Two of the most commonly recommended tires on this forum are the Pirelli Scorpion AS plus 3 and Michelin Cross Climate 2. My wife has an Equinox with the Pirellis in 18” and my 22 NX 350 recently got the Michelins on 20”. Obviously not an exact comparison, but I’d like to offer my thoughts.

Both are outstanding, so you wouldn’t go wrong with either when the time comes. The biggest difference, which surprised me, are the Michelins are noticeably quieter. I’m sure the better noise insulation on the NX plays a part, but I still suspect the Michelin is the quieter tire. The Pirelli’s seem a bit more firm with more “road feel” while the Michelins feel a bit more soft (both sets inflated to the same PSI).

Again, not an exact comparison “by a professional on a closed course”, but my experience after a bit of time in varied driving conditions.

 

You are 100% right
Whoever says that Pirelli's are quieter is wrong
They are more on performance side rather then comfort zone like Michellin's (most of them)
With Pirelli's you "feel the road" which for some is OK
But for someone looking for comfort NO

 

How's the MPG with the Michelin tires thus far?

 

Gone to ask the same. Great reviews but many have reported lower mpg.

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It is lower
just take a look that tire
isn't design for rolling resistance
call Michelin they will tell you

 

Michelins are all weather tires with the snow-mountain symbol. In order to achieve such rating I would assume that the rolling resistance and grip on the round is much higher. If you do have another set for winter, then I wouldn't go for the cross climates.

Post these RFT, I would most likely go for Michelin Primacy All Season since I already have Michelin X-Ice Snow for the winter.

 

I think we would all agree that tire choice for a soft sprung luxury CUV / SUV is very subjective based on your end goal or preference. Living in Ontario Canada, I would probably get in line for Michelin Cross Climate's as they have done very well in all the latest testing I have come across. Plus, our weather changes in the blink of an eye. The Michelin is a solid performer in dry and wet conditions, light snow, performance is maintained even at half tread depth, and it's quiet. Rolling resistance is always something newer designs are improving on too. Plus tread wear warranty is excellent! I'll wait till these dreaded RFT's are worn down before making my next tire purchase and by then maybe there will be newer tire choices as technical improvements march on as they do.

I would note that as your tires are usually changed 4 at a time and last for quite a few miles, always let your tire shop know that you want NEW stock, namely all tires have been manufactured within a one year window. There's a date code on sidewall of all tires made and or sold in North America I believe. Bought a set of Michelin Primacy's a few years ago and after 2 years they had dry rot cracks. Well I found out when they were put on the manufacturing dates were all over the place, including 2 that were already over 2 years old when I bought them 'new'. Michelin warranted and replaced all 4 as a resolution to my claim!

Just a quick note some testing I've come across is for European spec tires that use either same or almost same tire nomenclature BUT are in fact different formulations then we get here in North America, such as the Cross Climate 2's are different in Europe than NA.

 

It is a bit lower. I haven’t really calculated it, but maybe 1 - 2 mpg. Probably not quite 2, but I drive mostly highway. Went from around 27 to about 26.

 

Looking at the tire there’s no way you’d think they are as quiet as they are. Some serious magic in there somewhere.

 

I always keep mileage due to tire rolling resistance to the expert testers. A 10 mph headwind will drop your mileage or hilly terrain, so I always look to proper tire testing for the comparative answers.

 

I've had my NX 350 F Sport now for 2 years. I haven't really had any issues with the Bridgestone run flats but I've known since I bought it I'd replace them with something else when the time came. The 2 tires you reference are the one's I've looked at the most. However, I think I'm going to go in a different direction. I'm leaning to the Toyo Open Country AT3's in 245/50/20. I have no idea how these would effect the handling if at all.....I assume it would but I don't know. I don't really care that much about road noise. I saw these tires in photos on a '22 NX350 F Sport 450h that was for sale and I thought it gave the NX a really cool look. Plus I have these tires on our 4Runner and they've been great.

 

Not a scientific study by any means, but my mpg dropped from just over 20 to 18 when I switched out the OEM Bridgestone's for Cross Climate 2s on my 2022 RX350 F-Sport.

Came close to swapping the CCs to my new NX350h when I traded-in the RX, but as there is no spare in the NX...

 

One key factor that needs to be considered is the tire weight. The Pirelli tires weigh 34 lbs. each and the Michelin weigh 29.19 lbs. When you consider the additional rotational energy required to move Pirelli tires, the Michelin tires will get better mpg if that is a consideration.

YMMV,
MidCow3

 

Good Point on that. The 20" Bridgestone is 33 lbs per https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...D&autoModClar=

The Michelin should output better MPG, right?

 

If there are no other tires available at the time we need to replace our 2023 NX 350h tires I will get the Michelin Primacy. They're on my 2024 RX 350h. I love them they are super quiet track great and I'm getting 38 miles per gallon.