Michelin Primacy Tour AS vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
- TR Score
- 8.5/10
- Owners say
- 55% · 8
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 11
The Michelin Primacy Tour AS and the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW have met in 2 independent tests and the record is level at 1-1. The Primacy Tour AS stopped 4.4% shorter in the wet; the CrossClimate 2 AW stopped 15.6% shorter on snow.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW if you want a true all-weather, cold-capable one-set solution and regularly encounter snow/ice or near-freezing conditions. Choose the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S if your driving is predominantly three-season (especially wet conditions) and you value wet braking, lateral grip and a slightly more comfortable touring character-just don't rely on it for real winter traction.
Where the Primacy Tour AS is stronger
- Consistently excellent wet braking (wins both tests: 42.67 m vs 46.63 m; 30.267 m vs 30.358 m)
- Strong wet and dry lateral grip for a touring all-season (wet circle 0.72g; dry circle 0.86g in 2026)
- Responsive, light steering and quick turn-in on clear roads (professional notes highlight agile, athletic feel)
Where the CrossClimate 2 AW is stronger
- Clear winter advantage: best-in-comparison snow and ice braking/traction in both tests (e.g., ice braking 14.08 m vs 16.03 m; snow braking 17.01 m vs 21.4 m)
- Faster, more confidence-inspiring snow handling (53.79 s vs 59.62 s; 57.95 s vs 61.17 s)
- Strong dry braking in 2026 and strong overall road handling feel (25.329 m shortest; highest subjective road score 8.25 vs 7)
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.
Primacy Tour AS vs CrossClimate 2 AW at a glance
| Category | Primacy Tour AS | Gap | CrossClimate 2 AW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won2 shared tests | 1 | 1 | |
| Dry5 measurements | 3 | 2 | |
| Wet5 measurements | 5 | The Primacy Tour AS stopped 4.4% shorter in the wet (2 tests) | 0 |
| Snow6 measurements | 0 | The CrossClimate 2 AW stopped 15.6% shorter on snow (2 tests) | 6 |
| Ice3 measurements | 0 | The CrossClimate 2 AW stopped 10.2% shorter on ice (2 tests) | 3 |
| Comfort2 measurements | 1 | 0 | |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.5/10 | The CrossClimate 2 AW by 0.9 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating8 and 11 reviews | 55% | The CrossClimate 2 AW by 32 points | 87% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 14% | The CrossClimate 2 AW by 77 points | 91% |
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 2 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 | Primacy Tour AS | Field | CrossClimate 2 AW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tire Test | P3 of 3All Season | P2 of 2All Weather | |
| 2024 TireRack All Season and Weather Tire Test | P4 of 11 | P6 of 11 |
Performance profile
5 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Primacy Tour AS
CrossClimate 2 AW
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. 11 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Primacy Tour AS
CrossClimate 2 AW
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
Primacy Tour AS
Not ahead in any category
CrossClimate 2 AW
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Primacy Tour AS 55% from 8 reviews and the CrossClimate 2 AW 87% from 11. 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 | Primacy Tour AS | Gap | CrossClimate 2 AW | Wins | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 103 | 1.2% | 105 | 1-1 | |||||||||
|
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| scored | 0.8% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 0.86 | 3.6% | 0.83 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| scored | 17.9% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||
|
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| 120 | 4.4% | 126 | 2-0 | |||||||||
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| 34.03 | 1.1% | 34.4 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| scored | 7.5% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 0.72 | 4.3% | 0.69 | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| 76 | 15.6% | 64 | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| 6.14 | 4.2% | 5.88 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 60.4 | 7.5% | 55.87 | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| scored | 38.9% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| 55 | 10.2% | 50 | 0-2 | |||||||||
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| 6.24 | 2.4% | 6.09 | 0-1 | |||||||||
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| scored | 3.4% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||
|
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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 Primacy Tour AS scores 8.5 and the CrossClimate 2 AW 9.4 out of 10.
| Primacy Tour AS | Category | CrossClimate 2 AW | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 | Dry | 100 | ||
| 78 | Wet | 86 | ||
| 33 | Comfort | 9 | ||
| - | Value | 18 | ||
| 13 | Snow | 86 | ||
| 85 | Ice | 100 | ||
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
| Primacy Tour AS | Category | CrossClimate 2 AW | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.7 | Dry Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 6.3 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 6.3 | Road Feedback | 8.6 | ||
| 7.4 | Handling | 7.7 | ||
| 3.3 | Wear | 8.9 | ||
| 7.1 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 3.5 | Snow Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 3.2 | Ice Grip | 8.2 | ||
Owners rate the Primacy Tour AS 55% from 8 reviews and the CrossClimate 2 AW 87% from 11. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Michelin Primacy Tour AS
- 55%from 8 reviews
- 14%would buy again
- 408,528 milesdriven by reviewers
Ride comfort is the clearest positive for the Michelin Primacy Tour AS, praised in three of five owner reviews. All five reviews fall in the neutral score band, averaging 56.8%, and two owners describe excessive understeer rather than rewarding dry handling. Noise experiences vary, from quiet motorway cruising to a persistent hum, while another complaint concerns cornering squeal. Wet-road experiences also differ sharply, with one owner praising rain performance and another reporting poor braking and cornering. Later-life reports include disappointing wear, but the small sample does not establish a consistent lifespan or ageing pattern.
