What does Michelin X-Ice Snow+ improve over X-Ice Snow and rival brands?

Michelin’s five comparisons and the numbers behind them

Michelin’s Fall 2026 sell sheet presents five comparisons for Snow+. Four rest on one set of third-party tests on an Audi Q5 in 235/55R19, against the previous X-Ice Snow SUV and against Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2, Continental VikingContact 8 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV. Michelin’s own overview is the radar below; the numbers behind each comparison follow it.

Michelin’s five comparisons with the test charts, conditions and rounding notes

Redrawn from Michelin presentationWinter mastery starts with balance

Michelin test 1 of 5Stop in winter’s extremesStopping-distance direction · X-Ice Snow SUV = baseline · shorter bar = shorter stop

Snow · Snow+less Snow · X-Ice Snow SUVbase		+1.3%braking gain
Ice · Snow+less Ice · X-Ice Snow SUVbase		+3.8%braking gain
Wet · Snow+less Wet · X-Ice Snow SUVbase		+13.8%braking gain
Dry · Snow+less Dry · X-Ice Snow SUVbase		+7.2%braking gain
Test speeds: ice 25 to 5 km/h, snow 30 to 10 km/h, wet 80 to 20 km/h, dry 100 to 0 km/h. Bar length shows the shorter-is-better direction only: Michelin publishes relative performance gains, not raw stopping distances or percentages of distance reduction.

Michelin test 2 of 5Go when winter wants you to quitDeep-snow launch-time direction · each rival = baseline · shorter bar = less time to launch

Snow+less Hakkapeliitta R5 SUVbase		+8.3%faster
Snow+less Blizzak DM-V2base		+6.3%faster
Snow+less VikingContact 8base		+5.4%faster
The shorter bars show direction only; Michelin publishes faster-acceleration percentages rather than launch times. The second half of the comparison: ice lateral grip +3.2% over X-Ice Snow SUV at 100.

Michelin test 3 of 5More winters, more valueEstimated tread-life index · each comparison tire = 100 · blue = Snow+

Snow+323 Blizzak DM-V2100		+223%longer
Snow+156 Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV100		+56%longer
Snow+127 VikingContact 8100		+27%longer
Snow+125 X-Ice Snow100		+25%longer
The +25% versus X-Ice Snow comes from a separate Michelin Japan wear test in 205/55R16 on Toyota Corolla vehicles over 21,284 km. In the three-rival test, the smallest displayed gap is +27% versus VikingContact 8; Michelin summarizes it as more than 26% longer than three leading competitors.

Michelin test 4 of 5Drive efficiently, even when it’s coldRolling resistance, ISO 28580 · lower is betterEV focus6.2 kg/t — 7% to 34% lower rolling resistance than the three rivals. Less energy lost at the tire can help preserve cold-weather EV range.

X-Ice Snow+		6.2 kg/t
VikingContact 8		6.7 kg/t
Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV		7.2 kg/t
Blizzak DM-V2		9.5 kg/t
From the figures above, Snow+ rolls 7% to 34% easier than the three. That is the basis for Michelin’s “up to 34% better efficiency” wording: lower rolling resistance, which Michelin frames as fuel saved or EV range added, not a 34% fuel saving.

Michelin test 5 of 5Peace of mind, peace of soundNo published test figure

The whole basis of this comparison is Piano Acoustic Tuning, the tread-block sizing carried over from X-Ice Snow. Michelin publishes no noise measurement for it, so there is nothing to chart.

Michelin-published relative ratings from third-party tests on an Audi Q5 in 235/55R19. They are not Taylor Tire tests and not stopping-distance guarantees; results change with vehicle, size, temperature, surface and driving.

Does 70,000 km of warranty mean a longer life?

Michelin’s limited treadwear warranty moves from 60,000 km on X-Ice Snow to 70,000 km on X-Ice Snow+. The extra 10,000 km is real coverage, and it points the same way as the third-party wear result above, but a warranty limit is not a promise of realized tire life. Eligibility, rotation records, alignment, inflation, vehicle weight, driving style and how many seasons the tires actually run all decide what you get. Compare the warranty terms alongside the complete installed quote.

EV, hybrid and SUV fitment

Michelin lists both models for electric vehicles as well as conventional passenger cars and SUVs. Snow+ is positioned for the weight and torque of current vehicles, and Michelin says most of its sizes are XL-rated, but most is not all. Never step down a load index or a speed rating to get from Snow to Snow+: the door-jamb placard wins, then the model. Both carry the 3PMSF and Ice Grip marks, so either one meets the tire requirement for an Ontario winter tire insurance discount. Start from your vehicle in the fitment finder to see which model Michelin offers in your exact size today.

How Snow+ gets there

Snow+ keeps the X-Ice recipe and changes the two parts that matter most in the cold: the rubber, and how the contact patch carries load. The compound moves from FLEX-ICE 2.0 to FLEX-ICE 3.0, Michelin adds MaxTouch, keeps the proven V-shaped tread with two types of full-depth sipes, and retains Piano Acoustic Tuning. Michelin’s own technology sheet shows each one on the tire; the cards say which comparison above each one backs. Test 4, rolling resistance, is not attributed to any single technology.

01

FLEX-ICE 3.0

Compound that stays pliable in extreme cold, the source of studless grip on ice and packed snow.

Backs test 1Backs test 2

02

MaxTouch

Spreads acceleration, braking and cornering forces evenly across the contact patch. Michelin’s stated reason for the longer tread life.

Backs test 3

03

Two full-depth sipe types

3D active notched and variable-thickness sipes on the proven V-shaped tread, so the biting edges survive wear.

Backs test 1Backs test 2

04

Piano Acoustic Tuning

Tread-block sizes and angles tuned for noise when new and when worn. Carried over from X-Ice Snow.

Backs test 5

Taylor Tire verdict

Choose Snow+ when your exact size and load index are available in it. You get the newer compound, the published braking and wear gains, and the longer warranty. Judge the difference on the installed quote for four tires, not on the list price of one.

Choose X-Ice Snow when it is the fitment that is actually in stock for your car, or when the installed set is meaningfully cheaper. It is the same studless winter tire Michelin still lists, with the same winter marks.

Four matching tires. Do not mix Snow and Snow+ on one car. If a single tire is damaged, have tread depth and axle pairing checked before replacing one. Both are dedicated winter tires: fit them for the cold season and take them off once daytime temperatures stay above 7°C. See when to switch winter tires in Ontario.