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Michelin X Ice Snow Test Results

Tyre Reviews tests: 4 Tested 2020 to 2026 7 publications

Tested 14 times by independent publications, the Michelin X Ice Snow has taken 2 test wins with an average finish of 4th. Its strongest discipline is Ice Braking, beating 84% of the field across 10 tests; its weakest is Wet Braking, at 26% across 10 tests.

  • 14Independent tests
  • 2Test wins
  • 5Podium finishes
  • 4thAverage finish
  • 49%Field beaten on average
  • 7Publications
Michelin X Ice Snow

14 tests, 2020 to 2026

0%50%100%2020202120222023202420252026Average 49%2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test (2020): P3 of 12 (Nordic Friction Winter Tyres), Beat 82% of the fieldThe Best Winter Tyres for 2020 (2020): P1 of 19, Beat 67% of the field2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test (2020): P6 of 8, Beat 29% of the field2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test (2021): P4 of 6 (Nordic Friction Winter Tyres), Beat 40% of the field2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test (2022): P1 of 7, Beat 67% of the field2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tyre Test (2023): P3 of 8, Beat 71% of the field2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test (2023): P4 of 8, Beat 57% of the fieldThe Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024 (2024): P5 of 6 (Nordic Friction Winter Tyres), Beat 20% of the field2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test (2024): P4 of 8, Beat 57% of the field2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test (2025): P6 of 7 (Nordic Friction Winter Tyres), Beat 17% of the fieldThe Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26 (2025): P4 of 5, Beat 25% of the field2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test (2025): P4 of 7 (Nordic Friction Winter Tyres), Beat 33% of the field2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test (2026): P2 of 5 (Winter), Beat 75% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 49%
The latest test

2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test P2 of 5Winter

The X-Ice Snow is the winter specialist of this group. On snow and ice it is at or near the front in every test, and it drives with a precision most winter tyres cannot match, but it pays for that with the poorest warm and wet road performance in the field. A strong choice where winter dominates the year, a poor one where it does not.

Strong: Subj. Road Score, Snow Braking, Subj. Snow Handling, Ice Braking, Ice Traction, Subj. Comfort Weak: Dry Braking, Wet Braking, Wet Circle, Subj. Noise Winner: Continental VikingContact 8

Record by discipline

Where the Michelin X Ice Snow finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tyres. Field beaten is the share of the other tyres it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 10 P5.7 of 7.6 29% 1
Dry Handling 2 P5 of 7 31% -
Dry Circle 1 P3 of 5 50% -
Subj. Dry Handling 7 P4 of 8.1 54% -
Subj. Road Score 1 P1 of 5 100% 1
Wet
Wet Braking Weak 10 P5.6 of 7.6 26% -
Wet Handling 9 P5 of 7.9 43% -
Subj. Wet Handling 5 P3.2 of 8 64% 1
Wet Circle 2 P5 of 5.5 13% -
Straight Aqua 6 P2.7 of 7.5 73% -
Curved Aquaplaning 2 P3 of 7 63% -
Snow
Snow Braking 11 P3.3 of 7.4 66% 2
Snow Traction 9 P4.1 of 7.6 53% 1
Snow Handling 10 P3.9 of 7.4 55% 1
Subj. Snow Handling 5 P3.2 of 8 63% 1
Snow Circle 1 P3 of 9 75% -
Snow Slalom 1 P4 of 7 50% -
Ice
Ice Braking Strong 10 P2.1 of 7.8 84% 4
Ice Traction 9 P2.6 of 7.8 76% 3
Ice Handling 8 P4.3 of 8.3 52% -
Subj. Ice Handling 4 P3.5 of 8.8 62% 1
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 4 P2.5 of 6.3 71% 1
Subj. Noise 5 P3.8 of 7.6 59% 1
Noise 4 P5 of 7.5 40% -
Value
Rolling Resistance 3 P2 of 7.7 80% 2
Fuel Consumption 3 P4.3 of 7.7 52% 1

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Michelin X Ice Snow. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 8 shared: 0 ahead, 6 behind Compare with Hakkapeliitta R5 8 0 6 2 0%
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 7 shared: 0 ahead, 7 behind Compare with UltraGrip Ice 3 7 0 7 - 0%
Continental VikingContact 7 7 shared: 0 ahead, 5 behind Compare with VikingContact 7 7 0 5 2 0%
Continental VikingContact 8 6 shared: 0 ahead, 6 behind Compare with VikingContact 8 6 0 6 - 0%
Pirelli Ice Zero FR 4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind Compare with Ice Zero FR 4 3 1 - 75%
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 4 shared: 2 ahead, 2 behind 4 2 2 - 50%
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 4 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind 4 0 3 1 0%
Bridgestone Blizzak Ice 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind Compare with Blizzak Ice 3 3 0 - 100%
Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind Compare with Winter I cept iZ2 W616 3 3 0 - 100%
Michelin X Ice North 4 3 shared: 1 ahead, 1 behind Compare with X Ice North 4 3 1 1 1 50%
Continental IceContact 3 3 shared: 0 ahead, 2 behind Compare with IceContact 3 3 0 2 1 0%

Against its own line

The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.

