Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
If you drive mainly in rain-prone or temperate climates, the Pirelli sets the benchmark for braking, handling, and aquaplaning safety. If your winters bring regular snow and ice or you value low fuel use and long tread life, the Michelin remains the winter-centric all-season reference. The decision hinges on your primary weather mix and value priorities.
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 ten tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin CrossClimate 2 | one | |
| Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 | nine |
While it might look like the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is better than the Michelin CrossClimate 2 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
- Best-in-class winter capability (repeated wins in snow braking, traction, and handling)
- Lower rolling resistance and fuel use in most tests
- Strong wear and low abrasion for excellent longevity
- Low exterior noise and stable dry manners
- Class-leading wet braking, handling, and aquaplaning resistance
- Shortest dry braking and sharper dry handling
- Comfortable ride with composed behavior across conditions
- Competitive efficiency for its grip level; frequent overall test wins
Dry Braking
Looking at data from ten tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during ten dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped the vehicle in 2.13% less distance than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 1.79% faster around a lap than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during five dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 1.22% faster around a lap than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 scored 8.64% more points than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from ten tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during ten wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped the vehicle in 4.97% less distance than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Cool
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one wet braking - cool tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped the vehicle in 4.06% less distance than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Braking - Cool: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Braking - Cool winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped the vehicle in 4.2% less distance than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during three wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 4.08% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during five wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 2.66% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 scored 4.57% more points than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during six wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was 2.59% faster around a wet circle than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during nine straight aqua tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 floated at a 4.74% higher speed than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Straight Aqua: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during eight curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 slipped out at a 8.74% higher speed than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during nine snow braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stopped the vehicle in 4.52% less distance than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 accelerated 0.17% faster than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Snow Traction: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during four snow traction tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 had 0.63% better snow traction than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during three snow handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 3% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during five snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 1.99% faster around a lap than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two subj. snow handling tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 scored 2.27% more points than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two snow circle tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 provided 6.85% more lateral grip than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Circle: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during four snow slalom tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 2.38% faster through a slalom than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Snow Slalom: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during three ice braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stopped the vehicle 3.85% shorter than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Ice Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Ice Traction
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during two ice traction tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 accelerated 4.34% faster than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Ice Traction: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Ice Traction winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 scored 17.39% more points than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during six noise tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 measured 0.65% quieter than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Noise: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during three wear tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is predicted to cover 17.57% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Wear: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two value tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 proved to have a 12.7% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Value: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 was better during one price tests. On average the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 cost 7.76% less than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Price: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during seven rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 had a 7.61% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two fuel consumption tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 used 3.53% less fuel than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 emitted 11.67% less particle wear matter than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Michelin CrossClimate 2 Driver Reviews
Across 129 reviews, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is most often described as a highly confidence-inspiring all-weather tyre with standout snow/slush capability and strong dry braking/handling for its category, letting many drivers avoid seasonal tyre swaps. Comfort and cabin refinement are frequently praised, with many finding it quieter and smoother than prior summer or OEM tyres, 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%
Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 Driver Reviews
Across 44 reviews, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is widely praised as a top-tier all-season tyre with strong dry and especially wet grip/braking, plus reassuring performance in snow for a 4-season. Many drivers also highlight low cabin noise, good comfort, predictable handling at the limit, and wear that looks encouraging for the mileage covered. The main recurring downside is inconsistent quality control reported by several users (out-of-round tyres causing vibration/shimmy and warranty frustration), and a smaller but repeated theme that the tyre can feel softer/less responsive than a true summer tyre-particularly in warmer temperatures or when driven very sportily.
Based on 44 reviews with an average rating of 83%
In dry conditions manages to have acceptable levels of grip in a straight line, slight wheel spin sometimes but cannot complain since the M2 is RWD 365bhp.
Very strong tyre in the dry and super progressive, really lets you know when it does begin to slip when doing spirited driving. A big strong point as these tyres still allow the vehicle to be driven in a sporting manner.
In the wet they are okay for wet straight line grip, it spins up pretty... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
Michelin answers decisively in winter and efficiency. It leads snow braking, traction and handling in nearly every test, often matching or beating winter references, and posts lower rolling resistance, better fuel consumption, lower abrasion, and longer wear. Where value includes running costs and snow security, it's compelling despite a higher purchase price in some sizes.
In short: choose Pirelli for year-round wet/dry confidence and sporty dynamics; choose Michelin for reliable snow/ice mobility and lower total cost of ownership. The memorable takeaway: Pirelli is the wet-weather all-season benchmark, Michelin is the snow-and-efficiency specialist.
Key Differences
- Wet safety: Pirelli consistently stops shorter in the wet (≈4-8% advantage) and resists aquaplaning better
- Dry performance: Pirelli leads dry braking/handling across virtually all tests
- Winter performance: Michelin dominates snow/ice braking, traction, and handling
- Efficiency: Michelin generally has lower rolling resistance and fuel consumption
- Longevity: Michelin shows better wear and lower abrasion in multi-test data
- Comfort/noise: Pirelli often scores higher for subjective comfort; Michelin typically measures quieter
Overall Winner: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 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.