Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Michelin X Ice Snow
Across six shared tests from 2020-2025, a clear pattern emerges. The North 4 repeatedly dominates objective ice and often snow traction metrics, while the X-Ice Snow counters with class-leading comfort, lower rolling resistance/fuel use, and better manners on bare roads. Recent tests also highlight some steering imprecision for both on asphalt, with the Snow trending more refined and the North 4 more capable when conditions turn truly icy.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been six tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin X Ice North 4 | four | |
| Michelin X Ice Snow | one | |
| one draws in one tests | ||
While it might look like the Michelin X Ice North 4 is better than the Michelin X Ice Snow purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Dominant ice performance: consistent wins in braking, traction, and handling
- Strong snow traction and often superior snow handling
- Shorter dry and wet braking versus the Snow in several tests
- Safety margin on extreme winter surfaces despite aging (performance retention noted)
- Outstanding comfort and very low noise (10/10 damping in latest test)
- Lower rolling resistance and better fuel consumption
- Stable, predictable behavior on snow and in general driving
- Competitive wet handling in some tests; better overall refinement on asphalt
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 stopped the vehicle in 2.53% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 scored 6.25% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 stopped the vehicle in 4.15% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow was 0.53% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow scored 4.71% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 floated at a 0.8% higher speed than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one snow braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 stopped the vehicle in 0.59% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Braking: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two snow traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 accelerated 1.67% faster than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 was 0.98% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 scored 7.41% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during three ice braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 stopped the vehicle 13.86% shorter than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Ice Braking: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Ice Traction
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during three ice traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 accelerated 27.21% faster than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Ice Traction: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Ice Traction winner was calculated >>
Ice Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two ice handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 was 13.73% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Ice Handling [s]: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Ice Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two subj. ice handling tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 scored 20.83% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Subj. Ice Handling: Michelin X Ice North 4
See how the Subj. Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow scored 50% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during three subj. noise tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow scored 25.89% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Subj. Noise: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one price tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow cost 7.69% less than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Price: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow used 4.66% less fuel than the Michelin X Ice North 4.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Michelin X Ice North 4 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Michelin X Ice North 4 for outstanding grip on ice and snow, predictable handling, and surprisingly low noise for a studded tyre. Many report strong stud retention and durability over multiple winters, though one user experienced significant stud loss and another noted grip variability on loose-snow-over-ice at low speeds. Overall, the tyre is viewed as a top-tier winter performer with minor, less frequent concerns about stud loss and grip predictability in specific conditions.
Based on 11 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Michelin X Ice Snow Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Michelin X Ice Snow highly for confident winter performance, especially strong traction and braking on snow and generally solid grip on ice, with predictable handling. Comfort and noise are typically praised, and several note slow wear. A minority report weaker performance on wet or smooth/black ice and average dry/wet road grip versus all-season or studded options. Overall sentiment is strongly positive with durability and winter grip leading the praise.
Based on 16 reviews with an average rating of 84%
Conclusion
For drivers who prioritize quiet, comfort, and efficiency on mixed winter roads with only occasional ice, the X-Ice Snow fits better. It delivers standout refinement, lower consumption, and stable, predictable behavior, with acceptable snow grip. However, its ice braking and lateral grip lag the best in class, limiting suitability for the iciest Nordic conditions. In short: North 4 for maximum ice confidence; X-Ice Snow for everyday winter comfort and efficiency.
Key Differences
- Ice capability: North 4 wins all shared ice categories by large margins; Snow trails notably on ice braking and lateral grip
- Noise/comfort: Snow is markedly quieter and smoother; North 4 is typical studded-loud
- Efficiency: Snow has lower rolling resistance and better fuel use; North 4 is thirstier
- Wet/dry asphalt: Snow offers better refinement; North 4 shows more understeer and sluggish steering on asphalt
- Snow performance: North 4 often edges traction; Snow can match or slightly beat in snow braking/handling in some sizes
- Value perception: Snow is usually cheaper and more balanced; North 4's premium price leans on its ice safety advantage
Overall Winner: Michelin X Ice North 4
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin X Ice North 4 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
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Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.