Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 vs Michelin CrossClimate 2
Expect a clear split: the CrossClimate 2 repeatedly delivers class-leading dry stopping and strong winter capability, plus excellent aquaplaning reserves and low wear. The Firestone counters with competitive wet handling balance, low price, and sometimes lower fuel use, though it trails notably in dry braking and aquaplaning and is less precise at the limit.
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 eleven tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin CrossClimate 2 | eleven |
While it might look like the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is better than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 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
- Strong wet handling balance; occasional wet-braking edges in smaller margins
- Competitive snow stability with friendly, predictable behavior
- Lower purchase price and sometimes better value scores
- Often low rolling resistance and, in some tests, lower fuel use/wear
- Class-leading dry braking (wins all shared tests) and precise dry steering
- Excellent winter performance: short snow braking, strong traction, best handling in several tests
- Superior aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) and overall wet safety margins
- High projected mileage with low abrasion and good comfort/refinement
Dry Braking
Looking at data from eleven tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during eleven dry braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stopped the vehicle in 11.33% less distance than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 0.19% faster around a lap than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during three dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 0.71% faster around a lap than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 scored 3.16% more points than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from eleven tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during seven wet braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stopped the vehicle in 1.4% less distance than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 stopped the vehicle in 4.38% less distance than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was 5.31% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during four wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was 1.08% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 scored 2.17% more points than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 had 0.94% higher lateral wet grip than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Wet Circle: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during seven straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 floated at a 5.32% higher speed than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during five curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 slipped out at a 15.48% higher speed than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during seven snow braking tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stopped the vehicle in 2.19% less distance than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Snow Braking: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 accelerated 0.89% faster than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during six snow traction tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 had 5% better snow traction than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two snow handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 4.84% faster around a lap than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during three snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 2.12% faster around a lap than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 scored 2% more points than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 provided 1.83% more lateral grip than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Snow Circle: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during three snow slalom tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was 11.66% faster through a slalom than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Snow Slalom: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during one ice braking tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 stopped the vehicle 1.01% shorter than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Ice Braking: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 scored 9.17% more points than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during six noise tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 measured 1.19% quieter than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Noise: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Tyre Weight
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during one tyre weight tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 weighed 3.4% less than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Tyre Weight: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Tyre Weight winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during two wear tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is predicted to cover 9.15% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Wear: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during two value tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 proved to have a 17.25% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Value: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during four price tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 cost 22.58% less than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Price: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better during five rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin CrossClimate 2 had a 7.06% lower rolling resistance than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 used 0.73% less fuel than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02
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 39.15% less particle wear matter than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Abrasion 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 40.91% less particle wear matter than the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin CrossClimate 2
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Firestone MultiSeason Gen 02 highly, praising secure wet and cold-weather grip, reliable winter/snow performance, stable high-speed handling, and strong overall value. A minority report increased noise at higher speeds and one low-score outlier cites poor hot/dry braking and faster degradation, but the majority of higher-scoring reviews are positive across conditions.
Based on 9 reviews with an average rating of 84%
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%
Conclusion
The MultiSeason Gen 02 makes a solid value case. It frequently feels friendly and balanced in wet handling laps, posts occasional wet-braking wins by slim margins, and is consistently cheaper. However, extended dry braking, weaker aquaplaning margins, and less precise dry/winter handling limit its overall ranking. If you prioritize maximum safety envelope year-round and longevity, Michelin is the confident pick; if you want to save upfront and are comfortable with the trade-offs, Firestone is the pragmatic alternative.
Key Differences
- Dry braking gap consistently favors Michelin by ~9-13% (e.g., 37.7-39.9 m vs 41.8-45.9 m)
- Aquaplaning resistance: Michelin leads straight and curved tests by 4-31% depending on size
- Winter capability: Michelin edges snow braking/traction/handling in most tests
- Wet handling pace: Firestone sometimes faster on lap; Michelin still stronger in wet stopping/aquaplaning
- Wear/abrasion: Michelin generally shows lower abrasion and often higher mileage; Firestone varies by test
- Value and price: Firestone is notably cheaper, improving cost-per-1,000 km in several results
Overall Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 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.