Michelin Unveils X-Ice Snow+ Winter Tire
Michelin North America Inc. has launched the new Michelin X-Ice Snow+ "to meet the needs of drivers in unpredictable winter weather."
The X-Ice Snow+ is built for CUVs, SUVs, sedans, pickup trucks, electric vehicles and hybrids "and will be available for dealers to order ahead of the 2026 winter selling season," starting in May 2026, say Michelin officials.
"For more than 130 years, Michelin has continued to push the boundaries of innovation by improving our technologies to meet the needs of mobility across the globe,” says Omer Waysman, vice president of B2C marketing, Michelin North America.
“With the new Michelin X-Ice Snow+ tire, we have taken everything drivers loved about the previous generation tire and improved key areas. This new tire delivers excellent winter performance, longer-lasting durability and greater efficiency, giving drivers a dependable advantage when the weather is at its worst.”
Michelin officials say the X-Ice Snow+ is the company's "best winter tire for optimizing braking across ice, snow, wet and dry conditions, thanks to its advanced FLEX-ICE 3.0
tread compound.
"Whether navigating freezing rain, deep snow or black ice, drivers can count on the Michelin X-Ice Snow+ tire to help maintain control when the weather does not cooperate.
"In addition, the tire’s proven winter tread pattern helps prevent drivers from getting stuck when conditions worsen. On slick, icy corners, the tire’s strong lateral grip boosts both stability and control. Drivers can enjoy fuel savings or extended EV range without compromising on winter traction."
The new X-Ice Snow+ also features Michelin's Piano Acoustic Tuning Technology, a proprietary system that reduces road noise for a quiet, more comfortable ride.
The tire - which was unveiled this week at a ride-and-drive event near Montreal, Quebec - replaces the Michelin X-Ice Snow, a product that was introduced six years ago.
"Winter is an important market," Waysman told MTD. "That's why we wanted to come out with a better product to provide drivers with the best possible tire."
Waysman said that in both the U.S. and Canada, "we see the winter (tire) market going up. That's definitely an area where we want to continue to invest.
"The all-weather category is growing, especially in the U.S. Despite that, I think the winter category is very specific. To be able to improve your performance on snow and ice, you definitely need to have the best possible winter tires. That's why we believe innovation in (the winter tire) segment will not stop. Innovation is at the heart of our DNA. With the X-Ice Snow+, we really wanted to step up our game."