Michelin X-Ice

Discontinued
Reviewed
November 2008
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Pros
  • A traditional top pick for severe winters
  • Good performance in tests
Cons
  • Disappointing ice grip
  • Not as good as its replacement, the X-Ice Xi2

The original Michelin X-Ice was replaced in fall 2008 by the new Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (*Est. $90). But some retailers are still selling their remaining stock of the original X-Ice, and some top reviewers include it in their most recent tests. The X-Ice has long been a top pick among U.S. and some European reviewers, although its subpar ice grip is its Achilles' heel in tests. Users don't rate it as highly as the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 (*Est. $80). Experts say its replacement, the Xi2, is the best all-around winter tire on the market, an honor the X-Ice never achieved.

Consumer Reports' test of the Michelin X-Ice is both thorough and comparative, but you must be a subscriber to read the report. The rankings at the Swedish magazine Motorföraren are just as authoritative and detailed, but the report is available only in Swedish. TireRack.com is a retail site that also conducts expert tests (including one that involves the X-Ice) as well as collecting extensive user ratings. We also found user reviews of the X-Ice at Epinions.com.

Our Sources

1. ConsumerReports.org

Consumer Reports includes the Michelin X-Ice in its test of eight winter tires for passenger cars. Tests are comprehensive, and Consumer Reports ranks the tires from best to worst based on their performance.

Review: Winter Tires, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, 2008

2. Motorforaren

This Swedish magazine ranks 13 winter tires from best to worst, based on expert tests on a snowy, icy track. Each tire gets an overall rating, plus sub-scores for braking, ice handling and more. The Michelin X-Ice ranks third overall among studless tires, behind the Goodyear ICE Navi (which is not available in the U.S.) and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi.

Review: Test -- Winter Tires 2008, Hasse Britth, June 2008

3. Tire Rack

TireRack.com is a retail site that also conducts expert tire tests. The Michelin X-Ice ranks second in this test, behind the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 and ahead of the Dunlop Graspic DS2 and the studdable Firestone Winterforce M+S. Test results are presented in detail.

Review: Tire Test Results: Technological or Traditional Traction for Ice and Packed Snow?, Editors of TireRack.com, Oct. 25, 2007

4. Tire Rack

More than 500 owners have submitted ratings of the Michelin X-Ice to this retail site. Some of them have added full written reviews, which are posted here, along with a link to a chart that ranks the Michelin X-Ice against other winter tires. The X-Ice gets the second-highest score among studless tires for passenger cars, behind the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60.

Review: Michelin X-Ice, Contributors to TireRack.com

5. Epinions.com

Ten consumers have posted reviews here for the Michelin X-Ice, awarding it an average of four stars (out of five). Reviews are critical and include helpful lists of pros and cons.

Review: Michelin X-Ice Tire, Contributors to Epinions.com

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