Skip to content
Head-to-head Updated September 2026

Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Michelin Primacy 4 — 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 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.

VS
Tire B Michelin

Michelin Primacy 4

Summer Premium Touring tires

Michelin Primacy 4 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
90/100
23 professional tests
User signal (40%)
79/100
185 owner reviews
Dry
87
Wet
83
Snow
–
Comfort
77
Noise
75
Treadwear
82
Handling
77

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VerdictToo close to call: Michelin CrossClimate 2 and Michelin Primacy 4 are within 2 points overall. Michelin CrossClimate 2 is stronger on dry. Michelin Primacy 4 is stronger on noise and handling.
Read full

TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.

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 3
A — Michelin CrossClimate 2
90
B — Michelin Primacy 4
87
Why this score
SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
Professional tests (TWG score) 92 88
Tire Rack owners 94 –
Tyre Reviews owners 86 85
America's Tire owners 98 –
Dry Braking (% of best) 99% 97%
Dry Handling (% of best) 98% 99%

Wet

Weight: Important
Score (0–100)
A — Michelin CrossClimate 2
83
B — Michelin Primacy 4
83
Why this score
SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
Professional tests (TWG score) 84 85
Tire Rack owners 94 –
Tyre Reviews owners 82 81
America's Tire owners 97 –
Wet Braking (% of best) 98% 94%
Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best) 92% 93%
Wet Circle (% of best) 97% 97%
Wet Handling (% of best) 100% 98%

Snow

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100)
A — Michelin CrossClimate 2
82
B — Michelin Primacy 4
–
Why this score
SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
Professional tests (TWG score) 80 –
Tire Rack owners 88 –
Tyre Reviews owners 85 –

Comfort

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100)
A — Michelin CrossClimate 2
77
B — Michelin Primacy 4
77
Why this score
SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
Professional tests (TWG score) 73 74
Tire Rack owners 89 –
Tyre Reviews owners 84 83
America's Tire owners 96 –

Noise

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Primacy 4 leads by 3
A — Michelin CrossClimate 2
72
B — Michelin Primacy 4
75
Why this score
SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
Professional tests (TWG score) 72 75
America's Tire owners 92 –

Treadwear

Weight: Important
Score (0–100)
A — Michelin CrossClimate 2
82
B — Michelin Primacy 4
82
Why this score
SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
Tire Rack owners 91 –
Tyre Reviews owners 82 82
America's Tire owners 95 –

Handling

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Primacy 4 leads by 3
A — Michelin CrossClimate 2
74
B — Michelin Primacy 4
77
Why this score
SourceCrossClimate 2Primacy 4
Tyre Reviews owners 74 77
America's Tire owners 97 –
DriverReviews owners 84 86

Scores at a glance

Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Michelin Primacy 4: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin CrossClimate 2Michelin Primacy 4
Relative Score 80 81
Dry 90 87
Wet 83 83
Snow 82 –
Comfort 77 77
Noise 72 75
Treadwear 82 82
Handling 74 77

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

Personalize

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
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score

Tire A

Tire B

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

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?
Curved Aquaplaning Curved 88% #5/9 · 2025 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season Tyre Test 83% #13/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +5.2 Different tests
Dry Braking Dry 99% #2/10 · 2025 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season Tyre Test 97% #5/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +1.7 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 98% #4/5 · 2026 TUV Test Report Goodyear Vector All Season 4 99% #10/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test -0.6 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 100% #1/6 · The Best All Season Tyres for 2024 / 2025 100% #1/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test 0 Different tests
Fuel Consumption Fuel 97% #6/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test 98% #33/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test -1 Different tests
Abrasion Other 61% #2/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 43% #4/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +18.2 Different tests
Noise Other 100% #8/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test 97% #2/13 · Tyre Reviews Best Summer Touring Tyres +3.4 Different tests
Price Other 100% #10/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV All Season Tyre Test 94% #11/13 · Tyre Reviews Best Summer Touring Tyres +5.8 Different tests
Value Other 98% #15/16 · 2021 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 100% #8/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test -1.6 Different tests
Wear Other 74% #9/16 · 2021 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 92% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test -17.5 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 100% #1/16 · 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 20% #5/7 · 2022 Auto Express SUV Tyre Test +80 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 96% #4/9 · 2023 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test 98% #3/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test -1.8 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 95% #8/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test 88% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test +7.5 Different tests
Subj. Dry Handling Subj 100% #1/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test 100% #3/11 · 2019 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test 0 Different tests
Subj. Wet Handling Subj 92% #4/10 · 2023 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test 86% #7/12 · 2020 Tyre Reviews Ultimate Summer Tyre Test +6 Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Total 0% #11/15 · 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test 0% #9/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test 0 Different tests
Tyre Weight Tyre 82% #6/16 · 2024 ADAC All Season Tyre Test 74% #2/10 · 2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test +7.8 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 98% #5/6 · 2024 Sport Auto All Season Tyre Test 94% #6/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +4.1 Different tests
Wet Braking - Concrete Wet 92% #10/16 · 2026 ADAC All Season Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 93% #5/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test -0.4 Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 97% #7/10 · 2025 Auto Bild Sports Car All Season Tyre Test 97% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test +0.1 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 100% #5/5 · 2025 TUV Test of Nokian SeasonProof 2 vs Rivals 98% #12/20 · 2024 AutoBild Summer Tyre Test +2.2 Different tests
From owners

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A 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.
Tire B Michelin Primacy 4

The Michelin Primacy 4 is widely regarded as a premium, long-lasting touring tire that excels in comfort, noise reduction, and consistent wet-weather performance. While it is highly praised for its longevity and safety, some enthusiasts find its handling 'floaty' or lacking in road feedback compared to sport-oriented tires, leading to a polarized experience depending on driving style.

