Tests 77 · 8 tests Owners 60 · 32 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 5 in 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 (ice braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental VikingContact 7 vs Michelin X Ice Snow — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
X Ice Snow leads, 71–67 Narrow edge
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Tests 67 · 13 tests Owners 75 · 19 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 17 in 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 (rolling resistance)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
67
Dry
VikingContact 7 +562Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 79 56 Reviews found online 49 70 Dry Braking (% of best) 92% 93% -
67
Wet
X Ice Snow +168Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 70 62 Reviews found online 62 77 Longitudinal Aquaplaning (% of best) 80% 75% Wet Braking (% of best) 80% 80% Wet Handling (% of best) 80% 70% -
76
Snow
Level76Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 79 73 Reviews found online 70 80 Snow Braking (% of best) 99% 97% Snow Handling (% of best) 90% 80% Snow Traction (% of best) 98% 100% -
70
Comfort
X Ice Snow +1080Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 70 82 Reviews found online 71 78 -
80
Noise
VikingContact 7 +575Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 88 81 Reviews found online 67 – Exterior Noise (% of best) 100% 99% -
59
Treadwear
X Ice Snow +1372Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 X Ice Snow Reviews found online 54 76 -
60
Handling
X Ice Snow +1474Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 X Ice Snow Reviews found online 60 74
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental VikingContact 7 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 67 | 71 |
| Dry | 67 | 62 |
| Wet | 67 | 68 |
| Snow | 76 | 76 |
| Comfort | 70 | 80 |
| Noise | 80 | 75 |
| Treadwear | 59 | 72 |
| Handling | 60 | 74 |
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
67
/ 100
VikingContact 7
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 | VikingContact 7 | X Ice Snow | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 92% #13/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 93% #8/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | −0.9 | Same test |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 97% #4/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | −2.6 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 96% #4/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | 96% #5/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | −0.3 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 100% #1/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | 100% #1/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | 0.0 | Same test |
| Ice Handling | Ice | 100% #1/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/8 · 2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tyre Test | +2.0 | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 94% #3/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | 69% #11/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +24.4 | Different tests |
| Exterior Noise | Noise | 100% #1/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | 99% #2/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | +1.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 97% #8/8 · 2022 ViBilagare Nordic SUV Winter Tyre Test | 99% #7/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | −2.0 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 42% #8/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 44% #6/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | −2.2 | Same test |
| Deep Snow Traction | Other | 100% #1/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | 100% #1/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | 0.0 | Same test |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 40% #4/6 · 2020 Teknikens Värld Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | 61% #8/17 · 2020 Test World Winter Tire Test R16 | −21.1 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 99% #5/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #13/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +2.3 | Same test |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 90% #3/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | 80% #4/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | +10.0 | Same test |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 98% #3/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | −2.4 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 92% #8/8 · 2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 98% #2/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | −6.8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 100% #1/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | 100% #1/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | 0.0 | Same test |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 80% #3/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 78% #5/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +2.2 | Different tests |
| Subj. Noise | Subj | 100% #1/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 89% #12/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +11.1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 70% #5/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | 70% #5/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | 0.0 | Same test |
| Longitudinal Aquaplaning | Wet | 80% #2/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | 75% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | +4.8 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 80% #2/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | 80% #2/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | 0.0 | Same test |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 80% #3/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | 70% #7/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | +10.0 | Same test |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A VikingContact 7
Pros
- Exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Strong performance in slush and deep snow
- Stable and predictable handling at highway speeds
Cons
- Mixed reports regarding tread life and longevity
- Noticeable decline in ice-braking performance compared to top-tier ice specialists
- Compound may harden or performance may degrade after multiple seasons
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 VikingContact 7 | B · Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 134 | 100 |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 22″ | 13″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | — |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
67
/ 100
Continental VikingContact 7
71
/ 100
Michelin X Ice Snow
Winner: Michelin X Ice Snow — better handling, treadwear and comfort. Pick the Continental VikingContact 7 if dry and noise matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 74 vs 60 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 72 vs 59 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 80 vs 70 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental VikingContact 7 scores 67 vs 62 on dry.
Tire A · Continental VikingContact 7
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
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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.