Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Dunlop Sport All Season: Welcome to our latest tire showdown! In this epic all-season battle, we’re pitting the Michelin CrossClimate 2 against the Dunlop Sport All Season. Both launched in 2020, these tires represent the pinnacle of all-season performance. Michelin’s CrossClimate 2 has long been hailed as the undisputed king, renowned for its exceptional performance in all weather conditions. But can the Goodyear-owned Dunlop Sport All Season challenge the reigning champion and prove itself as a worthy contender?
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Results: Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Dunlop Sport All Season
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 Dunlop Sport All Season 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 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
In wet braking, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stops in 47 meters, slightly better than the Dunlop Sport All Season, which stops in 47.4 meters. When it comes to wet handling, the Dunlop Sport All Season performs better with an average speed of 74.5 km/h, compared to the CrossClimate 2’s 72.7 km/h. However, in straight-line aquaplaning resistance, the CrossClimate 2 excels with a slipping speed of 79 km/h, outperforming the Dunlop Sport All Season’s 72.3 km/h.
Sport All Season :
- -1% in wet braking
- +2% in wet handling
- -8% in aquaplaning
Snow
In snow braking, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stops in 23 meters, which is shorter than the Dunlop Sport All Season’s 23.9 meters. For snow traction, the CrossClimate 2 again leads with a pulling force of 2765 N, outperforming the Dunlop Sport All Season’s 2587 N. When it comes to snow handling, the CrossClimate 2 averages a speed of 58.1 km/h, ahead of the Dunlop Sport All Season’s 56.2 km/h.
Sport All Season :
- -4% in snow braking
- -6% in snow traction
- -3% in snow handling
Wear
In terms of mileage performance, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 far outperforms the Dunlop Sport All Season, lasting 57,046 kilometers compared to Dunlop’s 39,489 kilometers. This significant difference highlights Michelin’s superior durability. Despite the challenge of balancing wet performance with mileage, the CrossClimate 2 maintains its edge, offering excellent longevity without compromising its wet weather capabilities.
Sport All Season :
- -31% in mileage
Dry
In dry braking, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stops in 37.7 meters, significantly better than the Dunlop Sport All Season, which stops in 42.5 meters. For dry handling, the CrossClimate 2 also outperforms the Dunlop with an average speed of 89.2 km/h compared to Dunlop’s 88 km/h.
Sport All Season :
- -11% in dry braking
- -1% in dry handling
Noise
In terms of exterior noise, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is quieter, producing 72.6 dB compared to the Dunlop Sport All Season’s 74.2 dB. This difference makes the CrossClimate 2 the more comfortable choice for reducing road noise.
Sport All Season :
- -2% in exterior noise (+1.6 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In terms of rolling resistance, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 and the Dunlop Sport All Season are effectively the same. The CrossClimate 2 has a rolling resistance of 7.69 N/kN, while the Dunlop Sport All Season has a nearly identical rolling resistance of 7.68 N/kN, showing no significant difference between the two.
Sport All Season :
- ~0% in rolling resistance
Price
When comparing prices for the 205/55 R16 tire size, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 costs €110, while the Dunlop Sport All Season is priced at €92. This makes the Dunlop Sport All Season 20% cheaper than the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
Difference: -20% less cheaper for Sport All Season
Expert’s Perspective
As a tire expert, I can confidently conclude that the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is the clear winner in this comparison. It excels in nearly every performance category, including wet and dry braking, snow traction, handling, and overall mileage. Despite the higher price, its superior durability and performance in diverse conditions make it a worthwhile investment. The CrossClimate 2 also manages to balance wet performance with impressive mileage, maintaining its edge in critical areas without compromise. This comprehensive excellence solidifies its position as the top all-season tire choice.
Dr Edwin Pang