely well on my BMW, and I have seen them on a wide variety of cars, from Subarus to Mercedes SUVs.

Editor's Choice for The Best All-Season Tire

Michelin CrossClimate2

$180 - $458 per tire

• Brand: Michelin
• Model: CrossClimate2
• Warranty: 60,000 miles
• Price: $137.00 – $420.00 per tire
• Load Range: SL – XL
• Features: Touring, All Season, Performance
• Weight: 20.99 – 36.55 Lbs
• Load Index: 91 – 114
• Speed Rating: H – Up to 130mph – V – Up to 149mph
• Max PSI: 50 – 51 PSI

Overall Rating:

4.9

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The tread life has also been impressive, with no noticeable wear after 18,000 miles of use. Since I was accustomed to driving my BMW on run-flat tires, I have found that the ride comfort of the CrossClimate2 is significantly better. They have also solved my longest journey of finding the most capable all-season tire that can even perform well in snow. Michelin CrossClimate2 tires have the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) rating, which you'll start to respect quickly once the first snow falls. I highly recommend these tires to anyone in need of reliable all-season tires.

Since I lived in Michigan and the roads there were pretty rough, I had to go with a size up on the tire than what the manufacturer recommends. However, it has been great so far, and I do not regret my decision to switch away from run-flats. They are even better in Colorado, since the weather is very unpredictable, and it can start snowing as early as May or September. Having the peace of mind with the 3PMS-rated tires has been amazing. There is a reason why so many Subarus in Colorado are equipped with Michelin CrossClimate2 tires.

Pros and Cons of Michelin CrossClimate2 All-Season Tires

Pros

• The all-season tire with exceptional lateral grip in dry conditions
• Impressive handling and take-offs even when there is lot of snow on the ground
• Dry roads have very short stopping distances
• Wet roads require excellent lateral grip and braking
• It is easy to drive in wet conditions
• Direct and responsive steering
• Excellent handling and braking in snow and slush
• A firm but composed ride

Cons

• Some buyers may find it too expensive
• They are directional; therefore, you will not be able to rotate them
• It's not extremely great in turns when there is heavier snow on the ground, even with an AWD car
• Some people on various forums or Facebook groups find them noisier than other all-season tires (not me)

Testing Conditions, Equipment, Results

• Vehicle: 2015 BMW 535i xDrive
• Tire Size: 245/45 R19
• Terrain: Light snow, icy conditions, very heavy snow, heavy rain, wet road, dry and cold conditions

Michelin CrossClimate2 Testing Results

• Light Snow Rating: 4.9/5.0
• Wet Traction Rating: 5.0/5.0
• Dry Traction Rating: 5.0/5.0
• Uneven Pavement Rating: 4.4/5.0
• Comfort: 4.8/5.0
• Noise Levels: 4.6/5.0
• Overall Rating: 4.8/5.0

Michelin CrossClimate2 All-Season Tire Overview

The CrossClimate2 uses Michelin's Thermal Adaptive all-season tread compound. It is molded into a VFormation directional tread design that delivers dry, wet, and wintertime performance. Michelin utilized its Noise Reduction Tuning, which employs advanced tread pattern modeling to reduce airborne noise. This involves increasing tread element geometry and timing variation.

The tread's center section promotes longitudinal dry grip. It features blocks that align with the fore and aft forces, increasing uninterrupted block area contact during deceleration and acceleration. V-Ramp chamfers are embedded into the leading and trailing edges of the blocks to increase road surface contact under load, further enhancing brake traction.

The shoulder blocks extend further outboard and align laterally with the tread, increasing cornering forces and control. 3D SipeLock technology is integrated into the tread. It provides support for rigid handling and increases traction in adverse weather conditions.

Speaking of adverse weather, below is an image depicting one of the days that I extensively tested these tires. 29″ of snowfall was reported within the 24 hours that day. While I was a bit scared to go out there and “play” in the snow, once I started driving around, the xDrive paired with Michelin CrossClimate2 helped me calm my nerves down. I had no trouble getting in and out of parking lots, changing lanes on the road, or with any other issues whatsoever.

