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Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
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7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 58 | 92 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | 94 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 86 |
| SimpleTire owners | 88 | – |
| America's Tire owners | – | 98 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 90% | 100% |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 55 | 84 |
| Tire Rack owners | 91 | 94 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | 86 | – |
| America's Tire owners | – | 97 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 79% | 93% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 100% | 97% |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 65 | 80 |
| Tire Rack owners | 93 | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | – |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 85% | 100% |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 73 |
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 64 | 84 |
| SimpleTire owners | 87 | – |
| America's Tire owners | – | 96 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 72 |
| SimpleTire owners | 77 | – |
| America's Tire owners | – | 92 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 84 | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 82 |
| SimpleTire owners | 82 | – |
| America's Tire owners | – | 95 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 74 |
| America's Tire owners | – | 97 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 84 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | Michelin CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 74 | 80 |
| Dry | 68 | 90 |
| Wet | 67 | 83 |
| Snow | 76 | 82 |
| Comfort | 84 | 77 |
| Noise | 77 | 72 |
| Treadwear | 79 | 82 |
| Handling | 65 | 74 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 90% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test | -9.8 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 100% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 93% #10/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | +6.9 | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 80% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 100% #7/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | -19.6 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/19 · The Best Winter Tyres for 2020 | 50% #2/35 · 2023 All Season Tyre 35 Set Shootout | 0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test | +0.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 85% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/2 · Michelin CrossClimate 3 and CrossClimate 3 Sport | -14.6 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 94% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 98% #4/10 · 2023 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | -4.3 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 100% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2023 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 79% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 93% #7/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test | -13.8 | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 100% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 97% #7/10 · 2025 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season Tyre Test | +3.1 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction and confidence-inspiring performance on ice, deep snow, and slush. While users occasionally note increased road noise or less precise handling on dry pavement compared to all-season alternatives, the consensus remains that it is a premier choice for severe winter climates.
Pros
- Outstanding grip and acceleration on ice and hard-packed snow
- Excellent braking performance in hazardous winter conditions
- Strong capability in slush and deep snow
- High level of driver confidence in extreme weather
Cons
- Increased road noise during highway driving
- Less responsive or 'softer' handling feel on dry pavement
- Potential for minor rubbing depending on vehicle fitment
- Perceived as less refined in dry conditions compared to the previous WS80 generation
Observations
- Users operating rear-wheel-drive vehicles without modern traction control reported high satisfaction with the tire's ability to maintain mobility.
- Drivers of front-wheel-drive sedans noted significant improvements in winter handling and the ability to avoid using four-wheel-drive modes in moderate conditions.
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is widely regarded as a benchmark all-weather tire, offering exceptional snow and ice traction that rivals dedicated winter tires while maintaining respectable dry and wet performance. While most users praise its year-round versatility and comfort, a subset of owners reports concerns regarding wet-weather confidence, increased road noise as the tire wears, and a noticeable impact on fuel efficiency.
Pros
- Outstanding snow and ice traction for an all-season tire
- Excellent dry road handling and braking performance
- High levels of ride comfort and noise refinement when new
- Strong hydroplaning resistance in heavy rain
- Long-term durability and tread life for many users
Cons
- Noticeable drop in fuel economy compared to dedicated summer or low-rolling-resistance tires
- Increased road noise and ride stiffness as the tread wears down
- Mixed feedback on wet-weather grip, with some users reporting understeer or lack of confidence
- Higher price point compared to competitors
- Performance degradation in extreme summer heat
Observations
- EV and hybrid owners frequently report a 5-7% reduction in range or fuel efficiency due to higher rolling resistance.
- Users with high-performance or high-torque vehicles (e.g., BMW M-series, Mustang) often find the tire's sidewall and compound too soft for spirited driving, leading to unpredictable handling.
- Drivers of heavier SUVs and crossovers generally report higher satisfaction with the tire's ability to handle inclement weather compared to lighter passenger cars.
