Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Toyo Observe Ice Freezer
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin X Ice North 4 finished ahead 2 times and the Observe Ice Freezer not once. The X Ice North 4 was stronger in wet, snow, ice, comfort and value.
Performance profile
17 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
X Ice North 4
Observe Ice Freezer
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 60%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow.
Where each scores higher
X Ice North 4
Observe Ice Freezer
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Wins count the tests in which each tyre did better.
| Measurement | X Ice North 4 | Gap | Observe Ice Freezer | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Level | ||||
| Dry Braking m | 32.31 | 2.2% | 31.6 | 0-1 |
| Subj. Dry Handling pts | scored | 66.7% | scored | 1-0 |
| Wet X Ice North 4 ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking m | 35.06 | 5.7% | 37.18 | 1-0 |
| Wet Handling s | 45.75 | 1.3% | 45.17 | 0-1 |
| Subj. Wet Handling pts | scored | 100% | scored | 1-0 |
| Straight Aqua km/h | 60.95 | 0.6% | 60.6 | 1-1 |
| Snow X Ice North 4 ahead | ||||
| Snow Braking m | 10.5 | 2% | 10.71 | 1-0 |
| Snow Traction s | 3.67 | 6.4% | 3.92 | 1-0 |
| Snow Handling s | 75.69 | 1.5% | 76.85 | 1-0 |
| Subj. Snow Handling pts | scored | 28.6% | scored | 1-0 |
| Ice X Ice North 4 ahead | ||||
| Ice Braking m | 3.47 | 14.7% | 4.07 | 1-0 |
| Ice Traction s | 1.89 | 32.5% | 2.8 | 1-0 |
| Ice Handling s | 51.23 | 13.2% | 59.02 | 1-0 |
| Subj. Ice Handling pts | scored | 16.7% | scored | 1-0 |
| Comfort X Ice North 4 ahead | ||||
| Subj. Comfort pts | scored | 25% | scored | 1-0 |
| Subj. Noise pts | scored | 150% | scored | 1-0 |
| Value X Ice North 4 ahead | ||||
| Fuel Consumption l/100km | 5.84 | 0.9% | 5.89 | 1-0 |
Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared.
Head to head in 2 tests, 2020 to 2025
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | X Ice North 4 | Field | Observe Ice Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | P5 of 8 | P8 of 8 | |
| 2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 8 | P7 of 8 |
X Ice North 4 vs Observe Ice Freezer: your questions
Is the Michelin X Ice North 4 or the Toyo Observe Ice Freezer the better tyre?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin X Ice North 4 finished ahead 2 times and the Observe Ice Freezer not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the X Ice North 4 scores 8.6 and the Observe Ice Freezer 3.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the X Ice North 4 or the Observe Ice Freezer?
The X Ice North 4 led 3 of the 5 wet measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in the dry?
Across the shared tests the dry measurements are split 1-1 between the X Ice North 4 and the Observe Ice Freezer.
Which is better in snow?
The X Ice North 4 led 4 of the 4 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The X Ice North 4 used 0.9% less fuel (2 tests).
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.3/10 for the X Ice North 4 and 8/10 for the Observe Ice Freezer.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the X Ice North 4 84% from 12 reviews and the Observe Ice Freezer 91% from 1.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.