They are by far superior to other All-Season tires that I have ever tested. Sure, I wouldn't advise drifting sideways near some sidewalks, but normal driving and a little push on the gas will probably put a smile on your face if you are into that type of thing. I know I am.

The steep-angle tread pattern channels water away from the contact area, increasing hydroplaning resistance. The grooveless tread pattern improves wear characteristics and provides more traction for winter. The Thermal Adaptive Tread compound further enhances snow performance, ensuring the tire is flexible at lower temperatures to increase snow traction.

CrossClimate2's internal construction consists of a cross-ply polyester casing and two steel belts. A polyamide reinforcement was added to enhance high-speed stability and performance further. Non-winter tires with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol may offer more longitudinal snow traction than all-season (M+S) tires without the symbol. Still, they are less capable in adverse weather conditions.

Michelin has a new tire with an innovative design and an all-season promise. CrossClimate 2 may look familiar as it builds upon the CrossClimate+ design, but if you look closely, you'll notice that Michelin is making significant improvements. The French tire company designed the new tire to deliver improved snow and ice grip, enhanced rolling resistance, and enhanced comfort, as well as improved dry and wet traction.

Testing of Michelin CrossClimate2 Tires

Purchasing Process – Where to Buy Michelin CrossClimate2 Tires

After much shopping, I purchased these tires through the Tire Rack website. I went with Tire Rack over Discount Tire because Discount Tire forced me to enter the vehicle and wouldn't let me check out with the size I had chosen. Because I wanted more wheel protection from the rough Michigan roads, I aimed to get a slightly larger sidewall, so I went with a slightly oversized tire.

The last tire on my F10 BMW 535i was a Bridgestone DriveGuard run-on-flat 245/40 R19, and the Michelin CrossClimate2 I ordered was 245/45 R19. From what I have gathered online, opting for this size will provide better protection than the 45 sidewalls and bring me closer to the speed indicated by the BMW speedometer (stock tires typically show a higher speed than the actual speed).

Additionally, switching to non-ROF tires should provide improved comfort while driving and handling. ROF tires tend to be very stiff and are not an overall great experience; there must be a reason why BMW does not put them on M car sedans and coupes.

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Installation of Michelin CrossClimate2 at Discount Tire

While I got the tires from Tire Rack, after checking the installer network on the Tire Rack website and making a few calls, I quickly realized that the best place to get them installed is Discount Tire. I just had to double-check that Discount Tire will install tires that are slightly larger than the manufacturer's recommended tire size. After a quick call, I was set up for the appointment and reassured that there would be no issues with the installation.

Discount Tire of Novi, MI, provided incredible service. I was in and out of there within 1 hour. The image you see above is of the location right outside after they installed my new Michelin CrossClimate2 tires.

Dry Grip and Traction

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 has a unique design. It features a V-formation directional tread pattern, similar to that of a summer performance tire. As a result, many journos consider it a summer/all-season tire. There is more to CrossClimate 2's tread design. First, the tread blocks are aligned with the fore- and aft forces to create an uninterrupted block area that increases longitudinal traction. As the Tire Rack's testing video above shows, Michelin CrossClimate2 was built to handle any situation it's put into extremely well.

It improves longitudinal traction, acceleration, and brake performance. The V-Ramp chamfers improve lateral grip by increasing road contact, further enhancing dry performance. Finally, the 3D Sipe lock tech interlocks the block to increase tread rigidity.

The tire is a unique design. But does it translate into outstanding real-world performance?

It will, you bet! The CrossClimate 2 outperforms all competitors in dry road testing, boasting great lateral grip comparable to that of a summer touring tire.  It also performs well at the limit and does not lose grip as quickly as less expensive tires.