Tyre Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Michelin X Ice Xi3 Predecessor 2 0 11th 38%
Michelin X Ice Snow This tyre 14 2 4th 49%
Michelin X Ice Snow+ Successor 1 0 3rd 0%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 14 tests. Updated September 29, 2026.

Across 14 independent tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow shows a very clear 'Nordic friction specialist' pattern: strong longitudinal winter grip (especially ice braking/traction and often snow braking) plus reassuring straight-line stability and refinement, but it regularly gives away performance on clear, wet and warmer roads. It averages a strong 3.4 overall placing within its class, including a Tyre Reviews test win (1/9 in 2022/23), and it is repeatedly described as quiet/comfortable and stable (e.g. comfort and fuel consumption both 1/7 in Teknikens Värld 2025; noise 1/7 in Tekniikan Maailma 2025; “nearly all road noise disappears” in the same test). On winter surfaces it can be class-leading in specific disciplines: ice braking was 1/8 and ice traction 1/8 in Vi Bilägare 2024, and it was 1/7 for ice braking in Tekniikan Maailma 2025; Tire Rack 2026 also recorded the shortest snow braking distance (1/5) and near-front ice results (2/5 for ice braking and ice traction).

The exceptions are important: several tests flag a sizeable deficit on wet and dry tarmac and a less forgiving limit behaviour. The most extreme example is Tire Rack 2026 where it finished last in-class on both dry braking (+11.8% vs class best) and wet braking (+28.7%), and Tyre Reviews 2025/26 also placed it last in both dry braking (+12%) and wet braking (+38.3%) within the test set, earning only a 'Satisfactory' overall rating (4/5). Multiple testers also note weaker lateral/cornering grip and a more abrupt or slower recovery at the limit (e.g. Vi Bilägare 2024 reports lower cornering grip and a more sudden breakaway; Tire Rack 2026 notes longer recovery from slides).

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Michelin X Ice Snow (14 tests) and 16 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Ice grip strength in 9 of 14 tests 10 praise, 3 criticise of 16 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Snow traction strength in 4 of 14 tests 13 praise, 0 criticise of 16 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Ride comfort strength in 3 of 14 tests 5 praise, 0 criticise of 16 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Road noise strength in 2 of 14 tests 5 praise, 2 criticise of 16 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Wet grip weakness in 2 of 14 tests 4 praise, 1 criticise of 16 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tyre

  • Tread life no test mentions it 6 praise, 0 criticise of 16 reviews · Read those reviews

Flagged by testers, not mentioned by owners

  • Dry braking weakness in 4 of 14 tests no owner mentions it
  • Wet braking weakness in 3 of 14 tests no owner mentions it
  • High-speed stability strength in 4 of 14 tests no owner mentions it

Every test, newest first 14

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2026 1 test
P2 of 5 Winter Beat 75% of the field

2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test

Tire Rack 215/55 R17

The X-Ice Snow is the winter specialist of this group. On snow and ice it is at or near the front in every test, and it drives with a precision most winter tyres cannot match, but it pays for that with the poorest warm and wet road performance in the field. A strong choice where winter dominates the year, a poor one where it does not.

StrongSubj. Road ScoreSnow BrakingSubj. Snow HandlingIce BrakingIce TractionSubj. Comfort WeakDry BrakingWet BrakingWet CircleSubj. Noise WinnerContinental VikingContact 8

2025 3 tests
P4 of 7 Nordic Friction Winter Tyres Beat 33% of the field

2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test

Teknikens Varld 235/45 R18

The Michelin X-Ice Snow continues to deliver mediocre ice performance, which simply isn't good enough for a tyre in this category. While the tyre made improvements this year compared to last year's test in dimension 225/50 R17, where it placed near the bottom, the change to a China-produced tyre (versus Canada previously) shows some progress. Stability stands out positively, being noticeably better than many competitors. Ice grip remains the weaker area, and snow grip is entirely acceptable but not exceptional. Where this tyre truly excels is in comfort - when switched to this tyre from the brutally loud Kumho, nearly all road noise disappears and the car suddenly becomes remarkably quiet. The ride quality and refinement are outstanding. Aquaplaning performance follows the typical Nordic friction pattern of being adequate but unexceptional. For drivers who rarely encounter genuinely icy conditions but want winter capability with excellent comfort, this could work, but the ice performance gap to the leaders remains too large for Nordic conditions.

StrongSubj. Wet HandlingSubj. ComfortFuel Consumption WeakSubj. Snow Handling WinnerContinental VikingContact 8

P4 of 5 Beat 25% of the field

The Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26

Tyre Reviews 205/55 R16 Tested by Tyre Reviews Satisfactory

The Michelin X-Ice Snow finishing fourth by a small margin was not on my bingo card at the start of this test, but data is data. It was strong overall in ice and not too far off the top 3 in the snow, but when you factor in a high rolling resistance and the weakest dry and wet performances overall, fourth is as good as it gets for the french tyre. It is now an aging product, hopefully there will be an update soon.

