Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Toyo Observe Ice Freezer
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin X Ice North 4 finished ahead 2 times and the Observe Ice Freezer not once. The X Ice North 4 was stronger in wet, snow, ice, comfort and value.
Performance profile
17 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
X Ice North 4
Observe Ice Freezer
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 60%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow.
Where each scores higher
X Ice North 4
Observe Ice Freezer
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Wins count the tests in which each tire did better.
| Measurement | X Ice North 4 | Gap | Observe Ice Freezer | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Level | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 106 | 2.2% | 104 | 0-1 |
| Subj. Dry Handling pts | scored | 66.7% | scored | 1-0 |
| Wet X Ice North 4 ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 115 | 5.7% | 122 | 1-0 |
| Wet Handling s | 45.75 | 1.3% | 45.17 | 0-1 |
| Subj. Wet Handling pts | scored | 100% | scored | 1-0 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 37.9 | 0.6% | 37.7 | 1-1 |
| Snow X Ice North 4 ahead | ||||
| Snow Braking ft | 34 | 2% | 35 | 1-0 |
| Snow Traction s | 3.67 | 6.4% | 3.92 | 1-0 |
| Snow Handling s | 75.69 | 1.5% | 76.85 | 1-0 |
| Subj. Snow Handling pts | scored | 28.6% | scored | 1-0 |
| Ice X Ice North 4 ahead | ||||
| Ice Braking ft | 11 | 14.7% | 13 | 1-0 |
| Ice Traction s | 1.89 | 32.5% | 2.8 | 1-0 |
| Ice Handling s | 51.23 | 13.2% | 59.02 | 1-0 |
| Subj. Ice Handling pts | scored | 16.7% | scored | 1-0 |
| Comfort X Ice North 4 ahead | ||||
| Subj. Comfort pts | scored | 25% | scored | 1-0 |
| Subj. Noise pts | scored | 150% | scored | 1-0 |
| Value X Ice North 4 ahead | ||||
| Fuel Consumption l/100km | 5.84 | 0.9% | 5.89 | 1-0 |
Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared.
Head to head in 2 tests, 2020 to 2025
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | X Ice North 4 | Field | Observe Ice Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test | P5 of 8 | P8 of 8 | |
| 2020 Studded Winter Tire Test | P1 of 8 | P7 of 8 |
X Ice North 4 vs Observe Ice Freezer: your questions
Is the Michelin X Ice North 4 or the Toyo Observe Ice Freezer the better tire?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin X Ice North 4 finished ahead 2 times and the Observe Ice Freezer not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the X Ice North 4 scores 8.6 and the Observe Ice Freezer 3.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the X Ice North 4 or the Observe Ice Freezer?
The X Ice North 4 led 3 of the 5 wet measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in the dry?
Across the shared tests the dry measurements are split 1-1 between the X Ice North 4 and the Observe Ice Freezer.
Which is better in snow?
The X Ice North 4 led 4 of the 4 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The X Ice North 4 used 0.9% less fuel (2 tests).
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.3/10 for the X Ice North 4 and 8/10 for the Observe Ice Freezer.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the X Ice North 4 84% from 12 reviews and the Observe Ice Freezer 91% from 1.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.