Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Michelin X Ice Snow
The data shows a clear pattern: Goodyear is the balanced all-rounder with standout wet-road security and aquaplaning resistance, plus excellent snow competence and low rolling resistance. Michelin counters with class-leading ice braking and traction and superb ride comfort and refinement, but trails notably in wet and dry braking/handling-often by meaningful margins.
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 seven tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 | seven |
While it might look like the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 is better than the Michelin X Ice Snow 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.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Key Strengths
- Best-in-test wet security: shorter wet braking (often 5-8% better) and faster wet handling
- Exceptional aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) with clear margins
- Consistently strong snow braking, traction and handling; composed subjective balance
- Lower rolling resistance and good fuel economy for a Nordic friction tire
- Class-leading ice braking and ice traction across multiple sizes (often 5-16% gains)
- Excellent ride comfort and low noise; highly refined on rough surfaces
- Good straight-line stability and predictable everyday behavior
- Acceptable snow performance with safe manners
Dry Braking
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.51% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Dry Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was 1.02% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during four subj. dry handling tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 scored 13.43% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during five wet braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 stopped the vehicle in 5.71% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Wet Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during five wet handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was 4.13% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 scored 11.15% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was 4.75% faster around a wet circle than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Wet Circle: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 floated at a 4.05% higher speed than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Straight Aqua: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 slipped out at a 16.34% higher speed than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during five snow braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.68% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during five snow traction tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 accelerated 2.44% faster than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Traction: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during four snow handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was 1.35% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during two subj. snow handling tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 scored 15% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was 1.21% faster through a slalom than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Slalom: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during four ice braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow stopped the vehicle 7.5% shorter than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Ice Braking: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Ice Traction
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during four ice traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow accelerated 6.4% faster than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Ice Traction: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Ice Traction winner was calculated >>
Ice Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during four ice handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was 2.19% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Ice Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Ice Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during two subj. ice handling tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 scored 10.64% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Subj. Ice Handling: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Subj. Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow scored 3.85% more points than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow scored 10% more points than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Subj. Noise: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during three noise tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 measured 0.65% quieter than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Noise: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 had a 6.76% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during two fuel consumption tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 used 2.94% less fuel than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Michelin X Ice Snow.
In total the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 has been reviewed 3 times and drivers have given the tire 75% overall.
The Michelin X Ice Snow has been reviewed 16 times and drivers have given the tire 84% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Snow grip is good and very predictable, ice grip is good for a friction tire but if you need ice grip studded tires are the way to go.
Where the tire really shines is the comfort and noise part. Very quiet impression and the comfort has a rounded/isolated feel to it.
Overall a very... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
Choose Michelin X-Ice Snow if your priority is maximum ice stopping and gentle ride isolation on polished winter roads, and you can accept longer wet stops (e.g., +5-8% or more) and slower wet/dry lap times. Choose Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 if you drive mixed winters with frequent rain, slush, and clear asphalt, want top-tier aquaplaning resistance and snow performance, and value efficiency. The practical takeaway: for most drivers in variable Nordic/continental winters, the Goodyear is the safer, more versatile pick; for predominantly icy locales with smooth ice and lower speeds, the Michelin's ice-stopping edge is compelling.
Key Differences
- Wet performance: Goodyear repeatedly outbrakes and out-handles Michelin (e.g., 43.7 m vs 46.2 m wet brake, +5.4% to Goodyear)
- Aquaplaning: Goodyear leads straight and curved aquaplaning (e.g., +19.5% curved acceleration advantage)
- Snow capability: Goodyear edges snow braking/traction/handling in nearly every test (typically 1-3% gains)
- Ice metrics: Michelin wins ice braking/traction (often 5-16%), while Goodyear often equals or beats in ice handling balance
- Comfort/refinement: Michelin quieter and more cushioned subjectively; Goodyear still rates high but usually second-best
- Efficiency: Goodyear shows lower rolling resistance and better fuel figures in shared data
Overall Winner: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
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 %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 tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.