Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Nokian SeasonProof: In the all-season 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) segment, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 goes head-to-head with the Nokian SeasonProof. The Michelin CrossClimate 2, a pioneer in the 3PMSF all-season category, faces off against Nokian, a brand deeply rooted in winter tire heritage. Will Nokian’s expertise in winter performance be enough to challenge Michelin, the inventors of this versatile segment? The battle is set—let’s see which tire comes out on top!
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Results: Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Nokian SeasonProof
Results below were taken from the 2022 Auto Bild All Season Test. 25 tires were tested this time around with only 15 tires making it into the final round. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Nokian SeasonProof based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Auto Bild did the full range of test including snow & the expensive wear test. The tire size of interest is a 195/55 R16 which is a common tire size for Audi A1 & BMW 1 Series. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Volkswagen Polo.
Wet
In wet braking, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stops in 49.2 meters, while the Nokian SeasonProof takes 52.4 meters to come to a halt, showing a 3.2-meter advantage for the CrossClimate 2. For wet handling, the Nokian SeasonProof slightly edges out with a speed of 72.1 km/h compared to the CrossClimate 2’s 71.8 km/h, making it 0.3 km/h faster. In straight-line aquaplaning, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 holds a marginal lead at 80.5 km/h, just 0.2 km/h more than the Nokian SeasonProof’s 80.3 km/h. Ultimately, the 3.2-meter difference in wet braking makes the Michelin CrossClimate 2 the clear winner in wet performance!
SeasonProof :
- -6% in wet braking
- ~0% in wet handling
- ~0% in aquaplaning
Snow
In snow braking, the Nokian SeasonProof stops slightly shorter at 27.2 meters compared to the Michelin CrossClimate 2’s 27.3 meters, showing a minor 0.1-meter advantage for the Nokian. When it comes to snow traction, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 pulls ahead with a force of 2,574 N, outperforming the Nokian SeasonProof’s 2,508 N by 66 N. For snow handling, the Nokian SeasonProof leads with a speed of 58 km/h, just 1 km/h faster than the Michelin CrossClimate 2’s 57 km/h, indicating a slight edge in handling agility on snow.
SeasonProof :
- ~0% in snow braking
- -3% in snow traction
- +2% in snow handling
Wear
In terms of mileage, the Nokian SeasonProof lasts significantly longer with 53,482 km compared to the Michelin CrossClimate 2’s 43,840 km, giving the Nokian a clear advantage of 9,642 km. However, when looking at abrasion, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 performs better, wearing down at 14.3 grams per 1,000 km, while the Nokian SeasonProof shows a higher abrasion rate of 21.9 grams per 1,000 km. This notable difference in mileage and abrasion values could be attributed to a higher starting tread depth for the Nokian SeasonProof compared to the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
SeasonProof :
- +22% in mileage
- -35% in abrasion
Dry
In dry braking, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stops in 39.9 meters, significantly outperforming the Nokian SeasonProof, which takes 46.3 meters to come to a halt—a difference of 6.4 meters. For dry handling, the CrossClimate 2 again takes the lead, navigating at 93.3 km/h compared to the SeasonProof’s 91.8 km/h, a 1.5 km/h advantage. The dry performance of the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is an absolute rock, consistently proving its superiority in both braking and handling on dry roads!
SeasonProof :
- -14% in dry braking
- -2% in dry handling
Noise
In terms of exterior noise, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 registers 71.6 dB, while the Nokian SeasonProof comes in slightly lower at 71.5 dB. The difference is a mere 0.1 dB, showing that there is almost no difference in the noise levels between these two tires.
SeasonProof :
- ~0% in exterior noise (-0.1 dB)
Rolling Resistance
For rolling resistance, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 has a lower value of 7.24 N/kN compared to the Nokian SeasonProof’s 7.72 N/kN. This difference of 0.48 N/kN indicates that the CrossClimate 2 is more efficient, offering better fuel economy and reduced energy loss compared to the SeasonProof.
SeasonProof :
- -6% in rolling resistance
Price
For the 195/55 R16 size, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is priced at €127, while the Nokian SeasonProof costs €88. This makes the SeasonProof 44% cheaper than the CrossClimate 2. While Michelin is positioned as a premium segment tire, Nokian is known for its quality segment positioning for summer tires.
Tire size: 195/55 R16
Difference: -44% cheaper for SeasonProof
Expert’s Perspective
As a tire expert, I can say that both the Michelin CrossClimate 2 and Nokian SeasonProof offer distinct advantages in their own right. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 excels with its proven dry performance, lower rolling resistance for better fuel efficiency, and superior wet braking, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing safety and performance across various conditions. On the other hand, the Nokian SeasonProof stands out with its impressive mileage and slightly better snow handling, along with a more affordable price point, making it an excellent choice for those who seek quality winter performance and value for money. Ultimately, the best tire depends on your specific driving needs and budget.
Dr Edwin Pang