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Michelin CrossClimate 3 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3

All Season Passenger Car 10 shared tests
Michelin CrossClimate 3
TR Score
9.5/10
Owners say
82% · 12
Head to head 1-9 wins in 10 shared tests 2025-2026 · 6 publications
Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3
TR Score
9.6/10
Owners say
84% · 73

In the 10 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 finished ahead 9 times and the CrossClimate 3 once. The CrossClimate 3 lasted 16.6% longer in the wear tests; the Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped 5.3% shorter in the wet.

Data updated

Which should you buy?

Pick the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 if your priority is wet-road safety margins, aquaplaning resistance and a more engaging, secure feel in warm conditions. Choose the Michelin CrossClimate 3 if you regularly see real snow and want the stronger winter traction and braking, and are willing to accept weaker wet performance shown across multiple tests.

Where the CrossClimate 3 is stronger

  • Stronger snow performance across the shared tests, leading snow braking, traction and handling in Auto Bild 2025, Auto Bild 2026, Auto Bild Allrad 2026, Auto Zeitung 2026 and Auto Express 2026.
  • Lower rolling resistance in most of the shared tests, with a particularly big advantage in Auto Express 2026.
  • Refinement focused, rated among the quieter and more comfortable tyres in Auto Bild 2026 and winning comfort and cabin noise in Tyre Reviews' 2025 group test.
Everything on the CrossClimate 3

Where the Cinturato All Season SF3 is stronger

  • Shorter wet braking in every shared test that measured it, typically by around 5 to 8% in Auto Bild 2025 and 2026, and in Auto Zeitung 2026.
  • Stronger aquaplaning resistance, especially in bends, with very large curved-aquaplaning advantages in Auto Bild 2025 and Tyre Reviews 2026/27.
  • More convincing warm-weather handling feel and balance, called the safest and sportiest on tarmac in Auto Zeitung 2026 and the most enjoyable to drive in Auto Express 2026.
Everything on the Cinturato All Season SF3

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.

CrossClimate 3 vs Cinturato All Season SF3 at a glance

Category CrossClimate 3 Gap Cinturato All Season SF3
Shared tests won10 shared tests 1 9
Dry22 measurements 2 The Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped 4.8% shorter in the dry (10 tests) 19
Wet42 measurements 2 The Cinturato All Season SF3 stopped 5.3% shorter in the wet (10 tests) 40
Snow31 measurements 29 The CrossClimate 3 stopped 6.3% shorter on snow (8 tests) 2
Comfort14 measurements 6 5
Value14 measurements 12 The CrossClimate 3 lasted 16.6% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) 2
Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold 9.5/10 The Cinturato All Season SF3 by 0.1 9.6/10
Owner rating12 and 73 reviews 82% The Cinturato All Season SF3 by 2 points 84%
Would buy againshare of owners 75% The Cinturato All Season SF3 by 5 points 80%
Pricein the 7 tests that listed prices +17.6% The CrossClimate 3 was dearer in 7 of 7 Cheaper
Sizes madeEU label registrations 84 42 sizes made in both 70

Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre 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 10 tests, 2025 to 2026

Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.

Test CrossClimate 3 Field Cinturato All Season SF3
2026 Auto Bild All Season Tyre Test Auto Bild · 2026 · 225/45 R17 · VW Golf and VW Golf GTI P4 of 15 P2 of 15
2026 All Season Tyre Braking Test - 30 Sets Auto Bild · 2026 · 225/45 R17 · VW Golf P12 of 30 P2 of 30
2026 Auto Bild Allrad SUV All Season Tyre Test Auto Bild Allrad · 2026 · 225/55 R18 · Mini Countryman (third generation) P4 of 12 P5 of 12
2026 Auto Zeitung All Season Tyre Test Auto Zeitung · 2026 · 225/45 R17 · VW Golf 1.5 TSI (snow), VW Golf TSI and Golf GTI (wet and dry) P4 of 10 P1 of 10
2026 Auto Express All Season Tyre Test Auto Express · 2026 · 205/55 R16 · Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia P2 of 8 P1 of 8
The BEST All Season Tyres For 2026/27 Tyre Reviews · 2026 · 225/40 R18 · VW Golf GTI CS Tyre Reviews test P8 of 10 P3 of 10
2026 Die Reifentester All Season Tyre Test - 225/40 R18 Die Reifentester · 2026 · 225/40 R18 · VW Golf GTI Clubsport P4 of 9 P1 of 9
2025 AutoBild All Season Tyre Test Auto Bild · 2025 · 225/40 R18 P7 of 15 P1 of 15
2025 All Season 30 Tyre Braking Test Auto Bild · 2025 · 225/40 R18 P11 of 30 P3 of 30
Michelin CrossClimate 3 and 3 Sport VS Rivals Tyre Reviews · 2025 · 225/40 R18 Tyre Reviews test P3 of 4 P2 of 4

