Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Michelin X Ice North 4
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 79% · 4
- TR Score
- 8.6/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 12
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 finished ahead 2 times and the X Ice North 4 not once. The UltraGrip Ice 3 used 5.7% less fuel.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick Michelin X-Ice North 4 if you routinely face polished ice and prioritize maximum studded bite. For mixed Nordic winters with frequent wet, slush, packed snow, and dry stretches-and if you value economy, refinement, and balanced handling-choose Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Where the UltraGrip Ice 3 is stronger
- Best-in-test wet performance and aquaplaning resistance for a Nordic friction tyre
- Lower fuel consumption/rolling resistance (~4.8% better vs Michelin in shared test)
- Balanced, predictable handling with precise steering and high comfort (+80% subjective comfort)
Where the X Ice North 4 is stronger
- Class-leading ice braking (−24.9% distance vs Goodyear in R16) and ice traction
- Good straight-line ice/snow grip typical of quality studded tyres
- Stable rear-end behavior in extremes despite slower steering
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
UltraGrip Ice 3 vs X Ice North 4 at a glance
| Category | UltraGrip Ice 3 | Gap | X Ice North 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won4 shared tests | 2 | 0 | |
| Dry4 measurements | 3 | 0 | |
| Wet7 measurements | 6 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 1.8% higher speed (2 tests) | 0 |
| Snow4 measurements | 2 | 1 | |
| Ice4 measurements | 1 | 2 | |
| Comfort3 measurements | 3 | 0 | |
| Value2 measurements | 2 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 used 5.7% less fuel (2 tests) | 0 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.4/10 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 by 0.8 | 8.6/10 |
| Owner rating4 and 12 reviews | 79% | The X Ice North 4 by 5 points | 84% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The X Ice North 4 was dearer in 2 of 2 | +9.2% |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 4 tests, 2024 to 2026
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 | UltraGrip Ice 3 | Field | X Ice North 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 5Nordic Friction Winter Tyres | P3 of 7Studded Winter Tyres | |
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 7Nordic Friction Winter Tyres | P5 of 8Studded Winter Tyres | |
| 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | P3 of 7Nordic Friction Winter Tyres | P4 of 7Studded Winter Tyres | |
| The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024 | P2 of 6Nordic Friction Winter Tyres | P3 of 6Studded Winter Tyres |
Performance profile
6 measurements from the 4 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
UltraGrip Ice 3
X Ice North 4
Not ahead on any measurement here
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 85%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 11 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
UltraGrip Ice 3
X Ice North 4
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.
Where owners rate each higher
UltraGrip Ice 3
X Ice North 4
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the UltraGrip Ice 3 79% from 4 reviews and the X Ice North 4 84% from 12. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
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. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | UltraGrip Ice 3 | Gap | X Ice North 4 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.5 | 1.9% | 32.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 50% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 70 | 1.4% | 69 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 37.7 | 0.3% | 37.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 39.9 | 3.4% | 41.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 16.2% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 62.1 | 1.8% | 61 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 49.8 | 0.6% | 50.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 6 | 1.7% | 5.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.6% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 50.2 | 24.9% | 37.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 7.2 | 29.2% | 5.1 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 6.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 70% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 28.6% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 5.75 | 5.7% | 6.1 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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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. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Ice 3 scores 9.4 and the X Ice North 4 8.6 out of 10.
| UltraGrip Ice 3 | Category | X Ice North 4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | Dry | 61 | ||
| 81 | Wet | 25 | ||
| 94 | Comfort | 57 | ||
| 91 | Value | 52 | ||
| 91 | Snow | 78 | ||
| 74 | Ice | 86 | ||
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.
What owners say
| UltraGrip Ice 3 | Category | X Ice North 4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 7.7 | ||
| 8.3 | Wet Grip | 7.3 | ||
| 7 | Road Feedback | 7.7 | ||
| 7.3 | Handling | 8.2 | ||
| 7 | Wear | 8.9 | ||
| 9.5 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 8 | Snow Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 7.3 | Ice Grip | 9.8 | ||
Owners rate the UltraGrip Ice 3 79% from 4 reviews and the X Ice North 4 84% from 12. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
- 79%from 4 reviews
- 59,610 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 UltraGrip Ice 3 reviewsVs the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 2024, Nokian has much better ice grip.
On snow its, ice, dry, wet. I think it's a good overall quality tire.
Tempratures is rising around + degrees, still a solid tire.
