Tests 79 · 13 tests Owners 66 · 3 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 8 in The BEST Studded Tyres for 2025 (fuel consumption)
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental IceContact 3 vs Michelin X Ice Snow — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Too close to call: IceContact 3 and X Ice Snow are level at 71.
Add your size for an exact match
/R
Both Amazon links then search this exact size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Tests 67 · 13 tests Owners 75 · 19 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 7 in 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 (ice braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
72
Dry
IceContact 3 +1062Why this score
Source IceContact 3 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 74 57 Reviews found online 69 70 Dry Braking (% of best) 93% 80% -
71
Wet
IceContact 3 +368Why this score
Source IceContact 3 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 73 62 Reviews found online 67 77 Longitudinal Aquaplaning (% of best) 92% 80% Wet Braking (% of best) 86% 80% Wet Circle (% of best) 100% 81% Wet Handling (% of best) 99% 95% -
80
Snow
IceContact 3 +476Why this score
Source IceContact 3 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 85 73 Reviews found online 72 80 Snow Braking (% of best) 90% 69% Snow Handling (% of best) 100% 98% Snow Traction (% of best) 100% 97% -
83
Comfort
IceContact 3 +380Why this score
Source IceContact 3 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 98 82 Reviews found online 60 78 -
69
Noise
X Ice Snow +675Why this score
Source IceContact 3 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 70 81 Exterior Noise (% of best) 60% 100% -
59
Treadwear
X Ice Snow +1372Why this score
Source IceContact 3 X Ice Snow Reviews found online 54 76 -
69
Handling
X Ice Snow +574Why this score
Source IceContact 3 X Ice Snow Reviews found online 69 74
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental IceContact 3 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 71 | 71 |
| Dry | 72 | 62 |
| Wet | 71 | 68 |
| Snow | 80 | 76 |
| Comfort | 83 | 80 |
| Noise | 69 | 75 |
| Treadwear | 59 | 72 |
| Handling | 69 | 74 |
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.
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Less important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Less important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
71
/ 100
IceContact 3
71
/ 100
X Ice Snow
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 | IceContact 3 | X Ice Snow | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 93% #7/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 80% #5/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | +13.3 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 94% #5/8 · 2023 Studded Tyre Test | 97% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | −3.8 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 100% #1/8 · The BEST Studded Tyres for 2025 | 93% #7/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | +6.8 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 100% #1/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | 0.0 | Different tests |
| Ice Handling | Ice | 98% #2/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 94% #6/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | +3.1 | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 71% #6/8 · 2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test | 99% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | −27.8 | Different tests |
| Exterior Noise | Noise | 60% #11/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | 100% #1/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | −40.0 | Same test |
| Noise | Other | 97% #2/8 · 2024 Studded Tyre Test | 99% #7/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | −1.8 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 50% #13/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 50% #14/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 0.0 | Same test |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/8 · 2024 Studded Tyre Test | 25% #4/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | −5.0 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 90% #2/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | 69% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +21.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 100% #1/8 · 2024 Studded Tyre Test | 98% #5/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | +1.6 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 100% #2/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #4/8 · 2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tyre Test | +2.7 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 99% #3/8 · 2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 98% #2/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | +0.1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 100% #1/8 · 2023 Studded Tyre Test | 100% #1/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | 0.0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 89% #10/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 70% #9/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | +18.9 | Different tests |
| Subj. Ice Handling | Subj | 90% #2/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | 60% #11/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | +30.0 | Same test |
| Subj. Noise | Subj | 60% #15/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 89% #12/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | −28.9 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 90% #6/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | 56% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +33.8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 89% #10/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 70% #5/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | +18.9 | Different tests |
| Longitudinal Aquaplaning | Wet | 92% #5/6 · 2025 NAF Motor Studded Winter Tire Test R17 | 80% #2/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | +12.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 86% #5/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 80% #14/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +5.7 | Same test |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 100% #1/6 · 2025 NAF Motor Studded Winter Tire Test R17 | 81% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +18.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% #3/8 · The BEST Studded Tyres for 2025 | 95% #2/8 · 2024 Moottori Winter Tire Test R16 | +4.1 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A IceContact 3
Pros
- Exceptional grip and braking performance on packed snow and ice
- Predictable handling in severe winter conditions
- Strong performance on lake ice tracks
Cons
- Premature stud wear or loss reported after moderate mileage
- Potential for reduced stability in deeper snow (4-5 cm) depending on tire width
- Unpredictable handling characteristics when paired with certain electronic stability control systems
Tire B X Ice Snow
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
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
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental IceContact 3 | B · Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 100 |
| Rim diameters | — | 13″ – 21″ |
Which one should you actually buy?
71
/ 100
Continental IceContact 3
71
/ 100
Michelin X Ice Snow
Too close to call: Continental IceContact 3 and Michelin X Ice Snow are within 2 points overall. Continental IceContact 3 is stronger on dry, snow and wet. Michelin X Ice Snow is stronger on treadwear, noise and handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 72 vs 59 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental IceContact 3 scores 72 vs 62 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 75 vs 69 on noise.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 74 vs 69 on handling.
Tire A · Continental IceContact 3
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
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.