Continental IceContact 3 vs Michelin X Ice North 4

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Continental IceContact 3 and the Michelin X Ice North 4 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Continental IceContact 3 and Michelin X Ice North 4 are Premium Touring Winter tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.

Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.

In This Article
Introduction Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion
IceContact-3 VS X-Ice-North-4

Test Results

Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been ten tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these ten tests:

  • Continental IceContact 3 finished ahead of the Michelin X Ice North 4 in one of the tests
  • Michelin X Ice North 4 finished ahead of the Continental IceContact 3 in seven of the tests
  • The Continental IceContact 3 and Michelin X Ice North 4 drew in two of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin X Ice North 4 is better than the Continental IceContact 3 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.79% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
33.71M
Michelin X Ice North 4
33.98M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:44.9M Michelin X Ice North 4: 46.7M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:29.9M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 29.3M
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:30.75M Michelin X Ice North 4: 32.31M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:31.5M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 31.1M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:33.65M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 32.79M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:32.77M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 32.37M
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:32.47M Michelin X Ice North 4: 33.26M

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 scored 14.29% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
4.8 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
5.6 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:2 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:9 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 8 Points
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:3 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:5 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:5 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during five wet braking tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 stopped the vehicle in 3.99% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
34.65M
Michelin X Ice North 4
36.09M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:28.8M Michelin X Ice North 4: 31M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:33.4M Michelin X Ice North 4: 35.9M
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:36.92M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 35.06M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:33.7M Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.3M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:37.1M Michelin X Ice North 4: 38.54M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:37.87M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.56M
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:34.74M Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.27M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during seven wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 was 2.45% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
40.24s
Michelin X Ice North 4
41.25s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:44.12s Michelin X Ice North 4: 44.37s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:34.9s Michelin X Ice North 4: 35.4s
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:43.77s Michelin X Ice North 4: 45.75s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:35.2s Michelin X Ice North 4: 36.2s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:41.89s Michelin X Ice North 4: 43.11s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:41.1s Michelin X Ice North 4: 41.8s
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:40.7s Michelin X Ice North 4: 42.1s

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 scored 12.5% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
8 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
7 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:8 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 7 Points

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 floated at a 1.99% higher speed than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
61.88Km/H
Michelin X Ice North 4
60.65Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:60.3Km/H Michelin X Ice North 4: 58.1Km/H
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:63.7Km/H Michelin X Ice North 4: 59.4Km/H
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:55.2Km/H ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 55.9Km/H
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:68.3Km/H ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 69.2Km/H

Snow Braking

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during four snow braking tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.7% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
24.23M
Michelin X Ice North 4
24.4M
Snow braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Snow Braking: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:16.9M Michelin X Ice North 4: 17.9M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:50.4M Michelin X Ice North 4: 50.6M
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:10.5M Michelin X Ice North 4: 10.5M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:51.4M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 51M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:15.12M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 15.11M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:12.98M Michelin X Ice North 4: 13.24M
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:12.34M Michelin X Ice North 4: 12.42M

Snow Traction

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during three snow traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 accelerated 0.21% faster than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
4.79s
Michelin X Ice North 4
4.78s
Snow acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Snow Traction: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:4.06s Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.17s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:5.9s Michelin X Ice North 4: 6s
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:3.67s Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.67s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:5.8s Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.8s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:4.96s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.77s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:4.84s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.83s
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:4.32s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.21s

Snow Handling [s]

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during five snow handling [s] tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 was 0.69% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
70.93s
Michelin X Ice North 4
71.42s
Snow handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Snow Handling [s]: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:83.75s Michelin X Ice North 4: 86.49s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:48.8s Michelin X Ice North 4: 49s
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:75.04s Michelin X Ice North 4: 75.69s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:53.5s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 52.3s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:85.23s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 84.73s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:75.1s Michelin X Ice North 4: 75.5s
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:75.1s Michelin X Ice North 4: 76.2s

Subj. Snow Handling

Continental IceContact 3
9 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
9 Points
Subjective Snow Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Snow Handling:

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:9 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 9 Points

Ice Braking

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during six ice braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 stopped the vehicle 8.88% shorter than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
20.16M
Michelin X Ice North 4
18.37M
Ice braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Ice Braking: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:8.67M Michelin X Ice North 4: 9.42M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:38.9M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.8M
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:4.2M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.47M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:40.9M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 38.8M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:15.42M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 12.82M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:17.14M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 12.93M
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:15.87M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 13.38M

