Continental CrossContact LX25 Review: Are They Right for Your Ride?

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The Continental CrossContact LX25 is an all-season touring tire designed for crossovers, SUVs, and light trucks. As an all-season tire, the CrossContact LX25 aims to provide a balanced combination of year-round performance – offering traction in dry, wet, and wintry conditions while also minimizing noise for a comfortable ride.

Continental designed the LX25 as a grand touring tire, meaning it prioritizes qualities like a smooth, quiet ride, long treadlife, and fuel efficiency over max dry grip or sporty handling. This makes it a good choice for drivers looking for a dependable daily driver tire rather than hardcore off-roading or performance.

As an SUV and light truck tire, the CrossContact LX25 is engineered for heavier vehicles. Key features include an advanced tread compound to enhance wet braking and winter traction, a symmetric non-directional tread pattern that can be rotated, and a durable casing to support the weight of larger vehicles.

List of Other Continental Tire Reviews

If you’re interested in exploring other Continental tire options, check out our comprehensive reviews of their various offerings. Continental’s commitment to quality and performance shines through in their diverse range of tires.

• Continental Extreme Contact Sport Review
• Continental Viking Contact 7 Review
• Continental Pure Contact LS Review
• Continental Control Contact Tour A/S Plus Review
• Continental Control Contact Sport SRS+ Review
• Continental TrueContact Tour Review
• Continental TerrainContact A/T Review
• Continental CrossContact LX Sport Review
• Continental CrossContact LX25 Review

Tread Design of Continental CrossContact LX25

The Continental CrossContact LX25 features an asymmetric tread design optimized for all-season performance. At the center of the tread is a continuous center rib that runs down the middle to minimize noise and provide responsive handling.

On either side of the center rib are intermediate tread blocks that help channel water away. Along the outer shoulders are stable shoulder blocks that provide grip and stability when cornering.

The asymmetric tread pattern is intended to deliver balanced wet and dry performance. The continuous center rib enhances high-speed stability for highway driving, while the stable shoulder blocks engage when changing lanes or navigating corners.

This unique hybrid tread design aims to give drivers year-round traction across various road conditions. The ribbed middle combines with the blocky shoulders to simultaneously improve handling, braking, and tread life.

Overall, the asymmetric non-directional tread of the CrossContact LX25 is engineered for a dynamic on-road experience in both wet and dry conditions. Drivers can expect a quiet, comfortable ride with responsive handling.

Traction & Braking of Continental CrossContact LX25

The Continental CrossContact LX25 provides excellent traction and braking performance in both wet and dry conditions. The LX25 has Continental’s EcoPlus Technology, which utilizes a tread compound formulated for lower rolling resistance without compromising wet traction.

Independent testing shows the LX25 earns an AA traction rating for wet braking and handling. The asymmetric tread design features large outer shoulder blocks that remain rigid for enhanced grip when cornering.

The multiple sipes help channel water out from under the tread for better wet weather control. For dry conditions, the stable center rib design supplies even contact with the road.

The stable tread blocks limit squirming and distortion, allowing confident straight-line braking without wander or vibration. Overall, drivers report very responsive, predictable braking whether on slick roads or dry pavement.

The brakes inspire confidence without any sudden loss of grip. The LX25 delivers a composed, drama-free driving experience in all conditions.

Noise & Comfort Performance of Continental CrossContact LX25

The Continental CrossContact LX25 is designed to deliver a quiet and comfortable ride. The tire utilizes Continental’s Comfort Ride Technology which incorporates a computer-optimized tread design to minimize noise.

Independent testing shows the CrossContact LX25 rates well for noise, with a 68 rating (out of 100) indicating a quiet ride. This puts it on par with some of the quietest touring tires on the market.

The CrossContact LX25 provides a smooth and comfortable ride thanks to its silica tread compound and an optimized interior construction. The silica tread rubber helps absorb road noise and impacts, while the optimized interior components like the polyester casing improve ride quality.

Test drivers praise the CrossContact LX25 for its comfortable ride that isolates bumps and cracks in the road. The tire absorbs impacts well, without excessive bouncing or vibration. This makes for a smooth highway cruise as well as composed handling on winding backroads.

