This test, conducted in the United States, focuses on the results and what they mean for everyday drivers. The comparison pits used Michelin CrossClimate 2 all-season tires, sourced from Benson, against brand-new budget-friendly Tomket Allyear tires, with price parity between the two options clearly noted.
At the time of assessment, the CrossClimate 2 tires carried a tread depth of 2.2 millimeters. Since mounting, they had logged about 4,000 kilometers on a car. The Tomket Allyear tires covered the same distance prior to the test. The vehicles chosen for the comparison were identical: two Volkswagen Golf hatchbacks in the exact same specification and setup.
Despite the shallow tread depth, the used premium tires enabled a faster lap on a snowy course compared with the Tomket budget tires. The budget tires fell short with noticeable understeer on the snow, hampering cornering confidence.
Thewet-weather performance was less obvious. When evaluated by stopwatch, the Tomket tires showed a marginal advantage on lap times. However, the Michelin tires, where they avoided aquaplaning, delivered superior traction and handling. Tomket, by contrast, appeared to ride on a knife-edge, teetering between grip and instability.
On dry pavement, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires outshone the Tomket Allyear in every measurable aspect. It is a common belief that tires improve with wear on dry surfaces, but in this test the smaller tread blocks of worn tires did not diminish performance; rather, the premium tires demonstrated more precise response and steadier behavior under load.
The takeaway is clear: used premium tires generally outperform budget options, but tread depth matters in wet conditions. In rainy weather, deeper grooves still offer critical grip, and the reduced tread depth of worn tires shortens their useful life and limits performance longevity compared with new ones.
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