In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 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 Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 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.
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:
While it might look like the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 is better than the Michelin X Ice Snow 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.
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.1% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Dry Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:31.25M | Michelin X Ice Snow: 31.82M |
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:30.9M | Michelin X Ice Snow: 30.96M |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:32.1M | ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 31.57M |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 scored 20% more points than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:5 Points | Michelin X Ice Snow: 4 Points |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:5 Points | Michelin X Ice Snow: 4 Points |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 stopped the vehicle in 4.95% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Wet Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:38.49M | Michelin X Ice Snow: 41.98M |
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:37.55M | Michelin X Ice Snow: 38.4M |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:37.55M | Michelin X Ice Snow: 39.1M |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during three wet handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was 3.63% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:40.4s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 42.8s |
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:41s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 42.1s |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:40.6s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 41.7s |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 floated at a 3.57% higher speed than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Straight Aqua: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:66Km/H | Michelin X Ice Snow: 65Km/H |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:68.5Km/H | Michelin X Ice Snow: 64.7Km/H |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during three snow braking tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.99% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Braking: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:11.28M | Michelin X Ice Snow: 11.56M |
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:12.19M | Michelin X Ice Snow: 12.21M |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:12.43M | Michelin X Ice Snow: 12.5M |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during three snow traction tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 accelerated 2.94% faster than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Traction: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:4.39s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 4.47s |
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:4.44s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 4.57s |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:4.04s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 4.23s |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during three snow handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was 1.23% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:83.28s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 84.04s |
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:75.9s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 76.7s |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:79.6s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 81s |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during two ice braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow stopped the vehicle 6% shorter than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Ice Braking: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:14.75M | Michelin X Ice Snow: 15.3M |
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:13M | ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 12.09M |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:12.75M | ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 10.69M |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during two ice traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow accelerated 8.19% faster than the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3.
Best In Ice Traction: Michelin X Ice Snow
See how the Ice Traction winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:6.39s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 7.01s |
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:8.43s | ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 7.32s |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:8.99s | ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 7.53s |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during three ice handling [s] tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was 1.76% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Ice Handling [s]: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:69.76s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 71.21s |
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:46.7s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 47.1s |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:66.4s | Michelin X Ice Snow: 67.8s |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during two noise tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 measured 0.75% quieter than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Noise: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:74dB | Michelin X Ice Snow: 74.5dB |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:71.5dB | Michelin X Ice Snow: 72.1dB |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 was better during two fuel consumption tests. On average the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 used 4.72% less fuel than the Michelin X Ice Snow.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
2023 Studless Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:4.85l/100km | Michelin X Ice Snow: 5.15l/100km |
2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3:5.25l/100km | Michelin X Ice Snow: 5.45l/100km |
Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and Michelin X Ice Snow.
In total the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 has been reviewed times and drivers have given the tire 0% overall.
The Michelin X Ice Snow has been reviewed 13 times and drivers have given the tire 83% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin X Ice Snow.
In conclusion the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 performed better in dry braking, subj. dry handling, wet braking, wet handling [s], straight aqua, snow braking, snow traction, snow handling [s], ice handling [s], noise and fuel consumption, while the Michelin X Ice Snow performed better in ice braking and ice traction.
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 Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 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: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
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.