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Head-to-head Updated September 2026

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S 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.

Tire A Continental

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S

Winter Ultra High Performance tires

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S tread pattern
Objective (60%)
71/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
85/100
14 owner reviews
Dry
89
Wet
81
Snow
87
Comfort
88
Noise
42
Treadwear
88
Handling
87

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VS
Tire B Michelin

Michelin CrossClimate 2

All Season Premium Touring tires

Michelin CrossClimate 2 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
95/100
37 professional tests
User signal (40%)
81/100
143 owner reviews
Dry
90
Wet
83
Snow
82
Comfort
77
Noise
72
Treadwear
82
Handling
74

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VerdictToo close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 860 S and Michelin CrossClimate 2 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S is stronger on handling, comfort and treadwear. Michelin CrossClimate 2 is stronger on noise.
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Category breakdown

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

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) CrossClimate 2 leads by 1
A — Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
89
B — Michelin CrossClimate 2
90
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 860 SCrossClimate 2
Professional tests (TWG score) 93 92
Tire Rack owners – 94
Tyre Reviews owners 84 86
America's Tire owners – 98
Dry Braking (% of best) 98% 100%
Dry Handling (% of best) 99% 98%

Wet

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) CrossClimate 2 leads by 2
A — Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
81
B — Michelin CrossClimate 2
83
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 860 SCrossClimate 2
Professional tests (TWG score) 80 84
Tire Rack owners – 94
Tyre Reviews owners 82 82
America's Tire owners – 97
Wet Braking (% of best) 91% 92%
Wet Handling (% of best) 97% 95%

Snow

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 5
A — Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
87
B — Michelin CrossClimate 2
82
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 860 SCrossClimate 2
Professional tests (TWG score) 85 80
Tire Rack owners – 88
Tyre Reviews owners 89 85
Snow Braking (% of best) 96% 100%
Snow Handling (% of best) 98% 97%

Comfort

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 11
A — Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
88
B — Michelin CrossClimate 2
77
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 860 SCrossClimate 2
Professional tests (TWG score) – 73
Tire Rack owners – 89
Tyre Reviews owners 88 84
America's Tire owners – 96

Noise

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) CrossClimate 2 leads by 30
A — Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
42
B — Michelin CrossClimate 2
72
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 860 SCrossClimate 2
Professional tests (TWG score) 42 72
America's Tire owners – 92

Treadwear

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 6
A — Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
88
B — Michelin CrossClimate 2
82
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 860 SCrossClimate 2
Tire Rack owners – 91
Tyre Reviews owners 88 82
America's Tire owners – 95

Handling

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) WinterContact TS 860 S leads by 13
A — Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
87
B — Michelin CrossClimate 2
74
Why this score
SourceWinterContact TS 860 SCrossClimate 2
Tyre Reviews owners 87 74
America's Tire owners – 97
DriverReviews owners – 84

Scores at a glance

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S vs Michelin CrossClimate 2: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 860 SMichelin CrossClimate 2
Relative Score 81 80
Dry 89 90
Wet 81 83
Snow 87 82
Comfort 88 77
Noise 42 72
Treadwear 88 82
Handling 87 74

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

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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.

Neutral
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Important
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Important
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score

Tire A

Tire B

Test data

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.

DisciplineCategoryTire ATire BΔBoth?
Dry Braking Dry 98% #4/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/8 · 2024 Motorhome Camper Van All Season Tyre Test -2.4 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #2/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 98% #4/5 · 2026 TUV Test Report Goodyear Vector All Season 4 +0.5 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 100% #1/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test 0 Different tests
Noise Other 96% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 98% #3/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test -2.4 Different tests
Price Other 97% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 100% #12/12 · 2024 Minivan / SUV All Season Tyre Test -2.6 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 7% #14/19 · The Best Winter Tyres for 2020 25% #4/37 · 2024 All Season Tyre Market Overview -17.9 Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 96% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 100% #2/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test -4.1 Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 98% #7/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 97% #1/2 · Michelin CrossClimate 2 VS Michelin CrossClimate+ +0.8 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 90% #10/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 97% #4/10 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test -7 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 91% #6/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 92% #7/8 · 2025 Teknikens Varld Summer Tyre Test -0.3 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 97% #5/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test 95% #11/15 · 2024 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test +1.9 Different tests
From owners

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Continental WinterContact TS 860 S

The Continental WinterContact TS 860 S is widely regarded as a premium performance winter tire that excels in cold, dry, and wet conditions, often mimicking the handling characteristics of a summer tire. While the majority of users praise its sporty feedback and snow traction, some owners report specific issues with lateral grip in wet conditions and potential compatibility challenges with staggered wheel setups.

Pros

  • Exceptional handling and feedback on dry and wet roads in cold temperatures
  • Strong performance and confidence in snow and icy conditions
  • Stiffer sidewalls compared to predecessors, offering improved cornering stability
  • High durability and slow tread wear over multiple seasons

Cons

  • Long break-in period required before optimal grip is achieved
  • Potential for traction control interference on staggered RWD setups due to circumference variances
  • Limited lateral grip in wet conditions compared to some competitors
  • High price point relative to other winter tire options

Observations

  • Users with staggered RWD setups reported significant issues with traction control systems when using non-OEM specific tire variants.
  • Drivers of performance-oriented vehicles (e.g., BMW M2) noted that the stiffer sidewalls provide a more precise, less 'squishy' feel during spirited driving.
Tire B Michelin CrossClimate 2

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.
Community buzz

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Tire B

Michelin CrossClimate 2

Mixed

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.

r/LexusNX ·55 upvotes ·2026-06-14

“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.”

r/crv ·53 upvotes ·2023-06-23

“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.”

r/MachE ·37 upvotes ·2026-07-23

“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”

r/TyreReviews ·35 upvotes ·2026-01-18

“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.”

Top themes
#Snow and ice performance#Wet weather traction#Road noise and ride comfort#Fuel economy and EV range impact#Tread wear and longevity#Price and value comparison

Based on 393 community posts

Specifications

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S B · Michelin CrossClimate 2
CategoryWinter Ultra High Performance tiresAll Season Premium Touring tires
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available41
Rim diameters18″ – 22″19″
Tread depth10 - 11/32″9 - 10/32″
UTQG—640 B A
Treadwear warranty—60,000 mi
SidewallBlack Side WallBlack Side Wall
Max pressure50 - 51 psi50 - 51 psi
Final verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental

Michelin

Too close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 860 S and Michelin CrossClimate 2 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 860 S is stronger on handling, comfort and treadwear. Michelin CrossClimate 2 is stronger on noise.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 72 vs 42 on noise.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 87 vs 74 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 88 vs 77 on comfort.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Continental WinterContact TS 860 S scores 88 vs 82 on treadwear.

Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 860 S
Tire B · Michelin CrossClimate 2

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.