Grand all-season touring tires are arguably the perfect choice for everyday drivers out there. Their mix between performance and versatility is relatively unmatched if you’re looking for the best all-year-round tire.
So today, we’ll be discussing the difference between two of the tire industry’s excellent grand all-season designs in this Toyo Celsius vs Michelin CrossClimate 2 comparison. Let’s begin!
But first, let’s see how these tires differ on the surface.
| Tire |  |
 |
| Brand | Toyo | Michelin |
| Tire Type | Grand Touring All-season | Grand Touring All-season |
| UTQG | 440 A A | 640 B A |
| 3PMSF | Yes | Yes |
| Tested Size | 235/50R17 | 235/50R17 |
| Tread Depth | 10.5/32” | 10/32” |
| Section Width | 9.6” | 9.6” |
| Max Inflation Pressure | 51 psi | 51 psi |
| Max Load | 1,565 lbs | 1,565 lbs |
| Tire Weight | 28 lbs | 25 lbs |
| Load Range | SL | SL |
| Price | $163.41 | $211.99 |
Table of Contents
What Are They?
1. Toyo Celsius
The Toyo Celsius is Toyo’s next-gen touring tire, and it’s by far one of the best out there, even among other Toyo tire comparison reviews. And that’s because the Japanese brand made sure that this tire was equipped with Toyo’s state-of-the-art technology.
Although it’s mainly designed for passenger vehicles, the Toyo Celsius also offers another variant for SUV/Crossovers, the Toyo Celsius CUV tire. And like the best all weather tires in the industry, both come with a 3PMSF rating.
True to its name, the Toyo Celsius can handle any temperature and weather conditions. Whether it’s on hot, dry roads, slippery wet surfaces, or severe snow and ice, drivers won’t be disappointed with the Celsius’ superb all-season performance.
For starters, the tire comes equipped with a variable sipe density, giving it all the traction you’ll need. The outside tread provides grip on dry roads, while the inside ones are made for snow and ice.
Not only that, but the tire also comes with slush grooves for ejecting snow and water, as well as snow claws for some rigidity and extra traction. Lastly, Multi-Wave Sipes allow for silky smooth driving by suppressing noise and vibrations while enhancing braking as well.
Related: Michelin Defender vs Toyo Celsius: A Comprehensive Comparison.
2. Michelin CrossClimate 2
Right off the bat, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 shares some similarities with the Toyo Celsius. Like the Toyo Celsius, it’s also an all-season grand touring tire with a 3PMSF rating for handling snow.
However, the similarities somehow end there as there are quite a few differences between both tires design-wise. For starters, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 has a symmetric tire pattern, while the Toyo Celsius has asymmetric multi-wave sipes.
There’re also the thermal-adaptive compound that adjusts to any temperature and P-edge technology, which gives the Michelin CrossClimate 2 snow and ice handling capabilities.
Moreover, its V-directional tread pattern is its main feature for expelling water and slush, reducing hydroplaning, and providing optimum grip on wet surfaces.
And lastly, V-shaped chamfers and MaxTouch Construction ensure even ground contact, improving efficiency, traction, maneuverability, and durability.
Now, let’s see how these rubbers from Toyo Tires vs Michelin differ.
Differences
1. Wet Performance
As both are premium all-season tires, expect great wet performance on all fronts. And after testing, we weren’t surprised at how well these tires handled rain. From aquaplaning resistance to wet braking, you’ll definitely see that both were designed for wet roads.
However, the Toyo Celsius struggled a bit at higher speeds, and wet braking was definitely compromised. We also noticed that the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better at evacuating water, contributing to its superior aquaplaning resistance.
2. Dry Performance
Similar to wet performance, both tires did great on dry as well. However, we’ve noticed some minor issues with handling, especially when cornering. But we figured this was expected, since handling is really more prominent on summer tires.
We also noticed that grip was much tighter with the Michelin CrossClimate 2 compared to the Toyo Celsius, which adequately compensated for its average handling capabilities.
3. Snow Performance
Since both tires have a 3PMSF certification, it’s clear that both brands really wanted to highlight snow performance. And this was an excellent decision, as both options did an excellent job in winter conditions.
Handling was confidence-inspiring, and the snow traction capabilities from both tires were nothing less than incredible. However, the Toyo Celsius was a tad better on snow compared to the Michelin CrossClimate 2, since it had dedicated snow claws in its repertoire.
4. Comfort
When it comes to touring tires, comfort is a must, and the winner was clear on this one—the Michelin CrossClimate 2. Although noise and vibration suppression from the Toyo Celsius wasn’t too bad, bumps were quite noticeable, while the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was absolute peace and quiet all day long.
5. Price and Warranty
Since Michelin is more widely known as a premium brand, the CrossClimate 2 is definitely more expensive compared to the Toyo Tires price range. For a 235/50R17 sized tire, the Michelin CrossClimate costs $211.99 per tire, while the Toyo Celsius is only $163.41.
As for warranty, both tires come with a 60,000-mileage guarantee, which is actually better than most tires on the market.
Pros and Cons
- Excellent snow performance
- Good wet and dry performance
- More affordable
- Great warranty
- Comfort features need more improvement.
- Excellent performance on all surfaces
- Great comfort features
- Great warranty
- More expensive
What should I choose?
It all comes down to what you value. For comfort on the road, the Crossclimate 2 is certainly the better choice. However, the Toyo Celsius doesn’t fall behind significantly in wet and dry performance and is a tad better on snowy surfaces, so it will provide great value for its price.
FAQs
Is Toyo Celsius good for snow?
Yes. With a 3PMSF certification, the Toyo Celsius snow performance is actually better than most tires out there. However, if you want the absolute best in snow performance, consider buying dedicated Toyo winter tires like the Observe G3-Ice.
How long should Michelin CrossClimate 2 last?
With a 60,000-mileage warranty, which is a good indication of a tire’s durability, expect these tires to last you for quite some time. It also has a UTQG treadwear rating of 640, which means it lasts six times longer than your standard tire.
What tire is comparable to the Michelin CrossClimate 2?
Actually, there are many tires that can compare to the Michelin CrossClimate 2, since the all-season touring tire market is incredibly lucrative. As such, you can compare it with Goodyear’s Assurance Comfortdrive or Bridgestone’s Turanza Quiettrack.
Conclusion
So which is better, the Toyo Celsius vs Michelin CrossClimate 2? Well, it actually depends on what you’re looking for in a tire. Although the Michelin CrossClimate 2 was better performance-wise, it’s much more expensive.
As for the Toyo Celsius, while it may need a few improvements, it’s a much cheaper 3PMSF-rated tire, which definitely gives the Toyo Celsius competitors a run for their money.
