Michelin X Ice Snow vs Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43

    2026 test data · 12 independent tests · 2 head-to-head

    → See full Michelin vs Nexen brand comparison

    Michelin X Ice Snow vs Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43: 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 Snow and Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 appear in 12 tests, 2 of which put both tires on the same track on the same day. 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 Snow performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice, noise / comfort. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 10 tests.

    How the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 performs. It takes the win in efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, based on 2 tests.

    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 Ice Plus WH43 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in efficiency and Tire Lab Score. The Michelin X Ice Snow still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise snow
    • You prioritise efficiency

    Test profile

    MetricMichelin X Ice SnowNexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43
    SegmentNordic WinterNordic Winter
    TypeWinterWinter
    Tests used102
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank5.68.8
    Latest test20252020
    Tire Lab Score89.592

    Tire Lab Score

    89.5
    Very Good · Nordic Winter
    92
    Excellent · Nordic Winter

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryMichelin X Ice SnowNexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 6.0
    152
    Avg rank 10.2
    1
    Michelin X Ice Snow
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 6.7
    11
    Avg rank 11.0
    Michelin X Ice Snow
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 4.9
    229
    Avg rank 8.5
    11
    Michelin X Ice Snow
    🧊Ice
    Avg rank 4.8
    512
    Avg rank 8.6
    1
    Michelin X Ice Snow
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 4.9
    42
    Avg rank 8.5
    Michelin X Ice Snow
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 4.8
    2
    Avg rank 2.0
    1
    Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43

    Tests used in this comparison

    Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 2 independent tests:

    💧 Wet: Michelin X Ice Snow vs Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43

    The Michelin X Ice Snow wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 10.2 for the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43.

    ☀️ Dry: Michelin X Ice Snow vs Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43

    The Michelin X Ice Snow wins this category with an average rank of 6.7, compared to 11.0 for the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43.

    ❄️ Snow: Michelin X Ice Snow vs Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43

    The Michelin X Ice Snow wins this category with an average rank of 4.9, compared to 8.5 for the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43.

    🧊 Ice: Michelin X Ice Snow vs Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43

    The Michelin X Ice Snow wins this category with an average rank of 4.8, compared to 8.6 for the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Michelin X Ice Snow vs Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43

    The Michelin X Ice Snow wins this category with an average rank of 4.9, compared to 8.5 for the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43.

    🔋 Efficiency: Michelin X Ice Snow vs Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43

    The Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 wins this category with an average rank of 2.0, compared to 4.8 for the Michelin X Ice Snow.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Michelin X Ice Snow or Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Michelin X Ice Snow ranks higher on average than the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Michelin X Ice Snow averages a better dry-braking rank than the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Michelin X Ice Snow ranks better than the Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Michelin X Ice Snow appears in 10 independent tests, Nexen Winguard Ice Plus WH43 in 2, with 2 head-to-head tests where both were measured.

    Also compare

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