Michelin X Ice Snow SUV vs Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1: The battle for supremacy in the Nordic snow and studless tire segment is heating up with two heavyweights entering the ring: the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV and the Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1. Both tires promise exceptional performance on icy and snowy roads, but who truly reigns supreme? Dive into our in-depth comparison to discover which tire outperforms the other in this thrilling showdown. Michelin or Falken—which one is the ultimate winter warrior?
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Results: Michelin X Ice Snow SUV vs Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1
Results below were taken from the 2022 Vibilagare Best Studless Winter Tire Test. A total of 8 SUV specific tires were tested this time around with ice & snow testing included. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin X Ice Snow SUV vs Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1 based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin X Ice Snow SUV was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for the handling evaluation, lap times were used as an objective gauge to determine how well the tire performs while a subjective rating was only provided for dry handling. The tire size of interest is 235/55 R18 which is a common tire size for Jeep Grand Cherokee and Kia Sorento. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a Volvo XC40.
Ice
In the critical area of ice performance, which is the number one requirement for the Nordic snow and studless segment, the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV and the Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1 are closely matched. The Michelin X Ice Snow SUV outperforms in ice braking, stopping at 13.37 meters compared to the Falken’s 13.79 meters, a difference of 0.42 meters.
In ice traction, the Michelin again edges out the Falken, accelerating from 5 to 15 km/h in 3.05 seconds, slightly faster than the Falken’s 3.11 seconds. However, in ice handling, the Falken takes a narrow lead with a lap time of 40.89 seconds, just 0.06 seconds faster than the Michelin’s 40.95 seconds. Overall, both tires demonstrate impressive capabilities on ice, but each has its slight advantages.
Winterpeak F Snow 1:
- -3% in ice braking
- -2% in ice traction
- ~0% in ice handling (lap time)
Snow
When it comes to snow performance, the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV and the Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1 are again closely matched. In snow braking, the Michelin stops slightly shorter at 11.25 meters compared to the Falken’s 11.35 meters, a difference of 0.1 meters. In snow traction, the Michelin accelerates from 5 to 25 km/h in 2.74 seconds, just a bit faster than the Falken’s 2.77 seconds.
However, the Falken excels in snow handling with a lap time of 73.26 seconds, outperforming the Michelin’s 74.01 seconds by 0.75 seconds. Both tires exhibit strong snow performance, with each having slight edges in different areas.
Winterpeak F Snow 1:
- -1% in snow braking
- -1% in snow traction
- +1% in snow handling (lap time)
Wet
In wet performance, the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV and the Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1 display distinct differences. The Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1 excels in wet braking, stopping at 38.38 meters compared to the Michelin’s 40.76 meters, a difference of 2.38 meters. In wet handling, the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV completes a lap in 42.4 seconds, slightly faster than the Falken’s 42.63 seconds, showing better control. When it comes to straight-line aquaplaning, the Falken reaches a higher max slipping speed of 62.1 km/h, just edging out the Michelin’s 61.9 km/h. This highlights the Falken’s superior performance in wet conditions overall, though the Michelin shows better handling on wet surfaces.
Winterpeak F Snow 1:
- +6% in wet braking
- -1% in wet handling (lap time)
- ~0% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In dry performance, which is generally a weak point for this segment due to the tires’ soft compounds, the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV and the Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1 show notable differences. The Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1 stops slightly shorter in dry braking, achieving 33.59 meters compared to the Michelin’s 34.46 meters, a difference of 0.87 meters. However, in subjective dry handling, the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV scores significantly higher with 4 out of 10 points, while the Falken only manages 2 out of 10 points. This highlights the Michelin’s superior handling feel on dry roads, despite both tires generally performing worse in dry conditions due to their design for ice and snow.
Winterpeak F Snow 1:
- +3% in dry braking
- -10% in dry handling (subj)
Noise
In terms of exterior noise performance, the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV and the Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1 are very close. The Michelin X Ice Snow SUV produces 74.9 dB of noise, slightly quieter than the Falken’s 75.1 dB, a difference of just 0.2 dB. This minor difference means both tires are nearly identical in noise levels, providing a comparable experience in terms of exterior noise.
Winterpeak F Snow 1:
- ~0% in exterior noise (+0.2 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance performance, the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV outperforms the Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1. The Michelin has a rolling resistance of 5.79 N/kN, which is lower compared to the Falken’s 6.19 N/kN, indicating the Michelin offers better fuel efficiency and less energy loss while driving. This 0.4 N/kN difference highlights the Michelin’s superior performance in minimizing rolling resistance.
Winterpeak F Snow 1:
- -6% in rolling resistance
Price
When comparing prices for the 235/55 R18 tire size, the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV costs $216, while the Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1 is priced at $194. This makes the Winterpeak F Snow 1 approximately 11% cheaper than the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV.
Tire size: 235/55 R18
Difference: -11% more cheaper for Winterpeak F Snow 1.
Summary
As a tire expert, I can say both the Michelin X Ice Snow SUV and the Falken Winterpeak F Snow 1 have their distinct advantages. The Michelin excels in ice and snow traction, dry handling, and offers better fuel efficiency with its lower rolling resistance. On the other hand, the Falken performs better in wet braking and straight-line aquaplaning, and it’s also 11% more affordable. Each tire brings unique strengths to the table, making either a solid choice depending on your specific driving needs and budget.
Dr Edwin Pang