The stopping distances of all-season tires are also the shortest, making them a great choice for summer touring. If this weren't enough, Michelin all-season tires offer exceptional acceleration and traction. The CrossClimate 2 is the best all-season dry tire, performing very well in all tests. Does this mean Michelin has cut corners elsewhere? Let's find out more!

Wet grip, Traction, and Braking

CrossClimate 2 has a steep tread that helps channel water away. This contrasts with all-season tires with a non-directional design or circumferential grooves. Despite its differences, the CrossClimate 2 is just as capable of resisting hydroplaning as its competitors, so driving in heavy rain won't be an issue.

The tire features large sipes in each tread block, which help dissipate water, and a tread compound that can withstand extreme temperatures. Our wet road test revealed that the CrossClimate 2 is the best all-season tire in rainy conditions. It beats every competitor in every metric.

The tire's acceleration and braking traction are superior to those of any other all-season tires. So even if your vehicle is more powerful, you'll still be able to accelerate out of corners with no problem. The braking distances are also the best of all-season tires.

Michelin's all-season offering is even more impressive when you tackle corners. Even if your vehicle reaches its traction limit, it will remain stable and easy to manage. It also boasts the best lateral grip in rainy conditions, which further enhances its impressive wet performance.

Michelin CrossClimate2 in Light Snow

Tires focused on wet and dry traction often struggle in winter conditions. Michelin is the only company that has designed a tire that works well across all terrains. The French tire giant, known for its dry/wet tires, delivered the impossible.

Michelin did this using its all-season rubber compound Thermal Adaptive, which is flexible in freezing conditions. Additionally, each tread block has to sipe along its length, including sipes in the middle of the tire. These sipes create additional biting edges that trap and transfer snow.

What does this new design offer? According to our snow road test, CrossClimate 2's acceleration and braking in light snow were exceptional for this category. This is quite impressive, considering the tire's type. The tire also handles well in corners and is largely stable, giving you confidence that your vehicle won't spin or get stuck.

It can also be used to tackle deeper snow. However, in such cases, I recommend using a winter tire, such as the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90. The same goes for ice traction. So, while the CrossClimate 2 is a great all-season tire, it could be better than a winter tire. This is a great all-season tire for driving in winter conditions. It has good acceleration/braking traction, as well as confident handling.

Michelin CrossClimate2 in Heavy Snow

There is not much to say here. These tires made me feel very comfortable driving in heavy snow. We got around 10″ of snow within a span of 24 hours, so there was ample opportunity to test these tires. Acceleration was great and very steady. There was minimal wheel spin-out.

I was quite surprised to be able to cruise at 50-60mph in 10″ of snow in a fairly low car without feeling like the car was wobbling or not sliding at any moment. Michelin CrossClimate2 tires impressed me with their combination of safety and performance in heavy snow.

Handling and steering feel

The steering response is excellent for this category, but the tire never feels twitchy. Instead, it builds up nicely and feels straight through corners, showing Michelin's ability to design a good tire. I have yet to experience a bad Michelin tire, and CrossClimate2 continues the trend. The only time that I noticed some instability was in turns of heavy snow. However, with AWD, that shouldn't be a problem; in fact, that's actually more fun.

Although you may not consider responsiveness important, it makes a real difference in the real world. CrossClimate 2 makes driving easier and more enjoyable, inspiring confidence. The experience is much better than the RFT Bridgestone tires I have been driving on for the past year, which I had to keep filling up with my Ryobi tire inflator.

Comfort and Road Noise

Michelin has made significant progress in improving noise characteristics compared to the CrossClimate+. It used its PIANO Noise Reduction Toning, which tunes out noise by increasing tread element geometry and timing variation. The new model is quieter than the old one, especially at higher speeds.

The tire will make a slight growl when it is on rough tarmac. However, your vehicle's wind/engine noise will easily overpower the sound. The CrossClimate 2 remains a solid tire that provides a noticeable difference when navigating larger potholes, just as before. But I prefer the way it rides on most surfaces. The taut nature of the cabin limits vibrations, making the ride more composed.

What are the Maintenance Indicators and Specifications?

