Hankook Winter i pike RS2 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 Hankook Winter i pike RS2 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 Hankook Winter i pike RS2 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
Winter-i-pike-RS2 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 six tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these six tests:

  • Michelin X Ice North 4 finished ahead of the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 in six of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin X Ice North 4 is better than the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 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 five tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 stopped the vehicle in 2.25% less distance than the Hankook Winter i pike RS2.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
35.15M
Michelin X Ice North 4
34.36M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:47.8M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 46.7M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:30.6M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 29.3M
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:31.11M Michelin X Ice North 4: 32.31M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:33.44M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 31.1M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:32.82M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 32.37M

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was better during zero subj. dry handling tests. On average the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 scored 30.43% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
4 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
5.75 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		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:3 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:8 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 8 Points
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:3 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:2 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 stopped the vehicle in 1.81% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
34.72M
Michelin X Ice North 4
35.36M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Hankook Winter i pike RS2

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:31.4M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 31M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:34.8M Michelin X Ice North 4: 35.9M
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:36.15M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 35.06M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:35.4M Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.3M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:35.85M Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.56M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was better during five wet handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was 1.74% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
39.99s
Michelin X Ice North 4
40.7s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Hankook Winter i pike RS2

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:43.71s Michelin X Ice North 4: 44.37s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:34.8s Michelin X Ice North 4: 35.4s
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:44.75s Michelin X Ice North 4: 45.75s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:35.2s Michelin X Ice North 4: 36.2s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:41.5s Michelin X Ice North 4: 41.8s

Subj. Wet Handling

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
7 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
7 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling:

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:7 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 7 Points

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 floated at a 4.67% higher speed than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
60.63Km/H
Michelin X Ice North 4
57.8Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Hankook Winter i pike RS2

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:62.2Km/H Michelin X Ice North 4: 58.1Km/H
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:62.9Km/H Michelin X Ice North 4: 59.4Km/H
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:56.8Km/H Michelin X Ice North 4: 55.9Km/H

Snow Braking

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was better during two snow braking tests. On average the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 stopped the vehicle in 0.24% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
28.58M
Michelin X Ice North 4
28.65M
Snow braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Snow Braking: Hankook Winter i pike RS2

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:18.1M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 17.9M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:50.7M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 50.6M
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:10.6M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 10.5M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:50.7M Michelin X Ice North 4: 51M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:12.82M Michelin X Ice North 4: 13.24M

Snow Traction

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during four snow traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 accelerated 1.61% faster than the Hankook Winter i pike RS2.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
4.97s
Michelin X Ice North 4
4.89s
Snow acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Snow Traction: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:4.27s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.17s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:6.1s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 6s
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:3.79s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.67s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:5.8s Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.8s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:4.9s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.83s

Snow Handling [s]

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during four snow handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 was 1.11% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter i pike RS2.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
68.56s
Michelin X Ice North 4
67.8s
Snow handling time in seconds, lower is better

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

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:87.93s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 86.49s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:49.3s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 49s
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:75.19s Michelin X Ice North 4: 75.69s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:53.7s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 52.3s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:76.7s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 75.5s

Subj. Snow Handling

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was better during zero subj. snow handling tests. On average the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 scored 11.11% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
8 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
9 Points
Subjective Snow Handling Score, higher is better

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

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:8 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 9 Points

Ice Braking

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during five ice braking tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 stopped the vehicle 9.62% shorter than the Hankook Winter i pike RS2.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
22.66M
Michelin X Ice North 4
20.48M
Ice braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Ice Braking: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:10.97M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 9.42M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:41.7M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.8M
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:4.68M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.47M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:40.1M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 38.8M
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:15.87M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 12.93M

Ice Traction

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during five ice traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 accelerated 9.32% faster than the Hankook Winter i pike RS2.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
4.29s
Michelin X Ice North 4
3.89s
Ice acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Ice Traction: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test
225/50 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:4.94s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.51s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:4s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.7s
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:2.08s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 1.89s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:4s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.8s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:6.41s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.55s

Ice Handling [s]

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during five ice handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 was 4.82% faster around a lap than the Hankook Winter i pike RS2.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
53.69s
Michelin X Ice North 4
51.1s
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		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:55.52s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 52.89s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:61.6s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 57.3s
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:53.52s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 51.23s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:55.6s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 54.5s
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:42.2s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 39.6s

Subj. Ice Handling

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was better during zero subj. ice handling tests. On average the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 scored 20% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
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		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:8 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 10 Points

Subj. Comfort

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
4 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 Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was better during zero subj. noise tests. On average the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 scored 16.67% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
5 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		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:6 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 6 Points
2020 Studded Winter Tire Test
205/60 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:3 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:6 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 7 Points

Noise

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was better during one noise tests. On average the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 measured 0.53% quieter than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
75.4dB
Michelin X Ice North 4
75.8dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Hankook Winter i pike RS2

2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:75.4dB Michelin X Ice North 4: 75.8dB

Price

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was better during two price tests. On average the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 cost 24.54% less than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
1164
Michelin X Ice North 4
1542.5
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Hankook Winter i pike RS2

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:450 Michelin X Ice North 4: 650
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:1878 Michelin X Ice North 4: 2435

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 had a 16.92% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
3.78kg / t
Michelin X Ice North 4
4.55kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Hankook Winter i pike RS2

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tire Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:2.4kg / t Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.6kg / t
2023 Studded Tire Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Hankook Winter i pike RS2:5.15kg / t Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.5kg / t

Fuel Consumption

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 used 0.18% less fuel than the Hankook Winter i pike RS2.

Hankook Winter i pike RS2
5.67l/100km
Michelin X Ice North 4
5.66l/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		 Hankook Winter i pike RS2:5.67l/100km ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.66l/100km

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 and Michelin X Ice North 4.

In total the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 has been reviewed 3 times and drivers have given the tire 82% 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 Hankook Winter i pike RS2
Given 97% 205/55 R16 T on a combination of roads for 1,500 spirited miles
-The best winter tire I've driven so far (and there is plenty), pretty huge improvement on ice handling compared to iPike RS due to the added studs and a new pattern, you can really push your limits in corners before it start to lose side grip, but even then it corrects so fast and easy, losing the rear end is almost impossible even with a little help from the handbrake.

-Day to day driving in at normal conditions, feels pretty much the same as driving at summer. Even while having 250 horses front the front wheels, I don't really find any trouble on accelerating harder.... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 89 - tire reviewed on December 10, 2018
View all Hankook Winter i pike RS2 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 Hankook Winter i pike RS2 performed better in wet braking, wet handling [s], straight aqua, snow braking, noise, price and rolling resistance, while the Michelin X Ice North 4 performed better in dry braking, subj. dry handling, snow traction, snow handling [s], subj. snow handling, ice braking, ice traction, ice handling [s], subj. ice handling, subj. noise and fuel consumption.

Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in subj. wet 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 Michelin X Ice North 4 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: Michelin X Ice North 4

Overall Winner: Michelin X Ice North 4

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.