Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 vs Michelin CrossClimate 2
- TR Score
- 8.6/10
- Owners say
- 79% · 13
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 80% · 173
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 finished ahead 11 times and the MultiSeason Gen 02 not once. The MultiSeason Gen 02 lapped the wet handling course 4.7% faster; the CrossClimate 2 stopped 11.2% shorter in the dry.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Michelin CrossClimate 2 for maximum year-round safety, shortest dry stops, stronger aquaplaning reserves, and winter confidence-ideal for mixed climates and higher-speed or family use. Pick Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 if budget is key, you value assured wet handling feel, and can accept longer dry stops and lower aquaplaning margins.
Where the MultiSeason Gen 02 is stronger
- Strong wet handling balance; occasional wet-braking edges in smaller margins
- Competitive snow stability with friendly, predictable behavior
- Lower purchase price and sometimes better value scores
Where the CrossClimate 2 is stronger
- Class-leading dry braking (wins all shared tests) and precise dry steering
- Excellent winter performance: short snow braking, strong traction, best handling in several tests
- Superior aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) and overall wet safety margins
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.
MultiSeason Gen 02 vs CrossClimate 2 at a glance
| Category | MultiSeason Gen 02 | Gap | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won11 shared tests | 0 | 11 | |
| Dry18 measurements | 2 | The CrossClimate 2 stopped 11.2% shorter in the dry (11 tests) | 16 |
| Wet36 measurements | 14 | The CrossClimate 2 held 19.5% more grip in curved aquaplaning (5 tests) | 21 |
| Snow25 measurements | 1 | The CrossClimate 2 stopped 2.1% shorter on snow (7 tests) | 23 |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort11 measurements | 1 | The CrossClimate 2 was 0.9 dB quieter (6 tests) | 10 |
| Value15 measurements | 4 | The CrossClimate 2 had 6.9% lower rolling resistance (6 tests) | 10 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.6/10 | The CrossClimate 2 by 0.9 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating13 and 173 reviews | 79% | Too close to call | 80% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 75% | The MultiSeason Gen 02 by 2 points | 73% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The CrossClimate 2 was dearer in 5 of 5 | +21% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 55 | 37 sizes made in both | 116 |
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 11 tests, 2021 to 2024
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 | MultiSeason Gen 02 | Field | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 All Season Tire Market Overview | P22 of 37 | P4 of 37 | |
| 2024 ADAC All Season Tire Test | P8 of 16 | P4 of 16 | |
| 2024 Motorhome Camper Van All Season Tire Test | P6 of 8 | P2 of 8 | |
| 2023 Auto Zeitung All Season Tire Test | P7 of 9 | P2 of 9 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild All Season Tire Test | P13 of 16 | P1 of 16 | |
| 2023 All Season Tire 35 Set Shootout | P10 of 35 | P2 of 35 | |
| 2023 Tire Reviews All Season Tire Test | P6 of 10 | P1 of 10 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild All Season Tire Test | P11 of 15 | P9 of 15 | |
| 2022 All Season Tire Market Overview | P9 of 35 | P3 of 35 | |
| 2021 Auto Bild All Season Tire Test | P13 of 16 | P7 of 16 | |
| 2021 All Season Tire Market Overview | P16 of 32 | P1 of 32 |
Performance profile
20 measurements from the 11 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
MultiSeason Gen 02
CrossClimate 2
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. The scale stops at 85%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 10 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
MultiSeason Gen 02
CrossClimate 2
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
MultiSeason Gen 02
CrossClimate 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the MultiSeason Gen 02 79% from 13 reviews and the CrossClimate 2 80% from 173. 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 | MultiSeason Gen 02 | Gap | CrossClimate 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 142 | 11.2% | 126 | 0-11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 80.35 | 0.2% | 80.2 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 54.2 | 0.6% | 54.6 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| scored | 3.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 153 | 0.9% | 151 | 4-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 129 | 4.4% | 135 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 76.69 | 4.7% | 80.99 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 44.9 | 1.1% | 44.5 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 2.2% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 14.2 | 1% | 14.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.23 | 1.2% | 13.42 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 49.3 | 5.7% | 52 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.6 | 19.5% | 10.2 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 77 | 2.1% | 75 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 5.62 | 0.9% | 5.57 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 402 | 5.9% | 423 | 0-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.32 | 5.6% | 67.87 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 32.1 | 2.1% | 32.8 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 2% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 10.8 | 1.9% | 10.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.4 | 13.1% | 14.1 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 64 | 1% | 65 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 31.8% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.6 | 0.9 dB | 70.75 | 0-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5,669 | 0.5% | 5,868 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 26,150 | 17.6% | 28,784 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.79 | 6.9% | 7.24 | 1-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.44 | 0.8% | 5.48 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 23.5 | 39.1% | 14.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 88 | 40.9% | 52 | 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 MultiSeason Gen 02 scores 8.6 and the CrossClimate 2 9.5 out of 10.
