How much are michelin winter tires

5 Best Winter Tires For Snow and Ice Driving (2022)

Winter tires are a necessity for some drivers, but not all.
We researched dozens of models to narrow down the five best winter tires on the market.
We rate each winter tire based on industry testing standards, customer reviews, and affordability.

Affiliate disclosure: Automoblog and its partners may be compensated when you purchase the products below.

Deciding which tires to buy can be difficult, especially when it comes time to switch out your standard tires for winter tires. In this article, we review the best winter tires on the market based on traction performance, price point, weather-specific technology, and more. We also discuss the basics of winter tires, how much they typically cost, and which drivers should purchase these specialty tires.

If your standard tires are worn out and need to be replaced as well, you can take a look at our all-season buyer’s guide, which names the 10 best tires and brands on the market. To start comparing the best winter tires, visit Tire Rack and Discount Tire.

5 Best Winter Tires

To narrow down the five best winter tires currently available, our review team considered affordability, studdable versus studless tires, and overall performance.

We included data from Tire Rack’s Studless Snow & Ice Winter Tires study to get a better idea of how these tires drive in winter conditions. The study tested how four winter tires performed on different surfaces – expressway, state highway, and county roads – on a 2014 BMW F30 328i sedan.

The top five winter tires for 2021 include:

Michelin X-Ice Xi3 – Shop on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – Shop on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.
Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02 – Shop on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.
General AltiMAX Arctic – Shop on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.
Continental Winter Contact TS830 – Shop on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.

1. Michelin X-Ice Xi3

The Michelin X-Ice Xi3 is a studless winter tire for all low-temperature road conditions – dry, wet, snow, ice, slush. In Tire Rack’s Winter Tires study, this model performed better in wet cornering tests than the other three tire models and came in a close second-place in dry tests. It also had the second-highest score for snow handling and traction. While it’s an older model, the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 is tried and tested. It comes in a variety of sizes to fit cars, light trucks, and SUVs.

Michelin tires are often costly, and the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 model is no exception. However, this Michelin model comes with a 40,000-mile tread life warranty, which balances out the cost in the long run. Shop the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.

2. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

In Tire Rack’s Winter Tires study, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 scored best for braking abilities in dry and wet winter driving conditions. On both surfaces, this Bridgestone model stopped a full three to four feet earlier than the second-place model. Its upgrade, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, only improves on this tried-and-true performance.

Bridgestone uses Nano Pro-Tech^® to build its tires on a molecular level. According to the tire manufacturer, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 features specially designed rubber molecules that bind more easily with silica particles, a key part of gripping wet roads. This innovation, combined with the Blizzak WS90’s tread design and comfortability, makes it one of the best winter tires in the industry. Shop the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.

3. Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02

Another highly-rated winter tire, the Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02 was not tested in Tire Rack’s Winter Tires study. However, its predecessor, the WM01, performed well. Both models sport an asymmetrical tread pattern and provide strong traction in snowy and icy conditions.

Be aware that the model has faced some customer complaints about braking on ice and acceleration in deep snow. The tire performs well while in motion, but starting and stopping can be an issue. Shop the Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02 on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.

4. General AltiMAX Arctic

A studdable winter tire, the General AltiMAX Arctic model comes in several sizes. The tire performs well in most winter conditions, providing solid wet and dry traction, snow traction, and overall comfort. This family of General tires uses a directional tread pattern to optimize its performance on both wet and dry roads.

General AltiMAX Arctic models are usually more affordable than Michelin or Bridgestone tires, and many customers report they withstand harsh weather well in winter seasons. Shop the General AltiMAX Arctic on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.

5. Continental Winter Contact TS830

A studless winter tire, the Continental WinterContact TS830P maintains flexibility and grip in low temperatures. The broad shoulder blocks improve dry handling, while the tread design grips ice and snow.

Customer reviews say the tires perform well at higher speeds in rain and in dry cold conditions. Continental designed these tires for owners of sports cars and luxury sedans who want to enjoy the ride during the winter. Shop the Continental Winter Contact TS830 on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.

What Is a Winter Tire?

Winter tires, sometimes called snow tires, are designed to grip and safely move through snow, ice, and other harsh winter conditions. They’re formulated with different rubber compounds for maximum flexibility, even in sub-zero temperatures.

Winter tires may sport a three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. According to Tire Rack, this “indicates the tire meets required performance criteria in snow testing to be considered severe snow service-rated.” However, Tire Rack also notes that 3PMSF testing only covers “a tire’s acceleration traction on medium-packed snow” and does not include the tire’s ability to brake and turn in winter conditions.

Thanks to modern technological innovations, winter tires can transition from wet to dry winter roads with little issue. However, winter tires shouldn’t be used year-round. Typically, winter tires should be put on in late November and taken off around February or March.

Studded vs. Studless Winter Tires

In recent years, studded tires have gone by the wayside, as many states have banned their use. Some states still allow studded tires, but with rubber studs rather than metal. While studdable tires can “bite” into snow, they don’t perform well in any other winter weather conditions and they tend to damage roadways.

