Introducing the Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Hankook Kinergy 4S2, a showdown between two exceptional all-season tires that have been garnering significant attention for their strong performance in press tests. These innovative tire models promise to deliver outstanding driving experiences across various weather conditions, leaving drivers and automotive experts eager to see how they measure up against one another. Join us as we delve into the key features and capabilities of these two formidable contenders, assessing their performance and value in the ever-evolving tire market.
Table of Contents
Results
Results below were taken from the 2022 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test. A total of 10 tires were tested this time around. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Hankook Kinergy 4S2 based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
As both tires are categorized as all season tires with a 3 peak mountain logo on it, an extensive snow testing was conducted. However ice testing was left out which was quite disappointing to our dismay. Note that for subjective comfort evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. The tire size of interest is a 225/45R17 which is a common tire size for Audi A3 and Hyundai Elantra. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Volkswagen Golf.
Wet
The coefficient of friction between tires and the road surface decreases dramatically on wet roads compared to dry ones. Consequently, there is a higher likelihood of experiencing a road accident in wet conditions rather than on a sunny day. This factor is so significant that the EU label includes wet braking as one of its three criteria.
It may be hard to believe, but the once all-season wet maestro, Michelin CrossClimate 2, was outperformed by Hankook’s Kinergy 4S2 in all performance criteria. Kinergy 4S2 performed notably well against CrossClimate 2 in wet braking, stopping 0.6 meters earlier. Additionally, it became apparent that Kinergy 4S2 was the superior tire in wet handling, as it was 1.9 seconds faster than CrossClimate 2 in wet handling lap times. Kinergy 4S2’s wet braking and handling performance was undeniably evident, as it finished 2nd in both tests out of the 9 other tires.
The trend continued in aquaplaning, with Kinergy 4S2 edging ahead with an aquaplaning slip speed of 80.5 km/h, compared to CrossClimate 2’s 78.8 km/h. Kinergy 4S2 also had a +1m/s2 advantage in curved aquaplaning. It was crowned the best aquaplaning tire in the competition, taking home the top spot among the 9 other competitors. Overall, in the wet category, Kinergy 4S2 demonstrated clear dominance over CrossClimate 2 in all wet performance areas.
Kinergy 4S2 :
- +1.9% in wet braking
- +2% in wet handling (lap time)
- +2.2% in straight aquaplaning
- +15.4% in curve aquaplaning
Dry
In dry conditions, safety is typically not as much of a concern, since braking distances are significantly longer than on wet surfaces. However, as this is the default daily usage scenario, tires must perform consistently well. This is where CrossClimate 2 regains some dignity, claiming the title of best dry braking tire in the competition, while Kinergy 4S2 takes second place with a 0.6-meter difference in braking distance between them. These two tires undoubtedly make the best pair when it comes to dry braking.
As for dry handling performance, both tires were evenly matched, each finishing with an average lap time of 79.3 seconds. These results consistently demonstrate that having excellent dry braking performance does not necessarily guarantee equally impressive dry handling performance. Overall, on dry surfaces, CrossClimate 2 holds a slight advantage due to its marginal lead in dry braking.
Kinergy 4S2 :
- -1.5% in dry braking
- 0% in dry handling (lap time)
Noise
In the exterior noise test, Kinergy 4S2 demonstrated a slightly quieter performance compared to CrossClimate 2. The pass-by noise value, which measures the noise generated by the tire as it rolls on the road surface, was recorded at 69.4 dB for Kinergy 4S2. This value is 0.2 dB lower than the 69.6 dB registered for CrossClimate 2. Although the difference is small, it indicates that Kinergy 4S2 produces marginally less noise when in motion, potentially contributing to a more comfortable and quieter driving experience for both the vehicle’s occupants and those nearby.
Kinergy 4S2 :
- +0.3% in exterior noise (-0.2 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In the realm of all-season tires, rolling resistance is often not the highest priority for engineers, as they must balance the conflicting demands of winter and summer performance. However, with the growing emphasis on sustainability, rolling resistance has become a widely-used competitive marketing tool, as it is easily visible in label values.
Both CrossClimate 2 and Kinergy 4S2 are labeled “B” in the EU rolling resistance ranking. Based on these label values, one might expect a close margin in terms of rolling resistance. However, when measuring the actual rolling resistance coefficient values, the expectations were not met. CrossClimate 2 boasted a lower rolling resistance coefficient value of 7.9 N/kN, which was the best result in the competition. In contrast, Kinergy 4S2 registered an 8.5 N/kN rolling resistance coefficient, a value that does not accurately reflect its “B” status based on the EU rolling resistance regulation. As demonstrated on multiple occasions, the EU labels sometimes fail to accurately represent a tire’s true performance.
Kinergy 4S2 :
- -7.1% in rolling resistance
Snow
As is the case for most all-season tires in the European market, both Kinergy 4S2 and CrossClimate 2 come with the 3-peak mountain snowflake symbol, legally certifying them as winter tires. In simpler terms, both Kinergy 4S2 and CrossClimate 2 must pass a legal snow test to qualify as 3-peak mountain snowflake tires.
CrossClimate 2 demonstrated its strength in snow traction by taking only 5.5 seconds to accelerate from 5-40 km/h, while Weather Control A005 EVO required 6 seconds. Snow braking was once again dominated by CrossClimate 2, as it outperformed Kinergy 4S2 by 1.3 meters. CrossClimate 2 also took the lead in snow handling, with a lap time advantage of 4.3 seconds. Overall, the test results clearly indicate that CrossClimate 2 performs significantly better in snowy conditions compared to Kinergy 4S2.
Kinergy 4S2 :
- -3.7% in snow braking
- -8.3% in snow traction
- -3.8% in snow handling (lap times)
Price
As one would expect from Michelin, a renowned premium brand, the CrossClimate 2 comes with a higher price tag compared to many other options in the market, reflecting its reputation for quality and performance. In this instance, the CrossClimate 2 is priced $34 higher than the Kinergy 4S2.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
Kinergy 4S2 : $140
CrossClimate 2: $174
Difference: -24% more cheaper for Kinergy 4S2.
Summary
In summary, the CrossClimate 2 exhibits exceptional performance in snow, rolling resistance and dry braking, while the Kinergy 4S2 excels in wet conditions. Making a clear recommendation is challenging in this case, as the ideal choice depends on your specific needs and driving conditions. If snow performance is a critical consideration for your all-season tire usage, the CrossClimate 2 would be a wise choice. On the other hand, if your driving location experiences minimal winter weather, the Kinergy 4S2 might be a more suitable option. Enjoy your drive and stay safe!