Continental IceContact 3 vs Michelin X Ice Snow

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 Snow 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 Snow 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-Snow

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 four tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these four tests:

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

While it might look like the Michelin X Ice Snow 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 two tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during one dry braking tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 stopped the vehicle in 2.07% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental IceContact 3
30.7M
Michelin X Ice Snow
31.35M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:29.9M Michelin X Ice Snow: 31.2M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:31.5M Michelin X Ice Snow: 31.5M

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 scored 11.11% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

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

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:9 Points Michelin X Ice Snow: 8 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 stopped the vehicle in 10.17% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental IceContact 3
33.55M
Michelin X Ice Snow
37.35M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:33.4M Michelin X Ice Snow: 38.6M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:33.7M Michelin X Ice Snow: 36.1M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 was 0.57% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental IceContact 3
35.05s
Michelin X Ice Snow
35.25s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:34.9s Michelin X Ice Snow: 35s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:35.2s Michelin X Ice Snow: 35.5s

Subj. Wet Handling

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

Best In Subj. Wet Handling:

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

Snow Braking

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during one snow braking tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.88% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental IceContact 3
50.9M
Michelin X Ice Snow
51.35M
Snow braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Snow Braking: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:50.4M Michelin X Ice Snow: 50.4M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:51.4M Michelin X Ice Snow: 52.3M

Snow Traction

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two snow traction tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 accelerated 1.68% faster than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental IceContact 3
5.85s
Michelin X Ice Snow
5.95s
Snow acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Snow Traction: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:5.9s Michelin X Ice Snow: 6s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:5.8s Michelin X Ice Snow: 5.9s

Snow Handling [s]

Continental IceContact 3
51.15s
Michelin X Ice Snow
51.15s
Snow handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Snow Handling [s]:

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:48.8s ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 48.7s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:53.5s Michelin X Ice Snow: 53.6s

Subj. Snow Handling

Continental IceContact 3
9 Points
Michelin X Ice Snow
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 Snow: 9 Points

Ice Braking

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two ice braking tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 stopped the vehicle 8.38% shorter than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental IceContact 3
39.9M
Michelin X Ice Snow
43.55M
Ice braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Ice Braking: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:38.9M Michelin X Ice Snow: 42.7M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:40.9M Michelin X Ice Snow: 44.4M

Ice Traction

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two ice traction tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 accelerated 26.67% faster than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental IceContact 3
3.85s
Michelin X Ice Snow
5.25s
Ice acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Ice Traction: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:3.8s Michelin X Ice Snow: 5.3s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:3.9s Michelin X Ice Snow: 5.2s

Ice Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two ice handling [s] tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 was 8.95% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental IceContact 3
59s
Michelin X Ice Snow
64.8s
Ice handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Ice Handling [s]: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:60.2s Michelin X Ice Snow: 61s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3:57.8s Michelin X Ice Snow: 68.6s

Subj. Ice Handling

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

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

Best In Subj. Ice Handling: Continental IceContact 3

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

Subj. Noise

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during zero subj. noise tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 scored 23.53% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental IceContact 3
6.5 Points
Michelin X Ice Snow
8.5 Points
Subjective in car noise levels, higher is better

Best In Subj. Noise: Michelin X Ice Snow

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:7 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 8 Points
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:6 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 9 Points

Price

Continental IceContact 3
600
Michelin X Ice Snow
600
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price:

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:600 Michelin X Ice Snow: 600

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow had a 40% lower rolling resistance than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
3kg / t
Michelin X Ice Snow
1.8kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin X Ice Snow

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3:3kg / t ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 1.8kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

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

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

The Michelin X Ice Snow has been reviewed 12 times and drivers have given the tire 82% overall.

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

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 Snow
Given 93% 225/45 R17 on mostly country roads for 10,000 spirited miles
Previously owned the Michelin alpin 4a on a volkswagen tiguan. Fantastic tires, Decided to choose the new version for my Fiat Panda cross. The x ice snow is an amazing tire. It has been raining and snowing for the last month, i leave for work every morning in -10c and come home at night in -3c. Fresh snow, sludge, rain and ice. The tire is amazing. I feel confident while driving In all conditions. Recently went offroading in a few mountain trails. Parked the car up and iced road, jumped out with the kids, and we could not walk without falling over, Completely iced over. I did not even... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 178 - tire reviewed on December 5, 2020
View all Michelin X Ice Snow driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Continental IceContact 3 performed better in dry braking, subj. dry handling, wet braking, wet handling [s], snow braking, snow traction, ice braking, ice traction, ice handling [s] and subj. ice handling, while the Michelin X Ice Snow performed better in subj. noise and rolling resistance.

Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in subj. wet handling, snow handling [s], subj. snow handling and price, 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 Continental IceContact 3 seems to be the best tire overall.

However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.

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: Continental IceContact 3

Overall Winner: Continental IceContact 3

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.