Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 vs Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport — it’s the ultimate clash of all-season titans! On one side, the SF3, Pirelli’s latest weapon in the fiercely competitive all-season segment. On the other, Michelin’s bold new CrossClimate 3 Sport — the innovative sportier take on what many call the best all-season tire ever made. Can the CrossClimate 3 Sport live up to its legendary name and outshine the SF3? Let’s dive into this epic battle!
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Results: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 vs Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport
Results below were taken from the 2025 Tyre Review’s Michelin CrossClimate 3 and 3 Sport VS Rivals Test. The graph below shows the comparison between Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 vs Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport based on the relevant performance category. The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 tire was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
The tire size of interest is a 225/40R18 which is a common tire size for Audi A3 or BMW 3 series. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Volkswagen Golf.
Wet
In wet braking, the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport stops 0.09 meters shorter than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3, a tiny 0% difference. In wet handling, the SF3 is quicker, completing the lap 0.73 seconds faster than the CrossClimate 3 Sport, or about 1% better. When it comes to subjective wet handling, the CrossClimate 3 Sport edges ahead by 0.25 points, roughly 1% higher in driver rating. However, in straight-line aquaplaning, the SF3 dominates with a 5.65 km/h higher resistance speed, or about 8% better than the CrossClimate 3 Sport.
Overall, while both tires are very close in braking and subjective feel, the SF3 clearly takes the lead in aquaplaning in wet conditions.
CrossClimate 3 Sport :
- ~0% in wet braking
- -1% in wet handling
- +1% in wet handling (subjective)
- -7% in aquaplaning
Snow
In snow braking, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stops 0.03 meters shorter than the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport, which is effectively a 0% difference. In snow traction, the CrossClimate 3 Sport accelerates 0.11 seconds quicker than the SF3, making it about 2% better. In snow handling, the CrossClimate 3 Sport completes the lap 0.77 seconds faster, also about 1% better than the SF3.
Overall, both tires deliver almost identical braking, but the CrossClimate 3 Sport shows a slight edge in traction and handling on snow.
CrossClimate 3 Sport :
- ~0% in snow braking
- +2% in snow traction
- +1% in snow handling
Mileage
The mileage result for the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport is an estimate based on data from the AutoBild 2024 all-season tire test. In that test, the CrossClimate 2 achieved 62,680 km, while the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 managed 42,330 km. Since the CrossClimate 3 is around 15% better in mileage than the CrossClimate 2, and the 3 Sport is roughly 10% worse than the CrossClimate 3, we estimate the CrossClimate 3 Sport at about 65,814 km. This puts it 23,484 km ahead of the SF3, or about 55% better in expected mileage.
CrossClimate 3 Sport :
- +55% in mileage
Dry
In dry braking, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stops 0.53 meters shorter than the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport, making it about 1% better. In dry handling, the CrossClimate 3 Sport is faster around the lap by 0.8 seconds, which is roughly 1% quicker than the SF3. For subjective dry handling, the CrossClimate 3 Sport scores 0.5 points higher, or about 2.5% better in driver rating.
Overall, while the SF3 has a slight edge in braking, the CrossClimate 3 Sport delivers a sharper, faster, and more enjoyable dry driving experience.
CrossClimate 3 Sport :
- -1% in dry braking
- +1% in dry handling
- +2.5% in dry handling (subjective)
NVH
In subjective comfort, the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport scores 0.25 points higher than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3, about 1% better. In subjective noise, both tires are rated equally at 9.5 points, showing no difference in perceived noise levels.
CrossClimate 3 Sport :
- +1% in subjective comfort
- 0% in subjective noise
Rolling Resistance
The Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport shows lower rolling resistance at 7.6 N/kN compared to 8.1 N/kN for the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3. This makes the CrossClimate 3 Sport about 7% better in rolling efficiency.
CrossClimate 3 Sport :
- +7% in rolling resistance
Conclusion
The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stands out with better wet handling, aquaplaning resistance, and slightly stronger dry braking. Meanwhile, the Michelin CrossClimate 3 Sport shines with sharper dry and snow handling, superior mileage, better rolling resistance, and a small edge in comfort. Both are excellent all-season choices, each with strengths depending on your priority—wet security with the SF3 or all-round sportier performance, mileage and efficiency with the 3 Sport.
Dr Edwin Pang