Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 vs Michelin 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 three tests which compare both tires directly!

While it might look like the Michelin X Ice Snow is better than the Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 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.

Key Strengths

Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616

• Lower price point (~25% cheaper in 2021 test)
• Lower rolling resistance/fuel use (wins RR and fuel in multiple tests)
• Low noise and good straight-line stability on tarmac
• Competitive wet performance, occasional dry wins

Michelin X Ice Snow

• Class-leading ice performance (clean sweeps in braking/traction/handling)
• Consistently strong snow braking/handling and aquaplaning resistance
• Stable winter behavior with good safety margin
• Higher speed rating and well-balanced overall results

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 and Michelin X Ice Snow.

In total the Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616 has been reviewed 4 times and drivers have given the tire 83% overall.

The Michelin X Ice Snow has been reviewed 16 times and drivers have given the tire 84% overall.

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

Conclusion

Michelin X-Ice Snow is the more accomplished winter specialist, repeatedly dominating on ice (clean sweeps in braking, traction, and handling across all tests) and edging Hankook in most snow metrics and aquaplaning. If your winters bring frequent ice, polished intersections, or packed snow, Michelin's shorter stops and stronger traction are meaningfully safer.
Hankook iZ2 W616 remains competitive in the wet and occasionally in the dry, while being quieter, more fuel-efficient, and notably cheaper. For milder Nordic conditions with more tarmac and wet days than deep winter extremes, the Hankook's value, refinement, and efficiency are compelling. Bottom line: choose Michelin for maximum winter grip and security; pick Hankook for balanced daily driving at a lower total cost.

Key Differences

• Ice performance: Michelin wins all ice categories across all tests, with large margins (e.g., up to ~32% shorter ice braking in 2024)
• Snow performance: Michelin typically edges Hankook in braking/handling; Hankook only narrowly matches or wins traction occasionally
• Wet/road manners: Hankook posts several wet wins/ties and is quieter with better fuel use
• Aquaplaning: Michelin has higher straight-line aquaplaning speed (2024)
• Dry: Mixed-Hankook sometimes stops shorter/feels better subjectively; Michelin can brake slightly shorter in other sizes
• Value: Hankook is significantly cheaper with lower running costs; Michelin commands a premium for winter-surface security

Overall Winner: Michelin X Ice Snow

Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin X Ice Snow 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 Top Comparisons

No other comparisons available for this tire.

Michelin X Ice Snow Top Comparisons

Continental VikingContact 8 VS Michelin X Ice Snow

Michelin X Ice Snow VS Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5

Bridgestone Blizzak Ice VS Michelin X Ice Snow

View All Michelin X Ice Snow Comparisons

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.