Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3: Introducing the fierce face-off in the studded tire world: the all-new 2024 Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 is here, primed to dominate winter’s harshest challenges. But can it topple its formidable arch-rival, the Michelin X Ice North 4? The battle between these two titans promises unmatched grip and control—let’s see which one reigns supreme!
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Results : Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
The results were taken from Vi Bilagare 2024 studded tire test. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin X Ice North 4 vs Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin X Ice North 4 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. The handling criteria shown in the test are evaluated objectively through lap times except for dry handling.
Note that for subjective evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if tire A is graded 5 while tire B is graded 4, A is better than B by 5%. The tire size of interest is 225/45 R17 which is a common tire size for Audi A3 and the Hyundai Elantra. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Volkswagen Golf.
Ice
When it comes to studded tires, ice performance is the top priority—after all, metal crushes ice! In ice braking, the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 stops in just 11.03 meters, outperforming the Michelin X Ice North 4 by over 2 meters. For ice traction, the Blizzak Spike 3 again takes the lead, accelerating in 4.61 seconds compared to Michelin’s 5.66 seconds. However, in ice handling, both tires are closely matched, with the X Ice North 4 clocking in at 48.2 seconds and the Spike 3 just a fraction behind at 48.4 seconds.
Blizzak Spike 3 :
- +21% in ice braking
- +23% in ice traction
- ~0% in ice handling
Snow
In snow performance, the Michelin X Ice North 4 leads slightly in snow braking, stopping in 12.42 meters, just 0.26 meters shorter than the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3’s 12.68 meters. For snow traction, the X Ice North 4 again has a slight edge, accelerating to speed in 4.21 seconds compared to the Spike 3’s 4.4 seconds. In snow handling, Michelin holds the advantage as well, completing the course in 76.2 seconds, 0.9 seconds faster than Bridgestone’s 77.1 seconds.
Blizzak Spike 3 :
- -2% in snow braking
- -4% in snow traction
- -1% in snow handling
Wet
In wet conditions, tested without studs, the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 has a clear advantage in wet braking, stopping in 35.42 meters compared to Michelin X Ice North 4’s 37.27 meters, a difference of nearly 2 meters. For wet handling, Bridgestone also comes out slightly faster, completing the course in 41.7 seconds, edging out Michelin’s 42.1 seconds. In straight-line aquaplaning, Bridgestone again takes the lead, resisting hydroplaning up to 74 km/h, which is nearly 5 km/h faster than Michelin’s 69.2 km/h.
Blizzak Spike 3 :
- +5% in wet braking
- +1% in wet handling
- +7% in aquaplaning
Dry
In dry performance, the Michelin X Ice North 4 has a slight edge in dry braking, stopping in 33.26 meters compared to Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3’s 34.13 meters, making a difference of nearly 1 meter. In subjective dry handling, Michelin scores higher as well, with 5 points against Bridgestone’s 4 points out of 5, indicating better overall control and responsiveness on dry surfaces.
Blizzak Spike 3 :
- -3% in dry braking
- +5% in subjective dry handling
Noise
In exterior noise performance, the Michelin X Ice North 4 is quieter, producing 74.6 dB, which is 1.8 dB lower than the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3’s 76.4 dB. This makes Michelin the less noisy option, providing a smoother, quieter ride.
Blizzak Spike 3 :
- -2% in interior noise (+0.2 dB)
Fuel Consumption
In fuel consumption, the Michelin X Ice North 4 is slightly more efficient, using 5.5 liters per 100 km compared to the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3’s 5.55 liters per 100 km. This small difference gives Michelin a slight advantage in fuel economy.
Blizzak Spike 3 :
- -1% in fuel consumption
Price
In terms of price for the 225/45 R17 size, the Michelin X Ice North 4 and Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 are nearly identical, with the Blizzak Spike 3 priced just 1% higher at €318 compared to Michelin’s €316.
Tire size: 225/45 R17
- X Ice North 4 : € 316
- Blizzak Spike 3 : € 318
Difference: +1% more expensive for Blizzak Spike 3.
Conclusion
From my perspective as a tire expert, the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 stands out for its impressive ice performance. Its superior ice braking and traction capabilities make it a powerhouse in the studded tire segment, delivering the confidence and control needed on icy surfaces. While Michelin’s X Ice North 4 holds its own in other areas, Bridgestone’s strong showing on ice gives it a clear edge for those prioritizing peak ice performance.
Dr Edwin Pang