StrongIce BrakingIce Traction WeakDry BrakingDry HandlingSubj. Dry HandlingWet BrakingWet HandlingSubj. Wet HandlingWet Circle WinnerContinental VikingContact 8

P6 of 7 Nordic Friction Winter Tyres Beat 17% of the field

2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test

Tekniikan Maailma 205/55 R16

The Michelin X-Ice Snow offers top-notch braking grip on ice, but its drivability is hindered by weaker lateral grip, causing the front tyres to lose traction quickly during fast maneuvers. It reacts slowly to steering inputs but behaves logically and predictably on snowy surfaces. On both wet and dry asphalt, its grip is weak and handling feels sluggish, making it difficult to navigate evasive maneuvers, although the rear tyres always maintain stability.

StrongIce BrakingSubj. Noise WeakDry BrakingWet BrakingWet HandlingSnow Traction WinnerContinental VikingContact 8

2024 2 tests
P4 of 8 Beat 57% of the field

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test

Vi Bilagare 225/45 R17

The Michelin X-Ice Snow finished fourth, standing out with excellent braking performance across all conditions despite being one of the harder tyres in the test and the only Nordic winter tyre rated above 200 km/h. However, it showed lower cornering grip than its competitors in both winter and summer conditions, with a tendency to break away more suddenly in corners. It offered good straight-line stability and linear steering feel on tarmac but responded more sluggishly under pressure.

StrongIce BrakingIce Traction WeakNoise WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip Ice 3

P5 of 6 Nordic Friction Winter Tyres Beat 20% of the field

The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024

Teknikens Varld 225/50 R17

The Michelin X-Ice Snow, a Nordic non-studded tyre, disappointed in this test. Its ice grip was significantly lower than expected for its category, and it showed the worst wet braking performance in the entyre test. However, it maintained decent snow performance and showed good stability. The tyre's rolling resistance was average. Overall, it underperformed compared to other Nordic non-studded tyres in the test.

WinnerContinental VikingContact 8

2023 2 tests
P4 of 8 Beat 57% of the field

2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test

Vi Bilagare 225/45 R17

The French friction tire has impressive longitudinal winter grip – that is, acceleration and braking. It has the best stopping distance on ice in the test, and the braking performance on snow also receives the highest rating. However, Michelin struggles in the curves where it does not like to be stressed with sudden steering movements or in tighter curves, responding with clear understeering. Instead, the tire exhibits good stability on bare ground, where the natural steering feel is also appreciated. However, the understeering balance persists under pressure, especially on wet asphalt. Michelin is for those who prioritize short stopping distances and a good driving experience in everyday situations over maximum cornering ability.

StrongWet BrakingStraight AquaSnow BrakingIce BrakingIce Traction WeakDry BrakingNoiseFuel Consumption WinnerContinental VikingContact 7

P3 of 8 Beat 71% of the field

2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tyre Test

TESTIRENKAAT 205/55 R16

Ice and Snow: Safe driving behavior on snow, very good steering on snow, general grip level on ice is good; Wet Conditions: Excellent extreme situation behavior, good steering on dry surfaces, understeers in wet conditions..

WeakWet BrakingWet HandlingIce Traction WinnerGoodyear UltraGrip Ice 3

2022 1 test
P1 of 7 Beat 67% of the field

2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test

Tyre Reviews 205/55 R16 Tested by Tyre Reviews Winner

The Michelin couldn't quite match the Continental in the dry, but was essentially the same in the wet and had the best hydroplaning resistance of all the tyres on test. It was a few percent behind the Continental in the snow but equaled it on the ice. It was also quiet and comfortable and had the best rolling resistance of all the tyres tested.

StrongSubj. Wet HandlingStraight AquaCurved AquaplaningSubj. Snow HandlingIce BrakingIce HandlingSubj. Ice HandlingRolling Resistance

2021 2 tests
Not ranked

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 vs Michelin X-Ice Snow

Tyre Reviews 245/40 R18 Tested by Tyre Reviews

Unsurprisingly, the Michelin X-Ice Snow extreme winter tyre dominated the snow testing. The most impressive quality of the tyre was just how rounded the performance was on snow, with a near flawless balance between traction, braking and cornering, giving you a huge amount of confidence to push the car to the limits, and past, where the tyre was progressive and easy to drive.

StrongSnow BrakingSnow TractionSnow Handling

P4 of 6 Nordic Friction Winter Tyres Beat 40% of the field

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test

Teknikens Varld 205/55 R16

StrongDry BrakingWet HandlingIce BrakingIce TractionSubj. Noise WeakWet BrakingSnow BrakingSnow Handling WinnerContinental VikingContact 7

2020 3 tests
P3 of 12 Nordic Friction Winter Tyres Beat 82% of the field

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test

Test World 205/55 R16

StrongSnow BrakingSnow TractionSubj. Snow HandlingIce BrakingIce Traction WinnerNokian Hakkapeliitta R3

Back to the Michelin X Ice Snow overview

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