Overall, the Continental CrossContact LX25 delivers responsive handling and steering stability without sacrificing ride quality or comfort. Drivers looking for a refined, luxury ride will appreciate the comfort-oriented design of this grand touring all-season tire.

Treadwear of Continental CrossContact LX25

The Continental CrossContact LX25 is an all-season tire that provides a smooth, quiet ride, along with long tread life. Continental designed the tire for longevity, with the capability to last up to 65,000 miles before replacement is needed.

Exact treadwear will vary depending on your driving style and road conditions. Aggressive driving or driving on rougher roads will wear down the tread more quickly.

The LX25 tires are built to handle a variety of conditions though, so with normal driving you can expect to get at least 50,000 miles or more before needing new tires. The CrossContact LX25 tires come with a treadwear warranty of 65,000 miles for T-rated sizes, and 50,000 miles for H-rated sizes.

This means that if the tread depth wears down to 2/32″ before reaching the warranted mileage, Continental will provide a prorated credit toward your purchase of replacement Continental tires. This gives you assurance that the tires are built to last.

With their long treadlife warranty and smooth ride, the Continental CrossContact LX25 tires are a great choice if you want all-season performance and don’t want to replace your tires frequently. The durable tread compound allows you to rack up the miles confidently.

Dry Road Performance of Continental CrossContact LX25

The Continental CrossContact LX25 is an all-season tire that offers great performance on dry roads. The tire features a unique asymmetric tread design that allows it to grip the road well and provide good traction and handling when driving.

The continuous center rib in the tread design helps improve the tire’s stability at high speeds and gives you more control when driving on highways. Furthermore, the stable shoulder blocks on the sides of the tire help maintain grip and stability when taking corners or changing lanes.

This means that you can feel more confident driving on dry roads, as the tire provides responsive handling when needed. However, it is worth noting that the CrossContact LX25 is more focused on providing a smooth, comfortable, and quiet ride than on extreme handling and grip.

As a grand touring tire, it’s designed for drivers who prioritize a dependable everyday drive rather than sporty performance or off-roading. In short, the Continental CrossContact LX25 provides a reliable and comfortable driving experience on dry roads, with good traction, handling, and stability.

While it may not offer the same level of performance as a dedicated sports tire, it still delivers impressive capabilities that will satisfy most drivers’ needs throughout all four seasons.

Wet Road Performance of Continental CrossContact LX25

The Continental CrossContact LX25 is notably impressive when it comes to performance on wet roads. There are a few key design features that make this tire excel in wet conditions.

The tire is equipped with Continental’s EcoPlus Technology which employs a specialized tread compound to ensure lower rolling resistance but without compromising braking and handling on wet surfaces. Thanks to this technology, the LX25 has an excellent traction rating for wet conditions.

Additionally, the tread design plays a significant role in its wet performance. The tire has an asymmetric tread pattern with intermediate tread blocks on both sides of the center rib. These blocks perform the critical job of channeling water away from the tire, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and ensuring good contact with the road.

Large stable outer shoulder blocks also come into play by staying rigid, ensuring enhanced grip while cornering in the rain. Furthermore, intricate sipes (small cuts in the tire) also help to effectively channel water away from the tread, improving control and traction in wet weather.

For regular driving, drivers can feel confident brake effectively and predictably on both wet and dry terrains, reducing any unplanned losses of grip. The CrossContact LX25 ensures a calm, trouble-free driving experience in all weather conditions and assures drivers of its responsive nature in wet conditions.

In summary, the Continental CrossContact LX25’s wet performance is characterized by its excellent traction, reliable braking, and water channeling design that provides responsive handling and an overall safe driving experience in wet conditions.

Snow Performance of Continental CrossContact LX25

The Continental CrossContact LX25 is an all-season tire, but it really excels when it comes to snow and winter driving capabilities. The tread pattern and rubber compound give it impressively strong traction and grip on snow-covered roads.

The tires use Continental’s +Silane additives in the tread compound to enhance winter traction. The silane bonds to the silica particles and helps keep the tread soft and flexible even in freezing temperatures. This improves cold weather performance and winter grip.

