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Last updated 10/23/2024 - Originally published 10/23/2024
Written by SimpleTire
The German tire maker Continental needs no introduction in the North American market with a presence in almost all categories of tires, from all-season and all-terrain to winter and mud-terrain. With several innovations and patents, the 153-year-old conglomerate offers superior-quality products for passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs, and light trucks. Similarly, the subsidiary of the Japanese tire manufacturer Bridgestone, Firestone is also a century-old tire company with great products in different categories. The CrossContact LX25 and the Destination LE3 are great all-season picks for your vehicle.
Designed for CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks, the Continental CrossContact LX25 and Firestone Destination LE3 offer great year-round performance in dry, wet, and light snow while returning a comfortable ride quality and a longer tread life. Both offer up-to 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranties for complete peace of mind. So, which of these two is a better option? Let’s compare Continental CrossContact LX25 vs. Firestone Destination LE3 tires based on our proprietary SimpleScore system to know the best option.
Continental CrossContact LX25 tires
Launched in 2019, the Continental CrossContact LX25 is designed for CUVs and SUVs and offers impressive year-round performance in different driving conditions. Thanks to the optimized tread pattern, the Conti’s smart pitch sequence allows it to return a quiet and comfortable ride with great traction, grip, handling, and stability on dry, wet, and light snow. While the optional outlined white lettering and black sidewall make it aesthetically pleasing, the EcoPlus technology boosts fuel savings and tread life and reduces braking distances. The solid shoulders and consistent center rib of the CrossContact LX25 provide an accurate steering response with increased stability. Backed by an up-to-70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Continental all-season tire features QuickView Indicators for visual inspection of tire condition. Under Continental’s Total Confidence Plan, the CrossContact LX25 is covered by a 60-day trial and 3-year roadside assistance.
Boasting an 8.7 average SimpleScore, the Conti is in for a serious challenge to existing all-season tires.
Firestone Destination LE3 tires
One year after the Conti’s launch, Firestone introduced its Destination LE3 tire for CUVs, SUVs, and light trucks. Featuring Firestone’s Hydro-Grip Technology package, the Destination LE3 cuts through the water to avoid the risk of hydroplaning and improve wet performance. Meanwhile, the full-depth 3D sipes allow enhanced snow traction and ensure continued traction throughout the tire’s lifespan. The Destination LE3’s TractionTech Technology limits uneven wear and promotes uniform wear, boosting the overall service life of the tire. For additional visual appeal, it also features optional outlined white lettering and a black sidewall, just like the Conti. Showing improved safety in rain and snow over its predecessor LE2, the Destination LE3 is backed by a 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. With this Firestone tire, you get the 90-day buy & try guarantee program wherein you can return for a full refund or exchange for a different tire if you’re not satisfied with the purchase.
With an 8.6 SimpleScore, the Firestone Destination LE3 promises reliable handling, stability, wearability, traction, and grip around the year.
Continental CrossContact LX25 vs Firestone Destination LE3 tires on traction
Traction is the most vital aspect of a tire as it keeps you firmly on the ground without skidding. Both the all-season tires claim to offer reliable traction and grip around the year.
The Continental CrossContact LX25 features EcoPlus Technology for improved fuel efficiency and special silane for effective grip, along with wide grooves and dense siping to resist hydroplaning and return great traction in wet conditions, leading to an 8.6 traction score.
Contrarily, the Destination LE3 scores an 8.3 thanks to Firestone’s Hydro-Grip Technology which provides extra biting edges through its special tread design for effective wet performance. Meanwhile, the full-depth 3D sipes here take its snow traction a notch higher than its previous iteration.
With a better score, the Continental CrossContact LX25 wins the traction battle.
ADVANTAGE: Continental CrossContact LX25
Continental CrossContact LX25 vs Firestone Destination LE3 tires on handling
With better steering response, the driver feels more confident driving at high speeds, making handling an integral part of the tire selection. The CrossContact LX25 and the Destination LE3 look promising in their handling departments. Let’s analyze the above with the help of hard facts.
A real gem in handling, the CrossContact LX25 scores 8.9 thanks to the wide footprint that puts more rubber on the surface, resulting in an excellent year-round steering response. The solid center rib with sipes further boosts handling and stability when driving at high speed.
The Destination LE3’s unique tread design with dense sipes allows increased grip, handling, and stability, leading to an 8.3 in handling. The solid shoulders and ribs improve steering response while boosting stability.
The Continental CrossContact LX25 turns out to be a better performer and beats the Firestone Destination LE3.
ADVANTAGE: Continental CrossContact LX25
Continental CrossContact LX25 vs Firestone Destination LE3 tires on longevity
All-season tires are known to offer a longer tread life, and that’s one of the reasons they’re the most sold tires in the North American tire market. The CrossContact LX25 and the Destination LE3 promise longer service lives, but which one offers better longevity? Let’s check out.
With an 8.8 durability score, the Continental all-season tire’s EcoPlus Technology helps it prolong tread life by resisting uneven wear and promoting uniform wear throughout its lifespan. It is backed by a 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty for T- and H-rated sizes and 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty for V-rated ones. Continental provides a Total Confidence Plan with Limited Warranty, Road Hazard, Customer satisfaction Trial, and Flat Tire Roadside Assistance as a part of it.
Breaking the shackles, the Firestone Destination LE3 scores its best with an outstanding 9.4 longevity score thanks to its TractionTech Technology which reduces rolling resistance for better fuel economy and promotes excellent wearability. It is covered by a 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty and features a 90-day Buy and Try guarantee.
The Destination LE3 finally crosses over the CrossContact LX25 to win the longevity title.
ADVANTAGE: Firestone Destination LE3
When to use each
All-season tires are designed to offer superior grip, traction, stability, and handling in dry, wet, and light wintry conditions. Developed for year-round use, their tread compound lasts long, leading to a longer service life. If you reside in an area where the weather is unpredictable, you should go for all-weather tires, which offer increased winter performance on ice and snow besides offering excellent year-round performance.
However, if the weather consistently remains below the 45 degrees Fahrenheit mark, you should go for dedicated winter tires that have more specialized rubber compounds to combat sub-freezing conditions.
Which one should you choose?
To conclude, the Conti wins the traction and handling section while the Firestone Destination LE3 bags the longevity department. If the manufacturer's mileage warranty was the basis of your selection, you've got two winners at hand as both offer a solid 70,000-mile warranty.
If you value handling and traction over tread life, you should go for the Continental CrossContact LX25, while for owners looking for longevity, you know which one to pick. Wait! There’s one more aspect that could swap your choices – the price.
Comparing the prices of the 245/60R18 105H tire size, the Continental CrossContact LX25 costs around $219 per tire, and four such tires cost $924, while the Firestone Destination LE3 costs around $194 per tire, and four such tires cost $776 (a difference of $125).
Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Continental CrossContact LX25 if you:
- Drive vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox, Jeep Cherokee, Ford Escape, and GMC Terrain
- Prefer better traction (8.6 vs 8.3)
- Want better handling (8.9 vs 8.3)
- Want Continental’s Total Confidence Plan (limited warranty, flat tire roadside assistance, customer satisfaction trial, and mileage warranty)
Conversely, you should choose the Firestone Destination LE3 if you:
- Drive vehicles like the Honda CR-V, Lexus LX, Ford F-150, and Nissan Titan
- Want a more affordable tire
- Prefer a longer service life (9.4 vs 8.8)
Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help, and our helpful agents will be more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.