Continental VikingContact 8 vs Michelin X Ice North 4
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 8
- TR Score
- 8.6/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 12
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental VikingContact 8 finished ahead 2 times and the X Ice North 4 not once. The VikingContact 8 used 5.1% less fuel; the X Ice North 4 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 9.3% higher speed.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Continental VikingContact 8 for mixed Nordic driving with frequent bare asphalt, slush, and variable conditions-best balance, comfort, and fuel economy. Choose Michelin X-Ice North 4 if you regularly face prolonged, polished ice and prioritize maximum ice bite above all else.
Where the VikingContact 8 is stronger
- Class-leading overall consistency with 3/3 test wins
- Excellent wet performance and aquaplaning resistance (e.g., 76.6 km/h vs 62.5 km/h straight aqua)
- Lowest rolling resistance and strong fuel economy
Where the X Ice North 4 is stronger
- Outstanding ice braking and traction (e.g., ~20% shorter ice stops, faster ice traction)
- Good snow grip with stable rear-end composure
- Maintains usable winter grip as it wears
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.
VikingContact 8 vs X Ice North 4 at a glance
| Category | VikingContact 8 | Gap | X Ice North 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won4 shared tests | 2 | 0 | |
| Dry4 measurements | 4 | 0 | |
| Wet7 measurements | 3 | Level between the two. | 3 |
| Snow4 measurements | 4 | 0 | |
| Ice4 measurements | 2 | Level between the two. | 2 |
| Comfort3 measurements | 3 | 0 | |
| Value2 measurements | 2 | The VikingContact 8 used 5.1% less fuel (2 tests) | 0 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.2/10 | The VikingContact 8 by 0.6 | 8.6/10 |
| Owner rating8 and 12 reviews | 83% | Too close to call | 84% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 88% | The X Ice North 4 by 4 points | 92% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The X Ice North 4 was dearer in 2 of 2 | +5.6% |
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 | VikingContact 8 | Field | X Ice North 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 5Nordic Friction Winter Tyres | P3 of 7Studded Winter Tyres | |
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 7Nordic Friction Winter Tyres | P5 of 8Studded Winter Tyres | |
| 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 7Nordic Friction Winter Tyres | P4 of 7Studded Winter Tyres | |
| The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024 | P1 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
VikingContact 8
X Ice North 4
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 80%: 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
VikingContact 8
X Ice North 4
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.
Where owners rate each higher
VikingContact 8
X Ice North 4
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the VikingContact 8 83% from 8 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 | VikingContact 8 | Gap | X Ice North 4 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.4 | 2.2% | 32.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| scored | 12.5% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| scored | 33.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| 70 | 1.4% | 69 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| 39.5 | 4.3% | 37.8 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| 40.3 | 2.4% | 41.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| scored | 11.4% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| 55.8 | 9.3% | 61 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| 49.6 | 1% | 50.1 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| 5.8 | 1.7% | 5.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| scored | 11.1% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| 47.1 | 20% | 37.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| 6.3 | 19% | 5.1 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| scored | 19.6% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| scored | 90% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| scored | 28.6% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
| 5.78 | 5.1% | 6.1 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
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. "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 VikingContact 8 scores 9.2 and the X Ice North 4 8.6 out of 10.
| VikingContact 8 | Category | X Ice North 4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77 | Dry | 61 | ||
| 47 | Wet | 25 | ||
| 92 | Comfort | 57 | ||
| 85 | Value | 52 | ||
| 81 | Snow | 78 | ||
| 91 | 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
| VikingContact 8 | Category | X Ice North 4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.7 | Dry Grip | 7.7 | ||
| 8.5 | Wet Grip | 7.3 | ||
| 7.4 | Road Feedback | 7.7 | ||
| 7.5 | Handling | 8.2 | ||
| 7.8 | Wear | 8.9 | ||
| 9.1 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 8.6 | Snow Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 9 | Ice Grip | 9.8 | ||
Owners rate the VikingContact 8 83% from 8 reviews and the X Ice North 4 84% from 12. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental VikingContact 8
- 83%from 8 reviews
- 88%would buy again
- 33,500 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers overwhelmingly rate the Continental VikingContact 8 as an excellent Nordic-style winter tyre, praising exceptional grip and confidence on ice and snow along with strong handling and braking in harsh conditions. Multiple reviews also highlight a quiet, comfortable ride with little to no tramlining. A minority view reports underwhelming stability/traction, suggesting performance may vary by vehicle or conditions.
