Winter tire Winter Premium Touring tires Updated September 2026
Michelin Alpin 6 review
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.
Relative score
84/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
85/100
35 reviews
Road tests
90/100
30 published tests
Scores
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
85%
Would buy again
85%
Dry
Wet
Snow & ice
Comfort
Treadwear
Handling
By road tests
89.5%By discipline (% of best in test)
From owners
What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 35 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Test results
30 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2024 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
5th of 20
Best: Wear · 1st
Weakest: Value · 18th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 7th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 11th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 13th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 11th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 16th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 9th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 16th of 20 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 15th of 20 | |
| Noise | 8th of 20 | |
| Value | 18th of 20 | |
| Wear | 1st of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 12th of 20 |
2024 All Season and Winter tire Test · 215/55 R17
9th of 10
Best: Snow Braking · 2nd
Weakest: Wet Handling · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 10th of 10 | |
| Wet Circle | 10th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 9th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 8th of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 2nd of 10 | |
| Snow Traction | 5th of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 3rd of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 7th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 10 | |
| Noise | 9th of 10 | |
| Snow Circle | 5th of 10 |
The Best Studded / Friction Winter tires for 2024 · 225/50 R17
5th of 17
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
3rd of 12
Best: Snow Traction · 1st
Weakest: Ice Braking · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 12 | |
| Dry Braking | 7th of 12 | |
| Snow Braking | 8th of 12 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 12 | |
| Ice Braking | 10th of 12 | |
| Straight Aqua | 8th of 12 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 8th of 12 | |
| Noise | 9th of 12 | |
| Wear | 1st of 12 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 7th of 12 | |
| Abrasion | 1st of 12 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 3rd of 12 |
2024 Winter 55 tire Braking Test · 205/55 R16
5th of 55
Best: Wet Braking · 7th
Weakest: Snow Braking · 15th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 55 | |
| Snow Braking | 15th of 55 |
2023 ADAC 16 Inch tire Test · 205/60 R16
2nd of 16
Best: Abrasion · 1st
Weakest: Curved Aquaplaning · 15th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 16 | |
| Dry Braking | 4th of 16 | |
| Snow Braking | 14th of 16 | |
| Snow Traction | 3rd of 16 | |
| Ice Braking | 3rd of 16 | |
| Straight Aqua | 14th of 16 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 15th of 16 | |
| Noise | 7th of 16 | |
| Wear | 2nd of 16 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 9th of 16 | |
| Abrasion | 1st of 16 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 5th of 16 |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
2nd of 15
Best: Abrasion · 1st
Weakest: Fuel Consumption · 13th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 15 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 15 | |
| Snow Braking | 8th of 15 | |
| Snow Traction | 4th of 15 | |
| Ice Braking | 3rd of 15 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 15 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 10th of 15 | |
| Noise | 9th of 15 | |
| Value | 6th of 15 | |
| Wear | 3rd of 15 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 13th of 15 | |
| Abrasion | 1st of 15 |
2022 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 215/55 R17
2nd of 20
Best: Wet Braking · 2nd
Weakest: Price · 19th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 4th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 14th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 7th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 11th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 11th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 11th of 20 | |
| Noise | 16th of 20 | |
| Value | 13th of 20 | |
| Price | 19th of 20 | |
| Wear | 2nd of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 9th of 20 |
2022 Winter tire Market Overview · 215/55 R17
3rd of 56
Best: Wet Braking · 2nd
Weakest: Snow Braking · 16th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 56 | |
| Snow Braking | 16th of 56 |
2022 ADAC SUV Winter tire Test - 215/60 R16 · 215/60 R16
4th of 17
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2022 ADAC Winter tire Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15
4th of 15
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
7th of 9
Best: Subj. Comfort · 1st
Weakest: Noise · 9th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 6th of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 8th of 9 | |
| Snow Traction | 4th of 9 | |
| Snow Handling | 5th of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 8th of 9 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 9 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 3rd of 9 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st of 9 | |
| Noise | 9th of 9 | |
| Price | 7th of 9 |
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
3rd of 8
Best: Snow Traction · 1st
