Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Continental AllSeasonContact 2: The Ultimate Showdown! –> The wait is finally over! The first official press test for the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 is out, and it’s about to send ripples through the tire industry. For those who’ve been closely following, the AllSeasonContact 2 has been a beacon of hope, a testament to Continental’s commitment to innovation and high performance. This new contender, the latest iteration in the AllSeasonContact lineage, promises significant advancements in several crucial parameters.
Dry handling and braking? Improved. Wet braking? Better than ever. Rolling resistance and mileage? Both have seen remarkable enhancements, offering a harmonious amalgamation of performance features. It’s a tire crafted for those who demand excellence in every season and every road condition. However, while it boasts several refinements over its predecessor, some areas like comfort, snow handling, and aquaplaning resistance are yet to see any major leap. These aspects remind us of the intricate dance in tire design where elevating one performance trait might come at the expense of another.
But the question that is on everyone’s lips is this: Can the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 challenge, or perhaps even dethrone, the reigning champion of the all-season domain, the Michelin CrossClimate 2? As the fervor intensifies, enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike are eager to find out if the best in the market has finally met its match.
Stay tuned as we dive deep into this epic showdown to see if Continental’s promises manifest on the tarmac, and how it stacks up against the unparalleled prowess of the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
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Results: Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Continental AllSeasonContact 2
Results below were taken from the 2023 Auto Bild All Season Test. A whopping 35 tires were tested this time around with only 16 tires making it into the final round. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Continental AllSeasonContact 2 based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Update: Auto Bild has updated the full range of results. Please see below for the wet, snow, dry, wear & rolling resistance results.
Auto Bild did the full range of test including snow & the expensive wear test. The tire size of interest is a 225/45 R17 which is a common tire size for Volvo S60 & BMW 3 Series. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a BMW 3 series.
Wet Showdown:
Wet performance is crucial for all-season tires. In wet braking, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 stops at 45.4 meters, 1.6 meters better than the Michelin CrossClimate 2’s 47 meters. For wet handling, the Continental averages 74.6 km/h, 1.9 km/h faster than the Michelin’s 72.7 km/h. On the wet circle test, the Continental completes in 11.96 seconds, narrowly ahead of the Michelin’s 11.99 seconds by 0.03 seconds.
In straight aquaplaning, the Michelin handles up to 79 km/h, 2.9 km/h better than the Continental’s 76.1 km/h maximum slipping speed. In curved aquaplaning, the Michelin achieves a max centripetal acceleration of 3.29 m/s², surpassing the Continental’s 2.95 m/s² by 0.34 m/s².
AllSeasonContact 2 :
- +4% in wet braking
- +3% in wet handling
- ~0% in wet circle
- -4% in aquaplaning
- -10% in lateral aquaplaning
Snow
In all-season tires, snow performance is crucial. For snow braking, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stops at 23 meters, slightly better than the Continental AllSeasonContact 2’s 23.2 meters, a difference of 0.2 meters. In snow traction, the Michelin achieves 2765 N, outperforming the Continental’s 2744 N by 21 N.
For snow handling, the Michelin averages 58.1 km/h, edging out the Continental’s 57.4 km/h by 0.7 km/h. In the snow slalom test, the Michelin reaches a max centripetal acceleration of 4.27 m/s², narrowly surpassing the Continental’s 4.23 m/s² by 0.04 m/s².
AllSeasonContact 2 :
- -1% in snow braking
- -1% in snow traction
- -1% in snow handling
- -1% in snow slalom
Wear
As a tire expert, I emphasize that wear performance is essential for value and sustainability. A tire that lasts longer reduces replacement frequency and waste. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 and Continental AllSeasonContact 2 are top contenders in this regard. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 offers a wear lifespan of 57,046 kilometers, ranking 5th on the wear chart. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 lasts slightly longer at 58,923 kilometers, placing 3rd.
In conclusion, both the Michelin CrossClimate 2 and the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 excel in wear performance, with the Continental having a slight edge. Their durability and sustainability make them standout choices for consumers.
AllSeasonContact 2 :
- +3% in mileage
Dry Duel:
When evaluating all-season tires, their dry road performance is crucial, as most driving occurs in these conditions. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is known for its exceptional dry performance, prompting a comparison with the Continental AllSeasonContact 2. In dry braking, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stops in 37.7 meters, outperforming the Continental AllSeasonContact 2, which requires 40.4 meters. This shows a clear advantage for the CrossClimate 2.
In dry handling, the CrossClimate 2 also excels, achieving an average lap time speed of 89.2 km/h, compared to the AllSeasonContact 2’s 87.8 km/h. In conclusion, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 dominates dry performance, both in braking and handling, making it the superior choice for dry conditions.
AllSeasonContact 2 :
- -7% in dry braking
- -2% in dry handling
Noise
In exterior noise, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 records 72.6 dB, while the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 is slightly quieter at 72.3 dB, a difference of 0.3 dB. Both the Michelin CrossClimate 2 and the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 produce similar noise levels, with only a slight difference of 0.3 dB.
AllSeasonContact 2 :
- ~0% in exterior noise (-0.3 dB)
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance is crucial for tire efficiency, impacting fuel consumption and environmental impact. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 has a rolling resistance of 7.69 N/kN and a fuel consumption of 5.48 l/100km, while the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 has a rolling resistance of 7.68 N/kN and a fuel consumption of 5.56 l/100km. The 0.01 N/kN difference in rolling resistance makes them virtually identical, with the CrossClimate 2 slightly better in fuel efficiency.
AllSeasonContact 2 :
- ~0% in rolling resistance
- -1% in fuel consumption
Price
For tire size 205/55 R16, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 costs €100, while the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 is priced at €88. The AllSeasonContact 2 is 14% cheaper.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
- CrossClimate 2: €100
- AllSeasonContact 2: €88
Difference: -14% more cheaper for AllSeasonContact 2.
Expert’s Perspective on Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs. Continental AllSeasonContact 2
Having closely analyzed countless tires over the years, I can confidently say that the competition between the Michelin CrossClimate 2 and the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 stands out as one of the closest I’ve seen. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 has indeed come a long way, with its slight edge in wet performance and wear, showcasing the brand’s dedication to continuous improvement.
On the other hand, the Michelin CrossClimate 2, while being marginally ahead in snow conditions, undisputedly retains its title as the “dry king,” reflecting Michelin’s prowess in optimizing for dry conditions.
However, through the lens of an expert, it’s evident that there’s barely a hair’s breadth between these two top-notch all-season tires. They both bring a plethora of strengths to the table, with only minute differences setting them apart. For consumers, it truly boils down to what minor details matter most to them in their driving conditions. It’s a great time to be in the market for tires, as such fierce competition only pushes the boundaries of what’s possible further, guaranteeing outstanding products for the end-user.
Dr Edwin Pang