Toyo Celsius Sport vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 — Battle of the 3PMSF Titans! Two 3-peak mountain certified heavyweights, built for year-round mastery. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 has long been the benchmark for all-weather tires, but the Toyo Celsius Sport, with its sportier edge, is ready to challenge the throne. Can both truly compete against the very best in class? Get ready — this is a showdown you don’t want to miss!
Table of Contents
Results: Toyo Celsius Sport vs Michelin CrossClimate 2
Results below were taken from the Tire Rack’s “Premium Touring Tires to Elevating the Journey – 2024” test. A total of 8 tires were tested this time around in Tire Rack’s own proving ground. The graph below shows the comparison between Toyo Celsius Sport vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 based on the relevant performance category. The Toyo Celsius Sport was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for subjective evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if tire A is graded 7 while tire B is graded 6, A is better than B by 5%.
As both tires are categorized as all season tires, Tire Rack has included snow & ice in its testing portfolio. The tire size of interest is 215/55R17 which is a common tire size for Chevrolet Cruze Eco & Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a 2025 Toyota Camry.
Wet
In wet braking from 60 mph, the Toyo Celsius Sport stops 6 feet longer than the Michelin CrossClimate 2, a 4% longer distance. During wet handling subjective ratings, the Celsius Sport scores 0.69 points higher than the CrossClimate 2, representing a 3% advantage. On the wet handling lap, the Celsius Sport is 0.84 seconds faster than the CrossClimate 2, translating to a 2% quicker lap. Overall, while the CrossClimate 2 holds a clear edge in straight-line braking, the Celsius Sport counters with sharper wet handling and faster lap times.
CrossClimate 2 :
- +4% in wet braking
- -3% in wet handling (subj)
- -2% in wet handling (lap time)
Dry
In dry braking from 60 mph, the Toyo Celsius Sport stops 9 feet longer than the Michelin CrossClimate 2, a 7% longer distance. This shows that while the Celsius Sport brings solid wet handling performance, the CrossClimate 2 clearly delivers a stronger edge in straight-line stopping power on dry surfaces.
CrossClimate 2 :
- +7% in dry braking
Noise/Comfort/Ride Quality
In terms of noise, comfort, and ride quality, the Toyo Celsius Sport scores 7.67 out of 10, slightly higher than the Michelin CrossClimate 2 at 7.58 out of 10. This 0.09-point gap gives the Celsius Sport a negligible 0% advantage.
CrossClimate 2 :
- ~0% in average of Noise, Comfort & Ride Quality.
Snow
In snow braking from 25 to 0 mph, the Toyo Celsius Sport takes 19.6 feet longer to stop than the Michelin CrossClimate 2, a 35% longer distance. In snow acceleration from 0 to 12 mph, the Celsius Sport covers the distance 10.2 feet further than the CrossClimate 2, a 39% slower acceleration. For subjective snow handling, the Celsius Sport scores 5.50 out of 10, while the CrossClimate 2 scores a much higher 6.42 out of 10, translating to a 17% advantage. On the snow handling lap, the Celsius Sport is 5.37 seconds slower than the CrossClimate 2, a 10% difference.
The results are undeniable — when it comes to snow, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 dominates the Celsius Sport across every metric, delivering significantly stronger braking, faster acceleration, sharper handling, and quicker lap times.
CrossClimate 2 :
- +35% in Snow braking
- +38% in Snow Acceleration
- +5% in Snow handling (subj)
- +10% in Snow handling(lap time)
Ice
In ice braking from 12 to 0 mph, the Toyo Celsius Sport stops 16.3 feet longer than the Michelin CrossClimate 2, a 35% longer distance. For ice acceleration over 60 feet, the Celsius Sport is 0.49 seconds slower than the CrossClimate 2, translating to an 8% difference.
The gap on ice further highlights the Michelin CrossClimate 2’s clear advantage, combining faster stops and stronger traction when conditions are at their worst.
CrossClimate 2 :
- +35% in Ice braking
- +8% in Ice acceleration
Wear/UTQG rating
Both the Toyo Celsius Sport and the Michelin CrossClimate 2 come with a 60,000-mile warranty. However, their UTQG ratings tell a different story. The Celsius Sport has a treadwear rating of 420, while the CrossClimate 2 is rated at 640, giving the Michelin a 52% higher treadwear rating. This suggests the CrossClimate 2 is designed for significantly better longevity.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyo | Celsius Sport | All | 420 | A | A |
| Michelin | CrossClimate 2 | All | 640 | B | A |
Price
For tire size 215/55R17, the Toyo Celsius Sport costs $150, while the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is priced at $209. This makes the CrossClimate 2 39% more expensive than the Celsius Sport.
Tire size: 215/55R17
- Celsius Sport : $ 150
- CrossClimate 2 : $ 209
Difference: +39% more expensive for CrossClimate 2.
Summary
From a tire expert’s view, the Toyo Celsius Sport impresses with its sharper wet handling, quicker wet lap times, and slightly better ride comfort, making it a great choice for drivers who prioritize sporty all-weather performance at a lower price. However, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 clearly dominates in critical areas like dry braking, snow and ice performance, and treadwear longevity, offering a higher level of year-round safety and long-term value. Both tires have their strengths — it just depends on whether you want sharper handling or all-out confidence in winter conditions.
Dr Edwin Pang