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)
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
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 1st | 36.8 M | 100% |
| Dry Handling | 1st | 76.9 s | 100% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st | 30.8 M | 100% |
| Wet Handling | 1st | 97.41 s | 100% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 2nd | 38.1 M | 96.59% |
| Dry Handling | 2nd | 78.4 s | 98.09% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd | 31.7 M | 97.16% |
| Wet Handling | 2nd | 98 s | 99.4% |
- 3PMSF: yes
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 3rd | 38.4 M | 95.83% |
| Dry Handling | 3rd | 78.84 s | 97.54% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd | 34.7 M | 88.76% |
| Wet Handling | 3rd | 104.13 s | 93.55% |
- 3PMSF: yes
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | 4th | 39.7 M | 92.7% |
| Dry Handling | 4th | 81 s | 94.94% |
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th | 37.4 M | 82.35% |
| Wet Handling | 4th | 109.68 s | 88.81% |