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 Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 — 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
75
/ 100
Objective (60%)
89/100
19 professional tests
User signal (40%)
78/100
3 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin X-Ice North 4 — better treadwear, noise and snow. Pick the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 if comfort and wet matter most to you.
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)
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 83 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 80 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 92% | 97% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Cinturato Winter 2 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 82 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 87 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 91% | 94% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
X-Ice North 4 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 79 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 90 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 99% | 96% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 98% | 96% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Cinturato Winter 2 leads by 35
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 12 | 76 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 77 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
X-Ice North 4 leads by 21
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 65 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
X-Ice North 4 leads by 29
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 60 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
X-Ice North 4 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | X-Ice North 4 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 81 | 77 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin X-Ice North 4 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 75 |
| Dry | 82 | 82 |
| Wet | 81 | 84 |
| Snow | 89 | 84 |
| Comfort | 41 | 76 |
| Noise | 86 | 65 |
| Treadwear | 89 | 60 |
| Handling | 81 | 77 |
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
75
/ 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% #4/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #5/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | -4.5 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 92% #7/8 · 2023 Studded Tyre Test | 84% #9/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +7.5 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 96% #3/8 · 2024 Studded Tyre Test | 100% #9/12 · 2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tyre Test | -4.3 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 94% #3/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | -6.2 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 100% #7/8 · 2023 Studded Tyre Test | 98% #12/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +2.2 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 100% #15/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 91% #6/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +9.1 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 6% #17/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | 13% #8/17 · The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024 | -6.6 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 99% #5/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 96% #16/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +2.9 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% #5/8 · 2024 Studded Tyre Test | 100% #8/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -2.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 98% #8/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 96% #2/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | +2.6 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 94% #4/8 · 2024 Studded Tyre Test | 100% #1/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -6.5 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 60% #4/8 · 2023 Studded Tyre Test | 88% #6/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -27.5 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 100% #1/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 93% #5/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test | +7.5 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 78% #12/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 64% #4/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +13.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% #13/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 94% #7/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | -3.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #11/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | -1.9 | 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 Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 is generally regarded as a highly capable winter tire that excels in wet and snowy conditions while providing a secure, planted feel. While users appreciate its safety and traction, there are notable concerns regarding its longevity and tread wear, as well as a shift toward a softer, touring-oriented handling profile compared to its predecessors.
Pros
- Excellent traction and confidence in wet and snowy conditions
- Strong braking performance on dry surfaces
- High level of subjective road feedback and handling security
- Comfortable touring-oriented ride quality
Cons
- Rapid tread wear and concerns regarding overall tire longevity
- Less precise handling and feedback compared to sportier winter tires
- Increased road noise and fuel consumption noted by some users
- Softer sidewall feel which may not suit performance-oriented driving
Observations
- Users transitioning from the sportier Sottozero 3 noted a significant shift toward a touring-focused, less direct handling experience.
- The tire's performance is highly regarded for drivers seeking a balanced, safe option for cold, rainy, and occasional mountain winter conditions.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin X-Ice North 4 | B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Premium Touring Winter tire | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
| Sizes available | — | 8 |
| Rim diameters | — | 16″ – 18″ |
| Tread depth | — | 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 50 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
80
/ 100
Michelin
75
/ 100
Pirelli
Winner: Michelin X-Ice North 4 — better treadwear, noise and snow. Pick the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 if comfort and wet matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 scores 76 vs 41 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Michelin X-Ice North 4 scores 89 vs 60 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin X-Ice North 4 scores 86 vs 65 on noise.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Michelin X-Ice North 4 scores 89 vs 84 on snow.
Tire A · Michelin X-Ice North 4
Tire B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Michelin X-Ice North 4 also compared with
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 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.