Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 vs Michelin CrossClimate 3: Previously, we pit the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 against the sporty CrossClimate 3 Sport. But now, it’s time for the real clash — SF3 vs the standard Michelin CrossClimate 3. Both are brand-new 2024/25 launches, both carry the 3PMSF badge, and both claim to be the future of all-season performance. It’s the ultimate battle of comfort, grip, and year-round versatility — who will come out on top? Let’s find out.
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Results: Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 vs Michelin CrossClimate 3
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 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 Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stops 2.96 meters shorter than the Michelin CrossClimate 3, a 9% advantage. Around the wet handling track, the Pirelli completes the lap 4.4 seconds faster, translating to a 4% gain. Subjectively, the Pirelli is also rated slightly better with a 0.25-point lead, a 1% improvement. In straight-line aquaplaning, the SF3 resists aquaplaning at 3.37 km/h higher speed than the CrossClimate 3, which is a 4% edge.
Overall, the Pirelli SF3 clearly outperforms the CrossClimate 3 in all wet conditions, offering stronger braking, sharper handling, and better aquaplaning resistance.
CrossClimate 3:
- -9% in wet braking
- -4% in wet handling
- -1% in wet handling (subjective)
- -4% 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:
- -1% in snow braking
- +3% in snow traction
- +2% in snow handling
Mileage
Based on AutoBild’s 2024 all-season tire test, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 achieved 42,330 km, while the Michelin CrossClimate 2 reached 62,680 km. Since the newer CrossClimate 3 is about 15% better in mileage than the CC2, its estimated lifespan is around 72,082 km. Compared to the SF3, that’s a 29,752 km advantage — or approximately 70% longer mileage.
CrossClimate 3:
- +70% in mileage
Dry
In dry braking, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 stops 1.95 meters shorter than the Michelin CrossClimate 3, a 5% advantage. On thve dry handling lap, the Pirelli is 0.85 seconds quicker, translating to a 1% edge. Both tires are rated equally in subjective dry handling with 9.5 points. Overall, the Pirelli SF3 holds a slight lead in dry performance, stopping shorter and lapping faster, while both tires feel equally confident behind the wheel.
CrossClimate 3:
- -5% in dry braking
- -1% in dry handling
- 0% in dry handling (subjective)
NVH
In subjective comfort, the Michelin CrossClimate 3 scores 0.75 points higher than the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3, an 4% advantage. For subjective noise, the Michelin also leads by 0.5 points, a 3% edge.
CrossClimate 3:
- +4% in subjective comfort
- +3% in subjective noise
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance, the Michelin CrossClimate 3 registers 7.8 N/kN compared to 8.1 N/kN for the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3. That gives the Michelin a 0.3 N/kN advantage, or roughly 4% lower rolling resistance.
CrossClimate 3:
- +4% in rolling resistance
Price
For tire size 225/40R18, the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 is priced at €106, while the Michelin CrossClimate 3 costs €132. That makes the CrossClimate 3 about 25% more expensive than the SF3.
Tire size: 225/40R18
- Cinturato All Season SF3 : € 106
- CrossClimate 3 : € 132
Difference: +25% more expensive for CrossClimate 3
Conclusion
As a tire expert, I see clear strengths in both. The Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 excels in wet and dry braking, offers sharp handling, and comes at a more affordable price — making it a solid performance-driven value pick. Meanwhile, the Michelin CrossClimate 3 stands out with superior comfort, lower rolling resistance, and exceptional mileage, making it the ideal choice for long-term daily driving and all-season refinement.
Dr Edwin Pang