Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport vs Michelin CrossClimate 3
- TR Score
- 9.6/10
- Owners say
- 86% · 24
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 12
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport finished ahead 6 times and the CrossClimate 3 not once, with one level. The CrossClimate 3 Sport stopped 5.9% shorter in the wet; the CrossClimate 3 stopped 4.5% shorter on snow.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport for fast-road drivers, powerful cars and wet/dry priority climates where braking/steering precision matter most; pick the Michelin CrossClimate 3 for snow-prone regions and comfort-focused drivers who want maximum winter capability and significantly better longevity/value.
Where the CrossClimate 3 Sport is stronger
- Stronger wet safety margins, especially braking (won wet braking in all shared comparisons; examples include 31.82 m vs 34.31 m and 29.06 m vs 31.33 m)
- More dynamic dry performance with sharper steering/handling (frequent handling wins such as 76.18 s vs 77.68 s dry lap; consistently higher subjective dry scores)
- Better efficiency via lower rolling resistance in most tests (typically ~3-8% lower, e.g., 7.56 vs 8.18 kg/t)
Where the CrossClimate 3 is stronger
- Best-in-class snow performance across objective and subjective metrics (repeated wins in snow braking/traction/handling; often closest to winter-tire longitudinal grip)
- Higher comfort and lower perceived/measured noise in most comparisons (touring-biased refinement advantage)
- Much better wear/longevity and ownership value where measured (e.g., 64,050 km vs 46,550 km; better cost-per-1000 metric)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
CrossClimate 3 Sport vs CrossClimate 3 at a glance
| Category | CrossClimate 3 Sport | Gap | CrossClimate 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 6 | 1 level | 0 |
| Dry16 measurements | 16 | The CrossClimate 3 Sport stopped 3.4% shorter in the dry (7 tests) | 0 |
| Wet27 measurements | 25 | The CrossClimate 3 Sport stopped 5.9% shorter in the wet (7 tests) | 2 |
| Snow18 measurements | 2 | The CrossClimate 3 stopped 4.5% shorter on snow (5 tests) | 16 |
| Comfort7 measurements | 0 | 7 | |
| Value7 measurements | 5 | The CrossClimate 3 Sport had 4.4% lower rolling resistance (5 tests) | 2 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.6/10 | The CrossClimate 3 Sport by 0.1 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating24 and 12 reviews | 86% | The CrossClimate 3 Sport by 4 points | 82% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 86% | The CrossClimate 3 Sport by 11 points | 75% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The CrossClimate 3 was dearer in 2 of 3 | +3.7% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 63 | 5 sizes made in both | 84 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 7 tests, 2025 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | CrossClimate 3 Sport | Field | CrossClimate 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The BEST All Season Tires For 2026/27 | P2 of 10 | P8 of 10 | |
| 2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tire Test - 225/40 R18 | P3 of 9 | P4 of 9 | |
| Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | P1 of 2 | P1 of 2 | |
| 2025 AutoBild All Season Tire Test | P3 of 15 | P7 of 15 | |
| 2025 All Season 30 Tire Braking Test | P6 of 30 | P11 of 30 | |
| Michelin CrossClimate 3 & 3 Sport vs Pilot Sport 5 vs Primacy 5 | P3 of 4 | P4 of 4 | |
| Michelin CrossClimate 3 and 3 Sport VS Rivals | P1 of 4 | P3 of 4 |
Performance profile
18 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
CrossClimate 3 Sport
CrossClimate 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. 8 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
CrossClimate 3 Sport
CrossClimate 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
CrossClimate 3 Sport
CrossClimate 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the CrossClimate 3 Sport 86% from 24 reviews and the CrossClimate 3 82% from 12. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | CrossClimate 3 Sport | Gap | CrossClimate 3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 125 | 3.4% | 129 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 81.44 | 1.8% | 82.9 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 62.5 | 1.3% | 61.7 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 6.5% | scored | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 118 | 5.9% | 125 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 91.46 | 3.8% | 95.14 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44.4 | 3.2% | 43 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.7% | scored | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.14 | 2.2% | 13.43 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49.5 | 0.3% | 49.3 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.9 | 4.3% | 8.6 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69 | 4.5% | 65 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 4.64 | 3.4% | 4.47 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 592 | 0.2% | 592 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 85.33 | 1.7% | 83.91 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 33.1 | 1.3% | 33.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.8% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 21.68 | 4% | 20.81 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.2 | 3.5% | 12.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 6.8% | scored | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 6.8% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.42 | 0.4 dB | 72.07 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 28,925 | 37.6% | 39,799 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.59 | 4.4% | 7.94 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 912 | 11.5% | 807 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the CrossClimate 3 Sport scores 9.6 and the CrossClimate 3 9.5 out of 10.