- Comfortable ride
- Understeer in dry corners
Summarised by AI from 5 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 8 Primacy Tour AS reviewsI’ve gone through two sets of these tires. I live in a hot climate, no snow and sometimes a lot of rain. It handles really well in the rain. I’ve gone 123mph with them. I’ve had punctures like 6 times and they’ve always been patchable without an issue.
I think they are great tires. They don’t last as long as the defender series but I think they work better in the rain.
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
- 87%from 11 reviews
- 91%would buy again
- 150,500 milesdriven by reviewers
Across all nine owner reviews, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW is rated very highly (87.1% average) and is most often praised as a dependable year-round tire, especially for snow use. Around half of owners specifically highlight strong snow traction, while a similar share report encouraging tread life so far. Comfort and noise levels also get positive mentions, and several owners are happy with dry and wet performance for everyday driving. A smaller minority (around one in five) report compromises such as reduced dry grip/handling versus sportier tires, and opinions on rolling resistance are mixed.
- Strong snow traction for winter trips
- Promising tread life and longevity so far
- Good everyday dry grip
- Comfortable, softer ride
- Dry handling not as sharp when pushed
- Dry grip can be lower than sportier all-season/summer tires
- Wet grip impressions are mixed
Summarised by AI from 9 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 11 CrossClimate 2 AW reviewsOn a par with Continental DWS06 in wet and dry handling.
Despite 3PMS rating, less grip in snow than expected.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
| Category | Primacy Tour AS | CrossClimate 2 AW |
|---|---|---|
| Season | All Season | All Weather |
| On the market since | 2021 | - |
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 is an interesting in-family Michelin matchup because the Primacy Tour A/S and CrossClimate 2 are built around different priorities. The Primacy Tour A/S is a warm-weather-leaning premium touring all-season (and notably not 3PMSF in the referenced test), while the CrossClimate 2 is an all-weather design engineered to keep real traction when temperatures drop and surfaces turn to snow/ice.
Across the two Tire Rack comparisons in the same size (215/55 R17), the pattern is consistent: Primacy Tour A/S tends to look more “summer-like” in wet and lateral grip metrics, while the CrossClimate 2 trades some refinement (especially noise/firmness) to deliver a clear advantage in winter categories. The overall placings flip between the tests (Primacy ahead in 2024; CrossClimate ahead in 2026), which makes the category-by-category detail the most useful way to choose between them.
Conclusion
On clear roads, the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S makes a strong case if your priority is three-season touring with particularly strong wet performance. It won wet braking in both tests (42.67 m vs 46.63 m in 2024; 30.267 m vs 30.358 m in 2026) and also led on wet cornering in 2026 (0.72g vs 0.69g). It also posted higher lateral dry grip in 2026 (0.86g vs 0.83g) and was slightly more comfortable subjectively (7.5 vs 7.25). The trade-off is that its cold-weather capability falls away quickly-test notes call out limited snow ability and the weakest ice results, with a steep, abrupt loss of grip once it's pushed past the limit.
If you regularly face wintry mornings, slushy commutes, or any meaningful chance of snow/ice, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is the safer, more versatile choice. It dominated every winter metric provided: snow braking improved by 20.5% in 2024 (17.01 m vs 21.4 m) and 10.8% in 2026 (22.061 m vs 24.719 m), snow handling was materially quicker (53.79 s vs 59.62 s; 57.95 s vs 61.17 s), and ice braking was decisively shorter (14.08 m vs 16.03 m; 16.154 m vs 17.587 m). The cost is refinement: it was called the noisiest tire in the 2026 test and among the firmer-riding options, even though its steering/road feel scored highly. Practical takeaway: pick Primacy for wet-focused three-season touring; pick CrossClimate 2 when you want one set of tires to remain genuinely capable as winter arrives.
Primacy Tour AS vs CrossClimate 2 AW: your questions
Is the Michelin Primacy Tour AS or the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW the better tire?
The Michelin Primacy Tour AS and the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW have met in 2 independent tests and the record is level at 1-1. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Primacy Tour AS scores 8.5 and the CrossClimate 2 AW 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Primacy Tour AS or the CrossClimate 2 AW?
The Primacy Tour AS led 5 of the 5 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.4% shorter in the wet across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Primacy Tour AS led 3 of the 5 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The CrossClimate 2 AW led 6 of the 6 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 15.6% shorter on snow across 2 tests.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.1/10 for the Primacy Tour AS and 8.8/10 for the CrossClimate 2 AW.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Primacy Tour AS 55% from 8 reviews and the CrossClimate 2 AW 87% from 11. 14% of Primacy Tour AS owners would buy it again, against 91% for the CrossClimate 2 AW.
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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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