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is available in several sizes. They range from 16-inch to 21-inch wheels, covering compact and mid-size cars, crossovers, and some SUVs. It features two (tread wear indicators) that are industry standard. They can tell you when your tread depth has reached 2/32 of an inch. This is important because a tire with less than 2/32 inches of tread depth will perform poorly in wet conditions.

CrossClimate 2 tires are extremely durable, so you won't have to look at the indicators often. This tire has covered almost 30,000 miles. I rotate the tires once every 5,000 miles. They have not shown any signs of wear and are expected to last a long time. It outperformed its competition by 15,000 miles in Michelin's tests. This is quite impressive.

Michelin's treadwear warranty is only 60,000 miles, which is good, but it falls behind the class-leading grand touring all-season tires with 80,000-mile warranties. The CrossClimate 2 features Michelin's Total Performance technology. It should be able to perform in snow and rain, even if the tread depth is reduced to 2/32 inches. In contrast, inexpensive all-season tires experience a noticeable decline in performance as the tread wears.

If you are a fellow BMW owner and your car came with BMW stock run on-flat tires, Michelin CrossClimate2 could be a great alternative. I know that I haven't looked back once after switching to these all-season tires.

Michelin CrossClimate2 Treadwear and Warranty

CrossClimate 2 is the result of rigorous research and development from Michelin. It has an optimized contact area and durable inner construction. Additionally, your new Michelin all-season tires will distribute your vehicle's weight evenly and resist uneven tread wear. This means you can get all-season performance from a tire designed for long-term use. Michelin offers a limited treadwear warranty of 60,000 miles on all sizes of CrossClimate 2. You can make your vehicle all-season by upgrading it to a set of Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires.

Should I Purchase the Michelin CrossClimate2?

I am beyond impressed with the performance and safety these tires have provided me over the last few thousand miles I have been testing them for. They always made me feel safe, from dry asphalt to blizzard conditions.

CrossClimate+ was already an innovative tire, and Michelin has improved this model. CrossClimate 2 is a truly exceptional tire that competes with the best-in-class tires in all categories. This tire is the only all-season one used on snow-covered and dry tarmac. It also provides a smooth ride with a long tread life. Therefore, if you have the money (even though it is expensive), consider purchasing an all-season tire that can withstand various weather conditions.

Michelin CrossClimate2 Tire Size Options

For 16″ Diameter Wheels:

• 205/55 R16 – 91V
• 205/55 R16 – 91H
• 205/60 R16 – 92V
• 205/65 R16 – 95H
• 215/55 R16 – 97H
• 215/60 R16 – 95V
• 215/65 R16 – 98H

For 17″ Diameter Wheels:

• 205/50 R17 – 93V
• 205/55 R17 – 95V
• 215/45 R17 – 91H
• 215/45 R17 – 91V
• 215/50 R17 – 95H
• 215/50 R17 – 95V
• 215/55R17 – 94V
• 215/65 R17 – 99H
• 225/45 R17 – 91V
• 225/45 R17 – 91H
• 225/50 R17 – 98V
• 225/55 R17 – 101H
• 225/55 R17 – 101V
• 225/60 R17 – 99H
• 225/65 R17 – 102H
• 235/50 R17 – 96H
• 235/55 R17 – 99H
• 235/60 R17 – 102H
• 235/65 R17 – 104H
• 245/45 R17 – 99V
• 245/65 R17 – 107H

For 18″ Diameter Wheels:

• 215/50 R18 – 92V
• 215/55 R18 – 95H
• 225/40 R18 – 92V
• 225/45 R18 – 95V
• 225/50 R18 – 95H
• 225/55 R18 – 98H
• 225/60 R18 – 100H
• 235/40 R18 – 95V
• 235/45 R18 – 98V
• 235/50 R18 – 97V
• 235/55 R18 – 100H
• 235/55 R18 – 100V
• 235/60 R18 – 107V
• 235/60 R18 – 107H
• 235/65 R18 – 106V
• 235/65 R18 – 106H
• 245/40 R18 – 97V
• 245/45 R18 – 100V
• 245/55 R18 – 103V
• 245/60 R18 – 105V
• 255/35 R18 – 94V
• 255/60 R18 – 112V
• 255/65 R18 – 111H
• 265/60 R18 – 110V

