Tests 73 · 9 tests Owners 71 · 61 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test (noise)
Head-to-head
Updated
Nexen WinGuard Sport 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 9 + 13 road tests and 61 + 19 owner reviews. How we score
X Ice Snow leads, 74–72 Narrow edge
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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.
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70
Dry
WinGuard Sport 2 +268Why this score
Source WinGuard Sport 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 11 tests 71 65 Reviews found online 70 72 WinGuard Sport 2: 60% × 70.8 + 40% × 70 = 70
X Ice Snow: 60% × 65.3 + 40% × 72.2 = 68
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75
Wet
WinGuard Sport 2 +471Why this score
Source WinGuard Sport 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 12 tests 74 64 Reviews found online 78 81 WinGuard Sport 2: 60% × 73.6 + 40% × 77.6 = 75
X Ice Snow: 60% × 64.2 + 40% × 80.6 = 71
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70
Snow
X Ice Snow +777Why this score
Source WinGuard Sport 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 12 tests 70 73 Reviews found online 70 82 WinGuard Sport 2: 60% × 70.5 + 40% × 70.1 = 70
X Ice Snow: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 81.8 = 77
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69
Comfort
X Ice Snow +1281Why this score
Source WinGuard Sport 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 3 tests 65 82 Reviews found online 71 80 WinGuard Sport 2: 40% × 64.9 + 60% × 71.1 = 69
X Ice Snow: 40% × 82.3 + 60% × 80 = 81
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82
Noise
WinGuard Sport 2 +775Why this score
Source WinGuard Sport 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 8 tests 96 81 Reviews found online 62 ≈ 67 (est.) WinGuard Sport 2: 60% × 96 + 40% × 61.6 = 82
X Ice Snow: 60% × 81.2 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 75
No owner ratings of noise for 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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73
Treadwear
X Ice Snow +477Why this score
Source WinGuard Sport 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / – tests 75 ≈ 72 (est.) Reviews found online 71 83 WinGuard Sport 2: 60% × 74.7 + 40% × 71.2 = 73
X Ice Snow: 60% × 72.1 (est.) + 40% × 83.2 = 77
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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71
Handling (owners)
X Ice Snow +576Why this score
Source WinGuard Sport 2 X Ice Snow Reviews found online 71 76 -
35
Efficiency
X Ice Snow +4277Why this score
Source WinGuard Sport 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 6 tests 35 77
Scores at a glance
| Category | Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 74 |
| Dry | 70 | 68 |
| Wet | 75 | 71 |
| Snow | 70 | 77 |
| Comfort | 69 | 81 |
| Noise | 82 | 75 |
| Treadwear | 73 | 77 |
| Handling (owners) | 71 | 76 |
| Efficiency | 35 | 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
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Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
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Recomputed
Headline score
72
/ 100
WinGuard Sport 2
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.
| Discipline | Category | WinGuard Sport 2 | X Ice Snow | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 100% #5/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 81% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #5/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 92% #4/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 80% #6/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 78% #5/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 91% #7/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 75% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 90% #4/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 72% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% #3/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 95% #6/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 96% #7/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 69% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% #7/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 86% #8/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 92% #8/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 96% #6/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 93% #6/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 97% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Exterior Noise | Noise | 100% #1/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 99% #2/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 100% #2/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 99% #7/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 78% #8/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 97% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 100% #1/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 50% #14/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #10/10 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test R18 | #7/10 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A 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
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 · Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 | B · Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 80 | 100 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 20″ | 13″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | 10.5/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 51 psi | — |
| Sizes in common | 51 | 51 |
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
74
/ 100
Michelin X Ice Snow
Narrow edge: Michelin X Ice Snow — better efficiency, comfort and snow. Pick the Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 if noise and wet matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want lower fuel or energy use
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 77 vs 35 on efficiency.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 81 vs 69 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 scores 82 vs 75 on noise.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 77 vs 70 on snow.
Tire A · Nexen WinGuard Sport 2
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
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WinGuard Sport 2 or X Ice Snow?
Which is better in the wet, WinGuard Sport 2 or X Ice Snow?
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2, 75 vs 71 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, WinGuard Sport 2 or X Ice Snow?
Neither, by our numbers: 70 vs 68 on the dry score, within 3 points.
Which is better in snow, WinGuard Sport 2 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 77 vs 70 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, WinGuard Sport 2 or X Ice Snow?
Nexen WinGuard Sport 2, 82 vs 75 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, WinGuard Sport 2 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 81 vs 69 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, WinGuard Sport 2 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 77 vs 73 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, WinGuard Sport 2 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 77 vs 35 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