Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32 vs Michelin X Ice North 4
- TR Score
- 4.7/10
- Owners say
- 67% · 2
- TR Score
- 8.6/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 12
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin X Ice North 4 finished ahead 4 times and the WinterCraft Ice Wi32 not once. The WinterCraft Ice Wi32 used 2.6% less fuel; the X Ice North 4 stopped 10.4% shorter on ice.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick Michelin X-Ice North 4 for mixed Nordic winters, frequent wet/snow, urban/highway use, and cabin refinement. Choose Kumho WinterCraft Ice only if budget-driven and your driving emphasizes slow, straight-line icy conditions where its stud bite can help-accepting significant noise and weaker wet/asphalt control.
Where the WinterCraft Ice Wi32 is stronger
- Value 2/2 Used 2.6% less fuel (2 tests)
Where the X Ice North 4 is stronger
- Consistently higher overall rankings (3/3 tests)
- Shorter braking on dry, wet, snow, and often ice
- Better wet and snow handling with stable rear behavior
The measured tallies (wins out of measurements in the shared tests) come straight from the tables below. The written verdict and bullet points are analysis of those tests and of owner reviews; where they and the figures disagree, the figures are right.
WinterCraft Ice Wi32 vs X Ice North 4 at a glance
| Category | WinterCraft Ice Wi32 | Gap | X Ice North 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won4 shared tests | 0 | 4 | |
| Dry5 measurements | 0 | The X Ice North 4 stopped 1.9% shorter in the dry (3 tests) | 5 |
| Wet10 measurements | 0 | The X Ice North 4 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 8.1% higher speed (2 tests) | 9 |
| Snow9 measurements | 0 | The X Ice North 4 stopped 2.1% shorter on snow (3 tests) | 9 |
| Ice9 measurements | 3 | The X Ice North 4 stopped 10.4% shorter on ice (3 tests) | 6 |
| Comfort5 measurements | 0 | 4 | |
| Value2 measurements | 2 | The WinterCraft Ice Wi32 used 2.6% less fuel (2 tests) | 0 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 4.7/10 | The X Ice North 4 by 3.9 | 8.6/10 |
| Owner rating2 and 12 reviews | 67% | The X Ice North 4 by 17 points | 84% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The X Ice North 4 was dearer in 3 of 3 | +38.4% |
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 4 tests, 2021 to 2026
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 | WinterCraft Ice Wi32 | Field | X Ice North 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tire Test | P7 of 8 | P3 of 8 | |
| 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test | P6 of 8 | P5 of 8 | |
| 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tire Test | P7 of 7 | P4 of 7 | |
| 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test | P8 of 9 | P3 of 9 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 4 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
WinterCraft Ice Wi32
X Ice North 4
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. 4 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
WinterCraft Ice Wi32
X Ice North 4
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. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | WinterCraft Ice Wi32 | Gap | X Ice North 4 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 128 | 1.9% | 126 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 19.6% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 153 | 2.9% | 149 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 40.2 | 1.2% | 39.71 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 18.3% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 37.5 | 8.1% | 40.5 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 128 | 2.1% | 126 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| 5.63 | 2% | 5.52 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| 62.99 | 3.2% | 60.9 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 12.5% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 102 | 10.4% | 96 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 8.74 | 13.6% | 6.48 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 70.98 | 5.2% | 66.78 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 14.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 400% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 30% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 71.7 | 0.8 dB | 70.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 6.06 | 2.6% | 6.22 | 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 WinterCraft Ice Wi32 scores 4.7 and the X Ice North 4 8.6 out of 10.
| WinterCraft Ice Wi32 | Category | X Ice North 4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Dry | 61 | ||
| 3 | Wet | 25 | ||
| 10 | Comfort | 57 | ||
| 90 | Value | 52 | ||
| 36 | Snow | 78 | ||
| 50 | Ice | 86 | ||
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
| WinterCraft Ice Wi32 | Category | X Ice North 4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Dry Grip | 7.7 | ||
| 7 | Wet Grip | 7.3 | ||
| 7 | Road Feedback | 7.7 | ||
| 7 | Handling | 8.2 | ||
| 8 | Wear | 8.9 | ||
| 4 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 8.5 | Snow Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 7.5 | Ice Grip | 9.8 | ||
Owners rate the WinterCraft Ice Wi32 67% from 2 reviews and the X Ice North 4 84% from 12. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32
- 67%from 2 reviews
- 5,500 milesdriven by reviewers
All 2 WinterCraft Ice Wi32 reviewsGood tires if you can accept the noice level. If you have otherwise a quiet car, you will definetly hear these and they will annoy you every time you drive. These has been the loudest stud tires I have ever tried and could not live with the noice so needed to switch to other brand in mid season.