The tire also utilizes Continental’s Snow Groove technology with extra siping along the tread blocks. This adds many additional biting edges to dig into snow and ice.

Combined with the open tread design, snow and slush are efficiently channeled away from the tread for enhanced snow traction. In snow testing, the CrossContact LX25 delivers short braking distances and smooth acceleration compared to other all-season tires.

The tread stiffness provides responsive handling and stability when cornering on snowy roads. Drivers report a high level of confidence when driving in heavy snow with these tires. The aggressive tread lugs and strong winter compound make the CrossContact LX25 one of the best all-season tires for snow and ice driving.

Drivers in regions with cold winters can rely on these tires to deliver a high level of performance in snowy and icy conditions. They provide drivers with wintertime traction and handling comparable to a dedicated winter tire.

Off-Road Performance of Continental CrossContact LX25

The Continental CrossContact LX25 is primarily designed as an all-season touring tire, and while it is not specifically engineered for heavy off-roading, it can handle mild off-road conditions competently. Let’s delve into the factors that contribute to its off-road performance:

The LX25 is constructed with a durable casing that is meant to support the weight of heavier vehicles and can withstand the demands of light off-road usage. It’s designed to hold its own on gravel, dirt roads, and other imperfect terrains. The tire’s tread compound has the capacity to enhance traction on such uneven surfaces as well.

The asymmetric tread design, rotating shoulder blocks on the outside, and the multiple sipes help dig into soft and loose surfaces to a certain extent. However, its capabilities might come up short while navigating very challenging off-road conditions such as deep mud, heavy rocks, or sand dunes.

As it is not an aggressive off-road tire, it lacks the features dedicated to off-roading like reinforced sidewalls or deep tread that provides maximum traction in such challenging terrains.

To conclude, while the Continental CrossContact LX25 can perform reasonably well in modest off-road conditions, if you are a serious off-road enthusiast, you might want to consider tires specifically designed for rugged off-road applications.

The LX25 is a reliable tire for general uses such as daily commuting, highway cruising, and occasional mild off-road adventures.

Available Sizes of Continental CrossContact LX25

The Continental CrossContact LX25 is available in a wide range of sizes to fit most passenger vehicles including coupes, sedans, crossovers, SUVs, and light trucks.

Here is an overview of the size range options:

• Rim diameters from 16 to 20 inches
• Section widths from 205 to 285mm
• Aspect ratios from 45 to 70
• Load ranges from SL (Standard Load) to XL (Extra Load)
• Speed ratings from H to W
• Numerous plus sizing options for wider wheels

With around 80 different size variations, drivers should have no problem finding the right CrossContact LX25 to fit their vehicle’s wheels properly. The tire is intended to fit a broad range of popular modern rims.

The wide sizing selection makes the CrossContact LX25 a versatile all-season tire that can work for everything from small sedans up to crossover SUVs or light pickup trucks. Continental designed it as a mass market tire for the average driver.

Warranty of Continental CrossContact LX25

The Continental CrossContact LX25 comes with a manufacturer warranty that provides the following coverage:

• Workmanship and Materials Warranty – Covers defects in workmanship and materials for the life of the original usable tread, or 6 years from the date of purchase, whichever comes first.
• Mileage Warranty – Covers tread wear for a specified number of miles, which varies by tire size:
• Tires with a “60,000 mile limited tread life warranty” are warranted for 60,000 miles
• Tires with a “65,000 mile limited tread life warranty” are warranted for 65,000 miles
• Tires with a “70,000 mile limited tread life warranty” are warranted for 70,000 miles
• Tires with an “80,000 mile limited tread life warranty” are warranted for 80,000 miles

The mileage warranty covers replacement with a comparable new Continental brand tire on a pro-rata basis if the tire becomes unserviceable due to wear.

Serviceability is defined as worn to 2/32″ remaining tread depth. The warranties apply to the original purchaser and the original vehicle that the tires were installed on.

Proof of purchase is required, as is proper tire rotation every 5,000-6,000 miles. Exclusions and limitations apply so be sure to check the full Continental tire warranty for details.

