Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 vs Michelin X Ice Snow
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 79% · 4
- TR Score
- 7.9/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 19
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 finished ahead 7 times and the X Ice Snow not once. The UltraGrip Ice 3 stopped 5.6% shorter in the wet; the X Ice Snow stopped 6.6% shorter on ice.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 for mixed Nordic/continental winters with frequent wet roads, slush, and clear asphalt where aquaplaning resistance and all-round balance matter. Michelin X-Ice Snow for regions with prolonged smooth ice where maximum ice braking/traction and top-tier comfort are the priorities.
Where the UltraGrip Ice 3 is stronger
- 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
Where the X Ice Snow is stronger
- 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
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
UltraGrip Ice 3 vs X Ice Snow at a glance
| Category | UltraGrip Ice 3 | Gap | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 7 | 0 | |
| Dry10 measurements | 9 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 stopped 0.5% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 1 |
| Wet19 measurements | 18 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 stopped 5.6% shorter in the wet (5 tests) | 0 |
| Snow17 measurements | 17 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 was 2.4% quicker in the snow traction test (5 tests) | 0 |
| Ice16 measurements | 8 | Level between the two. | 8 |
| Comfort6 measurements | 4 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 was 0.5 dB quieter (3 tests) | 2 |
| Value4 measurements | 3 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 used 3.2% less fuel (3 tests) | 0 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.4/10 | The UltraGrip Ice 3 by 1.5 | 7.9/10 |
| Owner rating4 and 19 reviews | 79% | The X Ice Snow by 6 points | 85% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The X Ice Snow was dearer in 2 of 3 | +11.6% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 92 | 41 sizes made in both | 100 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 7 tests, 2023 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 | UltraGrip Ice 3 | Field | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test | P2 of 7 | P4 of 7 | |
| The Best Snow Tires for 2025/26 | P2 of 5 | P4 of 5 | |
| 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tire Test | P3 of 7 | P6 of 7 | |
| 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test | P1 of 8 | P4 of 8 | |
| The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tires for 2024 | P2 of 6 | P5 of 6 | |
| 2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test | P2 of 8 | P4 of 8 | |
| 2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tire Test | P1 of 8 | P3 of 8 |
Performance profile
17 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
UltraGrip Ice 3
X Ice Snow
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. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
UltraGrip Ice 3
X Ice Snow
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
UltraGrip Ice 3
X Ice Snow
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the UltraGrip Ice 3 79% from 4 reviews and the X Ice Snow 85% from 19. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
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. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | UltraGrip Ice 3 | Gap | X Ice Snow | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 114 | 0.5% | 115 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 58.4 | 1% | 59 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 18.1% | scored | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 128 | 5.6% | 136 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 51.08 | 4% | 53.28 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 12.3% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.64 | 4.7% | 14.32 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 40.1 | 3.8% | 38.7 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.6 | 19.5% | 5.5 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 67 | 0.9% | 67 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 4.39 | 2.4% | 4.5 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 79.61 | 1.4% | 80.7 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 15.1% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 10.9 | 1.2% | 10.7 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 64 | 6.6% | 59 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.5 | 5.3% | 7.02 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 59.35 | 2.1% | 60.68 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.3% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.6 | 0.5 dB | 72.07 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.59 | 6.8% | 8.14 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.28 | 3.2% | 5.44 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Ice 3 scores 9.4 and the X Ice Snow 7.9 out of 10.
| UltraGrip Ice 3 | Category | X Ice Snow | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | Dry | 23 | ||
| 81 | Wet | 28 | ||
| 94 | Comfort | 53 | ||
| 91 | Value | 64 | ||
| 91 | Snow | 61 | ||
| 74 | Ice | 79 | ||
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.
What owners say
| UltraGrip Ice 3 | Category | X Ice Snow | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 7.8 | ||
| 8.3 | Wet Grip | 7.9 | ||
| 7 | Road Feedback | 7.6 | ||
| 7.3 | Handling | 7.5 | ||
| 7 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 9.5 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 8 | Snow Grip | 9.4 | ||
| 7.3 | Ice Grip | 8.6 | ||
Owners rate the UltraGrip Ice 3 79% from 4 reviews and the X Ice Snow 85% from 19. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
- 79%from 4 reviews
- 59,610 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 UltraGrip Ice 3 reviewsVs the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 2024, Nokian has much better ice grip.
On snow its, ice, dry, wet. I think it's a good overall quality tire.
Tempratures is rising around + degrees, still a solid tire.
Comfort of the Goodyear is excellent.
