Continental IceContact 3 vs Michelin X Ice North 4

In this article we will be looking at independent tyre test data, and real world driver reviews of the Continental IceContact 3 and the Michelin X Ice North 4 to find out which tyre is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Continental IceContact 3 and Michelin X Ice North 4 are Premium Touring Winter tyres designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tyres is relatively simple.

Both tyres are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tyre tests.

In This Article
Introduction Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion
IceContact-3 VS X-Ice-North-4

Test Results

Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been eight tests which compare both tyres directly!

Out of these eight tests:

  • Continental IceContact 3 finished ahead of the Michelin X Ice North 4 in one of the tests
  • Michelin X Ice North 4 finished ahead of the Continental IceContact 3 in five of the tests
  • The Continental IceContact 3 and Michelin X Ice North 4 drew in two of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin X Ice North 4 is better than the Continental IceContact 3 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Lets look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.56% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
33.91M
Michelin X Ice North 4
34.1M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 44.9M Michelin X Ice North 4: 46.7M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 29.9M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 29.3M
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 30.75M Michelin X Ice North 4: 32.31M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 31.5M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 31.1M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 33.65M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 32.79M
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3: 32.77M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 32.37M

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 scored 17.39% more points than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
4.75 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 Tyre Test
225/50 R17		 Continental IceContact 3: 2 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 9 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 8 Points
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 3 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3: 5 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 stopped the vehicle in 3.51% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
34.63M
Michelin X Ice North 4
35.89M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 28.8M Michelin X Ice North 4: 31M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 33.4M Michelin X Ice North 4: 35.9M
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 36.92M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 35.06M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 33.7M Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.3M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 37.1M Michelin X Ice North 4: 38.54M
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3: 37.87M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.56M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during six wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 was 2.31% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
40.16s
Michelin X Ice North 4
41.11s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 44.12s Michelin X Ice North 4: 44.37s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 34.9s Michelin X Ice North 4: 35.4s
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 43.77s Michelin X Ice North 4: 45.75s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 35.2s Michelin X Ice North 4: 36.2s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 41.89s Michelin X Ice North 4: 43.11s
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 41.1s Michelin X Ice North 4: 41.8s

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 scored 12.5% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
8 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
7 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 8 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 7 Points

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 floated at a 3.23% higher speed than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
59.73Km/H
Michelin X Ice North 4
57.8Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 60.3Km/H Michelin X Ice North 4: 58.1Km/H
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 63.7Km/H Michelin X Ice North 4: 59.4Km/H
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3: 55.2Km/H ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 55.9Km/H

Snow Braking

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during four snow braking tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 stopped the vehicle in 0.64% less distance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
26.22M
Michelin X Ice North 4
26.39M
Snow braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Snow Braking: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 16.9M Michelin X Ice North 4: 17.9M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 50.4M Michelin X Ice North 4: 50.6M
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 10.5M Michelin X Ice North 4: 10.5M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 51.4M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 51M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 15.12M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 15.11M
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 12.98M Michelin X Ice North 4: 13.24M

Snow Traction

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two snow traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 accelerated 0% faster than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
4.87s
Michelin X Ice North 4
4.87s
Snow acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Snow Traction: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 4.06s Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.17s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 5.9s Michelin X Ice North 4: 6s
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 3.67s Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.67s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 5.8s Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.8s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 4.96s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.77s
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3: 4.84s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.83s

Snow Handling [s]

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during four snow handling [s] tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 was 0.54% faster around a lap than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
70.24s
Michelin X Ice North 4
70.62s
Snow handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Snow Handling [s]: Continental IceContact 3

2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 83.75s Michelin X Ice North 4: 86.49s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 48.8s Michelin X Ice North 4: 49s
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 75.04s Michelin X Ice North 4: 75.69s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 53.5s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 52.3s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 85.23s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 84.73s
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 75.1s Michelin X Ice North 4: 75.5s

Subj. Snow Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during zero subj. snow handling tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 scored 0% more points than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
9 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 Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 9 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 9 Points

Ice Braking

Looking at data from six tyre 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 7.95% shorter than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
20.87M
Michelin X Ice North 4
19.21M
Ice braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Ice Braking: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 8.67M Michelin X Ice North 4: 9.42M
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 38.9M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 37.8M
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 4.2M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.47M
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 40.9M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 38.8M
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 15.42M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 12.82M
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3: 17.14M ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 12.93M

