Tests 74 · 1 test Owners 63 · 21 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 15 in 2022 Consumer Reports Winter Tires (overall ranking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 vs Michelin X-Ice Xi3 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Too close to call: Blizzak WS90 and X-Ice Xi3 are level at 68.
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Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
75
Dry
Blizzak WS90 +768Why this score
Source Blizzak WS90 X-Ice Xi3 Professional tests (TWG score) 88 – Reviews found online 56 68 -
66
Wet
X-Ice Xi3 +369Why this score
Source Blizzak WS90 X-Ice Xi3 Professional tests (TWG score) 64 – Reviews found online 68 69 -
74
Snow
Blizzak WS90 +470Why this score
Source Blizzak WS90 X-Ice Xi3 Professional tests (TWG score) 70 – Reviews found online 79 70 -
67
Comfort
X-Ice Xi3 +269Why this score
Source Blizzak WS90 X-Ice Xi3 Professional tests (TWG score) 72 – Reviews found online 59 69 -
65
Noise
X-Ice Xi3 +368Why this score
Source Blizzak WS90 X-Ice Xi3 Professional tests (TWG score) 71 – Reviews found online 56 69 -
63
Treadwear
X-Ice Xi3 +568Why this score
Source Blizzak WS90 X-Ice Xi3 Reviews found online 60 69 -
64
Handling
Blizzak WS90 +163Why this score
Source Blizzak WS90 X-Ice Xi3 Reviews found online 64 63
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | Michelin X-Ice Xi3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 68 | 68 |
| Dry | 75 | 68 |
| Wet | 66 | 69 |
| Snow | 74 | 70 |
| Comfort | 67 | 69 |
| Noise | 65 | 68 |
| Treadwear | 63 | 68 |
| Handling | 64 | 63 |
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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
68
/ 100
Blizzak WS90
68
/ 100
X-Ice Xi3
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 | Blizzak WS90 | X-Ice Xi3 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 100% #1/15 · 2022 Consumer Reports Winter Tires | 41% #11/16 · 2019 Teknikens Värld Large Winter Tire Test R17 | +58.8 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Blizzak WS90
Pros
- Outstanding grip and acceleration on ice and hard-packed snow
- Excellent braking performance in hazardous winter conditions
- Strong capability in slush and deep snow
Cons
- Increased road noise during highway driving
- Less responsive or 'softer' handling feel on dry pavement
- Potential for minor rubbing depending on vehicle fitment
Tire B X-Ice Xi3
Pros
- Exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Long-lasting treadwear and durability over multiple seasons
- Good stability and grip on dry pavement and cold winter roads
Cons
- Squirmy feel and delayed, sluggish steering response on dry and wet roads
- Lacks cornering grip and confidence during sharp turns
- Performs poorly in heavy mountain snow, wet ice, and milder above-freezing temperatures
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | B · Michelin X-Ice Xi3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 45 | — |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 19″ | — |
| Tread depth | 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 44 psi | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
68
/ 100
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
68
/ 100
Michelin X-Ice Xi3
Too close to call: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and Michelin X-Ice Xi3 are within 2 points overall. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is stronger on dry and snow. Michelin X-Ice Xi3 is stronger on treadwear, wet and noise.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 scores 75 vs 68 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin X-Ice Xi3 scores 68 vs 63 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 scores 74 vs 70 on snow.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin X-Ice Xi3 scores 69 vs 66 on wet.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Tire B · Michelin X-Ice Xi3
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How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.