Pros

  • Exceptional tread life and longevity
  • High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
  • Consistent performance even as the tire wears
  • Strong wet-weather grip and aquaplaning resistance

Cons

  • Vague steering feel and lack of road feedback
  • Soft sidewalls can feel 'mushy' or 'floaty' during spirited driving
  • High price point compared to competitors
  • Increased noise levels as the tire ages

Observations

  • Users with heavier vehicles or EVs often report a 'floaty' sensation, which some mitigate by increasing tire pressure.
  • Drivers of performance-oriented hatchbacks often find the tire's touring-focused design disappointing compared to UHP alternatives.
  • The tire is frequently noted for transforming the ride quality of vehicles previously fitted with harsh run-flat tires.
Community buzz

What real owners are saying

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

Tire A

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

Tire B

Michelin Primacy 4

Positive

Community opinion on the Michelin Primacy 4 is largely positive, praising its exceptional wet braking capabilities, impressive longevity, low cabin noise, and smooth ride quality. While some users note limitations in heavy snow or rougher tarmac surfaces, it is widely recommended as a top-tier touring tire for daily driving compared to sportier alternatives like the Pilot Sport series.

r/i20nline_india ·21 upvotes ·2025-07-21

“Review: Michelin Primacy 4 ST I own a 2023 N8 DCT and recently changed all four tyres from the stock CEATs after one of the tyres’ sidewall was punctured on hitting a rather deep pothole at high speed. Cost: INR 9,750 per tyre Existing tyre buyback: INR 1,000 per tyre (~15k kms) Review: I’ve been using the new tyres for a few weeks now and I’m happy with the upgrade. The difference is noticeable, but only if you pay attention. I’d say a non-savvy person won’t notice anything different unless you ask them to pay attention. At low speeds, the road noise is reduced and the vehicle is noticeably silent (almost dead silent if the roads are smooth and the engine is at low revs) and smoother. At high speeds, the noise level difference is not very noticeable due to the engine and wind noise, but the smoothness and grip is noticeably better. That said, I wouldn’t say the stock tyres are bad (in terms of both - noise and grip) as a lot of reviewers like to point out; definitely not a night and day difference for me. Lastly, I believe the fuel efficiency has improved due to the lower rolling resistance, but I don’t have enough data to claim this confidently. My verdict is to only upgrade if your current tyres are worn out. Personally, I don’t think spending close to 40k is worth it for the budget conscious. But if you have the money to spare, you will definitely be happy with the upgrade. Read more”

r/AutomobileRO ·2 upvotes ·2025-09-22

“Am avut primacy 4 pe o electrica. Destul de dezamagit de faptul ca dupa ~ 28.000 km s-au tocit rau de au ajuns cam la 3 mm. Placute la condus, silentioase, dar nu cele mai aderente. Pilot sport 4 pe aceiasi electrica cu primacy 4. Huruie de te doare capul. Aderenta nu o simt neaparat wow fata de primacy 4. Nu le mai suport si abia astept sa le trec pe iarna, oricum asta fiind ultima incaltare cu ele. Pe o termica am primacy 5, si sunt cele mai ok din experienta mea. Cele mai silentioase si aderente din cele 3. Dupa 20.000 km uzura a scazut cam cu 1 mm. Recomandarea mea e sa alegi primacy 5 fara ezitare.”

r/nzev ·1 upvote ·2026-02-11

“Both our Polestar2 (new) and 2016 Leaf (Jap import) arrived with Primacy 4s on them. The FWD Polestar needed fronts replaced at ~35k km and being 245/45 R19s Primacy were too pricey so went with Kumho Ecsta PS71 equivalents for a lot cheaper and negligible difference in performance. The rears on the Polestar are still going strong at 45k km and look like at least 60k km will be likely. We also fitted Kumhos on our previous Leaf and were very satisfied with performance and life.”

r/nzev ·1 upvote ·2026-02-11

“When I bought my freshly imported 2014 Nissan Leaf in Sept 2020 it had 27,xxx km on the odometer and a full set of Michelin Primacy 4 that were sidewall dated from very late 2018, so likely only very low mileage on them. I put another 47,000km on them before replacing with a full set of Toyo Proxes C100 Plus in April 2024 which have also been great. The Michelin fronts were certainly very worn particularly the shoulders. I really rate Toyos so would encourage you to have a look. I’ve since put 21,000km on the Toyos and even after 12,500km, in May 2025 at their most recent WOF, the fronts still measured at 7mm and rears 8mm. P.S I paid $900 total for the 4 x Toyos inc. fitting, disposal etc.”

Top themes
#Wet braking and grip#Ride comfort and low noise#Tread wear and longevity#Comparison with Pilot Sport#Performance on EVs and hybrids

Based on 31 community posts

Specifications

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin CrossClimate 2 B · Michelin Primacy 4
CategoryAll Season Premium Touring tiresSummer Premium Touring tires
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Tread depth9 - 10/32″—
UTQG640 B A—
Treadwear warranty60,000 mi—
SidewallBlack Side Wall—
Max pressure50 - 51 psi—
Final verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin

Michelin

Too close to call: Michelin CrossClimate 2 and Michelin Primacy 4 are within 2 points overall. Michelin CrossClimate 2 is stronger on dry. Michelin Primacy 4 is stronger on noise and handling.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin CrossClimate 2 scores 90 vs 87 on dry.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Primacy 4 scores 75 vs 72 on noise.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Primacy 4 scores 77 vs 74 on handling.

Tire A · Michelin CrossClimate 2
Tire B · Michelin Primacy 4

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.