Are Michelin CC2s worth the $1,300 price tag, or are Kumho Crugens HP71 enough for plowed roads? (VW Atlas Cross AWD)
Hey everyone!
I moved to Detroit from down south a couple of winters ago, so I’m still fairly new to driving in serious snow. I drive a VW Atlas Cross AWD, and my current Kumho Crugen HP71s are finally due for a replacement.
I’m currently shopping around and facing a big price gap debate:
The Michelin CrossClimate 2s: Sitting at around $1,300 all-in. Everyone on Reddit seems to swear by these as the holy grail of all-weather tires.
Replacement Kumho Crugen HP71s: Sitting at around $650, which saves me roughly $650.
My Situation:
I primarily work from home, so I’m not forced to commute in the middle of unplowed 6 AM blizzards. Most of my winter driving consists of running errands, grocery trips, and general local driving once the plows have at least made a pass.
My Questions:
For drivers in Metro Detroit: Are the Kumhos "good enough" on mostly plowed/slushy roads with AWD, or will I immediately regret saving the $600 the first time I hit a patch of black ice or unplowed side streets?
Is the CC2 splurge worth it regardless? Do they actually live up to the hype and peace of mind for someone with limited snow-driving experience?
Is there a solid middle-ground tire? Something that bridges the gap between the budget Kumhos and the top-tier CC2s—like a Falken Aklimate, Bridgestone WeatherPeak, Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady, or Pirelli WeatherActive—that gives me true All-Weather (3PMSF rated) traction without breaking $1,300?
Would love to hear your thoughts, especially from anyone driving a midsize/large AWD SUV in Michigan winters! Thanks in advance.