- Exceptional ice and snow grip
- Confidence-inspiring handling and stability in winter conditions
- Quiet ride
- High comfort/impact absorption
Summarised by AI from 6 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 8 VikingContact 8 reviewsVery good grip in the snow and ice though cornering they did feel rather soft but that is expected of winter tires. I have no complaints as they handled the conditions I threw at them flawlessly. Drove through snow and ice covered roads in a snow storm with zero signs of losing grip during acceleration or through corners. They also handled slush covered roads excellently.
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 | VikingContact 8 | X Ice North 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Replaced | Continental VikingContact 7 (2018) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The X Ice North 4 was the dearer tyre in 2 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 5.6% 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 comparison pits two Nordic winter specialists against each other: Continental's friction (non-studded) VikingContact 8 and Michelin's studded X-Ice North 4. Despite different technologies, both target premium touring comfort and safety in harsh winters for passenger cars.
Across three shared professional tests, the Continental swept overall victories (3/3), driven by standout balance on wet and dry asphalt, strong snow performance, best-in-class rolling efficiency, and high comfort. Michelin countered with decisive wins on pure ice metrics, but inconsistencies in handling and higher rolling resistance tempered its results. The core trade-off is clear: everyday versatility and efficiency (Continental) versus maximum straight-line ice bite (Michelin).
Conclusion
The VikingContact 8 delivers the most complete package: top overall rankings in all shared tests, confident handling on wet and dry roads, competitive snow performance, excellent comfort/noise, and the best fuel economy. For mixed Nordic use-urban commutes, frequent bare asphalt, slush, and varied temperatures-it offers the safest, calmest, and most economical drive.
The X-Ice North 4 shines where studs matter most: it dominates ice braking and traction and remains competent on snow. However, slower steering, weaker wet/aquaplaning capability, and higher rolling resistance reduce its appeal for daily mixed conditions. Choose Michelin if your priority is maximum ice grip on repeatedly glassy surfaces; otherwise, Continental is the smarter, more rounded choice with better value through efficiency and broader capability.
VikingContact 8 vs X Ice North 4: your questions
Is the Continental VikingContact 8 or the Michelin X Ice North 4 the better tyre?
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Continental VikingContact 8 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 VikingContact 8 scores 9.2 and the X Ice North 4 8.6 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the VikingContact 8 or the X Ice North 4?
Across the shared tests the wet measurements are split 3-3 between the VikingContact 8 and the X Ice North 4.
Which is better in the dry?
The VikingContact 8 led 4 of the 4 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The VikingContact 8 led 4 of the 4 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The VikingContact 8 used 5.1% less fuel (2 tests). Owners rate wear 7.8/10 for the VikingContact 8 and 8.9/10 for the X Ice North 4.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 9.1/10 for the VikingContact 8 and 8.3/10 for the X Ice North 4.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the VikingContact 8 83% from 8 reviews and the X Ice North 4 84% from 12. 88% of VikingContact 8 owners would buy it again, against 92% for the X Ice North 4.
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 5.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
More comparisons with these tyres
vs 
Continental VikingContact 8 vs Michelin X Ice Snow
6-0 in 6 shared tests
vs 
Continental VikingContact 8 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
6-0 in 6 shared tests
vs 
Continental VikingContact 8 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
6-1 in 7 shared tests
vs 
Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
0-7 in 7 shared tests
vs 
Continental VikingContact 8 vs Pirelli Ice Friction
3-0 in 3 shared tests
vs
Hankook Winter i pike RS2 vs Michelin X Ice North 4
0-5 in 5 shared tests
vs
Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Michelin X Ice Snow
1-1 in 6 shared tests
vs
Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Michelin X Ice North 4
5-4 in 9 shared tests
Every Continental vs Michelin test → All comparisons → Compare three or more tyres →
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.
Discussion