For 19″ Diameter Wheels:

• 225/55 R19 – 99V
• 235/40 R19 – 96V
• 235/45 R19 – 99V
• 235/50 R19 – 103V
• 235/55 R19 – 105V
• 235/55 R19 – 105H
• 245/45 R19 – 102V
• 245/50 R19 – 105V
• 245/55 R19 – 103V
• 255/40 R19 – 100V
• 255/45 R19 – 104V
• 255/55 R19 – 111V
• 255/60 R19 – 109H
• 265/50 R19 – 110V

For 20″ Diameter Wheels:

• 235/45 R20 – 100H
• 235/50 R20 – 104V
• 235/55 R20 – 102H
• 235/55 R20 – 102V
• 245/40 R20 – 99V
• 245/45 R20 – 103V
• 245/50 R20 – 102V
• 255/45 R20 – 105V
• 255/50 R20 – 109V
• 255/55 R20 – 110V
• 265/45 R20 – 108V
• 265/50 R20 – 111V
• 275/45 R20 – 110V
• 275/50 R20 – 113V
• 285/40 R20 – 108V
• 285/45 R20 – 112V

For 21″ Diameter Wheels:

• 245/45 R21 – 104V
• 255/40 R21 – 102V
• 265/40 R21 – 105V
• 265/45 R21 – 108V
• 275/40 R21 – 107V

For 21″ Diameter Wheels:

• 285/45 R22 – 114H

Michelin CrossClimate2 Tire Review – Bottom Line

In conclusion, the Michelin CrossClimate2 is a top-performing all-season tire that excels in various weather conditions, offering excellent traction and handling. In addition, these tires offer top-notch comfort and ride quality, with lower-than-average noise levels, providing a peaceful and enjoyable driving experience. With a reasonable price point, the CrossClimate2 is a great value for its performance and reliability. Overall, I highly recommend the Michelin CrossClimate2 to anyone in need of reliable, high-performing all-season tires.

The Driver Soul Tire Testing Methodology

We take pride in providing thorough and unbiased reviews of the latest tire models. To ensure our ratings are accurate and consistent, we have developed a methodology that considers various factors and incorporates statistical analysis.

1. Performance: We test tires for their performance in various driving conditions, including wet and dry roads, snow and ice, and off-road terrain. We also consider factors such as handling, braking, noise, and ride comfort. These tests are conducted using standardized procedures, and the results are analyzed using statistical methods to determine the mean and standard deviation.
2. Durability: We assess tire durability based on factors such as tread life, resistance to punctures and cuts, and sidewall strength. These tests are conducted using standardized procedures or data gathered from third-party websites where real users share their experiences with the products that we are reviewing. We then analyze the results using statistical methods to determine the mean and standard deviation.
3. Value: We consider the tire's price and compare it to its performance and durability to determine its overall value. We pay close attention to the tire's reported life span and the ratio of those metrics to the price.
4. Customer reviews: We consider the experiences and opinions of other drivers who have used the tire. We strive to disregard what appears to be fake reviews (both positive and negative) and make informed judgments based on our ability to filter out bogus reviews effectively. We are human so that mistakes can be made. The best reviews we provide are those where we get to extensively test the products ourselves and share real-life experiences with our readers.
5. Expert opinions: We consult industry experts and gather their insights and opinions on tires. An expert can even be a person with extensive knowledge of tire use and practical experience with them.

Our ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 5, with one being the lowest and five being the highest. We strive to provide detailed and comprehensive reviews that give drivers the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions. Overall, this methodology, which incorporates statistical analysis, allows us to provide accurate and reliable ratings for the tires we review on our site.