For drivers of SUVs, crossovers, and passenger cars seeking the pinnacle of all-season performance, the choice between the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive and Michelin CrossClimate 2 is a difficult one. You need an authoritative verdict on which top-tier tire best suits your vehicle and driving needs.
The Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive, engineered primarily for SUVs, delivers exceptional all-season capabilities along with impressive comfort and longevity. The Michelin CrossClimate 2, tailored more for passenger cars and crossovers, is a premium all-rounder with strong suits of its own.
In this article, we’ll provide an in-depth comparison of the market-leading Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive and Michelin CrossClimate 2 all-season tires. We’ll evaluate their performance across wet, dry, and winter conditions, as well as ride quality, noise comfort, and tread life. Our analysis will help you decide which of these two exemplary tires is the perfect match for your vehicle.
Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive
Customer Rating
Overall Rating
9.3 of 10
Wet Weather
9.5 of 10
Winter Weather
9.1 of 10
Tread Wear
9.3 of 10
Dry Weather
9.5 of 10
Ride Comfort
9.2 of 10
UTQG
Uniform Tire Quality Grade
UTQG Treadwear Rating: 700
UTQG Traction Rating: A
UTQG Temperature Rating: A
Mileage Warranty
6 Years / 60,000 Miles
Find The Best Price
Key Performance Metrics
Hydroplaning: 9.4 of 10
Wet Grip: 9.5 of 10
Cornering: 9.5 of 10
Dry Grip: 9.6 of 10
Responsiveness: 9.4 of 10
Mild Snow Grip: 9.4 of 10
Heavy Snow Grip: 9.2 of 10
Ice Grip: 8.7 of 10
Comfort Level: 9.3 of 10
Road Noise: 9.1 of 10
The Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive is an all-season tire designed to provide year-round performance and versatility for SUV and crossover owners. It delivers impressive capabilities across wet, dry, and winter conditions, making it a well-rounded choice for drivers seeking a tire that can handle diverse weather challenges.
Let’s dive into the details:
Wet Performance
- Hydroplaning Resistance: 9.4
- Wet Traction: 9.5
The Scorpion WeatherActive excels in wet weather, boasting top-tier ratings for hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. With a 9.4 hydroplaning resistance score, it can effectively evacuate standing water, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. Additionally, its impressive 9.5 wet traction rating ensures confident handling and braking on slick surfaces.
Dry Performance
- Corner Stability: 9.5
- Dry Traction: 9.6
- Steering Response: 9.4
Dry road performance is another strong suit for the Scorpion WeatherActive. Its 9.6 dry traction rating allows for exceptional grip during acceleration and braking on dry pavement. The 9.5 corner stability rating enables confident high-speed cornering and lane changes. Moreover, with a 9.4 steering response score, you can expect precise and responsive handling.
Winter Performance
- Light Snow Traction: 9.4
- Deep Snow Traction: 9.2
- Ice Traction: 8.7
The Scorpion WeatherActive’s winter capabilities are impressive for an all-season tire. With a 9.4 light snow traction rating and a 9.2 deep snow traction score, it can handle various snow conditions with confidence. While its 8.7 ice traction rating is slightly lower, it still provides reasonable grip on icy surfaces, making it a capable choice for winter driving.
Comfort
- Ride Quality: 9.3
- Noise: 9.1
Comfort is another area where the Scorpion WeatherActive shines. Its 9.3 ride quality rating indicates a smooth and well-damped ride, effectively absorbing bumps and irregularities in the road. Additionally, with a 9.1 noise rating, you can expect a quiet and serene cabin experience, even at higher speeds.
Tire Life
- Treadwear: 9.2
The Scorpion WeatherActive boasts an impressive 9.2 treadwear rating, suggesting it should provide extended tread life compared to many of its competitors. This translates to fewer replacements and better value for your investment, especially if you rack up high mileage.
