Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
If you drive mainly in rain-prone or temperate climates, the Pirelli sets the benchmark for braking, handling, and aquaplaning safety. If your winters bring regular snow and ice or you value low fuel use and long tread life, the Michelin remains the winter-centric all-season reference. The decision hinges on your primary weather mix and value priorities.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been eleven tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin CrossClimate 2 | two | |
| Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 | nine |
While it might look like the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is better than the Michelin CrossClimate 2 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Key Strengths
- Best-in-class winter capability (repeated wins in snow braking, traction, and handling)
- Lower rolling resistance and fuel use in most tests
- Strong wear and low abrasion for excellent longevity
- Low exterior noise and stable dry manners
- Class-leading wet braking, handling, and aquaplaning resistance
- Shortest dry braking and sharper dry handling
- Comfortable ride with composed behavior across conditions
- Competitive efficiency for its grip level; frequent overall test wins
Dry Braking
Looking at data from eleven tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during eleven dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped the vehicle in 2.2% less distance than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during three dry handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 1.25% faster around a lap than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during five dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 1.22% faster around a lap than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 scored 8.64% more points than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from eleven tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during eleven wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped the vehicle in 5.04% less distance than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Low Grip
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one wet braking - low grip tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 4.63% than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Braking - Low Grip: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Braking - Low Grip winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped the vehicle in 4.2% less distance than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during four wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 4.14% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during five wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 2.66% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 scored 4.57% more points than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during six wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 2.59% faster around a wet circle than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from ten tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during nine straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 floated at a 4.16% higher speed than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during eight curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 slipped out at a 8.74% higher speed than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from ten tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during ten snow braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stopped the vehicle in 4.55% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during three snow traction tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 accelerated 1.14% faster than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during four snow traction tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 had 0.63% better snow traction than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during four snow handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 4.12% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during five snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 1.99% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two subj. snow handling tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 scored 2.27% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two snow circle tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 provided 6.85% more lateral grip than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Circle: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during four snow slalom tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 2.38% faster through a slalom than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Slalom: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during three ice braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stopped the vehicle 3.85% shorter than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Ice Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Ice Traction
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during two ice traction tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 accelerated 4.34% faster than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Ice Traction: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Ice Traction winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 scored 17.39% more points than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during six noise tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 measured 0.65% quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Noise: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during three wear tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is predicted to cover 17.57% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Wear: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two value tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 proved to have a 12.7% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Value: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one price tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 cost 7.76% less than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Price: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during eight rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 had a 9.25% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two fuel consumption tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 used 3.53% less fuel than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 emitted 11.67% less particle wear matter than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Michelin CrossClimate 2 Driver Reviews
Across 132 driver reviews, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is widely viewed as a highly capable all-weather tire that delivers strong dry grip and standout snow traction, letting many drivers run one set year-round with high confidence. Comfort and refinement are often praised (frequently described as quiet and smooth when new), and many users report good-to-excellent longevity for the category. A notable minority report reduced confidence in wet handling/braking (sometimes worsening as the tire wears), along with common complaints about increased road noise on certain surfaces and a measurable fuel-economy hit versus low-rolling-resistance summer tires.
Based on 143 reviews with an average rating of 81%
Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 Driver Reviews
Drivers generally rate the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 very highly, highlighting strong wet and dry grip with confident braking and a capable, predictable feel across changing seasons. Many also report impressive snow/ice competence for an all-season tire, along with generally low cabin noise, good comfort, and reassuring stability for everyday driving. Minority feedback points to a softer/less sporty steering response (especially in warmer temperatures or when pushed hard) and a notable subset reporting manufacturing/roundness issues leading to vibrations and difficult warranty experiences.
Based on 50 reviews with an average rating of 83%
In dry conditions manages to have acceptable levels of grip in a straight line, slight wheel spin sometimes but cannot complain since the M2 is RWD 365bhp.
Very strong tire in the dry and super progressive, really lets you know when it does begin to slip when doing spirited driving. A big strong point as these tires still allow the vehicle to be driven in a sporting manner.
In the wet they are okay for wet straight line grip, it spins up pretty... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
Michelin answers decisively in winter and efficiency. It leads snow braking, traction and handling in nearly every test, often matching or beating winter references, and posts lower rolling resistance, better fuel consumption, lower abrasion, and longer wear. Where value includes running costs and snow security, it's compelling despite a higher purchase price in some sizes.
In short: choose Pirelli for year-round wet/dry confidence and sporty dynamics; choose Michelin for reliable snow/ice mobility and lower total cost of ownership. The memorable takeaway: Pirelli is the wet-weather all-season benchmark, Michelin is the snow-and-efficiency specialist.
Key Differences
- Wet safety: Pirelli consistently stops shorter in the wet (≈4-8% advantage) and resists aquaplaning better
- Dry performance: Pirelli leads dry braking/handling across virtually all tests
- Winter performance: Michelin dominates snow/ice braking, traction, and handling
- Efficiency: Michelin generally has lower rolling resistance and fuel consumption
- Longevity: Michelin shows better wear and lower abrasion in multi-test data
- Comfort/noise: Pirelli often scores higher for subjective comfort; Michelin typically measures quieter
Overall Winner: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.
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