Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | X-Ice Snow SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 90 | 20 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 77 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 91% | 93% |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | X-Ice Snow SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 80 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 92 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 91 | 83 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 99% | 88% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 88% | 98% |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | X-Ice Snow SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 93 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 93 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 97 |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 97% | 96% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 91% | 100% |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | X-Ice Snow SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 93 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | X-Ice Snow SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 59 | 77 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | X-Ice Snow SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 80 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | X-Ice Snow SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 70 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 83 | 78 |
| Dry | 89 | 44 |
| Wet | 86 | 82 |
| Snow | 82 | 94 |
| Comfort | 85 | 93 |
| Noise | 59 | 77 |
| Treadwear | 89 | 82 |
| Handling | 88 | 70 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 91% #2/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 93% #7/8 · 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test | -2 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 77% #1/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 96% #4/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | -19.4 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 93% #5/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/8 · 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test | -4.4 | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 100% #6/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | 74% #3/8 · 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test | +26.2 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 96% #3/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | 98% #2/8 · 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test | -1.3 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 94% #9/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 100% #8/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | -5.8 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/10 · 2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test | 20% #5/8 · 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test | +30 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 97% #6/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 96% #5/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | +1.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 91% #13/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | -9 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 94% #8/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 88% #6/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | +6.5 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test | 80% #3/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | +20 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 99% #4/11 · 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tyre Test | 88% #5/8 · 2025 Friction Winter Tyre Test | +10.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 88% #6/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 98% #4/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | -10.5 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is widely regarded as a premium, highly balanced winter tire that excels in wet and slushy conditions while offering exceptional comfort and low noise levels. Most users report high levels of confidence in varied winter weather, though a small minority of users report inconsistent performance in severe snow and ice, and some note that steering response is less sharp than dedicated performance-focused alternatives.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
- High levels of cabin comfort and low road noise
- Strong, predictable grip on snow and slush
- Good balance of dry handling and rolling resistance
- Solid tread life and durability for a performance winter tire
Cons
- Premium price point compared to competitors
- Steering feel can be perceived as 'soft' or 'jelly' compared to summer tires
- Performance can drop off in temperatures above 8-10°C
- Inconsistent feedback regarding extreme ice traction
Observations
- EV and hybrid owners frequently praise the tire for its low rolling resistance and quiet operation.
- Drivers of high-performance RWD vehicles report that while the tire provides excellent grip, it may feel less stiff and sharp during aggressive cornering compared to summer counterparts.
- Users on larger wheel diameters (20-inch) report that the tire maintains high comfort levels without sacrificing handling.
The Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV is highly regarded for its exceptional winter performance, providing reliable traction in deep snow and icy conditions. Users consistently praise its quiet ride and comfort, noting that it performs significantly better than summer or all-season tires in cold climates without negatively impacting EV range.
Pros
- Outstanding traction on snow and ice
- Remarkably low road noise for a winter tire
- Excellent ride comfort
- Minimal impact on electric vehicle range
Cons
- Unsuitable for year-round use due to soft compound in warm temperatures
- Reduced handling precision compared to dedicated summer tires
Observations
- EV owners, specifically those with the Tesla Model Y, report that the tire maintains efficiency and range during winter months.
- Users note that the tire is well-suited for high-performance vehicles in mountainous regions like Tahoe, provided they are swapped out seasonally.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | B · Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Premium Touring Winter tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | SUV and 4x4 |
Which one should you actually buy?
Continental
Michelin
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P — better dry, handling and treadwear. Pick the Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV if noise, snow and comfort matter most to you.
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 89 vs 44 on dry.
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 88 vs 70 on handling.
Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV scores 77 vs 59 on noise.
Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV scores 94 vs 82 on snow.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.