June 14, 2021
What differentiates a crossover from a passenger car? Aren’t some crossovers at their core simply hatchbacks or station wagons with a slight suspension lift? Similarly, what differentiates a tire designed for a crossover from one designed for a passenger car? Some crossover-focused tires may feature a stiffer tread pattern in the shoulders to combat the irregular wear that can result from the added body roll experienced by these higher-center-of-gravity vehicles. Some may have a more robust tread compound to resist potential chipping and tearing from light off-road use. Some may actually be the same as their passenger-car counterparts, simply with different branding on the sidewalls. As these two vehicle types continue to blur and blend, the tires they use are following the same pattern.
For this Tire Rack tire test, our new competitor is the Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3. This tire is the successor to a consumer- (and tire rack test team)-favorite, which always means the pressure is very high. Pirelli claims the new tire maintains the hallmark on-road refinement and satisfying driving experience of its predecessor while also improving light snow traction, dry and wet handling, and real-world longevity.
For the competitive set, we chose the Michelin CrossClimate2 and Vredestein Quatrac Pro, two tires that we classify as Grand Touring All-Season, which is traditionally a passenger car-focused category. Both feature a very similar purpose to the Scorpion AS Plus 3, as is often the case between the two categories, and importantly, both are available in the tire size we use for our Audi Q5 test vehicles. Both are also branded with the tire industry’s three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.
To find out how these three tires compare, we tested them head-to-head. Our evaluation used 2019 Audi Q5 2.0T SUVs fitted with new, full tread depth 235/60R18 tires mounted on 18x8.0 wheels.
Our 6.0-mile loop of expressway, state highway and county roads provides a great variety of road conditions that include city and highway speeds, smooth and coarse concrete, as well as new and patched asphalt. This route allows our team to experience noise comfort, ride quality and everyday handling, just as you would during your drive to school or work.
In our on-road testing, the tires in this group impressed our drivers by providing sophisticated comfort and refinement in addition to enjoyable driving dynamics. The Scorpion AS Plus 3 led the test by a small margin, owed primarily to ride quality that was top-notch. The tire soaked up small bumps to make them almost imperceptible and did a great job mitigating large impacts. Noise comfort was very good, as well, with minimal impact noise and some barely-noticeable tread vibrato that placed it a quarter of a point below the "sound" leader in the test. Satisfying steering was also part of the package provided by the Scorpion AS Plus 3, with an intuitive feel and a natural buildup of effort that our testers enjoyed. Ride quality was also very strong in the Quatrac Pro. The tire was slightly firmer than the Pirelli, making all the bumps on our route just a touch more perceptible. Without the Pirelli to compare to, it likely would have gone unnoticed. When testing the Quatrac Pro in passenger car sizes, we were impressed by the lack of tread noise, and that held true in the larger size, as well. Even over the worst stretches of pavement on our route, the Quatrac Pro created very little audible indication of the surface. One thing that dropped its score a small amount was some impact noise that, when contrasted against the otherwise quiet operation, had a tendency to stand out. The steering feel drew some minor criticism. It had light on-center feel and sped up in a slightly unnatural way as input was added. Even so, it is unlikely to be noticed in a typical crossover application. The CrossClimate2 felt much the same on our Audi Q5s as it has in the past on our BMW 430s, though it seemed slightly less fitting in this application. As we have found previously, the ride was taut, almost sporty. While it controlled body motions very well and made impacts concise, compared to the other two products it felt just a little firmer than would be ideal for a crossover. Similarly, in this tire dimension there was slightly more tread noise than in prior tests. It wasn’t loud or objectionable in any way, but it wasn’t as quiet as the competition here. One place the CrossClimate2 stood out from the rest was in steering and light handling. Despite the somewhat-disconnected feel of the steering in the Audi Q5, the Michelin added satisfying heft, with quick and precise response to inputs that completed the tire’s sporty persona.
Our 1/3-mile per lap test track course includes 90-degree street corners, a 3-cone slalom and simulated expressway ramps. Run in both dry and wet conditions, the test track allows our team to experience the traction, responsiveness, handling and drivability normally only encountered during abrupt emergency avoidance maneuvers.
