tirewheelguide
Head-to-head Updated

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 vs Michelin X Ice Snow — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 6 + 13 road tests and 9 + 20 owner reviews. How we score

UltraGrip Ice 2 leads, 77–73 Narrow edge

Check price on Amazon · UltraGrip Ice 2 or X Ice Snow on Amazon
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.

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
Tire AGoodyear

UltraGrip Ice 2

Winter

± 5

Tests 77 · 6 tests Owners 77 · 9 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 17 in 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 (exterior noise)

Michelin X Ice Snow
Tire BMichelin

X Ice Snow

Winter

± 5

Tests 70 · 13 tests Owners 78 · 20 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test (comfort (tester's mark))

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

Key facts

  • In 5 tests that measured ice handling for both, UltraGrip Ice 2 won 2 and X Ice Snow won 3 (average 82% vs 80% of the best).
  • In 5 tests that measured snow handling for both, UltraGrip Ice 2 won 2 and X Ice Snow won 3 (average 97% vs 95% of the best).
  • In 4 tests that measured dry braking for both, UltraGrip Ice 2 won 3 and X Ice Snow won 1 (average 92% vs 84% of the best).
  • In 4 tests that measured wet braking for both, UltraGrip Ice 2 won 4 and X Ice Snow won 0 (average 87% vs 77% of the best).
  • In 4 tests that measured wet handling for both, UltraGrip Ice 2 won 4 and X Ice Snow won 0 (average 93% vs 89% of the best).
  1. 76

    Dry

    UltraGrip Ice 2 +9
    67
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip Ice 2X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 11 tests7765
    Reviews found online7571
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–192%84%
    Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–090%75%

    UltraGrip Ice 2: 60% × 77.1 + 40% × 74.9 = 76

    X Ice Snow: 60% × 64.9 + 40% × 70.7 = 67

  2. 82

    Wet

    UltraGrip Ice 2 +11
    71
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip Ice 2X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 12 tests8365
    Reviews found online8179
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0100%85%
    Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–070%70%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 4–087%77%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 4–093%89%

    UltraGrip Ice 2: 60% × 82.8 + 40% × 81.1 = 82

    X Ice Snow: 60% × 64.9 + 40% × 79.2 = 71

  3. 72

    Snow

    X Ice Snow +4
    76
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip Ice 2X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 12 tests7173
    Reviews found online7281
    Ice Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–381%85%
    Ice Handling (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–382%80%
    Ice Traction (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–371%75%
    Snow Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–294%99%
    Snow Handling (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–397%95%
    Snow Traction (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–194%94%
    Deep Snow Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–0100%100%

    UltraGrip Ice 2: 60% × 71.1 + 40% × 72.3 = 72

    X Ice Snow: 60% × 73.2 + 40% × 81.1 = 76

  4. 74

    Comfort

    X Ice Snow +6
    80
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip Ice 2X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 3 tests7081
    Reviews found online7679
    Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–0100%100%

    UltraGrip Ice 2: 40% × 70 + 60% × 76.3 = 74

    X Ice Snow: 40% × 81 + 60% × 78.8 = 80

  5. 80

    Noise

    UltraGrip Ice 2 +5
    75
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip Ice 2X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 8 tests8981
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)
    Exterior Noise (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–0100%100%
    Noise (tester's mark) (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–086%80%

    UltraGrip Ice 2: 60% × 88.8 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 80

    X Ice Snow: 60% × 80.5 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 75

    No owner ratings of noise for UltraGrip Ice 2 or X Ice Snow. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  6. 76

    Treadwear

    Level
    76
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip Ice 2X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 72 (est.)≈ 72 (est.)
    Reviews found online8281

    UltraGrip Ice 2: 60% × 72.1 (est.) + 40% × 82 = 76

    X Ice Snow: 60% × 71.9 (est.) + 40% × 81.4 = 76

    No road tests of treadwear for UltraGrip Ice 2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

    No road tests of treadwear for X Ice Snow. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 77

    Handling (owners)

    UltraGrip Ice 2 +2
    75
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip Ice 2X Ice Snow
    Reviews found online7775
  8. 72

