A tire is judged first on grip in the wet and dry, because that is your braking distance, then on how long it lasts and what it costs. Our pick is the Michelin Defender 2, with an SR Score of 92, for the highest projected tread life Consumer Reports recorded this round (100,000 miles) plus top-tier dry braking and hydroplaning resistance. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 (90) is the all-weather runner-up for snow country. The Hankook Kinergy XP (88) is the value pick.
The ranking
| Rank | Tire | Best for | Type / starting price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michelin Defender 2 | Best overall / longevity | All-season / ~$199 | 92 |
| 2 | Michelin CrossClimate 2 | All-weather + snow | All-weather / ~$200 | 90 |
| 3 | Hankook Kinergy XP | Best value | All-season / ~$135 | 88 |
| 4 | Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 | Performance grip | UHP all-season / ~$195 | 86 |
| 5 | Continental PureContact LS | Comfort all-season | All-season / ~$160 | 85 |
| 6 | Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 | Year-round value | All-weather / ~$170 | 83 |
| 7 | Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack | Quiet touring | All-season / ~$165 | 82 |
Methodology
The Tire Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria:
- Wet & dry grip (30) — braking distance and traction in dry and wet conditions.
- Tread life (25) — projected mileage and wear resistance.
- Value for money (20) — performance and longevity per dollar.
- Snow & ice traction (15) — cold-weather grip and braking.
- Ride & noise (10) — comfort and cabin quietness.
Grip leads at 30 because braking distance is the safety number that matters most. Tread life follows at 25 because a tire that lasts 100,000 miles versus 50,000 effectively halves its cost per mile. Value reflects price against that performance. Snow and ice get real weight but less than grip, since not every buyer faces winter. Re-weight snow upward and the CrossClimate 2 takes the top spot; weight grip and longevity, as we do, and the Defender 2 leads.
Scores are anchored to Consumer Reports test data and quoted starting prices. Confirm your exact size and price at a retailer like Tire Rack or Discount Tire before buying.
Michelin Defender 2
The winner, from about $199 per tire. Consumer Reports’ top all-season pick for smaller SUVs, scoring especially well for dry braking, snow traction, and hydroplaning resistance, with the highest projected tread life of any tire it tested this round: 100,000 miles.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wet & dry grip | 28/30 |
| Tread life | 25/25 |
| Value for money | 17/20 |
| Snow & ice traction | 12/15 |
| Ride & noise | 10/10 |
Trade-off: a touring tire, not a winter specialist; serious snow still favors the CrossClimate 2 or a dedicated winter tire.
Michelin CrossClimate 2
The all-weather runner-up, from about $200 per tire. Consumer Reports calls it an exceptional tire and a clear standout, scoring above-average or higher in every test and earning the highest possible results in snow traction and ice braking. The pick if winter is real where you live.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wet & dry grip | 27/30 |
| Tread life | 22/25 |
| Value for money | 16/20 |
| Snow & ice traction | 15/15 |
| Ride & noise | 9/10 |
Trade-off: shorter projected tread life than the Defender 2 and a slightly firmer ride.
Hankook Kinergy XP
The value pick, from about $135 per tire. Consumer Reports calls it a smart alternative, with better scores in most categories than the Defender 2 for more than $60 less per tire. The best value here by a clear margin.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wet & dry grip | 26/30 |
| Tread life | 21/25 |
| Value for money | 20/20 |
| Snow & ice traction | 11/15 |
| Ride & noise | 9/10 |
Trade-off: less proven long-term durability and brand cachet than Michelin.
Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4
The performance pick, from about $195 per tire (range to ~$797 for large sizes). Consumer Reports recommends it for drivers who want a sporty, high-performance tire, with better wet and snow grip than the summer Pilot Sport.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wet & dry grip | 29/30 |
| Tread life | 18/25 |
| Value for money | 15/20 |
| Snow & ice traction | 12/15 |
| Ride & noise | 8/10 |
Trade-off: shorter tread life and a firmer ride; overkill for an ordinary commuter.
