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Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW

This head-to-head pits two flagship all-weather touring tyres against each other: Goodyear's Assurance WeatherReady and Michelin's CrossClimate 2 AW. Both target year-round versatility for passenger cars, but approach it differently-Goodyear with a traditional all-weather tread tuned for balanced everyday use, and Michelin with a distinctive V-pattern focused on wet and winter bite while preserving dry-road confidence.

Across two shared tests, including an independent Car and Driver evaluation and Michelin's internal comparisons, the CrossClimate 2 AW consistently outperformed the WeatherReady in objective braking-especially in the wet-and posted stronger snow braking and traction. The Goodyear countered with a notable win in snow handling on the Car and Driver course, hinting at more playful balance on loose surfaces, but struggled to match Michelin's safety-critical stopping distances.

Test Results

Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been two tests which compare both tyres directly!

Summary of two total tests comparing both tyres directly
TyreTest WinsPerformance
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AWtwo
two wins

While it might look like the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW is better than the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.

Key Strengths

  • Engaging snow handling balance (faster snow course time in C&D test)
  • Solid, predictable dry performance for everyday use
  • Above-average wet results relative to budget options
  • Potential value if discounted as it's been replaced by WeatherReady 2
  • Consistently shorter braking in dry and wet (wins both shared tests)
  • Best-in-test wet performance across categories (Car and Driver)
  • Stronger snow braking and traction for winter security
  • Proven across sizes with broad all-weather capability

Dry Braking

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW stopped the vehicle in 11.07% less distance than the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
40.28M
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
35.82M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
39.56M (+5.12M)
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
34.44M
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
41M (+3.8M)
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
37.2M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW was 0.65% faster around a lap than the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
30.7s
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
30.5s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
30.7s (+0.2s)
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
30.5s

Wet Braking

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW was better during one wet braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW stopped the vehicle in 5.23% less distance than the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
47.8M
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
45.3M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
47.8M (+2.5M)
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
45.3M

Wet Braking - Worn

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW was better during one wet braking - worn tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW stopped the vehicle in 28.04% less distance than the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
60.53M
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
43.56M
Wet braking at Low Tread Depth, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking - Worn: Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
60.53M (+16.97M)
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
43.56M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW was 0.6% faster around a wet lap than the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
33.5s
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
33.3s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
33.5s (+0.2s)
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
33.3s

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady and Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW performed equally well in wet circle tests.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
0.72m/s
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
0.72m/s
Lateral wet grip in m/s squared, higher is better

Best In Wet Circle: Both tyres performed equally well

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
0.72m/s
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
0.72m/s

Snow Braking

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW was better during one snow braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW stopped the vehicle in 3.48% less distance than the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
28.7M
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
27.7M
Snow braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Snow Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
28.7M (+1M)
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
27.7M

Snow Traction

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady and Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW performed equally well in snow traction tests.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
8s
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
8s
Snow acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Snow Traction: Both tyres performed equally well

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
8s
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
8s

Snow Traction

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW had 30.11% better snow traction than the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
65N
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
93N
Pulling Force in Newtons, higher is better

Best In Snow Traction: Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
65N (-28N)
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
93N

Snow Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady was 5.52% faster around a lap than the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
92.5s
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
97.9s
Snow handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Snow Handling [s]: Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
92.5s
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
97.9s (+5.4s)

Snow Circle

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW provided 3.33% more lateral grip than the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
0.29ms/2
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
0.3ms/2
Lateral snow grip in m/s squared, higher is better

Best In Snow Circle: Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
0.29ms/2 (-0.01ms/2)
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
0.3ms/2

Real World Driver Reviews

Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady and Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW.

In total the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady has been reviewed 3 times and drivers have given the tyre 76% overall.

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW has been reviewed 4 times and drivers have given the tyre 83% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW.

Best Review for the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady
Given 90% 210/55 R16 on a combination of roads for 36,000 average miles
Quite stable, durable, comfortable and low noise, it has a very good braking distance and a track that is suitable for almost any terrain.
Helpful 1012 - tyre reviewed on February 14, 2022
View all Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW
Given 83% 235/55 R19 on mostly town for 1,000 average miles
A lot of the score categories are difficult to estimate for my car, my driving style, and perhaps most notably, the traffic in my region (Washington state, Seattle area) which is usually very dense. It's too early to rate wear, and I don't think it would be fair to rate them on handling because it's an SUV that I don't push terribly hard in cornering and such. Compared to the outgoing stock all-season Continental Sport LXs, these tires are absolutely a step up. The main reason I got these is because of all the research I've done, including watching nearly every relevant video Jonathan has... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 914 - tyre reviewed on March 3, 2025
View all Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW driver reviews >>

Conclusion

The data shows a clear pattern: Michelin's CrossClimate 2 AW is the safer bet in the most consequential scenarios. It stopped shorter in dry and wet in both tests (up to ~13% shorter in dry and ~28% shorter in worn-wet) and delivered superior snow braking and traction. That breadth of grip, plus first-place wet results across the board at Car and Driver, underpins its two test wins out of two. Trade-offs include firmer ride and higher noise, and mild dry understeer noted by testers.

Goodyear's Assurance WeatherReady offers competent dry/wet performance and a genuine bright spot in snow handling feel, but it lagged in snow braking and struggled with stability on snow in independent testing-an important consideration for winter safety. With the WeatherReady already superseded by WeatherReady 2, buyers focused on the outgoing tyre's value should weigh any discounts against the Michelin's measurable safety margins.

Bottom line: Choose Michelin if you prioritize all-weather stopping power and wet confidence; choose Goodyear only if pricing is compelling and you value its snow-handling balance despite longer stopping distances.
Key Differences
  • Wet safety: CrossClimate 2 stops markedly shorter, including worn-wet (~28% advantage in internal test).
  • Dry braking: Michelin shorter by ~9-13% in shared tests.
  • Snow priorities: Michelin leads snow braking/traction; Goodyear edged snow handling time in C&D.
  • Ride/noise: Michelin rides firmer and can be noisier; Goodyear likely more compliant.
  • Handling feel: Michelin shows dry understeer; Goodyear can feel more maneuverable on loose snow but less stable overall.
  • Product lifecycle: WeatherReady is replaced by WeatherReady 2; CrossClimate 2 remains current and competitive.
Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW

Overall Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW

Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 AW has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.

Similar Comparisons

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Footnote

This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.

Why is this important? Tyre 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 tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tyre 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 tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.