| MultiSeason Gen 02 | Category | CrossClimate 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | Dry | 95 | ||
| 74 | Wet | 75 | ||
| 21 | Comfort | 82 | ||
| 62 | Value | 84 | ||
| 71 | Snow | 94 | ||
| 69 | Ice | 47 | ||
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
| MultiSeason Gen 02 | Category | CrossClimate 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | Dry Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 7.8 | Wet Grip | 7.9 | ||
| 8.2 | Road Feedback | 7.6 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 7.5 | ||
| 8 | Wear | 8.4 | ||
| 8 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 7.4 | Snow Grip | 8.4 | ||
| 6.7 | Ice Grip | 7.5 | ||
Owners rate the MultiSeason Gen 02 79% from 13 reviews and the CrossClimate 2 80% from 173. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
- 79%from 13 reviews
- 75%would buy again
- 251,500 milesdriven by reviewers
Overall, drivers rate the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 very highly, praising its confident all-season performance-especially strong wet grip, secure winter traction (including snow/ice), and good stability. Several users also report solid tread life and strong value for money, with many saying they would buy again. The most recurring downside is increased road noise, and a smaller minority report poor hot-weather/dry braking performance and faster aging after extended use.
- Strong wet grip and rain performance
- Good winter capability (snow/ice traction and cold-weather confidence)
- Stable, secure handling and braking in normal conditions
- Good value/price-to-performance
- Noticeable road noise (especially at higher speeds)
Summarised by AI from 10 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 13 MultiSeason Gen 02 reviewsI only have these tires ' Firestone MultiSeason 2 ' a month or so now and my initial impressions are all positive so far. I had Hankooks for about 4 years and I was very hesitant about changing brands but I'm glad I did. Dry grip is very good and wet grip is very good also, the car feels very planted and smooth. Recommended to others 100%
Michelin CrossClimate 2
- 80%from 173 reviews
- 73%would buy again
- 2,411,545 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the Michelin CrossClimate 2 highly, most often praising its dependable all-weather grip with standout snow traction and strong dry and wet grip for an all-season tire. Comfort is commonly reported as very good and a sizeable minority also find it quiet, though road noise is a recurring talking point with roughly one in eight owners complaining it can hum or rumble. The main consistent drawback is efficiency: around one in seven owners report noticeably worse fuel economy/EV range (rolling resistance). A smaller but meaningful group also criticise wet handling confidence, particularly when pushed, even though straight-line wet grip and aquaplaning resistance tend to be viewed positively.
- Excellent snow traction and winter security
- Strong dry grip and traction
- Confident wet grip in everyday driving
- Good ride comfort over longer distances
- Noticeable hit to fuel economy/EV range (higher rolling resistance)
- Wet handling can feel nervous or lack confidence when cornering/braking
- Can be louder than expected on certain surfaces or at speed
Summarised by AI from 153 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 173 CrossClimate 2 reviewsAfter 2 hot summers the tires are dangerous on wet and cold,
That was actually very much appreciated since i drive them on a GR Yaris mostly on the weekends in the night on snowfall but normal use would be very very dangerous.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 55 sizes of the MultiSeason Gen 02 and 116 of the CrossClimate 2, 37 of them made in both.