Continental PureContact LS
The comfort all-season, from about $160 per tire. A quiet, smooth-riding touring tire with balanced wet and dry grip, a strong middle choice for sedans and crossovers.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wet & dry grip | 26/30 |
| Tread life | 21/25 |
| Value for money | 17/20 |
| Snow & ice traction | 11/15 |
| Ride & noise | 10/10 |
Trade-off: not a snow specialist and slightly less grip than the Michelins.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2
The year-round value, from about $170 per tire. A three-peak-rated all-weather tire that handles light snow and offers a long warranty, a solid pick for buyers who want one tire all year without paying Michelin prices.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wet & dry grip | 25/30 |
| Tread life | 20/25 |
| Value for money | 17/20 |
| Snow & ice traction | 13/15 |
| Ride & noise | 9/10 |
Trade-off: dry grip and refinement trail the CrossClimate 2.
Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack
The quiet touring pick, from about $165 per tire. Engineered for cabin quietness with a long tread-life warranty and composed manners, ideal for highway commuters who prize a hushed ride.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wet & dry grip | 25/30 |
| Tread life | 21/25 |
| Value for money | 16/20 |
| Snow & ice traction | 10/15 |
| Ride & noise | 10/10 |
Trade-off: modest snow traction; pair with winter tires in harsh climates.
How to choose
Start with your climate. In mild or wet regions the Defender 2 is the long-life all-rounder and the Kinergy XP is the value play. Where real snow falls, the CrossClimate 2 is the all-weather pick that can skip a winter-tire swap. Drivers who want grip for spirited driving should look at the Pilot Sport All-Season 4, and comfort-first buyers at the PureContact LS or Turanza QuietTrack. Always confirm the tire is made in your exact size and check the current per-tire price, since pricing moves often. Re-weight snow and the CrossClimate 2 wins; weight grip and longevity, as we do, and the Defender 2 leads.
Verification
- Michelin Defender 2 — CR top pick for smaller SUVs, 100,000-mile projected tread life, ~$199 starting price verified via Consumer Reports and SlashGear/Jalopnik CR coverage.
- Michelin CrossClimate 2 — “exceptional” rating, top snow traction and ice braking verified via Consumer Reports coverage.
- Hankook Kinergy XP — “smart alternative,” better scores for $60+ less verified via Consumer Reports coverage.
- Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 — performance recommendation and $195-$797 pricing verified via Consumer Reports coverage.
- Continental PureContact LS / Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 / Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack — category positioning verified via Consumer Reports tire ratings.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best all-season tire for 2026?
- For most drivers, the Michelin Defender 2: Consumer Reports' top all-season pick for smaller SUVs, with the highest projected tread life it tested (100,000 miles) plus strong dry braking, snow traction, and hydroplaning resistance. It starts around $199 per tire.
- Is the Michelin CrossClimate 2 better than the Defender 2?
- It depends on your weather. The CrossClimate 2 is the better choice if you see real winter weather: Consumer Reports calls it an exceptional tire that earned the highest possible scores in snow traction and ice braking. The Defender 2 lasts longer and is a better pure all-season for milder climates.
- Are cheaper tires worth it?
- Sometimes. Consumer Reports calls the Hankook Kinergy XP a smart alternative, with better scores in most categories than the Defender 2 for more than $60 less per tire. A good value tire can outperform a premium one, which is why our rubric weights value at 20 percent.
- How long should all-season tires last?
- Most last 50,000-70,000 miles. The Defender 2 is the standout, with a 100,000-mile projected tread life in Consumer Reports testing, the longest of any tire it rated this round. Tread life depends heavily on rotation, alignment, and driving style.
- Do I need winter tires if I buy a good all-season?
- If you face regular snow and ice, dedicated winter tires still grip better than any all-season. But a strong all-weather tire like the CrossClimate 2 with the three-peak mountain snowflake rating closes much of that gap for drivers who do not want to swap tires twice a year.