| CrossClimate 3 Sport | Category | CrossClimate 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | Dry | 78 | ||
| 59 | Wet | 66 | ||
| 23 | Comfort | 92 | ||
| - | Value | 78 | ||
| 100 | Snow | 99 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| CrossClimate 3 Sport | Category | CrossClimate 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Dry Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 7.8 | ||
| 8.7 | Road Feedback | 8 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 8.5 | ||
| 8.8 | Wear | 8.9 | ||
| 9.2 | Comfort | 9 | ||
| 9.4 | Snow Grip | 8.4 | ||
| 9.4 | Ice Grip | 6.8 | ||
Owners rate the CrossClimate 3 Sport 86% from 24 reviews and the CrossClimate 3 82% from 12. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport
- 86%from 24 reviews
- 86%would buy again
- 88,237 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport very highly overall (86.1% average; 18 of 20 positive), most consistently praising how quiet and comfortable it is while still delivering strong, predictable grip in both the dry and the wet. Around half of reviewers mention the low road noise and smooth ride, and many also highlight confident dry performance and wet traction that feels close to a summer UHP tire for everyday driving. Downsides are less common, but around one in seven owners raise faster-than-expected wear, and around one in ten criticise the lack of rim protection.
- Quiet on the road, even at speed
- Smooth, comfortable ride
- Strong, predictable dry grip
- Confident wet grip and traction
- Faster-than-expected tread wear for some owners
- Little to no rim protection / exposed rims
- Steering feel not as sharp for everyone
Summarised by AI from 20 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 24 CrossClimate 3 Sport reviewsFitted on my Golf 7.5 GTI Performance as a replacement for a winter tire (Zagreb, Croatia - there hasn't been much snow in a couple of years, only wet conditions).
So far so good - only down side for now is noise. They are louder than most of the tires I have driven on. Speaking as someone who has Bridgestone Potenza Evo Sport summer time.
Feedback on the steering wheel is good, sharp.Looks good on the car with their sporty side wall.
I will get back on this review after this winter and some snow potential.
Michelin CrossClimate 3
- 82%from 12 reviews
- 75%would buy again
- 189,947 milesdriven by reviewers
Across nine reviews, the Michelin CrossClimate 3 is widely praised as a highly capable all-season tire with standout comfort, low noise, and strong real-world grip in dry and wet conditions. Drivers also report impressive longevity/wear, with several noting confident handling and reassuring performance in winter climates and light-to-moderate snow. The main recurring limitation is traction and predictability on ice (and at the limit in heavier snow), where it cannot consistently match a dedicated winter tire and may feel a bit comfort-biased rather than sporty.
- High ride comfort
- Low road noise/quiet on most surfaces
- Strong wet-road performance (grip and aquaplaning resistance)
- Good all-season versatility across wide temperature ranges
- Ice grip is only moderate and trails dedicated winter tires
- Not a sporty tire (softer feel/less sharp than summer performance tires)
- Can feel less secure at the limit in heavier snow conditions
Summarised by AI from 9 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 12 CrossClimate 3 reviewsWho is reading this review it should know that they are bad in wet condition. I tought that beacause is Michelin they will be great but they are not. In dry they are good but in wet they are losing traction and understeer very easy. I don’t have a powerfull car, is only 120hp. I will not buy this tires again. There are better choices than Michelin at least in the segment of all season
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 63 sizes of the CrossClimate 3 Sport and 84 of the CrossClimate 3, 5 of them made in both.
