Continental VikingContact 8 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 VikingContact 8 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 VikingContact 8 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
VikingContact-8 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 two tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these two tests:

  • Continental VikingContact 8 finished ahead of the Michelin X Ice Snow in two of the tests

While it might look like the Continental VikingContact 8 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.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one dry braking tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 stopped the vehicle in 1.17% less distance than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental VikingContact 8
31.2M
Michelin X Ice Snow
31.57M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Continental VikingContact 8

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental VikingContact 8:31.2M Michelin X Ice Snow: 31.57M

Subj. Dry Handling

Continental VikingContact 8
4 Points
Michelin X Ice Snow
4 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling:

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental VikingContact 8:4 Points Michelin X Ice Snow: 4 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one wet braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow stopped the vehicle in 2.49% less distance than the Continental VikingContact 8.

Continental VikingContact 8
40.1M
Michelin X Ice Snow
39.1M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Michelin X Ice Snow

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental VikingContact 8:40.1M ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 39.1M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 was 1.2% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental VikingContact 8
41.2s
Michelin X Ice Snow
41.7s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental VikingContact 8

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental VikingContact 8:41.2s Michelin X Ice Snow: 41.7s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during zero straight aqua tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 floated at a 7.57% higher speed than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental VikingContact 8
59.8Km/H
Michelin X Ice Snow
64.7Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin X Ice Snow

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental VikingContact 8:59.8Km/H ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 64.7Km/H

Snow Braking

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one snow braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow stopped the vehicle in 1.73% less distance than the Continental VikingContact 8.

Continental VikingContact 8
12.72M
Michelin X Ice Snow
12.5M
Snow braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Snow Braking: Michelin X Ice Snow

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental VikingContact 8:12.72M ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 12.5M

Snow Traction

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 accelerated 0.95% faster than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental VikingContact 8
4.19s
Michelin X Ice Snow
4.23s
Snow acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Snow Traction: Continental VikingContact 8

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental VikingContact 8:4.19s Michelin X Ice Snow: 4.23s

Snow Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 was 1.6% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental VikingContact 8
79.7s
Michelin X Ice Snow
81s
Snow handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Snow Handling [s]: Continental VikingContact 8

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental VikingContact 8:79.7s Michelin X Ice Snow: 81s

Ice Braking

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one ice braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow stopped the vehicle 10.69% shorter than the Continental VikingContact 8.

Continental VikingContact 8
11.97M
Michelin X Ice Snow
10.69M
Ice braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Ice Braking: Michelin X Ice Snow

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental VikingContact 8:11.97M ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 10.69M

Ice Traction

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow was better during one ice traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice Snow accelerated 10.78% faster than the Continental VikingContact 8.

Continental VikingContact 8
8.44s
Michelin X Ice Snow
7.53s
Ice acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Ice Traction: Michelin X Ice Snow

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Continental VikingContact 8:8.44s ✓ Michelin X Ice Snow: 7.53s

Ice Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one ice handling [s] tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 was 4.72% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental VikingContact 8
64.6s
Michelin X Ice Snow
67.8s
Ice handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Ice Handling [s]: Continental VikingContact 8

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental VikingContact 8:64.6s Michelin X Ice Snow: 67.8s

Noise

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one noise tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 measured 0.42% quieter than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental VikingContact 8
71.8dB
Michelin X Ice Snow
72.1dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Continental VikingContact 8

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental VikingContact 8:71.8dB Michelin X Ice Snow: 72.1dB

Fuel Consumption

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental VikingContact 8 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Continental VikingContact 8 used 2.75% less fuel than the Michelin X Ice Snow.

Continental VikingContact 8
5.3l/100km
Michelin X Ice Snow
5.45l/100km
Fuel consumption in Litres per 100 km, lower is better

Best In Fuel Consumption: Continental VikingContact 8

2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental VikingContact 8:5.3l/100km Michelin X Ice Snow: 5.45l/100km

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental VikingContact 8 and Michelin X Ice Snow.

In total the Continental VikingContact 8 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.

Best Review for the Continental VikingContact 8
View all Continental VikingContact 8 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 199 - tire reviewed on December 5, 2020
View all Michelin X Ice Snow driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Continental VikingContact 8 performed better in dry braking, wet handling [s], snow traction, snow handling [s], ice handling [s], noise and fuel consumption, while the Michelin X Ice Snow performed better in wet braking, straight aqua, snow braking, ice braking and ice traction.

Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in subj. dry 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 Continental VikingContact 8 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.

Continental VikingContact 8

Overall Winner: Continental VikingContact 8

Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental VikingContact 8 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.

Similar Comparisons

Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:

Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
VS
Michelin X Ice Snow
Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 VS Michelin X Ice Snow
Continental VikingContact 8
VS
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
Continental VikingContact 8 VS Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
Continental VikingContact 8
VS
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
Continental VikingContact 8 VS Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
Continental VikingContact 8
VS
Michelin X Ice Snow
Continental VikingContact 8 VS Michelin X Ice Snow
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3
VS
Michelin X Ice Snow
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 VS Michelin X Ice Snow
Michelin X Ice North 4
VS
Michelin X Ice Snow
Michelin X Ice North 4 VS Michelin X Ice Snow
Continental IceContact 3
VS
Michelin X Ice Snow
Continental IceContact 3 VS Michelin X Ice Snow
Bridgestone Blizzak Ice
VS
Michelin X Ice Snow
Bridgestone Blizzak Ice VS Michelin X Ice Snow
Michelin X Ice Snow
VS
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
Michelin X Ice Snow VS Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
Michelin X Ice Snow
VS
Pirelli Ice Zero FR
Michelin X Ice Snow VS Pirelli Ice Zero FR
Continental VikingContact 7
VS
Michelin X Ice Snow
Continental VikingContact 7 VS Michelin X Ice Snow

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.