Turning quick laps in a track setting is hardly a design priority for Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tires, nor for our Audi Q5s, for that matter. The Scorpion AS Plus 3 was the nicest to drive, allowing some minor rotation to help turn the vehicle, and it also set the fastest average lap time. While the CrossClimate2 didn’t lead any of the, admittedly very closely-grouped, objective performance metrics, it had the same satisfying steering we found on the road, pointing the front end of the vehicle with relative authority. Some mid-corner understeer was barely perceptible, and in all the experience earned favor with our team. The Quatrac Pro set the highest average lateral gs in our skid pad testing and the shortest 50-0 mph braking distances. On the track it didn’t feel quite as athletic as the Pirelli, and the steering wasn’t as nice as the Michelin, but it was still a capable performer.
Wet track testing set the Quatrac Pro far above the competition, handily sweeping all objective metrics and impressing our drivers, as well. In addition to the noticeably superior traction, the tire enabled the driver to trail brake into corners without the front end plowing and use mid-corner throttle or maintenance throttle in steady-state turns without pushing wide. While these characteristics may not seem remarkable, it’s worth noting because they are often impossible in our nose-heavy, all-wheel drive crossovers. The CrossClimate2 was a strong wet performer in its own right, delivering traction that would be sure to satisfy drivers on the road. Driving on the track, the CrossClimate2 felt secure and planted. Our drivers enjoyed the confident initial turn-in and direct steering that helped the vehicle dance through the slalom. Some mid-corner understeer in the 90 degree turns on our track required the driver’s attention, but authoritative braking behavior meant it was easy to scrub off speed before corner entry. The Scorpion AS Plus 3 was a very small step behind the Michelin in outright traction and average lap time, though it still performed admirably. Where the Michelin felt locked down and secure, the Pirelli was free and moved around quite a bit. It never felt nervous or difficult to drive, and the driver could use the small amount of rotation to help with turning. The front axle scrambled for grip a little bit more than the other two tires in the test, so the ability to steer with the rear was welcome. Braking didn’t feel quite as strong as in the Michelin while on the track, but in our objective testing, the Pirelli only trailed by a minor 2 feet from 50-0 mph.
In our test, the CrossClimate2 and Quatrac Pro were branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, and the Scorpion AS Plus 3 was not. We always find it interesting to compare tires with and without the brand, because the 3PMSF does not always guarantee a superior winter performance. The test required to earn the 3PMSF measures longitudinal acceleration traction only, which means there is no braking or cornering component, and it doesn’t evaluate ice traction whatsoever.
In our light snow testing, the CrossClimate2 separated itself from the field. Though all three products delivered satisfying capabilities in the snow, the Michelin was a step above the other two. It led our 0-12 mph acceleration and 25-0 mph braking tests by a couple feet, but where it took a significant lead was in our timed laps on the handling track. The traction provided by the CrossClimate2 was much more usable and confidence-inspiring, and it allowed for additional speed through every element of the track, adding up to significant time savings over a complete lap. With the impressive grip and handling that defaulted to understeer, it felt planted and in control at all times. Subjectively, our test drivers wished it had a little more front end authority and a little more rotation from the rear end to make it more enjoyable to drive. The Quatrac Pro and Scorpion AS Plus 3 essentially tied in acceleration and braking, with only .2 feet and .3 feet separating their results, respectively. The Quatrac Pro had superior lateral grip and nicer handling dynamics around the track, which resulted in a sizable advantage in lap time and subjective evaluation from our testers. The Scorpion AS Plus 3 was competent and benign around the track. When exceeding the limit of traction, understeer was typically the result, which was the source of some driver frustration.
The CrossClimate2 once again stood out in our ice testing, coming to a stop from 12 mph in 48.8 feet, which was 9 feet shorter than the Quatrac Pro and 11.5 feet shorter than the Scorpion AS Plus 3.
When considering the three, premium touring tires in our test, crossover/SUV drivers won’t go wrong no matter which they choose. The Vredestein Quatrac Pro delivers serene comfort on the road, confident handling in the dry, and wet traction that leads the group by a significant margin. It’s also a confident performer in light snow. The Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 has the smoothest ride, excellent sound quality, and is nice to drive on the road or the track. Wet and light snow traction are likely good enough for most conditions drivers will see on the street, but it narrowly lands at the back of this test in both metrics. The Michelin CrossClimate2 feels the most athletic on the road, with a controlled, slightly taut ride and weighty, responsive steering. It also leads the test in all "winter" categories by a sizable amount. Sound comfort is very good, as well, with just a touch more perceptible growl than the others, particularly on coarse surfaces. Wet traction is strong, and aside from some mid-corner understeer, our drivers are satisfied with the on-track performance.
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