Studless winter tires instead rely on deeper tread design, sharper tire edges, and flexible rubber materials to move through snow and ice.

Do You Need Winter Tires?

Drivers who regularly drive in snowy, icy, or cold-weather road conditions should consider purchasing winter tires. As the name suggests, winter tires are not only for snow. Often, the material of non-winter tires cannot withstand colder temperatures.

Drivers who opt to keep their all-season tires on during the winter months may run into what’s called glass temperature transition. Rubber typically begins to behave differently at temperatures around and below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Rather than its usual soft, flexible structure, cold rubber begins to harden and crack, much like glass. This state can severely impact a tire’s traction and overall performance.

So, if you live in an area that regularly experiences temperatures below 45 degrees, winter tires are likely a good investment.

Winter tires are also critical for road safety. Improper traction and tire rigidity can lead to serious accidents in inclement weather. Around 21 percent of annual car accidents are caused by bad weather, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

How Much Do Winter Tires Cost?

According to Edmunds.com, winter tires cost between $150 to almost $190 per tire. While this may be a higher cost than many other types of tires, keep in mind that you can store and use the same set of winter tires for two to three years, so you shouldn’t be paying to replace them each winter.

Here’s how much each of the best winter tires costs on Tire Rack:

Michelin X-Ice Xi3: $124.41 (215/60R16)
Bridgestone Blizzak WS80: $149.69 (215/60R16)
Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02: $124.99 (225/60R17)
General AltiMAX Arctic Tire: $113.99 (215/65R17)
Continental WinterContact SI: $105.11 (205/50R17)

Like non-specialty tires, the cost of winter tires varies based on tire size, manufacturer, and the vehicle you drive.

Our Top Recommendations for Tires

Tires are an often-underappreciated part of a driving experience. Quality tires can change how your vehicle handles, improve its fuel economy, and increase its overall safety performance. Before purchasing any new set of tires, it’s best to compare a few different tire models. We recommend Michelin tires and Goodyear tires.

Michelin: Best Tires Overall

Michelin not only produces excellent winter tires but highly regarded models across almost all tire categories as well. In our 2021 review of the industry’s best tires, we determined Michelin to offer the best models on the market. While Michelin tires tend to be pricier, their quality and performance make them a worthy financial investment.

Compare Michelin tire models on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.

Goodyear: Best for Durability

Another top-tier tire brand, Goodyear boasts some of the most durable tires in the industry, especially when it comes to all-terrain and mud-terrain models. While Goodyear tires have a higher price tag, the company’s rigorous testing standards should put most drivers at ease – Goodyear’s quality is industry-backed and customer-backed.

Compare Goodyear tire models on Tire Rack and Discount Tire.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best winter tires to buy?

After comparing multiple models, we rate the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 as the best winter tire to buy. Our top picks also include the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and the Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02. All of these models perform well in wet and snowy conditions as well as cold dry conditions.

What are the top 10 winter tires?

The top 10 winter tires are the Michelin X-Ice XI3, Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02, General AltiMAX Arctic, Continental WinterContact TS830, Pirelli, Zero FR, Nordman 7 SUV, Toyo Observe GSi6-LS, Goodyear Winter Command, and Yokohama iceGuard GO75.

Which tires are best for icy roads?

The Michelin X-Ice Xi3 and the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 both perform very well in various winter driving tests and provide great ice traction. The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is a version meant for larger SUVs and crossovers (shop on Tire Rack or Discount Tire).

MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW tires | Reviews & Price

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90,000 Michelin winter tires in Moscow and the region

All spikes of spikes

Pilot Alpin 5 SUV

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Agilis CrossClimate

9000 5

Pilot Alpin 9000 Pilot Alpin 5 ZP

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Agilis Alpin

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Alpin 6

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Pilot Alpin 5

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to your rights.

And every self-respecting driver is simply obliged to change the tires on his car. In this article, we will pay attention to Michelin winter tires, their characteristics, reviews about them, prices.

Contents

Latitude Ice North 2
Reviews from owners
X-Ice-North 3
Alpin 5
Competitors of the manufacturer

The French tire manufacturer has a wide range of winter models. There are studded sets for especially difficult weather conditions, there are non-studded hard tires for less severe winters and a soft option for a relatively warm climate zone. We will tell about each of these categories, citing as an example one of the best representatives.

First on the list are the Michelin Latitude Ice North 2 winter tires.

The model belongs to the so-called "Nordic type". This means it performs well in cold and ultra-low temperatures, providing reliable traction when driving on ice or deep snow. The tire was developed using innovative technologies and advanced engineering solutions.

According to Michelin's internal winter studded tire tests, the IX-Ice-North 2 received excellent marks and performed excellently in acceleration and braking on ice (10% less stopping distance and 15% faster acceleration), on snow (on 5% shorter path and 10% better dynamics) and in terms of durability (+10% to mileage).

Reviews from owners

Nikolay, 25 years old.

