Car and Driver recently put five all-weather tires to test to find the best option for drivers who want to run one set of rubber year-round. Using a BMW 330i xDrive for dry and wet testing at Tire Rack's South Bend facility and a Genesis G70 for snow evaluations at Michigan's Keweenaw Research Center, the magazine teamed up with expert drivers to collect objective performance data and subjective impressions across multiple driving scenarios.
Test setup & methodology
The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.
Recorded test conditions
Recorded test conditions
- Dry Braking
- 60 → 0 mph
- Wet Braking
- 60 → 0 mph
- Snow Braking
- 30 → 0 mph
- Snow Traction
- 0 → 30 mph
To provide context for the all-weather results, Car and Driver included two specialized benchmark tires in the evaluation: the Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 summer tire and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 winter tire. These showed what dedicated seasonal rubber can do when not compromising for year-round use. The Continental summer tire demonstrated its wet-weather prowess with remarkably consistent stopping distances between dry and wet surfaces, while the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 winter tire dominated in snow with substantially better acceleration and braking than any all-weather contender. These reference tires help illustrate the performance trade-offs when choosing a single set of tires versus seasonal swapping, giving buyers a clearer picture of what they gain – and give up – when opting for the convenience of all-weather rubber.
One quirk of the result had the CrossClimate 2 has the slowest around the snow handling lap, but was one of the best in the other snow tests. I think that might be a typo on the magazines part.
Some of the data is below, and be sure to head over to the C&D website for the full results.
Dry
Dry Braking
Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet (60 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
RefContinental ExtremeContact Sport 02 |
109 ft | -13 ft | 0 mph |
| 122 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 128 ft | +6 ft | 17 mph | |
| 131 ft | +9 ft | 21 mph | |
| 135 ft | +13 ft | 24 mph | |
| 141 ft | +19 ft | 29 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 28.8% (32 ft ≈ 2.1 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Bridgestone WeatherPeak would still be travelling at 29 mph when the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling
Dry handling time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefContinental ExtremeContact Sport 02 |
29.4 s | -1.00 s |
| 30.4 s | Best | |
| 30.5 s | +0.10 s | |
| 30.7 s | +0.30 s | |
| 30.7 s | +0.30 s | |
| 31 s | +0.60 s |
The difference between best and worst was 5.4% (1.6 s).
Wet
Wet Braking
Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet (60 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
RefContinental ExtremeContact Sport 02 |
129 ft | -20 ft | 0 mph |
| 149 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 155 ft | +6 ft | 16 mph | |
| 157 ft | +8 ft | 18 mph | |
| 161 ft | +12 ft | 22 mph | |
| 173 ft | +24 ft | 30 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 34% (44 ft ≈ 3 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Nokian Remedy WRG5 would still be travelling at 30 mph when the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling
Wet handling time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefContinental ExtremeContact Sport 02 |
31 s | -2.30 s |
| 33.3 s | Best | |
| 33.4 s | +0.10 s | |
| 33.5 s | +0.20 s | |
| 34.2 s | +0.90 s | |
| 35.3 s | +2.00 s |
The difference between best and worst was 13.9% (4.3 s).
Wet Circle
Wet Circle
Lateral wet grip in m/s squared
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefContinental ExtremeContact Sport 02 |
1.9 mph | +0.3 mph |
| 1.6 mph | Best | |
| 1.6 mph | Best | |
| 1.6 mph | 0.0 mph | |
| 1.6 mph | 0.0 mph | |
| 1.4 mph | -0.2 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 23.8% (0.5 mph).
Snow
Snow Braking
Snow Braking
Snow braking in feet (30 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
RefNokian Hakkapeliitta R5 |
81 ft | -8 ft | 0 mph |
| 89 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 91 ft | +2 ft | 13 mph | |
| 93 ft | +4 ft | 17 mph | |
| 94 ft | +5 ft | 19 mph | |
| 94 ft | +5 ft | 19 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 15.7% (13 ft ≈ 0.9 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady would still be travelling at 19 mph when the Bridgestone WeatherPeak had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Snow Traction
Snow Traction
Snow acceleration time (0 - 30 mph)
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefNokian Hakkapeliitta R5 |
6.5 s | -1.00 s |
| 7.5 s | Best | |
| 8 s | +0.50 s | |
| 8 s | +0.50 s | |
| 8.1 s | +0.60 s | |
| 8.1 s | +0.60 s |
The difference between best and worst was 24.6% (1.6 s).
Snow Handling
Snow Handling
Snow handling time in seconds
Lower is better ↓| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefNokian Hakkapeliitta R5 |
80.4 s | -6.20 s |
| 86.6 s | Best | |
| 92.5 s | +5.90 s | |
| 94.4 s | +7.80 s | |
| 94.9 s | +8.30 s | |
| 97.9 s | +11.30 s |
The difference between best and worst was 21.8% (17.5 s).
