Tests 74 · 13 tests Owners 76 · 11 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test (ice traction)
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin X-Ice North 4 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 13 + 13 road tests and 11 + 19 owner reviews. How we score
Too close to call: X-Ice North 4 75, X Ice Snow 74.
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Tests 70 · 13 tests Owners 79 · 19 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 4 tests that measured dry braking for both, X-Ice North 4 won 4 and X Ice Snow won 0 (average 92% vs 88% of the best).
- In 4 tests that measured wet braking for both, X-Ice North 4 won 2 and X Ice Snow won 1 (average 80% vs 78% of the best).
- In 4 tests that measured wet handling for both, X-Ice North 4 won 1 and X Ice Snow won 2 (average 89% vs 89% of the best).
- In 4 tests that measured ice braking for both, X-Ice North 4 won 3 and X Ice Snow won 1 (average 89% vs 81% of the best).
- In 4 tests that measured ice traction for both, X-Ice North 4 won 3 and X Ice Snow won 1 (average 87% vs 71% of the best).
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77
Dry
X-Ice North 4 +968Why this score
Source X-Ice North 4 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 10 / 11 tests 81 65 Reviews found online 72 72 Dry Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 4–0 92% 88% Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 84% 74% X-Ice North 4: 60% × 80.9 + 40% × 72 = 77
X Ice Snow: 60% × 65.3 + 40% × 72.2 = 68
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66
Wet
X Ice Snow +571Why this score
Source X-Ice North 4 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 12 tests 59 64 Reviews found online 76 81 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 81% 81% Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–0 69% 69% Wet Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 2–1 80% 78% Wet Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–2 89% 89% X-Ice North 4: 60% × 58.6 + 40% × 75.9 = 66
X Ice Snow: 60% × 64.2 + 40% × 80.6 = 71
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84
Snow
X-Ice North 4 +777Why this score
Source X-Ice North 4 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 11 / 12 tests 87 73 Reviews found online 78 82 Ice Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–1 89% 81% Ice Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 96% 81% Ice Traction (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–1 87% 71% Snow Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–3 94% 99% Snow Handling (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–2 96% 99% Snow Traction (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 2–1 91% 93% Ice Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 70% 60% Snow Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 90% 80% X-Ice North 4: 60% × 87.2 + 40% × 78.1 = 84
X Ice Snow: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 81.8 = 77
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76
Comfort
X Ice Snow +581Why this score
Source X-Ice North 4 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 3 tests 76 82 Reviews found online 76 80 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 50% 100% X-Ice North 4: 40% × 76.1 + 60% × 76.3 = 76
X Ice Snow: 40% × 82.3 + 60% × 80 = 81
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60
Noise
X Ice Snow +1575Why this score
Source X-Ice North 4 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 10 / 8 tests 55 81 Reviews found online ≈ 67 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) Exterior Noise (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 60% 100% Noise (tester's mark) (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 69% 93% X-Ice North 4: 60% × 55.4 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 60
X Ice Snow: 60% × 81.2 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 75
No owner ratings of noise for X-Ice North 4 or X Ice Snow. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
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74
Treadwear
X Ice Snow +276Why this score
Source X-Ice North 4 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 71 (est.) ≈ 72 (est.) Reviews found online 79 83 X-Ice North 4: 60% × 70.6 (est.) + 40% × 78.8 = 74
X Ice Snow: 60% × 72.1 (est.) + 40% × 83.1 = 76
No road tests of treadwear for X-Ice North 4. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).
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 0.35).
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77
Handling (owners)
X-Ice North 4 +176Why this score
Source X-Ice North 4 X Ice Snow Reviews found online 77 76 -
60
Efficiency
X Ice Snow +1777Why this score
Source X-Ice North 4 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 6 tests 60 77 Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 95% 100% Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 70% 100%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin X-Ice North 4 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 74 |
| Dry | 77 | 68 |
| Wet | 66 | 71 |
| Snow | 84 | 77 |
| Comfort | 76 | 81 |
| Noise | 60 | 75 |
| Treadwear | 74 | 76 |
| Handling (owners) | 77 | 76 |
| Efficiency | 60 | 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
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 100
X-Ice North 4
74
/ 100
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 10 tests that ran both, Michelin X-Ice North 4 finished ahead 8 times and Michelin X Ice Snow 2 times.
| Discipline | Category | X-Ice North 4 | X Ice Snow | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 92% | 88% | +4.4 | 4–0 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 84% | 74% | +10.5 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 81% | 81% | +0.7 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 80% | 78% | +2.6 | 2–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 97% #8/6 · 2025 NAF Motor Studded Winter Tire Test R17 | 81% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 89% | 89% | −0.4 | 1–2 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 69% | 69% | 0.0 | 0–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 89% | 81% | +7.2 | 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Ice Handling | Snow | 96% | 81% | +15.5 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16 |
| Ice Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 70% | 60% | +10.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Ice Traction | Snow | 87% | 71% | +16.2 | 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 94% | 99% | −4.6 | 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% | 99% | −2.7 | 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16 |
| Snow Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 90% | 80% | +10.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 91% | 93% | −1.3 | 2–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 50% | 100% | −50.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Exterior Noise | Noise | 60% | 100% | −40.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16 |
| Noise | Noise | 98% #3/8 · 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tyre Test | 99% #7/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise (tester's mark) | Noise | 69% | 93% | −24.1 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 95% | 100% | −4.8 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 70% | 100% | −30.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 46% | 50% | −3.8 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Road Rating (tester's mark) | Other | 60% #13/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | 97% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #11/15 | #16/15 | – | 8–2 in 10 shared tests Newest: 2025 Teknikens Värld Winter Tire Test R17 · 225/50R17 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A X-Ice North 4
Pros
- Outstanding grip and traction on ice and snow
- Significantly lower road noise compared to competing studded tires
- Comfortable ride quality
Cons
- Premature stud loss reported by some users over multiple seasons
- Slightly slippery feel on rain and dry concrete
- Light studs can struggle to penetrate loose snow sitting on top of hard ice
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 · Michelin X-Ice North 4 | 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?
75
/ 100
Michelin X-Ice North 4
74
/ 100
Michelin X Ice Snow
Too close to call: Michelin X-Ice North 4 and Michelin X Ice Snow are within 2 points overall. Michelin X-Ice North 4 is stronger on dry and snow. Michelin X Ice Snow is stronger on efficiency, noise and wet.
Pick tire B
You want lower fuel or energy use
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 77 vs 60 on efficiency.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 75 vs 60 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin X-Ice North 4 scores 77 vs 68 on dry.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Michelin X-Ice North 4 scores 84 vs 77 on snow.
Tire A · Michelin X-Ice North 4
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
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X-Ice North 4 or X Ice Snow?
Which is better in the wet, X-Ice North 4 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 71 vs 66 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, X-Ice North 4 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X-Ice North 4, 77 vs 68 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, X-Ice North 4 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X-Ice North 4, 84 vs 77 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, X-Ice North 4 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 75 vs 60 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, X-Ice North 4 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 81 vs 76 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, X-Ice North 4 or X Ice Snow?
Neither, by our numbers: 74 vs 76 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.
Which rolls more easily, X-Ice North 4 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 77 vs 60 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