Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Defender 2 (Updated)

Although the Michelin Defender 2 isn’t an all-weather tire like the CrossClimate 2, it still provides a pretty appreciable performance in a lot of key areas. Let’s see how this standard touring tire compares with its bigger brother.

Key Takeaway

So here’s the main takeaway here.

The Michelin CC2 provides:

• Better grip and high-speed stability in dry conditions
• Superior winter performance with 3PMSF certification
• Excellent curved hydroplaning resistance in wet conditions
• Stronger durability with 2-ply polyester casing and thicker steel belts
• Slightly lower fuel efficiency due to heavier weight

On the other side, the Defender 2 provides:

• Better fuel economy thanks to lighter construction
• Longer tread life with an 85,000-mile warranty
• A quieter and more comfortable ride
• M+S rating for light winter conditions (no 3PMSF certification)
• Ideal for drivers prioritizing comfort, longevity, and fuel savings

Sizes Specs

Features	Defender 2	CrossClimate 2
Rim Sizes	16 to 20 inches	16 to 22 inches
Speed Ratings	H (on all sizes)	H and V
Load Ratings	SL and XL	SL and XL
Tread Depth	10.5/32″ (on all sizes)	10.5/32″ (on all sizes)
Weight Range	25 to 32 lbs	25 to 36.5 lbs
Winter Ratings	M+S (no 3PMSF)	3PMSF (on all sizes)
Treadwear Warranty	85,000 miles	60,000 miles
Detailed Review	Defender 2 Review	CrossClimate 2 Review

Main Tread Features

The Michelin Defender 2 features a unique and crowded symmetric pattern.

It’s a 5 rib (block column) design, where you get very longitudinally aligned 3 central ribs.

Out of them, the central-most rib, is continuous running, (not broken up by lateral voids, as seen on adjacent ribs).

Though both of them have full depth interlocking sipes, (needed for wet traction).

Together these ribs form four circumferential channels of nearly identical width, each contributing to formidable hydroplaning resistance.

Moving towards the shoulders, the elongated lugs here have more linear voids in between (relatively).

These voids connect seamlessly with the “J” shaped voids (towards sidewalls), providing this tire with superior noise comfort, (I’ll talk about it more in its respective section).

In contrast, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is totally different, where it exhibits a distinctive, (very well engineered), directional tread pattern.

Its long, sweeping arms interweave with each other, providing epic snow scooping, and water dispersion capabilities.

These lugs are divided up with (slanted) longitudinal slits, separating central area from the shoulders.

Here, the shoulder lugs have the widest of all tread voids, and they come equipped with mere rectilinear siping.

While the lugs in the middle are more crowded up, and feature a combination of linear and interlocking (wave-like) siping pattern, allowing for decent wet traction (particularly in terms of directional grip).

Moreover, these central lugs also carry biters on their edges, (technically called called snow-vices, in the tire world).

They help in biting into all types of snowy terrains, including deep fluffy snow and even ice.

Side Note: I’d like to mention that I’ve included these tires in my top AS tires posts. I mean, the Defender 2 has earned a spot on my list of top standard touring tires with its superb tread longevity. Meanwhile, the CrossClimate 2, with its superior “braking” grip, has made it onto my list of the best grand touring tires.

Dry Road Performance

Overall dry performance can be divided into two key areas: grip and handling.

Grip is typically evaluated by measuring braking distances and lateral g-forces, while handling is assessed through lap times, where steering response plays a critical role.

Let’s talk braking first. Now this is CC2’s strongest performance aspect. In fact it provides one of the shortest braking distances even in its grand touring all season category.

However, its softer and heavier construction impacts its handling. The tire’s lugs tend to flex more, creating a slight delay as they return to their original shape, which affects steering feedback and makes it less responsive compared to the Defender 2.

Additionally, during cornering, the CrossClimate 2’s directional tread pattern and more voided design struggle to maintain the same level of contact patch and stability as the Defender.

So (on a turn) as the tire’s weight shifts toward the shoulders due to centripetal force, the Defender’s design provides better balance and control.

For a deeper understanding of the different all-season tire categories and their strengths, consider reading this comprehensive guide: https://tiredriver.com/different-types-of-all-season-tires/

Winter Performance

Winter performance is where standard touring tires lack the most. So its not a surprise that grand touring CrossClimate 2 with its all weather compound provides a much better performance overall.

The CC2’s V shaped swooping lugs simply offer a lot better snow/slush scooping abilities, generating far better acceleration (forward momentum on snow).