Ice Traction

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during six ice traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 accelerated 14.78% faster than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
4.94s
Michelin X Ice North 4
4.21s
Ice acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Ice Traction: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:4.14s Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.51s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:3.8s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.7s
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:2.18s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 1.89s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:3.9s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.8s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:5.89s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.39s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:7.88s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.55s
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:6.81s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.66s

Ice Handling [s]

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during six ice handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 was 4.07% faster around a lap than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
54.57s
Michelin X Ice North 4
52.35s
Ice handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Ice Handling [s]: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:52.64s Michelin X Ice North 4: 52.89s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:60.2s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 57.3s
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:52.24s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 51.23s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:57.8s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 54.5s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:68.12s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 62.7s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:40.8s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 39.6s
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:50.2s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 48.2s

Subj. Ice Handling

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during zero subj. ice handling tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 scored 20% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
8 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
10 Points
Subjective Ice Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Ice Handling: Michelin X Ice North 4

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:8 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 10 Points

Subj. Comfort

Continental IceContact 3
5 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
3 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin X Ice North 4

Subj. Noise

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 scored 5.5% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
5.67 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
6 Points
Subjective in car noise levels, higher is better

Best In Subj. Noise: Michelin X Ice North 4

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:7 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 6 Points
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:4 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:6 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 7 Points

Noise

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during three noise tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 measured 1.59% quieter than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
72.4dB
Michelin X Ice North 4
73.57dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Continental IceContact 3

2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:68.6dB Michelin X Ice North 4: 70.3dB
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:75dB Michelin X Ice North 4: 75.8dB
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:73.6dB Michelin X Ice North 4: 74.6dB

Price

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one price tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 cost 5.63% less than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
1634.5
Michelin X Ice North 4
1542.5
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Michelin X Ice North 4

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:600 Michelin X Ice North 4: 650
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:2669 ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 2435

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 had a 7.69% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
4.2kg / t
Michelin X Ice North 4
4.55kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:3kg / t Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.6kg / t
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:5.4kg / t Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.5kg / t

Fuel Consumption

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two fuel consumption tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 used 2.45% less fuel than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
5.72l/100km
Michelin X Ice North 4
5.58l/100km
Fuel consumption in Litres per 100 km, lower is better

Best In Fuel Consumption: Michelin X Ice North 4

2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:5.69l/100km ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.66l/100km
2024 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3:5.75l/100km ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.5l/100km

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental IceContact 3 and Michelin X Ice North 4.

In total the Continental IceContact 3 has been reviewed 2 times and drivers have given the tire 71% overall.

The Michelin X Ice North 4 has been reviewed 9 times and drivers have given the tire 84% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Best Review for the Continental IceContact 3
Given 80% 215/55 R16 T on a combination of roads for 8,500 average miles
I had regular studs Superb grip on packed snow and ~1 cm of snow on top of the packed snow. Grip on ice is great also tested on lake ice track. One can have fun throwing the car around on ice and tires feel good especially while braking. I felt confident with them on slippery surfaces. When there is around 4-5 cm of snow these tires are too wide and lose contact with hard surface on higher speeds. For those days I wish i had narrower tires but it is not "the tires fault". Dry and Wer grip is pretty good but unstudded tires could be better for those conditions. Atleast these tires are... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 63 - tire reviewed on June 3, 2020
View all Continental IceContact 3 driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Michelin X Ice North 4
Given 91% 205/55 R16 T on a combination of roads for 0 spirited miles
Uncompromising grip on all types of winter surfaces. Out of competition on the ice tracks. Very low noise level, audible only at low speeds when driving on a clean road. With these tires, it is very difficult to achieve ABS actuation. Perfectly copes with leaving the track. After running-in in compliance with the manufacturer's recommendations, the studs took their position and after 15,000 km remain in place. I recommend to buy, the best studded tire.
Helpful 100 - tire reviewed on February 10, 2021
View all Michelin X Ice North 4 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Continental IceContact 3 performed better in dry braking, wet braking, wet handling [s], subj. wet handling, straight aqua, snow braking, snow handling [s], noise and rolling resistance, while the Michelin X Ice North 4 performed better in subj. dry handling, snow traction, ice braking, ice traction, ice handling [s], subj. ice handling, subj. noise, price and fuel consumption.

Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in subj. snow handling, showing that they are closely matched in these areas.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance seems to be the best tire overall.

Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Overall Winner:

Footnote

This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.

Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.