Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3

    2026 test data · 9 independent tests

    → See full Michelin vs Nexen brand comparison

    Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3: the full picture

    This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Michelin X Ice North 4 and Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 appear in 9 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.

    How the Michelin X Ice North 4 performs. It takes the win in dry. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 89/100, based on 8 tests.

    How the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 performs. It takes the win in wet, snow, ice, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 1 test.

    What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.

    Verdict

    The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Michelin X Ice North 4 still wins on dry, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise snow
    • You prioritise ice

    Test profile

    MetricMichelin X Ice North 4Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
    SegmentStudded WinterStudded Winter
    TypeWinterWinter
    Tests used81
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank5.84.3
    Latest test2025
    Tire Lab Score89.290

    Tire Lab Score

    89.2
    Very Good · Winter
    90
    Excellent · Winter

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryMichelin X Ice North 4Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 5.3
    422
    Avg rank 4.5
    1
    Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 4.4
    23
    Avg rank 4.5
    1
    Michelin X Ice North 4
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 6.8
    111
    Avg rank 3.7
    11
    Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
    🧊Ice
    Avg rank 5.7
    232
    Avg rank 4.5
    Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 7.5
    312
    Avg rank 4.5
    1
    Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 5.3
    1
    Avg rank 5.0
    Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3

    💧 Wet: Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3

    The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 5.3 for the Michelin X Ice North 4.

    ☀️ Dry: Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3

    The Michelin X Ice North 4 wins this category with an average rank of 4.4, compared to 4.5 for the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3.

    ❄️ Snow: Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3

    The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 3.7, compared to 6.8 for the Michelin X Ice North 4.

    🧊 Ice: Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3

    The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 5.7 for the Michelin X Ice North 4.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3

    The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 7.5 for the Michelin X Ice North 4.

    🔋 Efficiency: Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3

    The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.0, compared to 5.3 for the Michelin X Ice North 4.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Michelin X Ice North 4 or Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 ranks higher on average than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Michelin X Ice North 4 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 ranks better than the Michelin X Ice North 4.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Michelin X Ice North 4 appears in 8 independent tests, Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 in 1.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →