Tests 70 · 13 tests Owners 75 · 19 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 8 in 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test (rolling resistance)
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin X Ice Snow vs Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Too close to call: X Ice Snow and WinGuard Sport 2 are level at 72.
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Tests 73 · 9 tests Owners 70 · 61 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 8 in 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 (exterior noise)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
67
Dry
WinGuard Sport 2 +370Why this score
Source X Ice Snow WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) 65 71 Reviews found online 70 68 Dry Braking (% of best) 93% 98% Dry Handling (% of best) 92% 98% -
69
Wet
WinGuard Sport 2 +574Why this score
Source X Ice Snow WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) 64 73 Reviews found online 77 75 Longitudinal Aquaplaning (% of best) 75% 91% Wet Braking (% of best) 97% 95% Wet Handling (% of best) 95% 96% -
76
Snow
X Ice Snow +670Why this score
Source X Ice Snow WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) 73 71 Reviews found online 80 69 Snow Braking (% of best) 69% 92% Snow Handling (% of best) 98% 98% Snow Traction (% of best) 97% 87% -
80
Comfort
X Ice Snow +1367Why this score
Source X Ice Snow WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) 82 65 Reviews found online 78 71 -
74
Noise
WinGuard Sport 2 +983Why this score
Source X Ice Snow WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) 80 97 Reviews found online – 62 Exterior Noise (% of best) 99% 100% -
72
Treadwear
Level72Why this score
Source X Ice Snow WinGuard Sport 2 Professional tests (TWG score) – 74 Reviews found online 76 69 -
74
Handling
X Ice Snow +668Why this score
Source X Ice Snow WinGuard Sport 2 Reviews found online 74 68
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin X Ice Snow | Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 72 |
| Dry | 67 | 70 |
| Wet | 69 | 74 |
| Snow | 76 | 70 |
| Comfort | 80 | 67 |
| Noise | 74 | 83 |
| Treadwear | 72 | 72 |
| Handling | 74 | 68 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Recomputed
Headline score
72
/ 100
X Ice Snow
72
/ 100
WinGuard Sport 2
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 | X Ice Snow | WinGuard Sport 2 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 93% #16/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 98% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | −5.2 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 92% #4/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | 98% #6/11 · 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test | −6.0 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% #1/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 80% #20/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +20.3 | Different tests |
| Exterior Noise | Noise | 99% #2/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | 100% #1/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | −1.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #7/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | −1.1 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 50% #14/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 81% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | −30.9 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 0% #16/15 · 2025 Teknikens Värld Winter Tire Test R17 | 11% #9/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | −11.1 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 69% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 92% #15/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | −23.0 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% #4/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 98% #7/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | +0.1 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 97% #10/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 87% #10/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | +10.1 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 98% #2/8 · 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tyre Test | 92% #16/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +6.8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 97% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 93% #6/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | +4.0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 80% #4/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 80% #6/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 0.0 | Different tests |
| Longitudinal Aquaplaning | Wet | 75% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | 91% #7/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | −16.0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 97% #2/8 · 2024 Moottori Winter Tire Test R16 | 95% #7/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +2.6 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 95% #2/8 · 2024 Moottori Winter Tire Test R16 | 96% #11/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | −0.5 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A 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
Tire B WinGuard Sport 2
Pros
- Excellent value and affordable price point compared to premium winter tires
- Low noise levels and high comfort, often rivaling all-season or summer tires
- Strong grip and stability on cold dry and wet pavement
Cons
- Subpar performance on hard-packed ice and deep snow compared to dedicated heavy-duty winter tires
- Soft sidewalls can lead to slightly vague handling or a 'rolly' feeling in hard cornering
- Reports of higher rolling resistance resulting in a minor drop in fuel economy
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin X Ice Snow | B · Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 100 | 80 |
| Rim diameters | 13″ – 21″ | 15″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | — | 10.5/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Michelin X Ice Snow
72
/ 100
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
Too close to call: Michelin X Ice Snow and Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 are within 2 points overall. Michelin X Ice Snow is stronger on comfort, snow and handling. Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 is stronger on noise, wet and dry.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 80 vs 67 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 scores 83 vs 74 on noise.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 76 vs 70 on snow.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 74 vs 68 on handling.
Tire A · Michelin X Ice Snow
Tire B · Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
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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.