    Efficiency

    X Ice Snow +5
    77
    Why this score
    SourceUltraGrip Ice 2X Ice Snow
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 6 tests7277
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–290%100%
Scores at a glance
CategoryGoodyear UltraGrip Ice 2Michelin X Ice Snow
Relative Score 77 73
Dry 76 67
Wet 82 71
Snow 72 76
Comfort 74 80
Noise 80 75
Treadwear 76 76
Handling (owners) 77 75
Efficiency 72 77

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 5

UltraGrip Ice 2

± 5

X Ice Snow

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

In the overall rankings of 11 tests that ran both, Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 finished ahead 6 times and Michelin X Ice Snow 5 times.

DisciplineCategoryUltraGrip Ice 2X Ice SnowΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 92% 84% +7.6 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
Dry Handling (tester's mark) Dry 90% 75% +15.0 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 100% 85% +15.5 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
Wet Braking Wet 87% 77% +10.2 4–0 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
Wet Handling Wet 93% 89% +4.1 4–0 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16
Wet Handling (tester's mark) Wet 70% 70% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16
Deep Snow Traction Snow 100% 100% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
Ice Braking Snow 81% 85% −3.7 0–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
Ice Handling Snow 82% 80% +2.5 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
Ice Traction Snow 71% 75% −3.8 0–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
Snow Braking Snow 94% 99% −4.7 1–2 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
Snow Handling Snow 97% 95% +1.7 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
Snow Traction Snow 94% 94% +0.5 1–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 100% 100% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 · 215/60R16
Exterior Noise Noise 100% 100% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16
Noise (tester's mark) Noise 86% 80% +6.7 1–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 90% 100% −10.4 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 56% 47% +8.9 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16
Overall Ranking Overall #17/17 #13/17 – 6–5 in 11 shared tests Newest: The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tyres for 2024 · 225/50 R17

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A UltraGrip Ice 2

Pros

  • Excellent traction and reliability in deep snow conditions
  • High level of ride comfort and low cabin noise
  • Impressive tread life and durability over multiple seasons

Cons

  • Limited grip on polished ice compared to studded tires
  • Lack of steering feedback and informative handling
  • Potential for aquaplaning in heavy slush or deep water
All owner themes in the UltraGrip Ice 2 review

Tire B X Ice Snow

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and traction in deep snow, packed snow, and slush
  • High confidence and predictable handling on icy and freezing roads
  • Impressive tread wear longevity and minimal wear over multiple seasons

Cons

  • Average performance on dry and wet pavement compared to dedicated non-winter tires
  • Slightly noisier on dry pavement as the tread wears down
  • Can feel slightly twitchy at the limit or less comfortable than older X-Ice generations
All owner themes in the X Ice Snow review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 B · Michelin X Ice Snow
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available39100
Rim diameters13″ – 19″13″ – 21″
Sizes in common3636

Which one should you actually buy?

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2

Michelin X Ice Snow

Narrow edge: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 — better wet, dry and noise. Pick the Michelin X Ice Snow if comfort, efficiency and snow matter most to you.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 scores 82 vs 71 on wet.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 scores 76 vs 67 on dry.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin X Ice Snow scores 80 vs 74 on comfort.

Pick tire A You want a quieter cabin

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 scores 80 vs 75 on noise.

Tire A · Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
Check price on Amazon

TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

UltraGrip Ice 2 or X Ice Snow?

Which is better in the wet, UltraGrip Ice 2 or X Ice Snow?

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2, 82 vs 71 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, UltraGrip Ice 2 or X Ice Snow?

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2, 76 vs 67 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, UltraGrip Ice 2 or X Ice Snow?

Michelin X Ice Snow, 76 vs 72 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, UltraGrip Ice 2 or X Ice Snow?

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2, 80 vs 75 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, UltraGrip Ice 2 or X Ice Snow?

Michelin X Ice Snow, 80 vs 74 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, UltraGrip Ice 2 or X Ice Snow?

Neither, by our numbers: 76 vs 76 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.

Which rolls more easily, UltraGrip Ice 2 or X Ice Snow?

Michelin X Ice Snow, 77 vs 72 on our efficiency score.

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.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology