Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2

Bottom Line

The Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 costs more than the top-rated winter tire for SUVs and light trucks, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 (*Est. $135), but reviews say the Blizzak performs better.

The Michelin equals the Blizzak in one professional test, with outstanding scores for snow and ice traction. Owners say the Blizzak grips better on real-life treacherous winter roads, though.

Performance

Owners love it. Many consumer reviews echo the sentiments of a Colorado driver who has Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2s on his three cars. "With a combined 100,000 miles on the three sets -- we have NEVER had issues driving in snow -- never gotten stuck," he writes at TireRack.com.

Overall, though, owners give the rival Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 substantially higher scores for ice and snow traction. Experts at Canada's Automobile Protection Association blame the Michelin's shallower tread: "It performs better on ice than in slush and deep snow."

The Michelin handles ice and snow excellently in one major test, but -- like all severe-winter tires -- it's only fair on wet and dry roads.

Comfort

Unbeatable ride comfort,  and it's quiet, too. The Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 gets uniformly good reviews for its comfortable ride. Experts and owners alike rate it as one of the easiest-riding winter tires you can buy, on par with the top-rated Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1.

Owners find the Michelin extraordinarily quiet, too -- quieter than the Blizzak. A few say it's even more hushed than their summer tires. However, the Michelin rates just average for noise in one professional test. The Blizzak proves a little quieter there.

Durability

Super-durable snow tire. Owners say this tire is incredibly durable, and Michelin backs the Latitude X-Ice Xi2 with a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty. That's rare among snow tires, which usually carry no tread warranty at all.

However, the Automobile Protection Association warns that the "tricky mileage warranty requires the tires to be virtual banana peels before you can collect." Michelin will only pay if the tires wear down to 2/32 inches of tread within 40,000 miles of use. That's too bald to drive on, experts at TireRack.com say. They recommend removing winter tires when they have 5/32 inches of tread left.