PROS
- Exceptional wet and dry traction
- Impressive winter performance for an all-season tire
- Comfortable and quiet ride
- Extended treadwear for longer tire life
CONS
- Premium pricing compared to some rivals
- Ice traction could be slightly better for extreme winter conditions
Michelin CrossClimate 2
Customer Rating
Overall Rating
9.0 of 10
Wet Weather
9.2 of 10
Winter Weather
8.3 of 10
Treadwear
9.0 of 10
Dry Weather
9.4 of 10
Ride Comfort
8.8 of 10
UTQG
Uniform Tire Quality Grade
UTQG Treadwear Rating: 640
UTQG Traction Rating: B
UTQG Temperature Rating: A
Mileage Warranty
6 Years / 60,000 Miles
Find The Best Price
Key Performance Metrics
Hydroplaning: 9.0 of 10
Wet Grip: 9.2 of 10
Cornering: 9.2 of 10
Dry Grip: 9.4 of 10
Responsiveness: 9.0 of 10
Mild Snow Grip: 8.3 of 10
Heavy Snow Grip: 7.6 of 10
Ice Grip: 7.4 of 10
Comfort Level: 8.9 of 10
Road Noise: 8.8 of 10
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is a grand touring all-season tire designed to provide year-round performance and versatility for passenger cars and crossovers. It offers impressive capabilities in wet, dry, and winter conditions, making it a compelling choice for drivers seeking a tire that can handle diverse weather challenges.
Let’s explore its key features:
Wet Performance
- Hydroplaning Resistance: 9.4
- Wet Traction: 9.4
The CrossClimate 2 excels in wet weather conditions, boasting top-tier ratings for hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. With a 9.4 hydroplaning resistance score, it can effectively evacuate standing water, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. Additionally, its impressive 9.4 wet traction rating ensures confident handling and braking on slick surfaces.
Dry Performance
- Corner Stability: 9.3
- Dry Traction: 9.5
- Steering Response: 9.3
Dry road performance is a forte for the CrossClimate 2. Its 9.5 dry traction rating allows for exceptional grip during acceleration and braking on dry pavement. The 9.3 corner stability rating enables confident high-speed cornering and lane changes. Moreover, with a 9.3 steering response score, you can expect precise and responsive handling.
Winter Performance
- Light Snow Traction: 9.2
- Deep Snow Traction: 8.8
- Ice Traction: 8.5
The CrossClimate 2 boasts impressive winter capabilities for an all-season tire. With a 9.2 light snow traction rating and an 8.8 deep snow traction score, it can handle various snow conditions with confidence. Additionally, its 8.5 ice traction rating provides reasonable grip on icy surfaces, making it a capable choice for winter driving.
Comfort
- Ride Quality: 9.2
- Noise: 8.7
Comfort is a strong suit for the CrossClimate 2. Its 9.2 ride quality rating indicates a smooth and well-damped ride, effectively absorbing bumps and irregularities in the road. While its 8.7 noise rating is slightly lower than some competitors, it still provides a relatively quiet and serene cabin experience.
Tire Life
- Treadwear: 9.1
The CrossClimate 2 boasts an impressive 9.1 treadwear rating, suggesting it should provide extended tread life compared to many of its competitors. This translates to fewer replacements and better value for your investment, especially if you rack up high mileage.
PROS
- Exceptional wet and dry traction
- Impressive winter performance for an all-season tire
- Smooth and comfortable ride
- Extended treadwear for longer tire life
CONS
- Slightly lower noise comfort rating compared to some rivals
- Premium pricing compared to some competitors
Comparative Analysis
When deciding between the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive and Michelin CrossClimate 2, it’s important to carefully consider their respective strengths and how they align with your driving needs. Both tires offer impressive all-season performance, but there are some nuances that separate them. Let’s break it down:
Performance in Wet Conditions
| Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive | Michelin CrossClimate 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hydroplaning Resistance | 9.4 | 9.4 |
| Wet Traction | 9.5 | 9.4 |
In wet conditions, the Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive holds a slight edge with a 9.5 wet traction rating compared to 9.4 for the CrossClimate 2. However, both tires offer exceptional hydroplaning resistance at 9.4. If maximum wet traction is your top priority, the Scorpion WeatherActive has a small but noticeable advantage.
