Michelin Defender2 vs CrossClimate2

[edyvw]

Have you driven on the CC2 tire in the snow?

Yes. It is good tire. It is not snow tire.

 

[edyvw]

I'm not saying CCs and better than Blizzaks under ANY other conditions other than comparing AWD to FWD on my snow-covered driveway.

So if someone has an AWD vehicle, and they are on the fence between CCs that they can use year around +/- the need for Blizzaks in the winter, the EXACT scenario I was considering when I bought the CCs, and only as a point of comparison to a FWD car with snow tires, in my experience, CCs+AWD is better than FWD+Blizzaks.

So, I'll repeat for the last time, in my experience, CC+AWD IS BETTER than Blizzaks+FWD in going up my driveway in the snow (and really better in the snow overall with negligible differences in stopping or steering).

Agree, better than going uphill in AWD compared to FWD with snows.
On other hand I will tow your car with CC’s and outpace FWD with snows with any of my three cars with snows.

NO, not better in snow overall, ice, slush, changing lanes in slush, snow, etc, etc. not only Blizzak, but any snow tire.

Next thing: I know Michelin Pilot Super Sport is good, but CC? Wow.

This reminds me of: “I want to buy Porsche 911.” And answer: “ISK, but my Accord is super fun, and CVT is not bad at all.”

 

[UG_Passat]

I think the CCs are very good in snow. I have CCs on the RX 350 and put Blizzaks on the Kia - the RX 350 made it up the snowy driveway with AWD with absolutely no problem. The Kia with FWD had to have a running start and if you stopped in the middle of the driveway, you weren't getting up the driveway. So AWD with CCs is significantly better than FWD with Blizzaks IME.

Most AWD systems cut power from one axle and distribute to the other axle.

Back when I lived in NJ, at the top of a steep hill and a steep driveway, the only cars that made it up where Subarus with all-season tires (back before all-weathers became popular). My FWD wagon with Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSI's couldn't make it up, unless I had chains on.

So, it doesn't say much that all-weather on AWD vehicles are better than FWD with nordic winter tires for climbing a hill.

On my AWD Highlander, while there is no physical connection between the front axle and rear axle, as my hybrid as an electric rear motor powering the rear axle...

The CC2's had trouble making a u-turn in this mess (driving to Big Bear Lake, CA). It was fine one the plowed snow surfaces, but the deep snow, 3-wheel spin, until it caught a little momentum on the packed snow I made.

My old Nokian WR G4 were a lot better on the deeper snow conditions. But that tire started life as a Central European winter tire, and Nokian did whatever to call it a "All-weather" tire for the US/Canada market.

And that wasn't the first time I noticed that CC2's suck in deep snow.... after the first round of blizzard came by in December 2021, with fresh CC2's, getting my car out after the plows came through, the CC2's had a little trouble until I got the front axle onto plowed snow, so I can park my car in a plowed parking spot, so the plow can finish its job.

The 2nd time was later in the winter season in the Cottonwood Canyons, in Utah, where I was brave enough to blaze a trail in deep snow and lost traction, so I was effectively stuck. Switch to "Trail mode" and got myself unstuck, due to the traction control programming of trail mode and got myself back to plowed snow territory and was fine since.

So the CC2's have a weakness, as I pointed out, even with 2 axles driving the wheels.

 

[BornSlippy]

Our versions of "snow" and "winter" are vastly different.

We only get a a few inches of snow at a time, maybe once or twice a winter we may see a substantial dump.

If I lived in the above conditions, a dedicated winter tire would be a must.

 

[edyvw]

Our versions of "snow" and "winter" are vastly different.

We only get a a few inches of snow at a time, maybe once or twice a winter we may see a substantial dump.

If I lived in the above conditions, a dedicated winter tire would be a must.

That is key when choosing CC. There is no doubt CC is good choice, better winter choice in certain areas.
Go to any local ski resort in Colorado and you won’t see much love for them.

 

[UG_Passat]

Our versions of "snow" and "winter" are vastly different.

We only get a a few inches of snow at a time, maybe once or twice a winter we may see a substantial dump.

If I lived in the above conditions, a dedicated winter tire would be a must.

That's why I make the distinction between deep snow and plowed snow.

The CC2 sort of works in the snow. You can't be brave and trailblaze through fresh, deep unplowed snow. The CC2 will fight a lot for traction and have to change the drive modes to one of the off-road modes to get going again. The CC2 excels at packed snow conditions (such as after the plows come by) and some icy conditions.

I'd just go with the Defender 2's even though TireRack hates its wet track performance.

But people seem to get butt-hurt when I mention that the CC2 has its limitations in specific conditions, and will defend the CC2's honor based on their experience in light snow conditions