Snow Circle
Snow Circle
Lateral snow grip in m/s squared
Higher is better ↑| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
RefNokian Hakkapeliitta R5 |
1.1 ft/s² | +0.1 ft/s² |
| 1.0 ft/s² | Best | |
| 1.0 ft/s² | 0.0 ft/s² | |
| 1.0 ft/s² | 0.0 ft/s² | |
| 1.0 ft/s² | 0.0 ft/s² | |
| 0.9 ft/s² | -0.1 ft/s² |
The difference between best and worst was 21.2% (0.2 ft/s²).
Results
Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive
225/45 R18 95Y XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 5 | 128 ft | +6 ft |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 1st / 5 | 30.4 s | Best in this discipline |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 5 | 155 ft | +6 ft |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 2nd / 5 | 33.4 s | +0.10 s |
| Wet CircleHigher is better | 3rd / 5 | 1.6 mph | 0.0 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 4th / 5 | 94 ft | +5 ft |
| Snow TractionLower is better | 4th / 5 | 8.1 s | +0.60 s |
| Snow HandlingLower is better | 3rd / 5 | 94.4 s | +7.80 s |
| Snow CircleHigher is better | 5th / 5 | 0.9 ft/s² | -0.1 ft/s² |
- 3PMSF
- Yes
- Price
- 219.00
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
225/45 R18 95V XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 1st / 5 | 122 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 2nd / 5 | 30.5 s | +0.10 s |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 1st / 5 | 149 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 1st / 5 | 33.3 s | Best in this discipline |
| Wet CircleHigher is better | 1st / 5 | 1.6 mph | Best in this discipline |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 2nd / 5 | 91 ft | +2 ft |
| Snow TractionLower is better | 2nd / 5 | 8 s | +0.50 s |
| Snow HandlingLower is better | 5th / 5 | 97.9 s | +11.30 s |
| Snow CircleHigher is better | 1st / 5 | 1.0 ft/s² | Best in this discipline |
- 3PMSF
- Yes
- Price
- 232.00
Bridgestone WeatherPeak
225/45 R18 95V XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 5th / 5 | 141 ft | +19 ft |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 5th / 5 | 31 s | +0.60 s |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 4th / 5 | 161 ft | +12 ft |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 4th / 5 | 34.2 s | +0.90 s |
| Wet CircleHigher is better | 4th / 5 | 1.6 mph | 0.0 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 1st / 5 | 89 ft | Best in this discipline |
| Snow TractionLower is better | 1st / 5 | 7.5 s | Best in this discipline |
| Snow HandlingLower is better | 1st / 5 | 86.6 s | Best in this discipline |
| Snow CircleHigher is better | 2nd / 5 | 1.0 ft/s² | 0.0 ft/s² |
- 3PMSF
- Yes
- Price
- 224.00
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
225/45 R18 95V XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 4th / 5 | 135 ft | +13 ft |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 3rd / 5 | 30.7 s | +0.30 s |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 5 | 157 ft | +8 ft |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 3rd / 5 | 33.5 s | +0.20 s |
| Wet CircleHigher is better | 1st / 5 | 1.6 mph | Best in this discipline |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 5th / 5 | 94 ft | +5 ft |
| Snow TractionLower is better | 2nd / 5 | 8 s | +0.50 s |
| Snow HandlingLower is better | 2nd / 5 | 92.5 s | +5.90 s |
| Snow CircleHigher is better | 2nd / 5 | 1.0 ft/s² | 0.0 ft/s² |
- 3PMSF
- Yes
- Price
- 221.00
Nokian Remedy WRG5
225/45 R18 95Y XLCategory scores (% of best)
All discipline results (9)
Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.
| Test | Position in discipline | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 5 | 131 ft | +9 ft |
| Dry HandlingLower is better | 3rd / 5 | 30.7 s | +0.30 s |
| Wet BrakingLower is better | 5th / 5 | 173 ft | +24 ft |
| Wet HandlingLower is better | 5th / 5 | 35.3 s | +2.00 s |
| Wet CircleHigher is better | 5th / 5 | 1.4 mph | -0.2 mph |
| Snow BrakingLower is better | 3rd / 5 | 93 ft | +4 ft |
| Snow TractionLower is better | 4th / 5 | 8.1 s | +0.60 s |
| Snow HandlingLower is better | 4th / 5 | 94.9 s | +8.30 s |
| Snow CircleHigher is better | 2nd / 5 | 1.0 ft/s² | 0.0 ft/s² |
- 3PMSF
- Yes
- Price
- 220.00


Hello,
Could you compare Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 and SportContact 7?
What are the differences regarding performance and market position?
Thank you.
It's pretty niche but I would like to do it one day. Basically SC7 will have better wet grip and lower rolling resistance and the ECS02 will last longer.