Performance profile

24 measurements from the 10 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.

Dry BrakingDry Handling (s)Dry Handling (km/h)Subj. Dry HandlingWet BrakingWet Handling (s)Wet Handling (km/h)Subj. Wet HandlingWet CircleStraight AquaCurved AquaplaningSnow BrakingSnow TractionSnow TractionSnow HandlingSnow Handling (km/h)Subj. Snow HandlingSnow SlalomSubj. ComfortSubj. NoiseNoiseWearRolling ResistanceAbrasion (g)

Where each is furthest ahead

CrossClimate 3

Cinturato All Season SF3

Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.

In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. 4 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.

Every measurement, side by side

Averages of the figures both tyres 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 CrossClimate 3 Gap Cinturato All Season SF3 Wins
39.34 4.8% 37.44 0-10
75.48 1.5% 74.32 0-4
103.5 0.1% 103.5 2-1
scored 15.7% scored 0-3
scored 2.6% scored 0-1
42.86 5.3% 40.54 0-10
84.53 3.2% 81.84 0-4
74 3.3% 76.27 0-3
scored 37% scored 0-4
13.21 1.9% 12.97 0-6
81.57 3.6% 84.38 1-7
2.63 12.7% 2.95 1-6
22.83 6.3% 24.56 7-1
4.67 3.7% 4.85 3-0
2,732 3.4% 2,633 4-1
76.94 2.8% 79.13 4-0
57.6 1.7% 56.67 3-0
scored 24.6% scored 3-0
20.81 6.1% 22.16 1-0
3.86 0.5% 3.84 1-0
3.69 4.6% 3.53 3-0
scored 1.7% scored 3-1
scored 2% scored 1-1
71.02 0.2 dB 71.21 2-3
57,417 16.6% 50,517 2-1
7.78 3.3% 8.05 7-1
518.5 17.1% 676 2-0
0.09 10.8% 0.1 1-0

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 tyres 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 Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the CrossClimate 3 scores 9.5 and the Cinturato All Season SF3 9.6 out of 10.

Tyre Reviews Score by category
CrossClimate 3 Category Cinturato All Season SF3
78Dry 98
66Wet 99
92Comfort 77
78Value 51
99Snow 82
-Ice 60

Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.

What owners say

What owners rate
CrossClimate 3 Category Cinturato All Season SF3
8.6Dry Grip 8.9
7.8Wet Grip 9.1
8Road Feedback 8.4
8.5Handling 8.4
8.9Wear 7.8
9Comfort 7.9
8.4Snow Grip 8.6
6.8Ice Grip 7.8

Owners rate the CrossClimate 3 82% from 12 reviews and the Cinturato All Season SF3 84% from 73. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.

Michelin CrossClimate 3

  • 82%from 12 reviews
  • 75%would buy again
  • 189,947 milesdriven by reviewers

Across nine reviews, the Michelin CrossClimate 3 is widely praised as a highly capable all-season tyre with standout comfort, low noise, and strong real-world grip in dry and wet conditions. Drivers also report impressive longevity/wear, with several noting confident handling and reassuring performance in winter climates and light-to-moderate snow. The main recurring limitation is traction and predictability on ice (and at the limit in heavier snow), where it cannot consistently match a dedicated winter tyre and may feel a bit comfort-biased rather than sporty.

