73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
69/100
5 professional tests
User signal (40%)
85/100
3 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
General Altimax Winter 3 vs Michelin X Ice Snow — 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.
VS
80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
71/100
11 professional tests
User signal (40%)
84/100
17 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin X Ice Snow — better noise, comfort and wet. Pick the General Altimax Winter 3 if dry and handling matter most to you.
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Category breakdown
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
Score (0–100)
Altimax Winter 3 leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 75 | 56 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 78 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 92% | 93% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 97% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 61 | 71 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 81 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 84% | 80% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 94% | 99% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 79 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 94 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 97% | 92% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 76% | 95% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 93 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 87 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 49
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 25 | 74 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 91 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Altimax Winter 3 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Altimax Winter 3 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 75 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | General Altimax Winter 3 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 73 | 80 |
| Dry | 78 | 65 |
| Wet | 69 | 75 |
| Snow | 84 | 85 |
| Comfort | 80 | 90 |
| Noise | 25 | 74 |
| Treadwear | 85 | 91 |
| Handling | 80 | 75 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
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.
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
73
/ 100
Tire A
80
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
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 | 92% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 93% #16/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | -1.3 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 99% #5/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | -2.2 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 82% #14/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | -18.2 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 95% #5/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | -3.4 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 3% #34/45 · 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview | 33% #3/19 · The Best Winter Tyres for 2020 | -30.4 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #6/30 · 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test | 98% #3/8 · 2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tyre Test | +0.8 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 97% #16/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 92% #4/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +5.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 76% #4/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 95% #7/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | -18.8 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 90% #20/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 95% #3/5 · The Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26 | -5.2 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 84% #34/44 · 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview | 80% #14/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +3.6 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 94% #18/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 99% #13/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | -4.6 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The General Altimax Winter 3 is viewed as a capable, budget-friendly winter tire that provides reliable traction in snow and slush. While users appreciate its value and resistance to aquaplaning, some find the handling feedback and noise levels at higher speeds to be less refined compared to premium competitors.
Pros
- Strong performance in snow and slush conditions
- Effective resistance to aquaplaning
- Competitive price-to-quality ratio
Cons
- Increased road noise at highway speeds
- Soft sidewalls resulting in vague handling and road feedback
- Mediocre emergency wet braking performance
Observations
- Users noted that the rubber compound feels firmer than premium alternatives like Michelin, impacting overall ride comfort.
The Michelin X-Ice Snow is widely regarded as a top-tier studless winter tire, offering exceptional traction in deep snow, slush, and icy conditions. While users note a slight compromise in dry-road handling and noise levels compared to previous iterations or summer tires, the consensus highlights its superior longevity and confidence-inspiring performance in severe winter climates.
Pros
- Exceptional traction and lateral grip in deep snow and slush
- High level of confidence and stability on icy surfaces
- Excellent tread life and durability over multiple seasons
- Quiet and comfortable ride quality for a dedicated winter tire
Cons
- Average performance and handling on dry or wet pavement
- Increased road noise as the tires wear over time
- Can feel slightly 'twitchy' or less stable at the absolute limit of handling
- Higher price point compared to some competitors
Observations
- Tesla owners report that the tire maintains a quiet cabin environment, effectively managing road noise despite the vehicle's lack of engine sound.
- Users with performance-oriented vehicles like the Lexus IS 350 noted that the tire provides a comfortable ride even in larger 19-inch fitments.
- Drivers of smaller vehicles, such as the Fiat Panda and Mazda MX-5, report high confidence in extreme sub-zero conditions and long-distance winter touring.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · General Altimax Winter 3 | B · Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
73
/ 100
General
80
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Michelin X Ice Snow — better noise, comfort and wet. Pick the General Altimax Winter 3 if dry and handling matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 74 vs 25 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
General Altimax Winter 3 scores 78 vs 65 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 90 vs 80 on comfort.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 75 vs 69 on wet.
Tire A · General Altimax Winter 3
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
More comparisons
Also compared with
General Altimax Winter 3 also compared with
Michelin X Ice Snow also compared with
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.