| Category | CrossClimate 3 Sport | CrossClimate 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | All Season |
| Sizes made | 63 sizes, 18 to 23 inch | 84 sizes, 16 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 5 sizes 225/40 R18245/45 R18245/45 R19245/45 R20265/45 R20 | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | B100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | B78%C22% | B63%C37%A1% |
| EU label noise | 72-75 dB B81%A19% | 71-75 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 63 of 63 | 128 of 128 |
| On the market since | 2025 | 2025 |
| Replaced | - | Michelin CrossClimate 2 (2020) |
| Awards | Winner: Best All Season Tires (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2025) | Winner: Best All Season Tires for SUVs (DriverReviews, 2026/27) |
| Price in the shared tests | The CrossClimate 3 was the dearer tire in 2 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 3.7% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Michelin's CrossClimate 3 lineup splits into two clearly different all-season personalities: the CrossClimate 3 Sport is tuned as an ultra-high-performance all-season for faster cars and more enthusiastic driving, while the regular CrossClimate 3 leans into premium-touring priorities like winter confidence, comfort and longevity. The shared test data across seven comparisons (mostly 225/40 R18) makes this a rare apples-to-apples look at how Michelin has deliberately separated “sport” from “snow-first” within the same family.
Across the tests, the pattern is consistent: CrossClimate 3 Sport dominates dry and wet performance metrics (especially braking), often by meaningful margins, while CrossClimate 3 repeatedly takes the snow categories and day-to-day refinement. The decision isn't about which tire is “better” in a vacuum-it's about whether your risk envelope is more often warm/wet road speed or true winter traction and comfort over the long haul.
Conclusion
If you drive in mixed conditions but spend most of your time on wet or dry roads-and you care about steering response, stability and braking margins-the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport is the clear performance pick. It won every shared wet braking comparison (e.g., 31.82 m vs 34.31 m in the 2026 all-season test, and 29.06 m vs 31.33 m in Michelin's range test) and it's consistently quicker and more precise in handling (e.g., 76.18 s vs 77.68 s dry lap in the range test; repeated wins in subjective “feel” scoring). It's also notably more efficient in rolling resistance across the shared data (often ~3-8% better), which can matter for fuel/EV range.
The regular Michelin CrossClimate 3 is the winter-weighted, comfort-first option. It repeatedly wins objective snow braking/handling/traction (for example, in the 2026 group test it led all three snow disciplines, and in the 2025 AutoBild test it beat the Sport in snow braking by 22.6 m vs 24.4 m). It's also consistently rated quieter and more comfortable, and the biggest ownership differentiator is wear/value: AutoBild measured far higher projected mileage (64,050 km vs 46,550 km) and a much stronger cost-per-distance metric.
Practical takeaway: choose CrossClimate 3 Sport if your priority is wet/dry safety margins and “summer-like” control with credible winter ability; choose CrossClimate 3 if you genuinely face regular snow/ice and want the calmer, quieter, longer-lasting tire-even if that means giving up noticeable wet stopping and warm-road responsiveness.
CrossClimate 3 Sport vs CrossClimate 3: your questions
Is the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport or the Michelin CrossClimate 3 the better tire?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport finished ahead 6 times and the CrossClimate 3 not once, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the CrossClimate 3 Sport scores 9.6 and the CrossClimate 3 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the CrossClimate 3 Sport or the CrossClimate 3?
The CrossClimate 3 Sport led 25 of the 27 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.9% shorter in the wet across 7 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The CrossClimate 3 Sport led 16 of the 16 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.4% shorter in the dry across 7 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The CrossClimate 3 led 16 of the 18 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.5% shorter on snow across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The CrossClimate 3 Sport had 4.4% lower rolling resistance (5 tests). Owners rate wear 8.8/10 for the CrossClimate 3 Sport and 8.9/10 for the CrossClimate 3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 9.2/10 for the CrossClimate 3 Sport and 9/10 for the CrossClimate 3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the CrossClimate 3 Sport 86% from 24 reviews and the CrossClimate 3 82% from 12. 86% of CrossClimate 3 Sport owners would buy it again, against 75% for the CrossClimate 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the CrossClimate 3 was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 3.7% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The CrossClimate 3 Sport is made in 63 sizes (18 to 23 inch) and the CrossClimate 3 in 84 (16 to 22 inch). 5 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the CrossClimate 3 Sport is graded A for wet grip and B for rolling resistance in most sizes; the CrossClimate 3 B and B.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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