A new test conducted by "auto motor und sport" evaluated the performance of the new CrossClimate 3 and 3 Sport all season tyres against the traditional summer touring and summer performance tyres. The test vehicle was a Golf GTI Clubsport, utilizing a tyre size of 225/40 R18 for all tests.
The tyres tested were the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (ultra-high-performance summer), Michelin Primacy (premium touring summer), Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport (ultra-high-performance all-season), and the Michelin CrossClimate 3 (premium touring all-season). The objective was to quantify performance differences in dry and wet conditions.
2 categories (4 tests)
| Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (2 tests) | |||
| Dry Braking | ▲ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 36.8 M | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate 3: 39.7 M | 2.9 M (7.3%) |
| Dry Handling | ▲ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 76.9 s | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate 3: 81 s | 4.1 s (5.1%) |
| Wet (2 tests) | |||
| Wet Braking | ▲ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 30.8 M | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate 3: 37.4 M | 6.6 M (17.6%) |
| Wet Handling | ▲ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 97.41 s | ▼ Michelin CrossClimate 3: 109.68 s | 12.3 s (11.2%) |
In dry conditions, the Pilot Sport 5 recorded the fastest handling lap at 1:16.9 and the shortest braking distance from 100 km/h at 36.8 meters. The CrossClimate 3 Sport demonstrated notable dry performance, with a handling time of 1:18.84 and a braking distance of 38.4 meters, closely matching the summer-touring Primacy. The standard CrossClimate 3 was the slowest in handling (1:21.0) and had the longest braking distance (39.7 meters), indicating a clear performance differential in dry conditions.
Dry Braking
Dry Handling
In wet conditions, the performance hierarchy shifted in favor of the specialized summer tyres. The Pilot Sport 5 again led with a wet handling time of 1:37.41 and a wet braking distance from 80 km/h of 30.8 meters. The Primacy was highly competitive with a time of 1:38.0 and a braking distance of 31.7 meters. The performance gap to the all-season tyres widened significantly in the wet. The CrossClimate 3 Sport's handling time was 1:44.13, and the standard CrossClimate 3 recorded a time of 1:49.68. The wet braking distances reflected this, measuring 34.7 meters and 37.4 meters respectively, confirming the summer tyres' advantage in wet grip.
While I can't speak for how this test was conducted, I do know the CC3 and CC3 Sport wet handling times are significantly slower than mine using the same tyre size, vehicle and test track, which might indicate it was very hot, or the driver had a driving style that didn't work well for the all seasons.
Wet Braking
Wet Handling
Tyre Reviews will be performing a test like this in early 2026 so stay tuned for more information.
Results
1st: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 established itself as the clear performance benchmark, finishing first in all four dynamic tests. In the dry, it delivered the fastest handling lap and shortest braking distance. Subjectively, it was praised for its precise steering and high levels of grip, though it was noted to require a careful driver at its limit. This superiority continued in the wet, where it again set the fastest lap and shortest braking distance, demonstrating its capabilities as the definitive ultra-high-performance summer tyre in this group. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd: Michelin Primacy 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Michelin Primacy 5 proved to be a highly competitive summer touring tyre, performing much closer to the UHP Pilot Sport 5 than expected. Its dry handling lap was only 1.4 seconds slower, and its braking distance was just 1.3 meters longer. In the wet, the Primacy 5 was particularly impressive. Its handling time was just 0.6 seconds off the pace of the Pilot Sport 5, and the driver noted it was enjoyable and very controllable, making it a confidence-inspiring tyre in challenging conditions. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd: Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport delivered a surprising level of performance in dry conditions for an all-season tyre. Its dry handling lap was only marginally slower than the summer Primacy, with subjective feedback noting its handling was precise and dynamic, feeling much like a summer tyre. However, the performance compromise became evident in the wet. Its wet handling lap was nearly seven seconds slower than the Pilot Sport 5, and its wet braking distance increased by a notable four meters, confirming that while it is highly capable in the dry, a significant performance gap to summer tyres remains in wet conditions. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th: Michelin CrossClimate 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Michelin CrossClimate 3 positioned itself as the comfort-oriented all-season option. It finished last in all four performance metrics, with the largest deficit being in wet handling, where it was over 12 seconds slower than the leader. While not dynamically focused, the tyre was subjectively praised for its predictable and controllable nature. It consistently provided clear feedback to the driver, safely signaling its grip limits well in advance. It was also identified as the most comfortable tyre in the test, making it a suitable choice for drivers who prioritize ride quality and predictable safety over outright performance. Read Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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