“I took them last winter on sale - size 205 55 16 . Skated one season so far, during this time I have not lost a single spike. I drive around the Arkhangelsk region - snow, ice, pits, snowdrifts. Tires have proven to be 5+. On the "bears" I never flew anywhere and did not move out, although there were road circumstances on the verge. Road holding is excellent in any weather (mostly I drive on the highway and off-road, but everything is fine in the city too).

X-Ice-North 3

Next will be our review of the Michelin X-Ice-North 3 winter tires. This model has also managed to gain popularity in our open spaces, securing a lot of adherents. One of the most reliable and wear-resistant tires in the model range of the French manufacturer. Rubber is perfect for domestic winters.

Recently, Ice-North 3 has also undergone some changes and upgrades. So the model received a special innovative technology "smart spike", patented by the developers. This technology allows you to increase the traction when driving on ice and snow, and also significantly extends the life of the studs themselves.

Also, among the features of the tire, it is worth noting the thermoactive rubber compound, which makes the tire softer at low temperatures, but at the same time does not allow it to “float” at high temperatures. The technology of the unique Michelin conical spike, as well as the patented Ice Powder Remover system, also deserves attention.

Based on the declared parameters, the Michelin X-Ice-Nord 3 winter tires are perfect for drivers of passenger cars and crossovers used in harsh winter conditions.

Vladimir, 29 years old.

“Last winter I skated with Michelin x-ice 3 (15th radius), now I just put it on, updated the sensations. So, in hot pursuit, I will summarize. Of the advantages - with a quiet operation in the city on asphalt in the winter, I did not observe any problems. Considering that I'm not fond of schumacherstvo, it behaves well when cornering, when accelerating. Outside the city in the snow did not cause any complaints. But here, of course, in many respects the merit of the machine itself. There were no spikes coming out. If about the shortcomings, then it makes more noise than we would like. Although I am ready to put up with this in exchange for good grip and handling.

Alpin 5

And one of the most popular winter tires from Michelin, which deserved a lot of positive feedback, was the Alpin 5 rubber. The kits are sold in 29 different sizes, starting with a radius of r15 and ending with r17. The new generation of the model received several changes compared to the previous version. So, the composition of the mixture was slightly changed, using the 4th generation Helio Compound technology (using sunflower oil), which increased the wear resistance of rubber by 12% and its characteristics at low temperatures.

The tread pattern itself has also been redesigned, the shape of the longitudinal channels has been changed, which now more effectively remove water from the tread, making the tires more resistant to hydroplaning. Among other things, the number of lamellas increased, which had a positive effect when driving on snow: traction, acceleration and braking.

Unlike its studded counterpart, the Michelin X-Ice-North 3 reviewed above, the Alpin 5 winter tire does not have studs. Therefore, it is perfect for cars that are used in milder climates and most of the time they drive on wet or dry cold asphalt. They are less noisy, smoother and more economical, especially when driving on normal surfaces.

It must be said that Michelin Alpin 5 winter non-studded tires are quite popular in the domestic open spaces, having won a lot of fans.

George, 43 years old.

“I chose for a long time, in the end I chose A5. I always went with spikes, took this one, at first it was unusual that it was quiet, I was happy with the comfort. And as the snow fell, I was a little afraid that it would not be very reliable to ride without spikes. But everything is fine, now I drive confidently. On the ice, of course, I no longer allow myself what I did on the spikes, but still, they ride quite confidently. Before that, Nokian was, compared to Michelin, it's a little better. Quieter, accelerates faster on the pavement, just a real Velcro. The only thing is that Nokian rides better on ice and in deep snow. But my choice is Michelin.”

Competitors of the manufacturer

Michelin has its own competitors in the fight for the buyer. So, the Finnish brand Nokian is very popular in the winter tire market. With Hakkapelitta models (15-16 radius). The model is comparable in price and features. Among the advantages - confident behavior on ice and snow. However, when driving on asphalt, rubber does not show the characteristics that Michelin shines with. So here both manufacturers take their trump cards. There is also Hankook - a model that is more pleasant in terms of cost, but loses in technical terms.

In order to understand which tire size is suitable for a car, just look at the marking of summer tires. Let's say it looks like this: 205/55/r16. This means that the tire width is 205mm, the profile height is 55mm, and the radius is 16 inches. It is from the latter indicator that one should build on when choosing a kit. But we must remember that the wider the rubber, the larger the contact patch. And this is also important.

Michelin winter tires prices are shown below.

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How much are michelin winter tires

5 Best Winter Tires For Snow and Ice Driving (2022)

5 Best Winter Tires

1. Michelin X-Ice Xi3

2. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90

3. Dunlop Winter Maxx WM02

4. General AltiMAX Arctic

5. Continental Winter Contact TS830

What Is a Winter Tire?

Studded vs. Studless Winter Tires

Do You Need Winter Tires?

How Much Do Winter Tires Cost?

Our Top Recommendations for Tires

Michelin: Best Tires Overall

Goodyear: Best for Durability

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best winter tires to buy?

What are the top 10 winter tires?

Which tires are best for icy roads?

MICHELIN X-ICE SNOW tires | Reviews & Price

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Reviews from owners

X-Ice-North 3

Alpin 5

Competitors of the manufacturer

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