| Category | MultiSeason Gen 02 | CrossClimate 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | All Season |
| Sizes made | 55 sizes, 13 to 19 inch | 116 sizes, 15 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 37 sizes 175/65 R15185/60 R15185/65 R15195/55 R15195/60 R15195/65 R15195/45 R16195/55 R16195/60 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16and 25 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B95%C5% | B81%C19% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C81%D16%B3% | C55%B33%D11%A1% |
| EU label noise | 71-72 dB B100% | 69-73 dB B78%A22% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 62 of 62 | 176 of 176 |
| On the market since | 2019 | 2020 |
| Replaced | Firestone MultiSeason (2015) | Michelin CrossClimate+ (2017) |
| Replaced by | - | Michelin CrossClimate 3 |
| Awards | - | Winner: Best All-Season Tires (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: All-Season SUV Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2024) Winner: All-Season Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2023) Winner: All-Season SUV Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2022) Winner: All-Season Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2022) |
| Price in the shared tests | The CrossClimate 2 was the dearer tire in 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 21% 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.
This head-to-head pits Firestone's MultiSeason Gen 02, a value-minded touring all-season, against Michelin's CrossClimate 2, the benchmark premium all-season touring tire. Across 11 shared professional tests from 2021-2024, Michelin consistently finishes near the top, while Firestone sits mid-pack but occasionally shines in specific metrics.
Expect a clear split: the CrossClimate 2 repeatedly delivers class-leading dry stopping and strong winter capability, plus excellent aquaplaning reserves and low wear. The Firestone counters with competitive wet handling balance, low price, and sometimes lower fuel use, though it trails notably in dry braking and aquaplaning and is less precise at the limit.
Conclusion
Across multiple sizes and test bodies, the CrossClimate 2 dominates the all-round brief: 11/11 category wins in dry braking, regular advantages in snow braking/traction/handling, robust aquaplaning resistance, and often superior comfort and wear. These are meaningful deltas: on dry roads it typically stops ~9-13% shorter (e.g., 37.7-39.9 m vs 41.8-45.9 m), and on wet it resists both straight and curved aquaplaning better. Its only recurring soft spot is average wet handling pace, though outright wet braking is usually among the better results.
The MultiSeason Gen 02 makes a solid value case. It frequently feels friendly and balanced in wet handling laps, posts occasional wet-braking wins by slim margins, and is consistently cheaper. However, extended dry braking, weaker aquaplaning margins, and less precise dry/winter handling limit its overall ranking. If you prioritize maximum safety envelope year-round and longevity, Michelin is the confident pick; if you want to save upfront and are comfortable with the trade-offs, Firestone is the pragmatic alternative.
MultiSeason Gen 02 vs CrossClimate 2: your questions
Is the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 or the Michelin CrossClimate 2 the better tire?
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 finished ahead 11 times and the MultiSeason Gen 02 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the MultiSeason Gen 02 scores 8.6 and the CrossClimate 2 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the MultiSeason Gen 02 or the CrossClimate 2?
The CrossClimate 2 led 21 of the 36 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 19.5% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The CrossClimate 2 led 16 of the 18 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 11.2% shorter in the dry across 11 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The CrossClimate 2 led 23 of the 25 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.1% shorter on snow across 7 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The CrossClimate 2 had 6.9% lower rolling resistance (6 tests). Owners rate wear 8/10 for the MultiSeason Gen 02 and 8.4/10 for the CrossClimate 2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The CrossClimate 2 was 0.9 dB quieter (6 tests). Owners rate comfort 8/10 for the MultiSeason Gen 02 and 8.3/10 for the CrossClimate 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the MultiSeason Gen 02 79% from 13 reviews and the CrossClimate 2 80% from 173. 75% of MultiSeason Gen 02 owners would buy it again, against 73% for the CrossClimate 2.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the CrossClimate 2 was the dearer tire in 5 of them, by 21% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The MultiSeason Gen 02 is made in 55 sizes (13 to 19 inch) and the CrossClimate 2 in 116 (15 to 22 inch). 37 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the MultiSeason Gen 02 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the CrossClimate 2 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The CrossClimate 2 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2020, the MultiSeason Gen 02 in 2019. The MultiSeason Gen 02 replaced the Firestone MultiSeason. The CrossClimate 2 replaced the Michelin CrossClimate+.
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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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