Overall Rating
Continental CrossContact LX20 Tire
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
Undoubtedly, the Continental CrossContact LX20 is a high-quality tire with an excellent overall performance. The EcoPlus Technology is a huge advantage of the LX20. It can boost your savings on gasoline.
What more? The tire can increase your chances of passing the emissions test as it engenders low CO2 emissions. Furthermore, I can guarantee your ride comfort, excellent traction, stable steering feel, and low noise level. In addition, the molded sidewall lip helps to create a protective barrier for expensive rims.
However, based on users’ feedback, you may have to find a way to mitigate the inconsistent/quick wear. Nonetheless, without any bias, I don’t think this will be an issue. As long as you don’t drive aggressively or traverse harsh terrains, it can last long.
Suitable for
Not Suitable for
What Do Drivers Say About Continental CrossContact LX20 Tire?
Consumer reports are a classic way to judge a tire’s performance. A user revealed that the LX20 became a game-changer when he used it in his 2017 Q7.
The user praised the tire’s quality, durability, and quietness. Other customer reviews noted and celebrated cost savings as one of the advantages of the LX20. Meanwhile, this is a result of the improved fuel mileage and long lifespan. They have also recognized this tire’s top-notch traction, grip, and braking, especially on wet surfaces.
Pricing and Availability
The CrossContact LX20 is estimated to cost around $150 – $330 per tire. Due to its popularity, the LX20 is still available in the automotive tire market. The price is a little higher compared to other low-rolling resistance tires.
Irrespective of being an old tire released in 2011, it is still very much in demand. However, you can only get limited sizes with about 8 available for 20 and 22-inch wheels which is a drawback.
Specifications of Continental CrossContact LX20 Tire
- Category: All-Season
- UTQG: 680 A A or 740 A B
- Maximum Speed: 118 MPH
- Treadwear Warranty: 6 Years / 70,000 Miles
- Workmanship & Materials Warranty: 6 Years / Free replacement first year or 2/32″ of wear, then prorated until 2/32″ remaining depth.
- Manufacturer’s Road Hazard Warranty: 1 Year / first 2/32″ of wear
- Maximum Inflation Pressure: 44 or 51 psi (based on tire sizes)
- Rim Width Range: The Rim width ranges from a minimum of 7 inches to a maximum of 9.5 inches based on different tire sizes
- Load Range: SL or XL depending on the tire size
- Tire sizes: 7 tire sizes are available in 20 and 22-inch rim diameter
- Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) Rating: No
Key Features of Continental CrossContact LX20 Tire
- The Continental CrossContact LX20 offers exceptional all-season performance, improved fuel economy, and minimal wear. All these happen without compromising its grip or dry traction.
- Designed with Continental’s eco-friendly tread compound which is enhanced with +Silane additives and Tg-F polymers. This helps to increase traction and minimize rolling resistance and CO2 emissions.
- Features a continuous center rib, having independent tread blocks which deliver an excellent steering feel and improved dry traction.
- Designed with four wide circumferential grooves, as well as additional traction grooves for maximum aquaplaning resistance.
- Built with Traction Teeth for enhanced grip in snowy conditions.
Detailed Performance Evaluation of Continental CrossContact LX20 Tires
Treadwear and Tread Life
A new CrossContact LX20 tire comes with a tread depth – of 12/32 of an inch. Although the treadwear rating is 740 which is quite high, some users have reported early wear. The reason might be inappropriate use. This tire is for luxurious rides, not for speed demons. Using it with spirited driving may result in early wear.
It wears faster when the tread depth is full and relatively slower at lower tread depths. This is due to the “tread squirm”. Tread Squirm indicates a condition in which there is a lot of flexibility between the tire tread and its carcass when it is new. Furthermore, Continental offers a treadwear warranty of about 70,000 miles.
From an overall scale, more users report well over 70,000 miles, which is very commendable. To enjoy long wear life, always ensure to rotate your tire regularly. Ideally, this should be after every 6,000 – 8,000 miles.
The tire’s wear indicators eventually become visible as the tread wears out, indicating a replacement need.
Dry Traction
The CrossContact LX20 delivers exceptional traction, handling, and braking on dry roads, even with hard cornering notwithstanding. The tire’s performance on dry tarmac is highly commendable as it delivers very precise steering and confident braking. The tire’s steering responsiveness is also relatively crisp.
They are capable of holding a relatively fast line around off-ramps and curvy road sections. However, the Continental CrossContact LX20 happens to be incompatible with high-performance speed cars.
If you own one, I recommend identifying the specific tire prescribed by your vehicle’s manufacturer. Nevertheless, using the CrossContact LX20 as recommended will deliver a relatively satisfactory performance overall.
