Michelin X Ice North 4 - Test Results

Test Statistics

11

Tests Completed

2^nd

Average Position

1^st

Best Result

5^th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Michelin X Ice North 4 is a top-tier studded winter tire with class-leading consistency on ice and very strong snow capability, regularly finishing in the top three overall (average position 2.5) and winning major tests in 2020 and 2024/2025 groupings. It repeatedly tops ice braking/traction/handling and often scores highly in subjective winter handling, underpinning its dependable performance in severe Nordic conditions.

Its trade-offs are clear on asphalt: wet braking/handling and aquaplaning are routinely mid-to-lower tier, and comfort/noise and efficiency can trail the best. These asphalt compromises temper its otherwise excellent winter-surface performance, but for ice-centric use it remains one of the benchmarks.

Performance Strengths

Ice Performance Strong Details
• 1st place ice braking/traction/handling in 2020 Test World 1/20
• 1st ice handling and traction, 2nd ice braking in 2020 Vi Bilägare 1/8
• Top-2 ice handling/traction and 2nd overall in 2023 Vi Bilägare 2/8
• Consistently top-3 on ice across 2021 Moottori (2nd in multiple ice metrics) and 2021 TR 3/16
Snow Performance Strong Details
• 1st snow braking in 2020 Vi Bilägare 1/8
• Top-4 snow braking/traction in 2020 Test World (4th/4th; best subjective snow handling 1/20)
• Strong snow traction 2nd in 2023 Vi Bilägare 2/8
• Top-3 snow suite in 2021 Moottori (2nd in braking/traction/handling)
Subjective Winter Handling/Control Strong Details
• Best subjective snow handling in 2020 Test World (1/20)
• Leading subjective dry handling in multiple Vi Bilägare tests (2020, 2023: 1/8)
• Competitive subjective ice handling scores when reported (2020 Test World 1/20)
Overall Test Results/Awards Strong Details
• Overall winner 2020 Test World 1/20
• Overall winner 2020 Tire Reviews 1/19
• Top-3 overall finishes in 2021 (3/16), 2021 Moottori (2/8), 2023 (2/8), 2024 (3/17)
• Average overall position 2.5 across 11 tests

Performance Weaknesses

Wet Weather Performance (Braking/Handling/Aquaplaning) Strong Details
• Wet handling last 20/20 in 2020 Test World (+5% from best)
• Wet braking 15/16 and wet handling 15/16 in 2021 TR (+29.1% / +8.1%)
• Wet handling 8/8 and wet braking 7/8 in 2024 Vi Bilägare (+3.4% / +8.7%)
• Straight aquaplaning 13/20 in 2025 Teknikens Värld (+18.6%)
Comfort/Noise Moderate Details
• Noise 8/8 in 2021 Moottori (70.3 dB, worst)
• Subjective noise 17/20 in 2020 Test World
• Comfort 15/20 in 2025 Teknikens Värld (+50% from best)
• Noise 7/8 in 2023 Vi Bilägare
Efficiency/Rolling Resistance/Fuel Use Moderate Details
• Rolling resistance 15/20 in 2020 Test World
• Fuel consumption 19/20 in 2025 Teknikens Värld (+5% from best)
• RR 7/8 in 2023 Vi Bilägare (+8.9%)
Asphalt Dry Braking Consistency Minor Details
• Dry braking mid-pack in multiple tests: 6/8 in 2024 Vi Bilägare (+5.5%), 5/8 in 2021 Moottori (+6.6%), 9/14 in 2025 TM (+4.2%)

Performance Over Time

Test History

of 20

2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test

2025
Winner: Continental VikingContact 8

The Michelin X-Ice North 4 achieves full marks for ice braking but struggles on actual ice roads, presenting an intriguing contradiction. How is this possible? The studded Michelin grips best when ...

Weak:
Fuel Consumption

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of 14

2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tire Test

2025
Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

The Michelin X-Ice North 4 provides strong grip in icy conditions, but this is paired with an unnecessarily imprecise steering feel, though controllability is maintained in extreme situations. The ...

Strong:
Snow Traction

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of 8

2024 Studded Tire Test

2024
Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

Michelin X-Ice North 4, despite being an older design from 2018, remains highly competitive with a well-balanced performance. It combines good ice grip with relatively low noise and fuel consumptio...

Strong:
Subj. Dry Handling, Snow Traction

Weak:
Wet Braking, Wet Handling

View Test

of 17

The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tires for 2024

2024
Winner: Pirelli Ice Zero 2

The Michelin X-Ice North 4, a studded tire, performed adequately but not exceptionally in winter conditions. It provided good ice and snow grip but didn't stand out among other studded tires in the...

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of 8

2023 Studded Tire Test

2023
Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

The Michelin tire exhibits short braking distances on all types of surfaces, especially on ice. It also has a high level of initial grip on winter roads. Compared to the best, it has slightly lower...

Strong:
Subj. Dry Handling, Ice Braking, Ice Handling, Ice Traction, Snow Traction

Weak:
Noise, Snow Braking, Rolling Resistance

View Test

of 8

2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test

2021
Winner: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

Overall rating 9.0. Features on ice and snow- Easy manageability in all conditions- Excellent snow and ice grip- Logical driving behavior on snow and ice. Properties on asphalt- Long braking distan...

Strong:
Ice Handling, Ice Traction, Snow Braking, Snow Handling, Snow Traction

Weak:
Noise, Wet Braking, Wet Handling

View Test

of 16