Comparing Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady Vs Michelin CrossClimate 2

Comparing Off-Road Performance

• Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2

Neither of these all-weather tires is designed for off-roading.

Having said that, the CrossClimate 2 handles the occasional dirt road better than the Assurance WeatherReady. That is mainly due to two elements that are a part of its design.

The first of which are the V-shaped lugs.

These are individual tread blocks on the CC2s’ tread whose shape resembles the letter “V.” Can’t find them? Look for raised edges on the tread blocks.

The primary job of these lugs is to help the CC2s “hug” the road. Luckily, they don’t stop at that. Or else, this section would have no winner.

Because of the angular edges, known as biting edges, on their shoulders, these lugs aid the CC2 in gripping loose surfaces, leading to improved stability on dirt and gravel.

Next come the sipes.

These are thin slits or grooves in the tread blocks that provide additional biting edges for added traction on loose, wet, and snowy surfaces. While the Assurance WeatherReady also has sipes, they don’t interlock as those in the CrossClimate 2 do.

Here’s why that’s important.

When the CC2s encounter loose surfaces, their sipes come together in the face of adversity, creating a more stable tread surface. This stability, in turn, enables this tire to safely carry you from point A to point B on dirt, gravel, and similar loose surfaces.

All in all, if you’ve narrowed your all-weather tire choices down to the Michelin CrossClimate 2 and the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady, and you also plan to encounter some dirt roads every now and then, the CrossClimate 2 is the better option.

Comparing On-Road Performance

How Do They Perform in Dry Conditions?

• Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2

The Michelin CrossClimate 2 outperforms the Assurance WeatherReady on dry roads.

The first way it does that is by offering a better grip on dry roads. Thanks to its V-shaped lugs, this tire’s braking distances are significantly shorter than the WeatherReady’s. In fact, its stopping distances can rival (if not better) that of any A/S tire on the market.

The lugs also contribute to better cornering grip.

When your car takes a turn, the lateral forces (those acting on the tire from sideways) increase. With the V-shaped lugs, the CC2s can better withstand such forces to maintain traction during cornering maneuvers. You can thus attack bends at speed.

Another reason why I’d always pick the CC2s for dry roads is because they offer better handling. What do I mean by that? Well, they are slightly more responsive to steering inputs than the Assurance WeatherReady’s, although the difference isn’t huge.

Also, since their sipes come together, the CrossClimate2s are more stable during high-speed driving than the Assurance WeatherReady. You can thus count on them to track straight during high speeds while giving off very few (if any) vibrations or oscillations.

How Do They Perform on Wet Roads?

• Winner: It’s a tie

As far as performance on wet surfaces is concerned, there isn’t much separating the two tires.

In some areas, the CrossClimate 2 fares better. Whereas the Assurance WeatherReady gets to be the king on others.

Take aquaplaning resistance. The CrossClimate 2 is better at keeping this dangerous phenomenon from developing than the Assurance WeatherReady.

That is because it comes with a directional tread pattern which, with all its grooves and sipes, has been designed to prioritize water evacuation. In contrast, the Assurance WeatherReady’s I’etric tread pattern focuses more on the traction side of things.

The result is shorter stopping distances on wet roads. Just as the CC2s’ braking distances on dry roads are shorter than its peers. The Assurance WeatherReady stops, turns, and accelerates much more confidently in wet conditions than most tires, including the CC2s.

However, on both counts, the difference is marginal.

You’d only notice it if you’re paying close attention. Most drivers won’t, and would thus feel equally comfortable driving either of these tires on wet roads. 

Are They Good in the Handling Department?

• Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2

The CrossClimate 2 fares better in the handling department, especially when it comes to gripping the road, maintaining the line, and taking long turns under acceleration.

In tests carried out by Auto Express, one of UK’s leading automotive magazines, the CrossClimate 2 came out on top in the braking test. This shouldn’t only excite the adrenaline-loving motorheads, as it promises a crucial safety benefit to everyone in sudden braking situations.

Auto Express further notes that the CrossClimate 2 finished near the leading tires on the handling circuit. This suggests responsive and predictable behavior during cornering, something you don’t expect from all-weather tires carrying the 3PMSF emblem (more on this later).

What about the Assurance WeatherReady?

While we don’t have any test results like those with the CrossClimate 2, our personal experience with this tire on the track suggests it isn’t too far off the CC2s.

However, there are a few areas where the difference gets significant.

In contrast to the CC2s, which are sharp for all-weather tires, the WeatherReady’s are quite numb. Also, their dry braking distances are longer. This makes the CC2s a better choice for those seeking the best all-weather tires in terms of handling.

Comparing on Snow Performance

• Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2

Although both these tires carry the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating, the CrossClimate 2 leads the way in harsh wintry conditions.

Which is pretty surprising. After all, this tire also gets to be the king on dry roads. How, then, you may ask, is its snow performance also superior to the Assurance WeatherReady’s?

The credit for this goes to the V-shaped lugs. Yes, those same individual tread blocks that help this tire handle the occasional dirt road better than the Assurance WeatherReady also keep it steadier in harsh wintry conditions.

How does that go? The lugs create additional biting edges to help the CC2s grip snow and ice more effectively than tires lacking this design element. This increased traction helps propel this tire forward when it encounters snow, minimizing the risk of slippage.

However, it isn’t just because of the V-shaped lugs that this tire gets to be the king on snowy roads. Its interlocking sipes – which mesh together when the rubber meets the tarmac – also help with cornering, acceleration, and braking on snow-covered roads.

Comparing on Treadwear and Durability

• Winner: Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady

While both these tires come with the same treadwear warranty, I’d expect the Assurance WeatherReady to last longer under similar driving conditions.

Want to know why? This tire has a stiffer rubber top layer, especially when compared with the CrossClimate 2, whose outer layer is slightly more flexible to perform better on wet or icy surfaces.

Thanks to the firmness of its top layer, the Assurance WeatherReady is more resistant to wear and tear. Also, since the stiffer top layer maintains its shape while conforming to road irregularities, the tire offers better road contact and suffers reduced wear.

Comparing on Comfort

• Winner: Michelin CrossClimate 2

Want a quiet and comfortable ride while driving on snow-covered roads? You’d be better off with the Michelin CrossClimate 2.

This tire is much better at absorbing road disturbances than the Assurance WeatherReady, whose stiffer rubber top layer makes its ride slightly more firm, albeit for an extended tread life (more on this later).

Its directional tread design also plays its part in keeping the CC2’s ride quiet, mainly because the same design runs along the entire surface of the tire.

Thanks to this uniformity, every time this tire rolls along the road, the interaction between the rubber and the tarmac remains constant. There are no abrupt changes. This ensures that the noise and vibrations produced by the tire are kept to a minimum.

Comparing on Price

• Winner: Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady

At the time of writing, the Assurance WeatherReady costs less than the CrossClimate 2, though the difference isn’t as big as between other Michelin and Goodyear tires.

You’d be lucky to save more than $50 while purchasing the entire set, depending on the tire retailer and from where you’re ordering the tires.