Weakest: Dry Handling · 8th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 8 | |
| Dry Handling | 8th of 8 | |
| Snow Braking | 7th of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 3rd of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 8 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 3rd of 8 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 3rd of 8 | |
| Noise | 4th of 8 | |
| Price | 8th of 8 |
2021 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
4th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2021 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
2nd of 20
Best: Dry Braking · 2nd
Weakest: Price · 20th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 8th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 11th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 15th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 2nd of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 10th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 14th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 10th of 20 | |
| Noise | 7th of 20 | |
| Value | 15th of 20 | |
| Price | 20th of 20 | |
| Wear | 2nd of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 13th of 20 |
2021 AMS Winter tire Test · 195/55 R16
5th of 10
Best: Dry Braking · 1st
Weakest: Snow Braking · 9th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 9th of 10 | |
| Snow Traction | 7th of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 7th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 8th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 10 | |
| Noise | 3rd of 10 | |
| Price | 9th of 10 |
2021 ADAC 15 Inch Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17
3rd of 16
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2021 ADAC 17 Inch Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17
1st of 18
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2021 Winter tire Market Overview · 205/55 R16
12th of 49
Best: Wet Braking · 7th
Weakest: Snow Braking · 19th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 49 | |
| Snow Braking | 19th of 49 |
The Best Winter tires for 2020 · 205/55 R16
8th of 19
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2020 Auto Zeitung Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
5th of 14
Best: Subj. Comfort · 1st
Weakest: Straight Aqua · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 14 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 14 | |
| Snow Braking | 8th of 14 | |
| Snow Traction | 5th of 14 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 14 | |
| Straight Aqua | 10th of 14 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 9th of 14 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st of 14 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 3rd of 14 | |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 6th of 14 |
2020 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
4th of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2020 ACE Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17
5th of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2020 Auto Bild SUV Winter tire Test · 225/55 R17
3rd of 10
Best: Dry Braking · 2nd
Weakest: Noise · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 4th of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 9th of 10 | |
| Snow Traction | 8th of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 8th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 5th of 10 | |
| Noise | 10th of 10 |
2020 ADAC Winter tire Test - 205/55 R16 · 205/55 R16
2nd of 15
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2019 Auto Center Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16
3rd of 10
Best: Wet Braking · 1st
Weakest: Snow Traction · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 8th of 10 | |
| Snow Traction | 10th of 10 | |
| Ice Braking | 5th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 9th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 10 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st of 10 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 4th of 10 | |
| Ice Traction | 5th of 10 | |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 6th of 10 |
2019 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17
3rd of 12
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch tire Test · 225/45 R17
3rd of 20
Best: Wear · 1st
Weakest: Price · 20th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 12th of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 14th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 13th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 14th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 10th of 20 | |
| Noise | 12th of 20 | |
| Value | 11th of 20 | |
| Price | 20th of 20 | |
| Wear | 1st of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 13th of 20 |
2019 Winter tire Test Market Overview · 225/45 R17
3rd of 45
Best: Wet Braking · 2nd
Weakest: Snow Braking · 14th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 45 | |
| Snow Braking | 14th of 45 |
2019 AMS Winter SUV tire Test · 215/55 R17
5th of 11
Best: Subj. Wet Handling · 2nd
Weakest: Price · 11th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 11 | |
| Wet Handling | 4th of 11 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 11 | |
| Dry Handling | 7th of 11 | |
| Snow Braking | 7th of 11 | |
| Snow Handling | 10th of 11 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 11 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 11 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 3rd of 11 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 5th of 11 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 2nd of 11 | |
| Noise | 8th of 11 | |
| Price | 11th of 11 | |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 5th of 11 |
Head-to-head