Looking for All Season tyres for your SUV? Keep an eye on the new Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV

Following the second generation of its All Season tyre, the new Michelin CrossClimate 2, the French manufacturer has wasted no time in launching the corresponding SUV variant. Naturally, its name is Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV, and it replaces the CrossClimate SUV in the range. It is available for rims from 17 to 20 inches, with a total of 40 sizes.

Although apart from the marking on the sidewall they are visually identical, the main differences between the CrossClimate 2 SUV and those without the “suffix” identifying vehicles of the crossover type lie in the fact that the SUV-specific ones are more reinforced and support a higher load index, to suit the characteristics of SUVs.

Benchmark in its category for braking on snow, dry and wet surfaces

The advantages of the Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV are the well-known ones of All Season tyres, also called All Weather or Four Seasons: they hold winter certification (3PMSF marking), so they are ready to be driven in any weather conditions, even on snow without the need for chains, and there is no need to swap them for summer tyres when the heat arrives.

In the case of the CrossClimate 2 SUV, which use the same technologies as the CrossClimate 2 and are easily recognisable by the herringbone tread pattern, Michelin promises surprising performance compared with its main alternatives. Specifically, according to the tests carried out by TÜV SÜD and DEKRA, always at Michelin’s request, the new CrossClimate 2 SUV allow:

• an average reduction of 5 metres in braking distance on snow
• an average reduction of 2 metres in braking distance on wet roads
• around 20% more traction capacity on snow
• an average lifespan 5,000 km longer than its competitors

This last point is even more important given Michelin’s remark, based on the strategy the brand follows to highlight the quality and R&D investment made by premium tyre manufacturers: tyre performance remains at a high level even when it is worn, provided the legal limit is not reached.

As for the tests carried out to back up these performance claims, we will not transcribe here the “legal” notes in Michelin’s press information, which almost fill a page. But we should mention that among the reference tyres chosen for the tests are, among others, the Bridgestone Weather Control A005 EVO, the Continental AllSeasonContact, the GoodYear Vector 4Seasons SUV Gen-3 and the Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season SF.

Related information of interest

• Puncture-proof solutions you should carry in your car
• All Season tyres vs winter tyres
• New tyres: where is it best to fit them, front or rear?
• Winter tyres: why they are better than chains