Pirelli Ice Zero FR vs Michelin X-Ice Snow: In our Nordic segment we have covered the top 3 brands product such as Continental Viking Contact 7, Michelin X-Ice Snow & Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3. This time around we would like to look at another premium brand Pirelli and its Ice Zero FR. This tireline was launch in 2015, which makes it one of the oldest tire among the top premium brands for this segment. It is up against Michelin’s X-Ice Snow was recently launch in 2020, giving it a gap of 5 years between the each other. We will use the test magazine results of 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tire Test as our basis for comparison.
The graph above shows the comparison between Pirelli Ice Zero FR vs Michelin X-Ice Snow based on the relevant performance category. The Ice Zero FR was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for handling evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if the tire A is graded 4 while tire B is graded 3, A is better than B by 5%. The natural scaling does not really make sense in evaluation whereby the max number is 5. The tire size chosen for the test is a 205/60R16 which is commonly used by Mazda 3 and Ford Focus.
Table of Contents
Ice
As Ice comes in many forms (rough, smooth, black) it can be really tricky to measure. Nonetheless Ice forms a key requirement when it comes to driving in a Nordic country during winter. As the usage conditions are usually lower than -10°C, tricky ice conditions are widely present outside of the cities. Interesting to find out from the test that the X-Ice snow slightly edges past Ice Zero FR in braking but totally lost out during the ice handling test. It is quite obvious that apart from “braking”, there are other factors you need to perform at a high level to make the whole system to tick.
Michelin X-Ice Snow:
- +1.2% in ice braking
- -5.9% in ice handling
Snow
Only 0.4m separated the best and worst tire in the test hence the margin is extremely close. Both tires performed fairly well with the Ice Zero FR only marginally ahead by 0.5%
Michelin X-Ice Snow:
- -0.6% in snow braking
- -0.5% in snow handling
Wet
Ice Zero FR has a higher wet label class “D” vs the “E” class rating of X-ice Snow hence it was not surprising that we saw a -5.9% deficit from X-ice snow against the Ice Zero FR. With superior wet braking capabilities, Ice Zero FR also was 1.3% better in the wet handling category. As known from previous comparison, the X-Ice Snow maintains its advantage when it comes to aquaplaning.
Michelin X-Ice Snow:
- -5.9% in wet braking
- -1.3% in wet handling
- +3.2% in aquaplaning
Dry
Dry was dominated by Ice Zero FR where it was shown that it better both in braking and handling. Dry braking is definitely one the main weakness point of X-Ice snow as it finished 2nd from the bottom.
Michelin X-Ice Snow:
- -3.8% in dry braking
- -5% in dry handling
Rolling Resistance
As both the X-Ice Snow & Ice Zero FR has a label “C” in rolling resistance, we expect quite a close ranking relative to each other. The results shown otherwise, with X-ice Snow being 3.7% better in rolling resistance. Clearly the C label has a quite huge range which makes not all “C” label tires equal.
Michelin X-Ice Snow:
- +3.7% in rolling resistance
Noise & Comfort
X-Ice Snow scored a subjective level of 3/5 while the Ice Zero FR did 1 point higher landing in at 4/5.
Michelin X-Ice Snow:
- -5% in noise & comfort
Price
Based on the test report, the prices of the tires were also noted down.
Tire size: 205/60 R16
Ice Zero FR: € 132
X-Ice Snow: € 152
Difference: +15% more expensive for Michelin X-Ice Snow:
Summary
Apart from rolling resistance, ice braking & aquaplaning, Ice Zero FR was stronger in every other categories. With a strong wet braking, & overall good winter performances against the Michelin X-Ice Snow, Ice Zero FR is our winner in this round !