Everyone knows that Canadian winters are truly unique. Some might find them magical, others harrowing, but they leave no one indifferent. Each year, drivers in Quebec are under the obligation of having their vehicle equipped with winter tires.
Some drivers, however, have a preference for all-season winter certified tires, be it for practical purposes or to save money. This article focuses on two high-end all-season tires that are also winter certified: the Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs the Bridgestone WeatherPeak.
How do Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Bridgestone WeatherPeak tires compare?
Designed for touring cars (SUVs, high-performance cars, minivans and more), the Bridgestone WeatherPeak and the Michelin CrossClimate 2 are all-season tire models that are winter certified. In other words, they comply with the obligation of having winter tires installed (from December 1st to March 15th) which is mandatory throughout the province of Quebec, and they are considered a safe choice anywhere in the country.
Both the Michelin and the Bridgestone tire have full-depth 3D sipes for superior performance on wet roads and snow. Moreover, they are both adapted to electric vehicles, given that the reinforced construction allows them to withstand heavier weights. In short, the Bridgestone WeatherPeak and the Michelin CrossClimate 2 have the following features in common:
- All-season tires that are winter certified
- Adapted to electric vehicles
- High-quality products that offer superior levels of comfort and safety
However, in order to achieve this, they both rely on a different tread design. On the one hand, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 has a directional tread design with aggressive V- shaped grooves. Longitudinal grooves separate de center area from the shoulder blocks, where the grooves become wider in order to evacuate water faster.
On the other hand, the Bridgestone WeatherPeak relies on a unique symmetrical design. It is composed of two clear sections: a center area with three ribs, and shoulders with sturdier blocks and a rounder shape. The center area also includes 4- circumferential grooves and zigzag shaped sipes.
Michelin CrossClimate 2: Specs
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 tire has a tread design that promotes optimal durability. With the emerging grooves, it ensures improved traction in the snow. Comfortable and quiet, the CrossClimate 2, with its directional tread design, offers superior stability and traction.
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is known for its remarkable durability (thanks to a tread with a 100,000 km limited warranty) and optimal grip levels on all types of road surfaces.
Thanks to the deep grooves, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 ensures superior performance on wet road surfaces, given that water evacuates almost instantly, which also helps reduce the risks of aquaplaning. Moreover, the Protégez-vous magazine mentions that the Michelin tire offers improved traction in deep snow, and superior resistance to aquaplaning and comfort.
No tire resists loss of performance related to wear. However, Michelin’s innovative technologies have allowed the manufacturer to perfect the CrossClimate 2, from one generation to the next.
The result? Safety levels remain optimal, even when the tire starts to wear. During testing that brought the tire tread down to the legal limit, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 stood out from other tires of the same category (four of its main rivals). It offered superior performance during braking tests that were completed on wet or snow covered roads, and during traction tests that were done on snowy roads as well.
The model is available in 92 dimensions ranging between 16- and 22- inches, with H and V speed ratings.
Bridgestone WeatherPeak Specs
Numerous drivers associate the Bridgestone tire brand to the renowned Blizzak tire, and deservingly so. Derived from the performance and winter capacities the Blizzak offered, the WeatherPeak is also equipped with the most recent technologies, providing you with superior efficiency and performance on snow and ice.
Equipped with open slots for improve grip and dynamic control in all conditions, the Bridgestone WeatherPeak offers a quiet and enjoyable driving experience worthy of the brand.
It also includes full-depth 3D sipes that provides the tire with better grip, no matter if the roads are icy, wet or covered in snow. These evolving sipes ensure improved performance throughout the tire’s entire lifespan. The evolving snow vices also contribute to the maximum levels of traction, by compacting the snow.
The WeatherPeak is available in a wide range of dimensions from 15- to 20- inches and comes in H, T and V speed ratings.
Choosing between the Michelin CrossClimate 2 and the Bridgestone WeatherPeak
Both of these tires are among the best of their category, which means winter certified all-season tires. This comparison between Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs Bridgestone WeatherPeak tires clearly shows that they will both satisfy even the most demanding driver.
Everyone knows that rain and snow can make driving much more challenging. In these conditions, it is of the utmost importance to have quality tires. Tests have shown that the braking distances offered by the Michelin CrossClimate 2 on wet road surfaces is up to 17 meters shorter than that of its main competitors.
Nevertheless, the Bridgestone WeatherPeak tire remains an excellent choice: according to the Top Tire Review website, it is more efficient and quicker than the Michelin when it comes to accelerations on wet roads. As for the braking distances, they are very close, although Michelin comes out with a slight advantage. The V- shaped grooves make it very efficient when it comes to reducing aquaplaning risks, especially while cornering.
The CrossClimate 2 stands out favorably compared to the Bridgestone WeatherPeak in terms of road handling. Still on the same website, braking distances on snow for the Bridgestone WeatherPeak is shorter than for the Michelin CrossClimate 2 (16.5 m for the Bridgestone, 18.2 m for the Michelin). However, the Michelin tire stands out when it comes to accelerations and maneuverability on snow, compared to the Bridgestone.
Where it truly shines is on ice, offering superior braking distances and accelerations. Although the WeatherPeak is perfectly safe, the CrossClimate is certainly more efficient and offers greater performance in these conditions.
Generally speaking, it also stands out on dry roads, both when it comes to braking distances and maneuverability. On dry roads, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 tire comes out the winner, with braking distances that are up to 4.8 meters shorter than its four main competitors!
No matter your choice, these are premium tires that provide you with a remarkably comfortable driving experience and reduced levels of noise, which translates into a very enjoyable drive.
Comparing Durability
Of course we all want a safe tire; but it is even more important that safety and durability go hand in hand.
During in-house testing, Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires (on a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox and mounted on 18- inch rims for testing) lasted 14,800 kilometers more than the closest competing tire (the Continental CrossContact LX25).
Although Michelin products are known for their durability, the WeatherPeak is also a competitive choice. In fact, the warranty on tread life is for 110,000 km compared to 100,000 km for Michelin, which gives us an idea that it probably lasts a little longer. It also offers a UTQG rating (which indicates a wear rate under controlled conditions) of 700 compared to 640.
This is also explained by the lighter weight of the Bridgestone (17 to 30 lbs) compared to the Michelin (25 to 36.5 lbs). These numbers also have an impact over fuel consumption. Although both tires do have a positive impact, the lighter weight of the WeatherPeak stands out in this case, by reducing rolling resistance.
Take note that the added weight and sturdiness of the CrossClimate 2 offers an advantage when it comes to resistance and traction! So everything will depend on your needs and preferences.
Michelin tires are also equipped with a regular limited warranty that covers all material defects and workmanship, throughout the entire lifespan of the original tread or for a period of six years following your tire purchase –whichever comes first. When it comes to the Bridgestone, the brand offers one of the best satisfaction guarantees on the market: 90 days!
This comparison between the Michelin CrossClimate 2 vs the Bridgestone WeatherPeak clearly shows each tire’s strengths and that both are high-quality all-season tires. No matter which model you choose, you will be opting for an excellent tire with a remarkable price-quality ratio. You cannot possibly go wrong! For all of these reasons and more, you should take a look at the blackcircles Canada website and take advantage of the best possible prices on your next set of winter certified tires.