Michelin X Ice North 4
- 84%from 12 reviews
- 92%would buy again
- 132,021 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers rate the Michelin X Ice North 4 very highly overall, most often praising outstanding traction and braking on ice and snow along with impressively low road noise for a studded tire. Several reviews also highlight confident handling/feedback and generally strong longevity, with some users reporting long tread life and good stud seating after proper break-in. A smaller minority note trade-offs such as weaker grip on wet/dry pavement and occasional stud loss or faster wear later in the tire's life.
- Excellent grip and braking on ice and snow
- Low noise levels for a studded winter tire
- Confident handling/control and good road feedback in low-friction conditions
- Generally good durability/longevity for winter use (tread and/or studs)
- Wet/dry grip is not as strong as its winter (ice/snow) performance
- Some users report stud loss over time or after multiple seasons
Summarised by AI from 9 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 12 X Ice North 4 reviewsVery good on ice - probably one of the very best. But I wouldn't buy them if most of the driving is on wet or dry roads. The amount of studs in them contributes to a great amount of noise, but in return you'll get very good grip on ice. I have used them mostly on ice tracks with 3 different cars and the speed and grip you can get with these is on another level. Probably only comparable to Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3, but these have longer studs and lose studs easily. Compared to the Blizzaks, straight line grip is not as good, but generally they perform exceptionally well. Have no comparison to newer tires.
Snow grip is also really good. On dry and wet, feels a little spongy as you would expect from a winter tire. Haven't really driven them much on the road.
My experience is purely based on RWD cars: 1990 BMW 318i; 1995 BMW 328i; 2004 Smart Roadster. Used the same size with all of them.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
| Category | WinterCraft Ice Wi32 | X Ice North 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Replaced | Marshal WinterCraft Ice Wi31 (2014) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The X Ice North 4 was the dearer tire in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 38.4% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
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.
Two Nordic studded winter heavyweights with very different personalities: Kumho's WinterCraft Ice (Wi32) and Michelin's X-Ice North 4. Across three shared tests from 2021-2025, Michelin consistently finishes higher overall (3/3 tests) and posts a cleaner scorecard in core safety metrics, especially on wet, snow, and most ice categories.
The Kumho counters with standout straight-line ice grip in some measures and a notably lower purchase price and slightly better fuel use in one test. But multiple test teams flag severe comfort and noise penalties for the Kumho, alongside weaker wet/asphalt manners. If you drive on mixed winter roads or value refinement, the spread here is meaningful.
Conclusion
Michelin's X-Ice North 4 is the more rounded, reliable winter performer: shorter dry and wet stops, better wet and snow handling, strong ice capability, and substantially superior comfort and noise. Its weaknesses are moderate-sluggish steering feel and ordinary asphalt behavior-but they don't outweigh its safety edge.
Kumho's WinterCraft Ice shows flashes on ice (notably braking/traction in some tests) and costs less, but its severe noise/comfort issues and poorer wet/asphalt control limit real-world appeal. Choose Michelin for broad Nordic winter use, safety priority, and daily refinement. Consider Kumho only if budget is tight and you primarily drive slow-speed, straight-line icy routes where its stud bite can pay off.
WinterCraft Ice Wi32 vs X Ice North 4: your questions
Is the Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32 or the Michelin X Ice North 4 the better tire?
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin X Ice North 4 finished ahead 4 times and the WinterCraft Ice Wi32 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the WinterCraft Ice Wi32 scores 4.7 and the X Ice North 4 8.6 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the WinterCraft Ice Wi32 or the X Ice North 4?
The X Ice North 4 led 9 of the 10 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 8.1% higher speed across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The X Ice North 4 led 5 of the 5 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.9% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The X Ice North 4 led 9 of the 9 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.1% shorter on snow across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The WinterCraft Ice Wi32 used 2.6% less fuel (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8/10 for the WinterCraft Ice Wi32 and 8.9/10 for the X Ice North 4.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 4/10 for the WinterCraft Ice Wi32 and 8.3/10 for the X Ice North 4.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the WinterCraft Ice Wi32 67% from 2 reviews and the X Ice North 4 84% from 12.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the X Ice North 4 was the dearer tire in 3 of them, by 38.4% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
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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.
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