Subaru
(225/55 R17) on
mostly motorways
for 18,000
easy going miles
I live in the Scottish Highlands, but the majority of my driving is on the UK motorway network - so for me an All Season Tire is the best option, shown by the fact that I missed the snow altogether in the 2016/2017 winter, though I had my Subaru Forester shod with the Cross Climates in preparations for it.
I have found the Cross Climates fine in dry and/or cold conditions, with strangely a feeling of a more secure grip in the wet. However this first winter in the snow (2017/2018), I was desperately disappointed with their performance.
My first experience of All Season tires was when I fitted my Fiat Panda 4 x 4 with Vredestein Quattracs, and I can distinctly remember that it was then that I realised that All Season tires were the way to go (and I'm pretty sure that I have bored a number of people since then singing the praises of the cross breed tire). I took a big step up after the Panda to drive a Subaru Outback, and prior to my first winter I fitted it with Falken Euroalls.
This is the reason I am so disappointed with the Cross Climates, and for this review - because there is no way I can lay the blame of my uncomfortness in the snow on the car.
Even a Subaru critic would find it hard to blame a Subaru in winter conditions, but the fact that I felt so comfortable in my Outback/Falken Euroalls, and so uncomfortable in my Forester/Cross Climates means that I will definitely not be buying these tires in the future.