Best Reviewed
Snow Tires
- Best winter tire Michelin X-Ice Xi2 *Est. $100
- Budget snow tire General Altimax Arctic *Est. $80
- Studded snow tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 *Est. $140
- Mild-winter performance tire Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 *Est. $155
- SUV/Light truck winter tire Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 *Est. $130
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- A traditional top pick for severe winters
- Good performance in tests
- 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.orgDetails/Subscribe
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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