Premium vs China All Season Tires–> Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Leao iGreen AllSeason : When it comes to choosing all-season tires, many drivers find themselves at a crossroads, deliberating between cost and quality. On one side, there are premium brands like Michelin, synonymous with top-tier performance and reliability. On the other, there’s the allure of extremely budget-friendly options from China, such as Linglong, which also owns the Leao brand among others.
The question is, can Chinese tires like Linglong truly challenge the dominance of Michelin CrossClimate 2 in the all-season segment? This is where the target conflict reaches its zenith. Michelin has long been revered for its superior grip, durability, and overall performance, making it a go-to choice for those who prioritize quality and safety. However, the affordability of Linglong tires, along with their growing reputation for decent performance, presents a compelling alternative for budget-conscious consumers.
This battle between Michelin and Linglong isn’t just about price versus prestige; it’s a showdown that tests the very notion of value in the tire industry. Can the cost-effective solutions from China rival the established excellence of Michelin? This is a debate that continues to rev up interest and analysis among drivers worldwide.
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Results: Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Leao iGreen AllSeason
Results below were taken from the 2023 Tyre Reviews All Season Tyre Test. A total of 12 tires were tested this time around with an intriguing winter & summer refence to gauge the all season performances. The graph below shows the comparison between Premium vs China All Season Tires (Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Leao iGreen AllSeason) 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. Note that for subjective comfort evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. The tire size of interest is a 195/65 R15 which is a common tire size for Toyota Corolla Altis and Volkswagen Beetle. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Volkswagen Golf.
Wet
In comparing the wet performance of Michelin CrossClimate 2 and Leao iGreen AllSeason tires, there’s a noticeable difference, highlighting the challenge in balancing wet performance with other targets like snow handling.
Starting with wet braking, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stops at 30.77 meters from a speed of 80 to 5 km/h, while the Leao iGreen AllSeason takes 38.59 meters. This significant difference of nearly 8 meters underlines Michelin’s superior stopping power in wet conditions. For wet handling, the lap time for Michelin is 60.38 seconds, compared to Leao’s 65.15 seconds. This gap of nearly 5 seconds further illustrates Michelin’s enhanced control and agility on wet surfaces.
Subjective wet handling also favors Michelin, scoring 9.2 points over Leao’s 7 points. This score reflects the driver’s perception of control and response under wet conditions, where Michelin again shows its edge. In straight aquaplaning, where tires are tested for their ability to maintain grip and control in standing water, Michelin reaches a slipping speed of 94 km/h, slightly higher than Leao’s 91.7 km/h. This difference, while smaller, still points to Michelin’s better performance in resisting aquaplaning.
Overall, these tests reveal a considerable gap in wet performance between the two, with Michelin consistently outperforming Leao, especially in critical areas like braking and handling. This difference underscores the challenges faced by budget tires like Leao in meeting diverse performance demands, particularly in balancing wet and snow capabilities.
iGreen AllSeason (Linglong) :
- -20% in wet braking
- -7% in wet handling (lap time)
- -11% in subjective wet handling
- -2% in straight aquaplaning
Snow
In the snow performance comparison between Michelin CrossClimate 2 and Leao iGreen AllSeason tires, the differences are narrower compared to their wet performances, but a significant gap still exists.
For snow braking, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stops at 18.21 meters, while the Leao iGreen AllSeason requires 19.17 meters. This difference of nearly 1 meter in snow conditions shows Michelin’s slightly better stopping capability. Regarding snow traction, measured by acceleration time from 5 to 40 km/h, Michelin completes the task in 5.57 seconds, compared to Leao’s 6.03 seconds. This gap of around half a second suggests Michelin’s superior traction in snowy conditions.
In snow handling, represented by lap time, Michelin again leads with a time of 84.23 seconds, while Leao trails at 89.05 seconds. This difference of nearly 5 seconds highlights Michelin’s enhanced maneuverability and control on snow. Subjective snow handling scores also favor Michelin, which achieves a perfect 10 points, compared to Leao’s 9 out of 10. This score reflects the driver’s perception of the tire’s performance in snow, with Michelin perceived as slightly more effective.
