80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
68/100
8 professional tests
User signal (40%)
85/100
11 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Michelin X-Ice North 4 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.
VerdictToo close to call: Michelin X-Ice North 4 and Michelin X Ice Snow are within 2 points overall. Michelin X-Ice North 4 is stronger on dry, noise and wet. Michelin X Ice Snow is stronger on comfort.
Read full
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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)
X-Ice North 4 leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 56 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 78 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 96% | 93% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
X-Ice North 4 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 71 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 81 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 91% | 83% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 99% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
X-Ice North 4 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 79 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 94 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 93% | 100% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 98% | 92% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 97% | 98% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 49
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 12 | 93 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 87 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
X-Ice North 4 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 74 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
X Ice Snow leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 91 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
X-Ice North 4 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 75 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin X-Ice North 4 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 80 |
| Dry | 82 | 65 |
| Wet | 81 | 75 |
| Snow | 89 | 85 |
| Comfort | 41 | 90 |
| Noise | 86 | 74 |
| Treadwear | 89 | 91 |
| Handling | 81 | 75 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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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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Recomputed
Headline score
80
/ 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 | 96% #11/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 93% #16/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +3 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 92% #7/8 · 2023 Studded Tyre Test | 90% #4/5 · The Best Snow Tyres for 2025/26 | +2.3 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 96% #3/8 · 2024 Studded Tyre Test | 97% #5/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | -1.7 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 86% #12/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 98% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -12.6 | Different tests |
| Ice Handling | Ice | 80% #1/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 93% #5/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | -13.5 | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 69% #3/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 83% #3/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | -14.4 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 98% #3/8 · 2024 Studded Tyre Test | 98% #3/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | -0.3 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 100% #15/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 95% #6/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | +4.9 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 17% #6/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | +3.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 93% #3/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 100% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -6.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% #5/8 · 2024 Studded Tyre Test | 92% #4/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +6.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 97% #3/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 98% #7/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | -1.2 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 94% #4/8 · 2024 Studded Tyre Test | 81% #2/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | +13 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 60% #4/8 · 2023 Studded Tyre Test | 95% #5/8 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Studless Winter Tyre Test | -35 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 89% #8/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 78% #5/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +11.1 | Same test |
| Subj. Noise | Subj | 70% #8/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 89% #12/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | -18.9 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 78% #12/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 78% #5/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Same test |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% #13/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 83% #7/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +7.3 | Same test |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #11/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 99% #13/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | -0.8 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Michelin X-Ice North 4 is widely regarded as a top-tier studded winter tire, offering class-leading traction on ice and packed snow. While users consistently praise its superior noise suppression and handling compared to competitors, long-term stud retention remains a point of contention for some owners.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and confidence on icy and snow-covered surfaces
- Significantly lower road noise compared to traditional studded winter tires
- High tread longevity and durability over multiple winter seasons
- Predictable handling and improved vehicle feedback in adverse conditions
Cons
- Inconsistent long-term stud retention reported by some users
- Slightly wallowy or vague handling feel on dry pavement
- Tendency to collect snow in the tread pattern at low speeds
- Reduced performance in deep, loose snow over hard-packed surfaces
Observations
- Users noted that narrower tire dimensions can contribute to a wallowy feel on dry roads.
- Performance is highly regarded across diverse vehicle types, ranging from AWD sedans like the Kia Stinger to older, analog sports cars.
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 · Michelin X-Ice North 4 | B · Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Premium Touring Winter tire | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
80
/ 100
Michelin
80
/ 100
Michelin
Too close to call: Michelin X-Ice North 4 and Michelin X Ice Snow are within 2 points overall. Michelin X-Ice North 4 is stronger on dry, noise and wet. Michelin X Ice Snow is stronger on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 90 vs 41 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin X-Ice North 4 scores 82 vs 65 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin X-Ice North 4 scores 86 vs 74 on noise.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin X-Ice North 4 scores 81 vs 75 on wet.
Tire A · Michelin X-Ice North 4
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
More comparisons
Also compared with
Michelin X-Ice North 4 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.