Michelin X Ice Snow vs Pirelli Ice Friction
Ahead in each discipline
The Michelin X Ice Snow and the Pirelli Ice Friction have met in one independent test so far, and the Ice Friction finished ahead. The X Ice Snow was stronger in wet, comfort and value, the Ice Friction in snow and ice.
Performance profile
6 measurements from the one shared test, each tire shown as its share of the better figure.
Where each is furthest ahead
X Ice Snow
Ice Friction
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.
Where each scores higher
X Ice Snow
Ice Friction
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.
Where owners rate each higher
X Ice Snow
Not ahead in any category
Ice Friction
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the X Ice Snow 85% from 19 reviews and the Ice Friction 97% from 4. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Both tires' figures from the one test that ran them together, on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The bar grows towards the tire that did better.
| Measurement | X Ice Snow | Gap | Ice Friction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet X Ice Snow ahead | |||
| Subj. Wet Handling pts | 6 | 20% | 5 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 38.5 | 2.6% | 37.5 |
| Snow Ice Friction ahead | |||
| Subj. Snow Handling pts | 8 | 25% | 10 |
| Ice Ice Friction ahead | |||
| Subj. Ice Handling pts | 6 | 33.3% | 8 |
| Comfort X Ice Snow ahead | |||
| Subj. Comfort pts | 10 | 11.1% | 9 |
| Value X Ice Snow ahead | |||
| Fuel Consumption l/100km | 5.73 | 2.8% | 5.89 |
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 1 test in 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 Snow | Field | Ice Friction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test | P4 of 7 | P2 of 7 |
X Ice Snow vs Ice Friction: your questions
Is the Michelin X Ice Snow or the Pirelli Ice Friction the better tire?
The Michelin X Ice Snow and the Pirelli Ice Friction have met in one independent test so far, and the Ice Friction finished ahead. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the X Ice Snow scores 7.9 and the Ice Friction 9.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the X Ice Snow or the Ice Friction?
The X Ice Snow led 2 of the 2 wet measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The Ice Friction led 1 of the 1 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.8/10 for the X Ice Snow and 9.5/10 for the Ice Friction.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the X Ice Snow 85% from 19 reviews and the Ice Friction 97% from 4.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The X Ice Snow is made in 100 sizes (13 to 21 inch) and the Ice Friction in 51 (15 to 20 inch). 25 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the X Ice Snow is graded E for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Ice Friction C and C.
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Every Michelin vs Pirelli test → All comparisons → Compare three or more tires →
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.