Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 vs Michelin X Ice North 4

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 and the Michelin X Ice North 4 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 and Michelin X Ice North 4 are Premium Touring Winter tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.

Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.

In This Article
Introduction Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion
UltraGrip-Arctic-2 VS X-Ice-North-4

Test Results

Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been three tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these three tests:

  • Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 finished ahead of the Michelin X Ice North 4 in one of the tests
  • Michelin X Ice North 4 finished ahead of the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 in two of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin X Ice North 4 is better than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Lets look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 stopped the vehicle in 0.47% less distance than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
32.24M
Michelin X Ice North 4
32.09M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin X Ice North 4

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 31.7M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 31.1M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 32.91M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 32.79M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 32.11M Michelin X Ice North 4: 32.37M

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 scored 60% more points than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
2 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
5 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin X Ice North 4

2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 2 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 stopped the vehicle in 5.9% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
35.57M
Michelin X Ice North 4
37.8M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 34.9M Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.3M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 35.86M Michelin X Ice North 4: 38.54M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 35.94M Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.56M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during three wet handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was 2.25% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
39.46s
Michelin X Ice North 4
40.37s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 35.3s Michelin X Ice North 4: 36.2s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 41.87s Michelin X Ice North 4: 43.11s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 41.2s Michelin X Ice North 4: 41.8s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 floated at a 2.44% higher speed than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
57.3Km/H
Michelin X Ice North 4
55.9Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2

2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 57.3Km/H Michelin X Ice North 4: 55.9Km/H

Snow Braking

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during two snow braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 stopped the vehicle in 0.72% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
26.26M
Michelin X Ice North 4
26.45M
Snow braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Snow Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 50.6M Michelin X Ice North 4: 51M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 15.23M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 15.11M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 12.96M Michelin X Ice North 4: 13.24M

Snow Traction

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during two snow traction tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 accelerated 0.39% faster than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
5.11s
Michelin X Ice North 4
5.13s
Snow acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Snow Traction: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 5.7s Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.8s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 4.83s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.77s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 4.79s Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.83s

Snow Handling [s]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two snow handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 was 0.41% faster around a lap than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
71.13s
Michelin X Ice North 4
70.84s
Snow handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Snow Handling [s]: Michelin X Ice North 4

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 52.7s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 52.3s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 85.38s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 84.73s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 75.3s Michelin X Ice North 4: 75.5s

Ice Braking

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during two ice braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 stopped the vehicle 2.28% shorter than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
21.03M
Michelin X Ice North 4
21.52M
Ice braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Ice Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 37.9M Michelin X Ice North 4: 38.8M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 12.22M Michelin X Ice North 4: 12.82M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 12.97M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 12.93M

Ice Traction

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during three ice traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 accelerated 8.4% faster than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
5s
Michelin X Ice North 4
4.58s
Ice acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Ice Traction: Michelin X Ice North 4

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 3.9s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.8s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 5s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.39s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 6.09s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.55s

Ice Handling [s]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two ice handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 was 1.02% faster around a lap than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
52.81s
Michelin X Ice North 4
52.27s
Ice handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Ice Handling [s]: Michelin X Ice North 4

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 55.1s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 54.5s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 63.73s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 62.7s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 39.6s Michelin X Ice North 4: 39.6s

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 scored 33.33% more points than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
2 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
3 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin X Ice North 4

2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 2 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3 Points

Subj. Noise

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during zero subj. noise tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 scored 0% more points than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
7 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
7 Points
Subjective in car noise levels, higher is better

Best In Subj. Noise: Michelin X Ice North 4

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 7 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 7 Points

Noise

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during two noise tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 measured 0.75% quieter than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
72.5dB
Michelin X Ice North 4
73.05dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2

2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 69.6dB Michelin X Ice North 4: 70.3dB
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 75.4dB Michelin X Ice North 4: 75.8dB

Price

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better during two price tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 cost 8.36% less than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
1413.5
Michelin X Ice North 4
1542.5
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 550 Michelin X Ice North 4: 650
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 2277 Michelin X Ice North 4: 2435

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 had a 3.51% lower rolling resistance than the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
5.7kg / t
Michelin X Ice North 4
5.5kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin X Ice North 4

2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2: 5.7kg / t ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.5kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 and Michelin X Ice North 4.

In total the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 has been reviewed 1 times and drivers have given the tire 91% overall.

The Michelin X Ice North 4 has been reviewed 9 times and drivers have given the tire 84% overall.

This means drivers in real world driving, people prefer the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2.

Best Review for the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
Given 91% 225/45 R17 on a combination of roads for 1,500 spirited miles
Was in need for high quality studded winter tires that supported spirited sideways driving on ice lake with a RWD car and Goodyear Artic 2 delivered. Tires excel at ice grip in terms of braking and acceleration, when turning, unless you wish to go sideways, it is better to slow down first. It makes sense when looking at the studs because studs are not triangular shape like Michelin X-Ice north 4 nor Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 but rather plate/bowl shape? Either way, when driving straight, you will get the car to stop in emergencies. Snow grip is also excellent, no problems whatsoever when it... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 34 - tire reviewed on February 10, 2024
View all Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Michelin X Ice North 4
Given 91% 205/55 R16 T on a combination of roads for 0 spirited miles
Uncompromising grip on all types of winter surfaces. Out of competition on the ice tracks. Very low noise level, audible only at low speeds when driving on a clean road. With these tires, it is very difficult to achieve ABS actuation. Perfectly copes with leaving the track. After running-in in compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations, the studs took their position and after 15,000 km remain in place. I recommend to buy, the best studded tire.
Helpful 82 - tire reviewed on February 10, 2021
View all Michelin X Ice North 4 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 was better in wet braking, wet handling [s], straight aqua, snow braking, snow traction, ice braking, noise and price tests, whereas the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better in dry braking, subj. dry handling, snow handling [s], ice traction, ice handling [s], subj. comfort, subj. noise and rolling resistance tests.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire, but comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance the Michelin X Ice North 4 seems to be the best tire overall.

Overall Winner: Michelin X Ice North 4

Overall Winner: Michelin X Ice North 4

Footnote

This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.

Why is this important? Tire 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 tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 and Michelin X Ice North 4, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.