I have around 3 mm left on the front and barley 5 mm on the back tires. (Top speed we have in this area is 62mph)
Competitive price my area.
It's a good overall nordic winter tire!
Michelin X Ice Snow
- 85%from 19 reviews
- 88%would buy again
- 250,466 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers describe the Michelin X-Ice Snow as a confidence-inspiring winter tire with standout traction in snow and strong overall control in mixed winter conditions (slush, packed snow, and typical ice), often noting predictable handling and good braking. Many also report good comfort and low wear over multiple winters, making it a popular choice for harsh climates and long winter commutes. A smaller subset mentions that road noise can be higher than expected (or increases with wear) and that grip on smooth/glare/black ice can feel weaker than studded options or some prior winter tires.
- Excellent traction and mobility in deep snow
- Strong winter grip and confidence in mixed conditions (slush/packed snow)
- Predictable handling with good lateral stability
- Good comfort and generally quiet ride for a winter tire
- Road noise can be higher than expected or increase as the tire wears
- Ice grip on smooth/glare/black ice can feel weaker than studded tires or some competing/prior winter tires
- Dry/wet road performance is only average compared with non-winter tires
Summarised by AI from 16 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 19 X Ice Snow reviewsHad these on our Corolla for the last 5 winters and they have performed great. Wear is minimal, although we only have 15,000mi on them. We get surprisingly good gas mileage (37-40mpg). Snow performance is amazing. Even in the wet, sloppy snow/slush, they performed great. Changing lanes in these conditions and not getting pulled around is very confidence-inspiring. Ice performance is very good as well. Had one small slip on some black ice in a corner on an on-ramp, but other than that they have been great in the winter.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 92 sizes of the UltraGrip Ice 3 and 100 of the X Ice Snow, 41 of them made in both.
| Category | UltraGrip Ice 3 | X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 92 sizes, 15 to 22 inch | 100 sizes, 13 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 41 sizes 185/65 R15195/55 R16195/60 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16205/65 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16205/50 R17205/65 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17and 29 more | |
| EU label wet grip | E90%D10% | E100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | B54%C43%D3% | C73%B16%D12% |
| EU label noise | 68-73 dB B64%A36% | 67-71 dB A72%B28% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 157 of 157 | 102 of 102 |
| On the market since | - | 2020 |
| Replaced | Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 (2021) | Michelin X Ice Xi3 (2011) |
| Replaced by | - | Michelin X Ice Snow+ |
| Price in the shared tests | The X Ice Snow was the dearer tire in 2 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 11.6% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This head-to-head pits two Nordic-style premium touring winter tires with very different characters: Goodyear's UltraGrip Ice 3 versus Michelin's X-Ice Snow. Across seven shared professional tests from 2023-2025, the Goodyear consistently ranks higher overall (multiple podiums and wins), while the Michelin alternates between strong ice stopping and weaker asphalt performance.
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.
Conclusion
Across the test portfolio, UltraGrip Ice 3 proves the more complete winter tire. It wins the majority of categories including wet braking/handling, aquaplaning, snow braking/traction/handling, subjective control, noise, and efficiency-often by 4-8% in wet tests and with repeated best-in-class aquaplaning results. Its only consistent vulnerability is ice braking/traction, where Michelin typically holds a 5-16% advantage in stopping and launch metrics, though Goodyear frequently matches or beats it in overall ice handling balance.
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.
UltraGrip Ice 3 vs X Ice Snow: your questions
Is the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 or the Michelin X Ice Snow the better tire?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 finished ahead 7 times and the X Ice Snow not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the UltraGrip Ice 3 scores 9.4 and the X Ice Snow 7.9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the UltraGrip Ice 3 or the X Ice Snow?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 led 18 of the 19 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.6% shorter in the wet across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 led 9 of the 10 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 0.5% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 led 17 of the 17 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it was 2.4% quicker in the snow traction test across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 used 3.2% less fuel (3 tests). Owners rate wear 7/10 for the UltraGrip Ice 3 and 9/10 for the X Ice Snow.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 was 0.5 dB quieter (3 tests). Owners rate comfort 9.5/10 for the UltraGrip Ice 3 and 8.8/10 for the X Ice Snow.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the UltraGrip Ice 3 79% from 4 reviews and the X Ice Snow 85% from 19.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the X Ice Snow was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 11.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The UltraGrip Ice 3 is made in 92 sizes (15 to 22 inch) and the X Ice Snow in 100 (13 to 21 inch). 41 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the UltraGrip Ice 3 is graded E for wet grip and B for rolling resistance in most sizes; the X Ice Snow E and C.
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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.
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