Winter is right around the corner and winter tires will be the perfect allies, to help ensure safe traction throughout the unpredictable cold season. If you are looking for performance without compromise, then Bridgestone Blizzak WS-90 vs Michelin X-Ice Snow tires should be at the top of your list, given that they are among the best for their category! Find out more about these two versatile models thanks to this detailed comparison.
How do Bridgestone Blizzak WS-90 vs Michelin X-Ice Snow tires compare?
It is difficult to find a list for best tires that does not include both of these models, as they compete for the top step on the podium! In fact, they are both winter tires with remarkable features, which place them among the best tires on the market.
It is also not surprising to find them in independent expert reviews and recommendations like Protégez-vous, among the latest The Car Guide[1] suggestions for 2023-2024 and so many more.
The Michelin X-Ice Snow tire is a model that was introduced back in 2020, and was specially made to replace the X-Ice Xi3 and Latitude X-Ice Xi2 models. Designed for improved winter performance, it also now focuses on compatibility with electric vehicles. If you drive an electric car, this is certainly one of the best choices.
This Michelin tire model offers a total of 144 dimensions ranging between 15- and 22- inches, making it suitable for the vast majority of touring cars, crossovers, SUVs and minivans. It comes with H and T speed ratings.
The Bridgestone Blizzak WS-90 tire is perfect for vehicles of the same category, although it is offered in dimensions ranging between 15- and 19- inches. It does, however, remain one of the most popular choices on the market! Just like the Michelin tire, it comes in H and T speed ratings.
Following in the Blizzak WS-80’s footprints, the WS-90 arrived in 2019 with improved performance levels and –mostly- superior durability compared to its predecessor.
Both models are among the best for their category, even if they go about it very differently! While Bridgestone relies on a symmetrical design with a wide central groove, Michelin prefers a V- shaped directional tread with sharp angles.
As we will see in greater detail below, these differences do translate into different qualities when it comes to road handling, and cater to different needs as well. Before we get into this, let’s take a closer look at their specs.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS-90: Specs
Even more resistant, reliable and with superior levels of performance than the previous generations, the WS-90 offers qualities like:
- A new tread compound
Very flexible, this new compound will provide you with even greater grip and control in colder temperatures. Moreover, it is designed with an improved contact surface with the road by reducing the void ratio, which means improved maneuverability and traction as well.
- The patented MultiCell technology
This technology integrates a hydrophilic compound that aspirates the water from under the tire, in order to improve grip and evacuate water more quickly. This allows the tire to provide you with shorter braking distances, including on water, ice and snow.
- 3D zigzag shaped sipes
In order to grip more aggressively onto rough road surfaces, the tire is equipped with 3D sipes and 15 % more block edges. This helps the tire brake more quickly, including on ice, among other things. In this all-new sipe design, the particles integrated into the tread work like studs.
- Blocks that are 30% more rigid
Built to last longer, the WS-90 is made with even more rigid blocks that help it last up to one full winter more than the WS-80! On top of improving durability, the blocks also contribute to better road handling and steering response.
The tire also offers a more balanced circumferential and lateral groove design that help evacuate water, snow and slush faster.
Michelin X-Ice Snow: Specs
The X-Ice Snow is just as remarkable. It also borrows some of its predecessors’ features, making it the ultimate winter tire:
- A Flex-Ice 2.0 tread compound
Silica based, this unique tread compound will provide you with a maximum of flexibility while also making the blocks even more rigid. Flexible even during extreme colds, it is also more rigid to provide you with even better traction and maneuverability in the snow.
- Two types of 3D sipes
Thanks to the full-depth sipe design and the numerous griping edges, this tire will provide you with optimal traction on snow and ice. It will grip into the road surface for a safe driving experience at all times. Moreover, thanks to the sipes’ depth, you will also enjoy high levels of performance throughout the tire’s entire lifespan.
- A more agressive V- shaped design
With a more aggressive design than the tire’s previous generations, this model evacuates water and snow more quickly, for greater resistance to aquaplaning. There are also wide V- shaped grooves and circumferential grooves that help evacuate water quickly.
- The Evergrip technology
Just as the name indicates, this technology will allow the tire to maintain traction levels throughout its entire lifespan. It combines a rigid polymer compound that acts like a sponge with added sipes that begin to appear as the tire begins to wear.
- Piano Acoustic Tuning technology
For a quieter driving experience, Michelin integrates this noise reduction technology, which consists of a polyurethane foam that helps reduce noises that form within the tread itself.
Choosing between the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-90 and the Michelin X-Ice Snow
So, which tire between the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-90 vs Michelin X-Ice Snow is the best one for you? By relying on independent testing completed by Top Tire Review[2], we will help you make a final decision.
On the one hand, the Blizzak WS-90 is a symmetrical tire with a wide contact surface and wide central grooves. These qualities make it a reactive tire that offers great performance on dry roads. On this type of surface, it ranks higher than the Michelin by offering better maneuverability and shorter braking distances.
This is also true for wet road surfaces: the wide groove design combined with a wide contact surface make it a very maneuverable tire that can brake very quickly even when the road is covered with water. The Michelin tire does offer good resistance to aquaplaning and is perfectly safe, but the Blizzak WS-90 truly stands out on wet and dry roads.
When it comes to driving on ice, both models come neck and neck. The Bridgestone tire offers braking distances that are a bit shorter, but the Michelin tire offers better accelerations.
The latter, however, stands out significantly on the snow, where it offers short braking distances –especially when driving at high speeds-, good accelerations and superior maneuverability. The aggressive V- shaped design certainly has something to do with these high levels of performance!
A low rolling resistance is also one of its strengths. The Bridgestone’s wider contact surface does also mean that it requires a bit more energy, while the Michelin Flex-Ice 2.0 tread compound is designed to reduce rolling resistance.
For this reason, the Michelin also stands out when it comes to durability, although the Bridgestone tire has significantly improved in this aspect. In both cases, you will be dealing with a durable model!
All in all, the SW-90 is ideal on dry and wet roads, while the Michelin tire stands out for the driving experience on snow, the low rolling resistance and the durability it offers. Both models excel on ice.
Comparing the driving experience
When shopping for premium tire models like those offered by Bridgestone and Michelin, we not only expect ultimate performance, but also an enjoyable driving experience.
With the Piano Acoustic Tuning technology, the X-Ice Snow manages to stop noise from forming within the grooves, even at high speeds. By doing so, it provides you with a quieter driving experience than its rival.
However, the Blizzak WS-90 stands out with a driving experience that is a bit more comfortable. With a wider contact surface and a lower void ratio, it does allow for less vibrations for an overall very smooth ride[3].
No matter which tire you choose, you will take advantage of a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience, no matter the road surfaces. When it comes to a quality ride, the scales do tip a little more on the Michelin side, with a tire that is particularly stable and reactive.
Whatever tire you prefer, you can purchase your next set of tires with blackcircles Canada. You will also enjoy quick shipping, which can be directly to your door or your favorite local garage!
[1] https://www.guideautoweb.com/en/articles/72267/best-winter-tires-top-picks-and-recommendations/
[2] https://toptirereview.com/bridgestone-blizzak-ws90-vs-michelin-x-ice-snow/
[3] https://tirehungry.com/comparing-bridgestone-blizzak-ws90-vs-michelin-x-ice-snow/
