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Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 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 | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 59 | 92 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 94 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 86 |
| America's Tire owners | – | 98 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 96% | 99% |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 64 | 84 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 94 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 82 |
| America's Tire owners | – | 97 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 84% | 96% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 96% | 94% |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 80 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 96 | 85 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 96% | 95% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 96% | 80% |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 73 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 84 |
| America's Tire owners | – | 96 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 77 | 72 |
| America's Tire owners | – | 92 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 82 |
| America's Tire owners | – | 95 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 74 |
| America's Tire owners | – | 97 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 84 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | Michelin CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 78 | 80 |
| Dry | 71 | 90 |
| Wet | 68 | 83 |
| Snow | 88 | 82 |
| Comfort | 92 | 77 |
| Noise | 77 | 72 |
| Treadwear | 78 | 82 |
| Handling | 82 | 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 | 96% #13/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 99% #2/10 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test | -3.2 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 96% #4/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 96% #2/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | -0.1 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 87% #12/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 93% #10/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | -6.2 | Different tests |
| Ice Handling | Ice | 89% #16/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 100% #8/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | -11.1 | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 85% #5/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 100% #7/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | -15.4 | Same test |
| Noise | Other | 98% #2/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 96% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | +2.5 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 69% #6/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 100% #10/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test | -30.8 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/12 · 2024 Minivan / SUV All Season Tyre Test | -80 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #12/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #2/12 · 2024 Minivan / SUV All Season Tyre Test | +1.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% #5/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 95% #2/10 · 2023 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | +1.6 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 96% #3/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 80% #1/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +15.8 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 73% #5/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 98% #2/8 · 2024 Motorhome Camper Van All Season Tyre Test | -25.7 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 80% #4/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 95% #5/10 · 2023 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test | -15 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 84% #9/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 96% #6/35 · 2023 All Season Tyre 35 Set Shootout | -11.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% #6/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 94% #13/16 · 2021 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test | +2.4 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 is widely regarded as a high-value winter tire that excels in deep snow and provides a comfortable, communicative driving experience. While it offers impressive traction in wintry conditions, users note that its performance is less refined on ice and that the compound is prone to accelerated wear when used in dry, warmer conditions.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and plowing capability in deep snow
- High level of ride comfort and stability during long-distance driving
- Excellent steering feedback and surface communication
- Strong value proposition relative to price
Cons
- Rapid tread wear when driven on dry pavement
- Limited grip and confidence on icy surfaces
- Reduced performance and stability during aggressive driving maneuvers
- Not optimized for regions with infrequent snowfall
Observations
- Users report the tire is well-suited for city driving and daily commuting rather than high-performance or aggressive driving styles.
- The tire's soft compound provides a comfortable ride but necessitates careful driving in dry, non-winter conditions to preserve tread life.
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
Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616
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 · Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 | B · Michelin CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Premium Touring Winter tire | All Season Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | — | 9 - 10/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 640 B A |
| Treadwear warranty | — | 60,000 mi |
| Sidewall | — | Black Side Wall |
| Max pressure | — | 50 - 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
Hankook
Michelin
Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2 — better dry, wet and treadwear. Pick the Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 if comfort, handling and snow matter most to you.
Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 90 vs 71 on dry.
Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 scores 92 vs 77 on comfort.
Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 83 vs 68 on wet.
Hankook Winter I*cept iZ2 W616 scores 82 vs 74 on handling.
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.