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Michelin CrossClimate 2
Community opinion on the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is largely positive regarding its exceptional snow, ice, and wet weather traction, with many users praising its quiet ride and aggressive look. However, some dissenters point out potential drawbacks such as increased road noise as the tread ages, a minor hit to fuel economy or EV range, and questioned value for users who live in mild climates without winter weather.
“CrossClimate2 in. Alenza Run Flats out. Swapped the Alenza run flats for CrossClimate2 all-weather tires. Sharper handling. Better ride comfort. Very quiet after an initial break-in period. Just make sure the tire pressure is as recommended on the door sill sticker, shop techs don’t always check. I’m an early adopter of CC2 tires, been using them on my old Jeep since 2022, super durable and perfect for inclement weather, still had some tread remaining at the 60k-mile warranty mark.”
“Review of Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires. I recently purchased Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires for my wife’s 2018 CRV EX-L FWD and I have to say they are pretty stellar. Thus far we have put at least 2000 miles on them to include a 14 hour road trip. Excellent traction on wet roads and far superior to the Goodyear Assurance we had before. We have driven through a couple significant downpours and these tires have confidence on wet roads. As for the alleged noise complaints, I think they’re very quiet compared to the old tires. Rolling resistance/ MPG; no changes and I would have happily sacrificed a couple MPG for good traction in FWD vehicle. As for snow, I can’t say and we live in Texas anyway. Price; I spent about $1000 total for four tires and installs at Costco. That was with tax. Overall, I highly recommend these tires thus far.”
“PSA: Michelin CrossClimate 2 - They make noise. Recently purchased Michelin Cross Climate 2s for my MachE from Costco. I received a fairly decent price (1,000 for 4) vs local competitors (1,400 for 4). I've seen a lot of people say how great they are, and I thought I'd give them a shot. They look nice. They definitely give it a more 'off-road' look. They also come with a 65,000 mile warranty which they said applied to EVs as well, which is nice as well. They feel great driving. I appreciate their excellent traction and feel secure on turns. I haven't been able to test them on snow yet, but they perform well on wet roads. That being said. They definitely make noise. They make a little at lower, city speeds (~35 mph). They also make a really weird noise at highway speeds (~70 mph+). Neither is so loud or annoying that a little radio can't cover up the sound. Overall, I am very pleased with the tire and the price I received. However, be warned, they do make noise. EDIT: I originally posted this is the Ford Mustang MachE forum and forgot to say that I put them on my MachE. The MachE, being an EV, may be why the noise is more noticeable for me versus others. Read more”
“Michelin CrossClimate 2 after 31.000 kilometers I have those Michelin CrossClimate 2 (EU version, made in Spain) for 26 months now and 31.000 kilometers on a heavy Mercedes EQE, the rears are still good but the front tyres are starting to give up on the shoulders. Usual tyre pressure is 2.8 bars, there is still some good tread left on the middle of the tyre. Steering feeling on the snow is also not as good as it used to be. Overall very happy with those tyres, I’ll have to decide between the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 or the CrossClimate 3 Sport (sadly the 3 isn’t available in 255/45 R19) to replace them this year. We have the Pirelli Scorpion SF3 on our second car. Given the car and my usage, I give priority to snow braking, rolling resistance, silence and longevity. I lost a bit of range, comfort and steering engagement when I swapped the factory Bridgestone Turanza T005 for the CrossClimate 2, but in general nothing to call-out.”
Based on 393 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | B · Michelin CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | All Season Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 45 | 1 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 19″ | 19″ |
| Tread depth | 11/32″ | 9 - 10/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 640 B A |
| Treadwear warranty | — | 60,000 mi |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Black Side Wall |
| Max pressure | 51 psi | 50 - 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
Bridgestone
Michelin
Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2 — better dry, wet and handling. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 if comfort and noise matter most to you.
Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 90 vs 68 on dry.
Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 83 vs 67 on wet.
Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 74 vs 65 on handling.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 scores 84 vs 77 on comfort.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.