Even though the differences in snow performance are less pronounced than in wet conditions, Michelin still maintains a noticeable edge over Leao in various snow tests. This comparison shows that while budget tires like Leao are closing the gap, premium tires like Michelin still lead in terms of overall snow performance.
iGreen AllSeason (Linglong) :
- -5% in snow braking
- -8% in snow traction
- -5% in snow handling (lap times)
- -5% in subjective snow handling
Dry
In dry conditions, the performance comparison between Michelin CrossClimate 2 and Leao iGreen AllSeason tires shows noticeable differences.
Starting with dry braking, from 100 to 5 km/h, Michelin stops at 38.25 meters, whereas Leao takes 42.94 meters. This gap of nearly 4.7 meters highlights Michelin’s superior stopping power in dry conditions. When it comes to dry handling, measured by lap time, the difference is more subtle. Michelin completes the course in 76.1 seconds, just marginally quicker than Leao’s 76.5 seconds. This minor difference of 0.4 seconds suggests that while Michelin leads, Leao is quite competitive in terms of handling speed on dry surfaces.
In subjective dry handling, which reflects the driver’s perception of control and responsiveness, Michelin scores 9.5 out of 10 points, compared to Leao’s 8 points. This indicates a clearer preference for Michelin’s performance, suggesting better overall feel and control in dry conditions.
Overall, in dry performance, while the differences in handling time are minimal, Michelin demonstrates a significant advantage in braking and subjective handling, indicating a stronger performance in dry conditions compared to Leao.
iGreen AllSeason (Linglong) :
- -11% in dry braking
- -1% in dry handling (lap time)
- -7.5% in subjective dry handling
Comfort
In comfort, Michelin CrossClimate 2 slightly outperforms Leao iGreen AllSeason, scoring 9.8 out of 10 compared to Leao’s 9.2. This narrow lead indicates Michelin’s marginally higher driver-perceived comfort. Both tires offer commendable comfort levels, but Michelin has a slight advantage, aligning with its overall superior performance characteristics.
iGreen AllSeason (Linglong) :
- -3% in subjective comfort
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance, a factor crucial for fuel efficiency, the Leao iGreen AllSeason has a minor edge over the Michelin CrossClimate 2. Leao’s rolling resistance is 7.55 N/kN, marginally lower than Michelin’s 7.69 N/kN. This slight advantage suggests Leao may offer better fuel efficiency, though the overall impact on fuel consumption and driving experience is likely minimal. This is the only area where the more affordable Leao outperforms the premium Michelin, albeit by a small margin.
iGreen AllSeason (Linglong) :
- +2% in rolling resistance
Price
Comparing the Michelin CrossClimate 2 and Leao iGreen AllSeason (size 205/55 R16), there’s a notable price difference: Michelin is priced at €98, while Leao is much cheaper at €61. This 60% lower price for Leao is a major factor for budget-conscious buyers, despite Michelin’s superior performance in various aspects. This significant price gap makes Leao an attractive option for those prioritizing cost savings.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
- CrossClimate 2: € 98
- iGreen AllSeason (Linglong) : € 61
Difference: -60% more cheaper for iGreen AllSeason.
Premium vs China All Season Tires: Summary
As a tire expert, it’s evident from my analysis that while Chinese tires like the Leao iGreen AllSeason offer significant cost savings, they do not match the performance levels of premium options like the Michelin CrossClimate 2. Key differences are seen in wet and dry braking, where Michelin notably outperforms Leao. The only advantage for Leao is its lower price, around 60% cheaper than Michelin. Consumers must understand these trade-offs: opting for Leao means compromising on performance, while choosing Michelin means investing in higher safety and quality. The decision ultimately depends on what you prioritize: cost savings or superior performance and safety.
Dr Edwin Pang