So it makes sense why it has that 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating, unlike its counterpart.

The Defender 2 basically lacks ample biters and, of course, “swooping lugs,” and the tire’s rubber compound also lacks thermal adaptability.

So with freezing temperatures, the sipes and biters get stiffer, thereby reducing their bite.

Wet Performance

In wet conditions, grand touring tires offer much better performance compared to standard touring tires. And same is the case here.

Basically on wet roads, the ability of tires to rapidly displace water is crucial. This is because water is not compressible (and has to go somewhere). And if its not able to go out of the tread, it leads to slippage or floating of the tire, which is basically hydroplaning. And to address this, tires are designed with grooves, which are essential for the swift expulsion of water.

Now the CrossClimate 2 with its directional tread pattern, has a clear advantage here. Its V-shaped channels are especially effective at directing water outward from the center toward the shoulders.

Adding to this, the tire features a mix of interlocking sipes in the middle and linear sipes on the shoulders. Together, these absorb leftover moisture, providing superior lateral and directional grip.

Now, you might ask: why does the Defender 2, with its numerous full-depth sipes, fall short here? The answer lies in its stiffer rubber compound, which limits the effectiveness of those sipes.

This is a key reason why most standard touring tires, including the Defender, struggle to match the performance of grand touring tires in wet conditions.

CrossClimate 2 simply offers a better and more advanced design and materials, which give it a clear edge in wet handling, braking and overall steering.

Durability Difference

The Michelin Defender 2 being a standard touring tire, is less durable here, which is not a surprise.

Instead of using a typical 2-ply polyester carcass as seen on a majority of grand touring all season tires, it only yields a single ply.

So it offers limited durability here. Though you still get 2 steel belts on top, with a single nylon cap ply.

On the other hand, the grand touring, Michelin CrossClimate 2 has a sturdier construction with 2-ply polyester casing, besides having wider steel belts and a polyamide cap on top.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel efficiency and tread life, both highly depend on a multitude of factors, including weight, tread composition, and design.

So it makes sense why the Michelin CrossClimate 2, with its heftier build, experiences a decline in fuel efficiency, as that increases rolling resistance.

Basically having a heavier structure with softer tread compound, the tire’s lugs get to face more pressure on them, and they want to stick with the surface (they’re on) with greater force, subsequently increasing fuel consumption.

On the other hand, the Defender 2, which not only weighs less, but also has a more streamlined longitudinal ribs supply you with better fuel economy.

The tire comes with a mere single polyester carcass in its internal construction, so all lugs get to carry less weight pressure on themselves, decreasing rolling resistance and improving fuel efficiency.

Overall Comfort Quality

So for overall comfort, we compare road noise and how well these tires can handle bumps.

Road Noise

Noise gets generated with air particles hitting the walls of the tread. This air basically enters (for the most part), from the shoulder voids, so that should mean the Crossclimate 2 would be louder.

Though that’s not really the case. It’s on-road noise levels are only slightly greater than Defender.

This is because of the tire’s directional tread pattern, that streamlines air flow. With such a structure, air particles escape the tread without impacting the tread walls too much, while the little noise that does get generated, is handled by it’s more effective pitch sequencing technology.

This technology basically dampens down the noise levels by creating different pitches across the tread, and those varying frequencies cancel out each other.

But yes, overall, the Defender 2 comes out as a quieter option thanks to its packed up shoulders. Its lugs basically have connectors/ridges in between which prevent a lot of air to get inside the tread in the first place, killing noise at the source.

Road Vibrations

Just like the noise, both tires also do great when it comes to impact comfort.

On one side the Michelin Defender 2 features internal construction that contains fewer polymer layers, resulting in a slightly spongier tread, that effectively absorbs road irregularities.

Though this does compromise its durability a little, I’ll talk about that in the upcoming sub-topic.

On the other hand, although the CrossClimate 2 features a stiffer internal build, its outer rubber is just as adept at soaking up the bumps, so you get similar performance from this tire.

BTW, compared to other grand touring tires, CC2’s performance is actually below average.

Summary & Conclusion

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 takes the lead in dry conditions, with better grip and high-speed stability, and is superior in winter and wet conditions.

Plus, it also has slightly better durability due to its 2-ply polyester casing, and thicker steel belts. Though this also causes it to have a heavier weight, which leads to lower fuel efficiency.

And that’s where the Michelin Defender 2 comes in, showcasing superior fuel economy and much better overall tread longevity.

Plus it also quieter too, exhibiting better road comfort overall.

What’s your experience with these tires? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!