Cornering, Handling, and Steering Response
The Continental CrossContact LX20 offers smooth handling and a confident steering feel. However, the tire’s performance may vary based on the driving scenarios.
Generally, the tire delivers a direct and crisp steering feel for both wet and dry road conditions alike. Its Smooth Response Technology helps to reinforce the shoulders for enhanced handling response.
One thing I recall is that earlier generations of tires with low rolling resistance like CrossContact LX20 would most likely compromise safety. They had an issue with average grip in corners at high speeds. But this is not their drawback as these tires are not built for high-speed rides. They are built for comfort and luxury.
Irrespective of the inconsistency in varying terrains, the LX20 provides nimble handling and a commendably stable feel in dry conditions.·
Wet Traction and Hydroplaning Resistance
When it comes to wet conditions, the LX20 is outstanding with superior overall traction and composure than others. However, the tire’s wet traction performance may start declining earlier if you use the tire roughly.
The neighboring channels of the CrossContact LX20 enable fast evacuation of water. This tire performs excellently well on wet roads with the capacity to maintain steady traction and grip. It does this without any feeling of ‘skimming’ or ‘floating’.
In fact, the Continental CrossContact performs better on wet terrains than most tires in its category. With full traction and excellent stability in waterlogged areas, this tire has strong hydroplaning resistance.
Fuel Efficiency
The CrossContact LX20’s EcoPlus Technology enhances fuel economy. This Technology minimizes rolling resistance, which in turn delivers better fuel efficiency.
The independent tests reveal that the fuel consumption rate improved a little compared to tires in the non-eco category. This is a competitive advantage for the Continental CrossContact LX20 EcoPlus tire. Driving with this low-rolling resistance tire means you can save fuel while spending less.
Noise and Comfort
Unlike other SUV tires manufactured with chunkier tread designs, LX20s are engineered for minimal noise. The tire’s continuous ribs offer smooth rolling surfaces, which enhances comfortability. The tire also delivers a quiet ride at high speeds and provides a bump-free ride even on rough road patches.
With such an excellent capacity to handle road undulations smoothly, I guarantee you a comfortable ride. With LX20s, it is difficult to feel road bumps and roughness as you drive.
Winter Performance (Snow and Ice)
When it comes to winter performance, the LX20 delivers satisfactory performance (not exceptional). The tire’s traction grooves are engineered with gripping teeth inside the groove.
This feature helps to lock snow to deliver an enhanced snow grip. This tire can handle roads that change from wet to slush. It is capable of driving over up to 2 inches of snow level.
However, you may need additional measures like snow chains to mitigate deeper snow and ice. Typically, the LX20 delivers fair performance in light snow. Conversely, it may not do so well under heavier snow conditions. I recommend that you use winter tires in this case.
Comparison with Competitor Tires
The Continental LX20 outshines most of its competitors in its category of luxury tires. It outperforms the Hankook Kinergy PT, especially when it comes to wet surfaces. This tire is outstanding in its class due to its durability, comfortable rides, and performance.
However, based on the observed fuel economy, the LX20 happens to have slightly lower fuel efficiency than other eco-friendly tires. Nevertheless, the LX20s perform better than most OEM fit tires.
One of the main competitors – the Hankook Dynapro HP2, offers crisp handling and dry traction. However, the CrossContact LX20 beats this tire in wet traction.
Nonetheless, in gas mileage, the Bridgestone Ecopia EP 422 Plus and Hankook Dynapro HP2 are slightly better.
If you need a luxury tire for your Crossover or SUV, consider buying the LX20. But considering its limited available sizes, Bridgestone Ecopia EP 422 or Continental CrossContact LX25 (a newer version of LX20) may be much better options for you.
Some Notable Alternatives
1st Alternative
Bridgestone Ecopia EP 422 Plus
Bridgestone Ecopia EP 422 Plus offers significant fuel savings while providing a top-notch dry and wet grip.
2nd Alternative
Hankook Dynapro HP2
Hankook Dynapro HP2 is a budget alternative that offers superb handling and braking capabilities.
3rd Alternative
Continental CrossContact LX25
Continental CrossContact LX25 is the next version of the LX20 tire. It offers slightly better overall performance with more tire sizes available.
How We Review the Tires?
There is a lot of work behind our detailed tire reviews. We adopt a multi-dimensional approach rather than just a ‘single person experience’. Our reviews are a collective wisdom of many users rather than a single user.
Before reviewing, we undertake extensive market research, meticulously examine the specifications of each tire, and carry out a very thorough analysis of user reviews from top retailers. Finally, our keen tire experts apply their experience and expertise and provide a well-rounded assessment of tires. Read our detailed review process.