  • High ride comfort
  • Low road noise/quiet on most surfaces
  • Strong wet-road performance (grip and aquaplaning resistance)
  • Good all-season versatility across wide temperature ranges
  • Ice grip is only moderate and trails dedicated winter tyres
  • Not a sporty tyre (softer feel/less sharp than summer performance tyres)
  • Can feel less secure at the limit in heavier snow conditions

Summarised by AI from 9 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.

Who is reading this review it should know that they are bad in wet condition. I tought that beacause is Michelin they will be great but they are not. In dry they are good but in wet they are losing traction and understeer very easy. I don’t have a powerfull car, is only 120hp. I will not buy this tyres again. There are better choices than Michelin at least in the segment of all season

73% Citroën C4 225/45 R17 20,000 miles October 25, 2026
All 12 CrossClimate 3 reviews

Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3

  • 84%from 73 reviews
  • 80%would buy again
  • 578,592 milesdriven by reviewers

Most owners rate the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 highly, with the bulk of feedback praising its dependable wet and dry grip (mentioned by over half of reviewers) and an easy, confidence-inspiring feel for year-round use. Around a third of owners also highlight strong snow traction for an all-season tyre, alongside generally low road noise and good ride comfort. A small minority report vibration/balancing issues, while roughly one in six mention steering feel is a bit soft or less direct than sportier or summer-focused alternatives; aquaplaning feedback is more mixed.

  • Strong wet grip and reassuring confidence in the rain
  • High dry grip for an all-season tyre
  • Impressive snow traction for winter days
  • Generally low road noise, especially at cruising speeds
  • Vibration or balancing/run-out problems reported by some owners
  • Steering feel can be a bit soft or less direct than alternatives
  • Aquaplaning resistance gets mixed reports in standing water

Summarised by AI from 70 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.

Great tires! In autumn and winter conditions, I found them better than the Continental TS860 in mud and snow, but worse on ice.

In summer, compared with the Continental PremiumContact 6, they offered better aquaplaning resistance, but slightly worse wet grip and overall handling. Lateral stability was by far their weakest point compared with my old Conti.

These were my first all-season tires, a bit of a gamble for me, but overall, I would recommend them. After 40,000 km over two years, they are showing some wear, so I plan to replace them by 50,000 km to stay on the safe side. My original plan was to use them for 40,000–60,000 km and less than four years.

83% Ford Focus MK 2.5 205/55 R16 25,000 miles October 25, 2026
All 73 Cinturato All Season SF3 reviews

Sizes, EU label and lineage

From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 84 sizes of the CrossClimate 3 and 70 of the Cinturato All Season SF3, 42 of them made in both.

Category CrossClimate 3 Cinturato All Season SF3
Season All Season All Season
Sizes made 84 sizes, 16 to 22 inch 70 sizes, 15 to 20 inch
Made in both 42 sizes 195/55 R16195/60 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16205/40 R17205/45 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17and 30 more
EU label wet grip B100% A95%B5%
EU label rolling resistance B63%C37%A1% B64%C36%
EU label noise 71-75 dB B100% 69-72 dB B95%A5%
Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes 128 of 128 73 of 73
On the market since 2025 -
Replaced Michelin CrossClimate 2 (2020) Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF2 (2020)
Awards Winner: Best All Season Tyres for SUVs (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Recommended: Best All Season Tyres (DriverReviews, 2026/27)
Price in the shared tests The CrossClimate 3 was the dearer tyre in 7 of the 7 tests that listed prices, by 17.6% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable.

Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.

Previous generation: Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 (12 shared tests)

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.

These two tyres have been compared head to head in 10 independent tests: Auto Bild's all-season tests in 2025 and 2026, Auto Bild's 2025 and 2026 30-tyre braking tests, Auto Bild Allrad's 2026 SUV all-season test, Auto Zeitung's 2026 all-season test, Auto Express's 2026 all-season test, Tyre Reviews' “Michelin CrossClimate 3 and 3 Sport vs Rivals” (2025), Tyre Reviews' “Best All Season Tyres for 2026/27” (2026), and Die Reifentester's 2026 all-season test.