Ice Traction

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during five ice traction tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 accelerated 14.25% faster than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
4.63s
Michelin X Ice North 4
3.97s
Ice acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Ice Traction: Michelin X Ice North 4

2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 4.14s Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.51s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 3.8s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.7s
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 2.18s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 1.89s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 3.9s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.8s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 5.89s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 4.39s
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3: 7.88s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.55s

Ice Handling [s]

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during five ice handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 was 4.09% faster around a lap than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
55.3s
Michelin X Ice North 4
53.04s
Ice handling time in seconds, lower is better

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

2019 Studded Winter Tyre Test
225/50 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 52.64s Michelin X Ice North 4: 52.89s
2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 60.2s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 57.3s
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 52.24s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 51.23s
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 57.8s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 54.5s
2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 68.12s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 62.7s
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3: 40.8s ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 39.6s

Subj. Ice Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one subj. ice handling tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 scored 20% more points than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
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 Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 8 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 10 Points

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 scored 40% more points than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
5 Points
Michelin X Ice North 4
3 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental IceContact 3

2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 5 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 3 Points

Subj. Noise

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during two subj. noise tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 scored 5.5% more points than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
5.67 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 Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 7 Points Michelin X Ice North 4: 6 Points
2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 4 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5 Points
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 6 Points ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 7 Points

Noise

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two noise tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 measured 1.71% quieter than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
71.8dB
Michelin X Ice North 4
73.05dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Continental IceContact 3

2021 Nordic Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 68.6dB Michelin X Ice North 4: 70.3dB
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 75dB Michelin X Ice North 4: 75.8dB

Price

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one price tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 cost 5.63% less than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
1634.5
Michelin X Ice North 4
1542.5
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Michelin X Ice North 4

2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 600 Michelin X Ice North 4: 650
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 Continental IceContact 3: 2669 ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 2435

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental IceContact 3 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental IceContact 3 had a 7.69% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Continental IceContact 3
4.2kg / t
Michelin X Ice North 4
4.55kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental IceContact 3

2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test
205/55 R16		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 3kg / t Michelin X Ice North 4: 3.6kg / t
2023 Studded Tyre Test
225/45 R17		 ✓ Continental IceContact 3: 5.4kg / t Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.5kg / t

Fuel Consumption

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Michelin X Ice North 4 used 0.53% less fuel than the Continental IceContact 3.

Continental IceContact 3
5.69l/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 Tyre Test
205/60 R16		 Continental IceContact 3: 5.69l/100km ✓ Michelin X Ice North 4: 5.66l/100km

Real World Driver Reviews

Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental IceContact 3 and Michelin X Ice North 4.

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

The Michelin X Ice North 4 has been reviewed 9 times and drivers have given the tyre 84% overall.

This means drivers in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin X Ice North 4.

Best Review for the Continental IceContact 3
Bei 80% 215/55 R16 T auf a combination of roads für 8,500 average Kilometer
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 tyres feel good especially while braking. I felt confident with them on slippery surfaces. When there is around 4-5 cm of snow these tyres are too wide and lose contact with hard surface on higher speeds. For those days I wish i had narrower tyres but it is not "the tyres fault". Dry and Wer grip is pretty good but unstudded tyres could be better for those conditions. Atleast these tyres are... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 46 - Reifen beurteilt in June 3, 2020
View all Continental IceContact 3 driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Michelin X Ice North 4
Bei 91% 205/55 R16 T auf a combination of roads für 0 spirited Kilometer
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 82 - Reifen beurteilt in February 10, 2021
View all Michelin X Ice North 4 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Continental IceContact 3 was better in dry braking, wet braking, wet handling [s], subj. wet handling, straight aqua, snow braking, snow handling [s], subj. comfort, noise and rolling resistance tests, whereas the Michelin X Ice North 4 was better in subj. dry handling, snow traction, subj. snow handling, ice braking, ice traction, ice handling [s], subj. ice handling, subj. noise, price and fuel consumption tests.

Which tyre is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tyre, but comparing all the data in the tyre reviews database, on balance the Michelin X Ice North 4 seems to be the best tyre overall.

Overall Winner: Michelin X Ice North 4

Overall Winner: Michelin X Ice North 4

Footnote

This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.

Why is this important? Tyre 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 tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the Continental IceContact 3 and Michelin X Ice North 4, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.