Is the Continental CrossContact LX25 Worth Buying?

The Continental CrossContact LX25 is competitively priced within the all-season touring tire category. Pricing will vary based on tire size:

• Standard passenger sizes like 215/60R16 can be found for around $150 per tire from most retailers.
• Larger sedan and crossover sizes, such as 235/55R18, typically range from $170-200 per tire.
• SUV and light truck sizes like 265/70R17 usually start around $180-220 per tire.
• Specialty fitments for luxury vehicles and performance variants are priced higher, generally over $250 per tire.

As with any tire, shop around for the best pricing, as discounts and promotions can bring the price down. The CrossContact LX25 is not the cheapest option but provides a good balance of affordability and performance in its category.

Consider its 70,000-mile treadwear warranty to calculate long-term value. Overall, the LX25 hits a nice sweet spot between budget all-seasons and ultra-high-performance tires.

How Does the Continental CrossContact LX25 Compare to Other Tires?

Let’s compare the Continental CrossContact LX25 with two prominent competitors in the all-season tire category: Michelin Defender LTX M/S and Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

All-Season Performance: Both the Continental CrossContact LX25 and Michelin Defender LTX M/S offer good all-season performance; however, the LX25 has a slight edge in wet traction and performance in wintry conditions.

Comfort and Noise: The CrossContact LX25 offers a smoother and quieter ride compared to the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. The Comfort Ride Technology in the LX25 helps in reducing noise and providing a more comfortable experience on the road.

Tread Life: The Michelin Defender LTX M/S claims a longer tread life (up to 70,000 miles) than the CrossContact LX25, which offers up to 65,000 miles. However, the difference in tread life may vary based on driving conditions and styles.

Pricing: The Michelin Defender LTX M/S tends to be more expensive than the Continental CrossContact LX25. However, prices can vary based on tire size and availability.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady

All-Season Performance: Both the Continental CrossContact LX25 and Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady provide excellent performance in dry and wet conditions. However, the CrossContact LX25 has an edge in wintry conditions, while the Assurance WeatherReady focuses more on wet traction.

Comfort and Noise: The CrossContact LX25 outshines the Assurance WeatherReady when it comes to ride comfort and noise reduction. The LX25’s Comfort Ride Technology ensures a smoother and quieter experience than the Assurance WeatherReady.

Tread Life: The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady tread life warranty is lower than the CrossContact LX25. With the LX25 offering up to 65,000 miles, the Assurance WeatherReady provides tread life coverage only up to 60,000 miles.

Pricing: The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady price range is comparable to the Continental CrossContact LX25, with both tires offering a good balance of affordability and performance. Pricing varies based on tire size and promotions.

In conclusion, while all of these tires perform well as all-season tires, the Continental CrossContact LX25 sets itself apart by providing a more balanced performance across various surfaces, enhanced comfort, and good value for its pricing.

Depending on your specific requirements and priorities, you may opt for one of these tires, but the LX25 proves to be an excellent option overall.

Conclusion

The Continental CrossContact LX25 is an excellent all-season tire that excels in nearly every category.

Here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Superb wet and dry traction from the asymmetric tread design
• Short braking distances in wet and dry conditions
• Quiet and comfortable ride quality
• Above average treadwear warranty of 65,000 miles
• Available in a wide range of popular sizes
• Excellent snow and ice traction for an all-season tire

Cons:

• Handling lacks some responsiveness compared to performance tires
• Snow traction lags dedicated winter tires in very icy or snowy conditions
• Higher cost than cheap all-season options

Overall, the Continental CrossContact LX25 is one of the best all-season tires money can buy. It offers a compelling blend of year-round traction, long treadlife, comfort, and strong performance in wet winter conditions.

Drivers looking for a premium tire that can handle everything from dry roads to heavy rain and snow should have the LX25 at the top of their shortlist.

While not cheap, the level of performance and capabilities make this an excellent value. Most drivers should find the LX25 excels in all their driving needs for all four seasons. It’s a great overall choice that delivers impressive capabilities without compromises.

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