83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
89/100
24 professional tests
User signal (40%)
84/100
43 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Michelin Alpin 6 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
84
/ 100
Objective (60%)
89/100
19 professional tests
User signal (40%)
85/100
35 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 and Michelin Alpin 6 are within 2 points overall. Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is stronger on noise and snow. Michelin Alpin 6 is stronger on wet, handling and comfort.
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Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Alpin 6 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 81 | 80 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 89 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 95% | 95% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Alpin 6 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 79 | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 91 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 92% | 95% |
| Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best) | 73% | 86% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 43% | 96% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 97% | 99% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter Sport 5 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 79 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 91 | 81 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 97% | 97% |
| Snow Circle (% of best) | 99% | 99% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 77% | 91% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Alpin 6 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 90 | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 90 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter Sport 5 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 73 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 87 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Alpin 6 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Winter Sport 5 | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 84 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | Michelin Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 83 | 84 |
| Dry | 82 | 84 |
| Wet | 81 | 87 |
| Snow | 84 | 80 |
| Comfort | 87 | 90 |
| Noise | 78 | 73 |
| Treadwear | 87 | 87 |
| Handling | 79 | 84 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
83
/ 100
Tire A
84
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curved Aquaplaning | Curved | 98% #5/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 80% #15/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +17.6 | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #8/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 95% #5/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +0.5 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #9/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 98% #4/10 · 2020 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +0.7 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 85% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 83% #6/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +2.2 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 95% #1/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 100% #7/12 · 2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tyre Test | -5.2 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 92% #7/12 · 2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tyre Test | 95% #3/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -3.9 | Different tests |
| Abrasion | Other | 76% #16/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 61% #1/12 · 2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tyre Test | +15.4 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #19/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 96% #9/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | +3 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 91% #16/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 46% #11/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +45 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 56% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 87% #11/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -30.8 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 71% #3/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -28.6 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/51 · 2018 51 Winter Tyre Shootout | 14% #7/9 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +5.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 97% #3/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 97% #7/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | +0.1 | Different tests |
| Snow Circle | Snow | 99% #7/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 99% #5/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | +0.2 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% #11/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 98% #10/20 · 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +0.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 77% #10/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 91% #11/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -14.7 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 94% #7/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 96% #5/10 · 2020 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | -2.3 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 90% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Same test |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 70% #6/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 80% #6/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 80% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 90% #5/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -10 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 50% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 82% #3/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -32.2 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #9/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0% #13/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 92% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 95% #4/10 · 2020 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | -2.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | Wet | 73% #13/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 86% #5/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -12.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 43% #2/30 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 96% #10/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | -52.6 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% #6/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #4/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -2.4 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction and confidence-inspiring performance in deep snow, ice, and slush. While it excels in cold-weather environments, some users note that its soft sidewall construction can lead to a 'mushy' steering feel and reduced stability on dry pavement when temperatures rise above 10°C.
Pros
- Outstanding traction and braking performance on snow and ice
- Excellent longevity and slow tread wear
- High level of ride comfort and low road noise
- Strong resistance to hydroplaning in heavy rain and slush
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can cause unstable handling or 'squirming' in dry, warmer conditions
- Lack of effective rim protection despite marketing claims
- Steering response can feel lazy or imprecise on certain vehicle setups
- Performance noticeably degrades when ambient temperatures exceed 10-12°C
Observations
- Users with high-torque vehicles (e.g., Tesla Model 3, performance-oriented cars) reported that the tire can feel nervous or lack precision during hard acceleration.
- Drivers of heavier vehicles or those using wider tire formats noted that maintaining higher inflation pressures is often necessary to mitigate soft sidewall flex and improve steering feedback.
- The tire is highly regarded for AWD vehicles (e.g., Subaru Forester, Skoda Yeti), where it effectively complements the drivetrain's capability in deep snow.
The Michelin Alpin 6 is widely regarded as a premium, highly comfortable winter tire that excels in wet and dry cold-weather conditions. While many users praise its longevity and consistent performance, there is a notable divide in user experience regarding its deep snow and ice traction, with some drivers finding it less capable than key competitors like the Continental WinterContact series.
Pros
- Exceptional wet and dry road grip in cold temperatures
- High levels of ride comfort and low cabin noise
- Impressive tread life and long-term durability
- Stable and predictable handling on motorways
Cons
- Inconsistent performance in deep snow and on ice
- Some reports of sluggish steering feedback or 'soft' sidewall feel
- Higher price point compared to some performance-oriented winter alternatives
- Occasional reports of reduced traction after multiple seasons of use
Observations
- Users with RWD vehicles, such as the BMW 5 Series, noted excellent snow traction, though some experienced minor grip limitations during hard acceleration on dry pavement.
- Drivers using smaller rim sizes (e.g., 185/65-R15) reported highly positive feedback regarding handling and road feel compared to larger, more performance-oriented setups.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | B · Michelin Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
83
/ 100
Dunlop
84
/ 100
Michelin
Too close to call: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 and Michelin Alpin 6 are within 2 points overall. Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is stronger on noise and snow. Michelin Alpin 6 is stronger on wet, handling and comfort.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Alpin 6 scores 87 vs 81 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 78 vs 73 on noise.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Alpin 6 scores 84 vs 79 on handling.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 84 vs 80 on snow.
Tire A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Tire B · Michelin Alpin 6
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 also compared with
Michelin Alpin 6 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.