Continental CrossContact RX is an asymmetric tire for SUVs and crossovers, presented by the German tire maker in 2019 as the second all-season development of this brand. The key features of this model include stable traction on slight snow, as well as on wet and dry pavement, smooth and noiseless ride, and exceptionally low rolling resistance (some sizes refer to Class A of the EU tire label). The optimized tread design of the Continental CrossContact RX ensures driving safety “in any weather conditions”. Yet with one reservation – in mild winters! This conclusion is prompted by the CrossContact RX tread pattern with a number of sipes, which is too small to ensure decent traction in deep or on hard-packed snow. The engineers primarily focused on increasing hydroplaning resistance and improving the new model’s wet traction. The circumferential drainage grooves and the numerous sipes in the tread blocks, including U-shaped ones, situated at different angles to the driving direction, completely fulfill the task. The wide and flat contact patch serves to increase the Cross Contact RX wet traction, as well as to reduce its stopping distance on wet pavement. The uniform distribution of pressure in the contact patch prevents uneven wear and extends tread life.

The varied pitch of the Continental CrossContact RX reduces the noise level and the rolling resistance, which is further cut down by the rubber compound with a high content of silica and other special fillers.