It’s the same with ice traction, where the CrossClimate 2 impresses for an all-season tire, but it’s still not as good as a proper winter tire. The CrossClimate 2 features quite steep angles on the tread, helping channel water away from it. This is in contrast to other all-season tires, which usually have a non-directional design and circumferential grooves. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is unlike any other all-season/all-weather tire on the market, with a design that’s more reminiscent of a performance summer tire.
It almost feels like a performance tire, which is very high praise for an all-weather one. The tire responds to the driver’s input very fast while also giving a lot of feedback. I was honestly surprised since I only felt this level of engagement on summer tires. Michelin offers the CrossClimate Plus with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which isn’t too bad. Even though it’s behind some of its competitors, it’s not the worst.
Sure, some have a preference and usually go with that, but people like me tend to change things up. The main reason is that the industry is moving forward, and new technologies bring new improvements. At turning corners, the CrossClimate 2 got a relatively fast lap and light steering. Their innovation in manufacturing tires goes beyond automotive, space shuttles, motorcycles, cycles fields.
Now, to be fair, the tire should provide you with good traction on hardpacked surfaces. However, sharp objects might damage the tread, so it’s probably better to limit your off-road excursions. Also, don’t expect high levels of traction in mud or over large rocks. Despite the enhancements Michelin made, this is still not a winter tire. I’d be okay using it on light to medium snow, but very harsh wintry conditions are a no-go.
michelin truck tiresTherefore, if you want the best possible dry handling, while also having a peace of mind in the winter, the CrossClimate+ is an excellent choice. There is no other tire in this category that can offer this level of driver engagement, grip, and traction in one package. Many drivers make the mistake of not judging the abilities of their tires properly. It’s widely considered that all-season tires can provide drivers with usable traction throughout the year, although that’s not true. In reality, these tires suffer in harsh wintry conditions, especially over snow and ice.
There are some decent levels of responsiveness, but the levels of feedback aren’t something to write home about. The weakest point is in wet conditions, where the tire feels a bit twitchy when pushed to the limit. Under normal driving, the tire is fine; only when you push it will you notice that it doesn’t like it.