Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 vs Michelin CrossClimate 2
The headline pattern is clear: Michelin delivers shorter braking in dry and wet, crisper steering, and markedly stronger snow performance. Maxxis counters with superior aquaplaning resistance in key subtests, lower purchase price, and better value metrics. Rolling resistance and wear generally favor Michelin, though one test context flagged unusually low Michelin mileage for the category.
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 four tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin CrossClimate 2 | four |
While it might look like the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is better than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 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
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) in multiple tests
- Lowest purchase price and strong value metrics
- Low external noise in some sizes
- Competitive fuel consumption in one test context
- Consistently shorter dry and wet braking distances
- Class-leading snow performance (braking, traction, handling)
- Precise steering and confident dry handling
- Lower rolling resistance and generally better wear performance
Dry Braking
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stopped the vehicle in 4.91% less distance than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 1.3% faster around a lap than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stopped the vehicle in 3.19% less distance than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 0.07% faster around a wet lap than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 was 1.33% faster around a wet circle than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Circle: Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 floated at a 0.06% higher speed than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Straight Aqua: Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 slipped out at a 6.1% higher speed than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two snow braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stopped the vehicle in 7.97% less distance than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Snow Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two snow traction tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 had 11.15% better snow traction than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 2.64% faster around a lap than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 15% faster through a slalom than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Snow Slalom: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during one noise tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 measured 0.62% quieter than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Noise: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Tire Weight
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during one tire weight tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 weighed 4.51% less than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Tire Weight: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Tire Weight winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two wear tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is predicted to cover 6.25% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Wear: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 was better during two value tests. On average the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 proved to have a 31.81% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Value: Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 was better during two price tests. On average the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 cost 35.9% less than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Price: Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 had a 17.97% lower rolling resistance than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 used 3% less fuel than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3
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 37.55% less particle wear matter than the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 positively, praising strong wet-weather grip, confident winter traction, and predictable, comfortable road manners at a good price. Several higher-scoring reviews also report decent tread life. A minority note that steering feedback is a bit vague and that hard braking and large, high-speed corners reveal the tire's limits. Overall, sentiment is largely favorable for all-season use.
Based on 15 reviews with an average rating of 76%
Michelin CrossClimate 2 Driver Reviews
Across 129 reviews, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is most often described as a highly confidence-inspiring all-weather tire with standout snow/slush capability and strong dry braking/handling for its category, letting many drivers avoid seasonal tire swaps. Comfort and cabin refinement are frequently praised, with many finding it quieter and smoother than prior summer or OEM tires, and tread life is commonly reported as good when aligned/rotated. The main recurring drawbacks are mixed wet-road feedback (a meaningful minority report reduced wet grip or aquaplaning confidence, sometimes worsening with wear), plus reports of higher noise on certain surfaces/with age, a small fuel/EV range penalty, and premium pricing.
Based on 140 reviews with an average rating of 81%
Conclusion
The Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 offers compelling value: a substantially lower price, competitive fuel consumption in one test, and genuinely strong aquaplaning resistance that inspires confidence in heavy rain. However, it trails Michelin in stopping distances and steering sharpness, and test comments point to average wet capability and limited mileage. Choose Michelin for performance-first, four-season assurance; choose Maxxis if budget and wet-aquaplaning security outweigh absolute braking and winter prowess.
Key Differences
- Braking: Michelin stopped 2-7% shorter in dry and ~1-5% shorter in wet across tests
- Snow: Michelin led by meaningful margins (e.g., +14% snow braking, +24% traction in 195/55 R16)
- Steering/handling: Michelin more precise; Maxxis reported delayed response and understeer tendencies
- Aquaplaning: Maxxis outperformed in straight/curved aquaplaning and wet circle in specific tests
- Efficiency: Michelin had lower rolling resistance; Maxxis posted slightly lower on-test fuel consumption once
- Value/price: Maxxis significantly cheaper with stronger value scores; Michelin priced higher despite broader performance lead
Overall Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 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
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Maxxis Premitra All Season AP3 Top Comparisons
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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.