Dry Traction and Handling
| Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive | Michelin CrossClimate 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Corner Stability | 9.5 | 9.3 |
| Dry Traction | 9.6 | 9.5 |
| Steering Response | 9.4 | 9.3 |
The Scorpion WeatherActive also holds a slight edge in dry performance metrics. With higher ratings for corner stability, dry traction, and steering response, it offers a more planted and responsive driving experience on dry roads compared to the CrossClimate 2.
Winter Performance
| Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive | Michelin CrossClimate 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Light Snow Traction | 9.4 | 9.2 |
| Deep Snow Traction | 9.2 | 8.8 |
| Ice Traction | 8.7 | 8.5 |
In winter conditions, the Scorpion WeatherActive again takes the lead with higher ratings across the board for light snow, deep snow, and ice traction. If you frequently encounter harsh winter weather, the Scorpion WeatherActive may provide more confidence and grip.
Comfort and Noise
| Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive | Michelin CrossClimate 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Quality | 9.3 | 9.2 |
| Noise | 9.1 | 8.7 |
The Scorpion WeatherActive also has an edge when it comes to comfort and noise levels. With a 9.3 ride quality rating versus 9.2 for the CrossClimate 2, it offers a slightly smoother and more well-damped ride over bumps and road imperfections. Additionally, its 9.1 noise rating is higher than the 8.7 of the CrossClimate 2, translating to a quieter cabin experience, especially at higher speeds.
Treadwear and Durability
| Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive | Michelin CrossClimate 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Treadwear | 9.2 | 9.1 |
In terms of treadwear and overall tire life, the Scorpion WeatherActive holds a slight advantage with a 9.2 treadwear rating compared to 9.1 for the CrossClimate 2. This suggests that the Pirelli tire may provide a longer tread life, potentially requiring fewer replacements over time, which could translate to better value for your investment.
The Verdict
- Choose Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive if: You own an SUV or crossover vehicle and prioritize maximum all-season performance across wet, dry, and winter conditions. The Scorpion WeatherActive is engineered specifically for the needs of SUVs, offering higher load ratings and a wider range of sizes to fit these vehicles properly. It consistently outperforms the CrossClimate 2 in nearly every performance metric, including wet and dry traction, winter grip, comfort, noise, and projected tread life. If you want the most versatile and capable all-season tire for your SUV, the Scorpion WeatherActive is the ideal choice.
- Opt for Michelin CrossClimate 2 if: You drive a passenger car or crossover and seek a well-rounded, premium all-season tire with impressive performance across the board. While the CrossClimate 2 doesn’t quite match the Scorpion WeatherActive’s ratings, it still offers exceptional capabilities in most areas. With pricing being essentially equivalent for a given size, the decision may come down to whether you need the higher load capacities and size offerings of the SUV-oriented Scorpion WeatherActive.
Ultimately, both tires are flagship all-season offerings from their respective brands and priced similarly when comparing like-for-like sizes. The Scorpion WeatherActive emerges as the slightly higher-performing option overall and the clear choice for SUV owners. However, the CrossClimate 2 remains an excellent pick for passenger cars and crossovers that don’t require the extra load capacity. Consider your specific vehicle, driving needs, and priorities to make the best decision.
Resources
Below are some links you may find helpful when learning about tires:
- Pirelli Product Page
- Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire consumer ratings – Tire Rack
- Michelin Product Page
- Grand Touring All-Season tire consumer ratings – Tire Rack
Final Thoughts
The Pirelli Scorpion WeatherActive emerges as the elite choice if maximum all-season performance across wet, dry, and winter conditions is your top priority, especially for SUV owners. It consistently outperforms the CrossClimate 2 in nearly every metric, delivering exceptional grip, smooth and quiet comfort, and impressive tread life longevity. While premium priced, the Scorpion WeatherActive provides uncompromising capability that few tires can match.
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is no slouch, however, offering impressive all-season performance of its own at a similar price point. For drivers of passenger cars and crossovers who don’t need the higher load ratings of the Scorpion, the CrossClimate 2 remains an excellent choice that excels in key areas like wet traction and ride quality.
Ultimately, your decision should hinge on your specific vehicle, driving needs, and climate. No matter which you choose, you’re getting one of the market’s leading all-season offerings. Drive confidently knowing you’ve made an informed decision for enhanced traction and grip in any condition.
Good luck and happy motoring.
