Tires MICHELIN or BRIDGESTONE
I have those on my Honda Element and they have great traction and wear. They are super quiet and very smooth on the interstate.
I live in the PNW. I have had the defender and cross climate on my outback. I personally prefer the cross climate so far. We drive in very wet weather and snow. I have not had any issues so far. I do like the handling in extreme rain and light snow with the cross climates.
I have Michelin Defender 2s on my Civic, and they're great. I'm in North Carolina, so I get loads of rain. I had them on my old Cruze, too, and they were the best part of that car. They still had decent tread left after 50,000 miles when I sold it.
Still on my stock tires for my Outback but I have Defender 2s on a RAV4 hybrid. Not the same car, I know, but they have been so awesome in wet conditions. No issues with hard braking either. The tread also wears extremely well.
I just got them. I really like them. They are quiet and handle really well. On my way home every day, I have to make a left hand up hill. You have to be pretty quick because the visibility is pretty bad. My old tires would occasionally spin up while turning. The Defenders act like nothing has changed.
i got the defenders about 500 miles ago and like them.
the ride is more comfortable and i like the look. i do hear a little bit of road noise, but assuming i get close to the life i’m supposed to from them, it’ll be worth it.
I was actively avoiding driving with the Kinergys if rain was predicted. Hated to dump almost new tires but first rain test the other night with the Michelins and they were amazing.
Look into the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4. Great tire and better tread wear.
I will say after installing diff and subframe bushings, there is a marked difference in cold weather performance on these tires. The car likes to step out a lot more readily. With stock bushings, the difference shouldn't be that exaggerated, but there is a difference in performance on cold Pilots.
What I have observed is - when I go beyond 100 kmph, I sense vibrations from the tires. I did not face this while I was on my factory 19" tires (Goodyear tires). This was not a one-time thing, on different road conditions, different temperatures, I felt the same vibrations when the speed goes beyond 100-105 kmph. I think it is because of the tires, I can also sense the vibrations on my steering wheel.
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