The headline is consistent: the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is the stronger warm wet and dry road tyre, while the Michelin CrossClimate 3 is the more snow-capable and often more efficient option. Overall placings largely follow that pattern, with Pirelli taking most overall wins and Michelin typically landing just behind when winter performance is weighted more heavily.

Conclusion

Across the shared tests, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 repeatedly builds its advantage on wet tarmac and braking. In Auto Bild's 2025 and 2026 all-season tests it beats the Michelin in every wet discipline, with wet braking around 5 to 6% shorter, and it pairs that with consistently shorter dry braking too. The same theme shows up in Auto Express 2026, Auto Zeitung 2026, Die Reifentester 2026 and Tyre Reviews' 2025 group test, where the SF3 is not just quicker but is also described as more confidence-inspiring and better balanced on wet and dry handling tracks. Its aquaplaning strength is also a real separator, especially laterally, with Tyre Reviews 2026/27 and Auto Bild 2025 showing very large curved-aquaplaning gaps in Pirelli's favour.

The Michelin CrossClimate 3 answers back where conditions turn properly wintry. In Auto Bild Allrad's 2026 SUV test it is the best tyre on snow and stops around 15% shorter than the SF3 in snow braking, and it also leads the Pirelli across snow traction and snow handling in most of the other shared tests. Several testers also note refinement and ease of use, with strong comfort and low noise results appearing in Auto Bild 2026 and the Tyre Reviews 2025 test, and it often posts the lower rolling resistance, notably in Auto Express 2026 where the gap is sizeable.

If you mainly drive in a wet, mild climate and want the best safety margins on rainy roads, the shared tests point clearly to the SF3. If your priority is regular snow traction and predictable winter behaviour, and you are happy to accept a clear wet grip and wet stopping compromise shown in multiple tests, the CrossClimate 3 makes more sense. Wear and running-cost conclusions vary by test, with Michelin looking strong in Auto Bild 2025 and Auto Zeitung 2026, but Pirelli leading on wear and cost per kilometre in Auto Bild 2026, so it is not a reliable deciding factor between them on its own.

CrossClimate 3 vs Cinturato All Season SF3: your questions

Is the Michelin CrossClimate 3 or the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 the better tyre?

In the 10 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 finished ahead 9 times and the CrossClimate 3 once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the CrossClimate 3 scores 9.5 and the Cinturato All Season SF3 9.6 out of 10.

Which is better in the wet, the CrossClimate 3 or the Cinturato All Season SF3?

The Cinturato All Season SF3 led 40 of the 42 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.3% shorter in the wet across 10 tests.

Which is better in the dry?

The Cinturato All Season SF3 led 19 of the 22 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.8% shorter in the dry across 10 tests.

Which is better in snow?

The CrossClimate 3 led 29 of the 31 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 6.3% shorter on snow across 8 tests.

Which lasts longer and costs less to run?

The CrossClimate 3 lasted 16.6% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and had 3.3% lower rolling resistance (8 tests). Owners rate wear 8.9/10 for the CrossClimate 3 and 7.8/10 for the Cinturato All Season SF3.

Which is quieter and more comfortable?

Owners rate comfort 9/10 for the CrossClimate 3 and 7.9/10 for the Cinturato All Season SF3.

What do owners say?

Owners rate the CrossClimate 3 82% from 12 reviews and the Cinturato All Season SF3 84% from 73. 75% of CrossClimate 3 owners would buy it again, against 80% for the Cinturato All Season SF3.

Which is more expensive?

In the 7 tests that listed prices, the CrossClimate 3 was the dearer tyre in 7 of them, by 17.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.

Are they available in the same sizes?

The CrossClimate 3 is made in 84 sizes (16 to 22 inch) and the Cinturato All Season SF3 in 70 (15 to 20 inch). 42 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the CrossClimate 3 is graded B for wet grip and B for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Cinturato All Season SF3 A and B.

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Where this data comes from

Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres 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 Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.

Who does the testing

Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.

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