83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
93/100
29 professional tests
User signal (40%)
87/100
28 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 — 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
83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
94/100
21 professional tests
User signal (40%)
86/100
29 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is stronger on noise. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger on dry.
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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)
Pilot Alpin 5 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 90 | 94 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 90 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 97% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 100% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 91 | 90 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 90% | 96% |
| Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best) | 87% | 70% |
| Wet Braking - Cool (% of best) | 92% | 97% |
| Wet Braking - Worn (% of best) | 79% | 88% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 99% | 97% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 99% | 98% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Pilot Alpin 5 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 79 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 88 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 94% | 100% |
| Snow Circle (% of best) | 98% | 94% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 98% | 93% |
| Snow Slalom (% of best) | 97% | 99% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 78% | 100% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Pilot Alpin 5 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 81 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 59 | 47 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 870 P leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 88 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Pilot Alpin 5 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 870 P | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 89 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 83 | 83 |
| Dry | 89 | 92 |
| Wet | 86 | 86 |
| Snow | 82 | 83 |
| Comfort | 85 | 87 |
| Noise | 59 | 47 |
| Treadwear | 89 | 88 |
| Handling | 88 | 89 |
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
83
/ 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 | 85% #4/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | 57% #5/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | +28 | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 97% #4/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | -2.5 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 100% #1/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | +1 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 84% #2/7 · 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test | 94% #2/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 98% #12/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 97% #26/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | +1.6 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 84% #27/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 93% #8/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | -9.3 | Same test |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 100% #6/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | 85% #1/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | +15.4 | Same test |
| Abrasion | Other | 68% #3/10 · 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | 57% #2/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | +11.4 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #5/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | 95% #2/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | +3.2 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 94% #9/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 100% #11/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -5.8 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 87% #17/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | 94% #19/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -6.9 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 73% #17/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -26.7 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -50 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 94% #8/10 · 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | -5.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Circle | Snow | 98% #8/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | 94% #1/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +4.6 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% #8/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 93% #1/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +5 | Different tests |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 97% #5/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -2.1 | Same test |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 78% #5/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 100% #2/6 · The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | -21.2 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 94% #8/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 96% #4/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | -2.3 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 100% #3/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 90% #4/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +10 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #14/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0% #15/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 90% #6/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 96% #2/6 · 2025 High Performance Winter Tyre Test | -5.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | Wet | 87% #7/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 70% #5/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | +17.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking - Cool | Wet | 92% #2/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | 97% #4/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | -5 | Same test |
| Wet Braking - Worn | Wet | 79% #3/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | 88% #5/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | -9.5 | Same test |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 99% #3/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 97% #6/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +2.2 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% #7/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/12 · 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | +1 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is widely regarded as a premium, highly balanced winter tire that excels in wet and slushy conditions while offering exceptional comfort and low noise levels. Most users report high levels of confidence in varied winter weather, though a small minority of users report inconsistent performance in severe snow and ice, and some note that steering response is less sharp than dedicated performance-focused alternatives.
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
- High levels of cabin comfort and low road noise
- Strong, predictable grip on snow and slush
- Good balance of dry handling and rolling resistance
- Solid tread life and durability for a performance winter tire
Cons
- Premium price point compared to competitors
- Steering feel can be perceived as 'soft' or 'jelly' compared to summer tires
- Performance can drop off in temperatures above 8-10°C
- Inconsistent feedback regarding extreme ice traction
Observations
- EV and hybrid owners frequently praise the tire for its low rolling resistance and quiet operation.
- Drivers of high-performance RWD vehicles report that while the tire provides excellent grip, it may feel less stiff and sharp during aggressive cornering compared to summer counterparts.
- Users on larger wheel diameters (20-inch) report that the tire maintains high comfort levels without sacrificing handling.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is widely regarded as a premier Ultra-High Performance (UHP) winter tire, excelling in dry and wet handling while maintaining strong snow traction. While it offers a driving experience comparable to summer tires, some users find it sacrifices ride comfort and noise levels for its sporty, responsive characteristics.
Pros
- Exceptional dry and wet road handling
- Strong traction and stability in snow
- High level of steering feedback and responsiveness
- Excellent tread wear longevity for a performance tire
Cons
- Mediocre performance on pure ice
- Noticeable road noise and humming at highway speeds
- Stiffer ride quality compared to comfort-oriented winter tires
- Poor performance in deep slush
Observations
- Drivers of heavy vehicles, such as the Audi A8L, report excellent lateral stability but note that braking on hard-packed snow can be compromised compared to dedicated Nordic-style winter tires.
- Users with staggered wheel setups (e.g., 225 front/255 rear) have reported increased cabin noise and resonance at highway speeds.
- Performance enthusiasts note that the tire's sidewall design and responsiveness make it ideal for spirited driving, though it may feel 'bumpy' on uneven road surfaces.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | B · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
83
/ 100
Continental
83
/ 100
Michelin
Too close to call: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 are within 2 points overall. Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is stronger on noise. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger on dry.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 59 vs 47 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 92 vs 89 on dry.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P also compared with
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 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.