Comfort of the Goodyear is excellent.
I have around 3 mm left on the front and barley 5 mm on the back tires. (Top speed we have in this area is 62mph)
Competitive price my area.
It's a good overall nordic winter tire!
Michelin X Ice North 4
- 84%from 12 reviews
- 92%would buy again
- 132,021 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers rate the Michelin X Ice North 4 very highly overall, most often praising outstanding traction and braking on ice and snow along with impressively low road noise for a studded tyre. Several reviews also highlight confident handling/feedback and generally strong longevity, with some users reporting long tread life and good stud seating after proper break-in. A smaller minority note trade-offs such as weaker grip on wet/dry pavement and occasional stud loss or faster wear later in the tyre's life.
- Excellent grip and braking on ice and snow
- Low noise levels for a studded winter tyre
- Confident handling/control and good road feedback in low-friction conditions
- Generally good durability/longevity for winter use (tread and/or studs)
- Wet/dry grip is not as strong as its winter (ice/snow) performance
- Some users report stud loss over time or after multiple seasons
Summarised by AI from 9 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 12 X Ice North 4 reviewsVery good on ice - probably one of the very best. But I wouldn't buy them if most of the driving is on wet or dry roads. The amount of studs in them contributes to a great amount of noise, but in return you'll get very good grip on ice. I have used them mostly on ice tracks with 3 different cars and the speed and grip you can get with these is on another level. Probably only comparable to Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3, but these have longer studs and lose studs easily. Compared to the Blizzaks, straight line grip is not as good, but generally they perform exceptionally well. Have no comparison to newer tyres.
Snow grip is also really good. On dry and wet, feels a little spongy as you would expect from a winter tyre. Haven't really driven them much on the road.
My experience is purely based on RWD cars: 1990 BMW 318i; 1995 BMW 328i; 2004 Smart Roadster. Used the same size with all of them.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
| Category | UltraGrip Ice 3 | X Ice North 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Replaced | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 (2021) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The X Ice North 4 was the dearer tyre in 2 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 9.2% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This head-to-head puts two Nordic-focused winter options under the microscope: Goodyear's UltraGrip Ice 3 (friction) versus Michelin's X-Ice North 4 (studded). Across three shared tests in 16-18-inch sizes, the Goodyear consistently finishes ahead overall, leveraging balanced dynamics, strong wet performance, and notably low rolling resistance.
Michelin counters with standout pure-ice grip from its studs-particularly in straight-line braking and traction-yet is held back by slower wet handling, higher fuel use, and less precision when steering inputs grow. The result is a clear split: Goodyear wins the all-rounder brief; Michelin excels when ice bite is the top priority.
Conclusion
Patterns across tests are consistent: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 is the more complete tyre, combining wet-road confidence (best-in-group wet handling), better aquaplaning resistance (+3.36% straight aqua), shorter dry/wet/snow braking, higher subjective comfort (+80%), and lower fuel use (~4.8% better). Michelin X-Ice North 4's trump card is ice: massive advantages in ice braking (−24.9% distance) and traction (−29.2% time), but its steering precision and fuel economy lag, and wet/asphalt performance is merely average.
Choose Michelin if you frequently drive on polished, strictly icy roads and will trade economy and steering sharpness for maximum studded ice bite. For mixed winter with regular wet, slush, packed snow, and dry intervals-or if efficiency, refinement, and stability matter-Goodyear is the safer, more versatile pick. The practical takeaway: unless your winter is predominantly ice, the UltraGrip Ice 3 delivers broader capability and value.
UltraGrip Ice 3 vs X Ice North 4: your questions
Is the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 or the Michelin X Ice North 4 the better tyre?
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 finished ahead 2 times and the X Ice North 4 not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Ice 3 scores 9.4 and the X Ice North 4 8.6 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the UltraGrip Ice 3 or the X Ice North 4?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 led 6 of the 7 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 1.8% higher speed across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 led 3 of the 4 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 led 2 of the 4 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 used 5.7% less fuel (2 tests). Owners rate wear 7/10 for the UltraGrip Ice 3 and 8.9/10 for the X Ice North 4.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 9.5/10 for the UltraGrip Ice 3 and 8.3/10 for the X Ice North 4.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the UltraGrip Ice 3 79% from 4 reviews and the X Ice North 4 84% from 12.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the X Ice North 4 was the dearer tyre in 2 of them, by 9.2% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
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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.
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