Winter tire Winter Ultra High Performance tires Updated September 2026
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 review
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is a sporty directional tire for high-performance passenger vehicles, designed for intensive use during the coldest months of the year. They feature steering stability in snow, excellent maneuverability in dry conditions, and effective braking on wet asphalt, as well as ride comfort and optimum fuel consumption. New for the Winter 2017/18 season.
Relative score
83/100
tests + owners
Owner reviews
86/100
29 reviews
Road tests
94/100
23 published tests
Owners rate it 8.3 points lower than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.
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
85.9%
Would buy again
82%
Dry
Wet
Snow & ice
Comfort
Treadwear
Handling
By road tests
94.2%By discipline (% of best in test)
From owners
What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 29 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Test results
23 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
The BEST Performance Winter tires for 2024 / 2025 · 235/35 R19
1st of 6
Best: Ice Traction · 1st
Weakest: Straight Aqua · 5th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 6 | |
| Dry Handling | 2nd of 6 | |
| Snow Traction | 2nd of 6 | |
| Snow Handling | 3rd of 6 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 6 | |
| Straight Aqua | 5th of 6 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 3rd of 6 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 2nd of 6 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 6 | |
| Ice Traction | 1st of 6 |
2025 High Performance Winter tire Test · 275/35 R19
1st of 6
Best: Dry Braking · 1st
Weakest: Snow Traction · 6th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 6 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 6 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 6 | |
| Dry Handling | 2nd of 6 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 6 | |
| Snow Traction | 6th of 6 | |
| Snow Handling | 3rd of 6 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 6 | |
| Noise | 1st of 6 |
2025 AZ Performance Winter tire Test · 245/45 R19
2nd of 10
Best: Dry Braking · 1st
Weakest: Value · 6th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 4th of 10 | |
| Wet Circle | 4th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 4th of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 2nd of 10 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd of 10 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st of 10 | |
| Noise | 4th of 10 | |
| Value | 6th of 10 | |
| Wear | 1st of 10 | |
| Abrasion | 1st of 10 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 4th of 10 |
2025 Autobild Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18
1st of 20
Best: Dry Braking · 1st
Weakest: Value · 19th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 2nd of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 4th of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 9th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 2nd of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 10th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 12th of 20 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 15th of 20 | |
| Noise | 1st of 20 | |
| Value | 19th of 20 | |
| Wear | 9th of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 16th of 20 |
2025 Winter tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! · 225/40 R18
2nd of 51
Best: Wet Braking · 2nd
Weakest: Snow Braking · 4th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 51 | |
| Snow Braking | 4th of 51 |
2025 ADAC Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18
2nd of 31
Best: Dry Braking · 1st
Weakest: Fuel Consumption · 26th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 31 | |
| Wet Circle | 22nd of 31 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 31 | |
| Snow Braking | 3rd of 31 | |
| Snow Traction | 3rd of 31 | |
| Ice Braking | 8th of 31 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 31 | |
| Noise | 6th of 31 | |
| Wear | 4th of 31 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 26th of 31 | |
| Abrasion | 2nd of 31 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 5th of 31 |
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter tire Test · 245/45 R18
1st of 12
Best: Dry Braking · 1st
Weakest: Wet Braking · 5th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 12 | |
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 12 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 12 | |
| Dry Handling | 1st of 12 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 12 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 12 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 12 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 12 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 12 | |
| Noise | 1st of 12 |
2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter tire Test · 235/35 R19
1st of 10
Best: Dry Handling · 1st
Weakest: Noise · 8th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 1st of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 2nd of 10 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 3rd of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 5th of 10 | |
| Noise | 8th of 10 |
2023 Tyre Reviews Winter tire Test · 225/45 R18
1st of 11
Best: Dry Handling · 1st
Weakest: Price · 11th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 2nd of 11 | |
| Dry Handling | 1st of 11 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 11 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 11 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th of 11 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 11 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st of 11 | |
| Price | 11th of 11 |
2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter tire Test · 255/40 R19
2nd of 6
Best: Dry Handling · 1st
Weakest: Price · 6th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 6 | |
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 6 | |
| Wet Circle | 3rd of 6 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 6 | |
| Dry Handling | 1st of 6 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 6 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 6 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 6 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 6 | |
| Straight Aqua | 5th of 6 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 5th of 6 | |
| Noise | 3rd of 6 | |
| Value | 4th of 6 | |
| Price | 6th of 6 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 4th of 6 | |
| Wet Braking - Worn | 5th of 6 | |
| Wet Braking - Cool | 4th of 6 |
2023 Sport Auto Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18
3rd of 9
Best: Dry Braking · 1st
Weakest: Price · 9th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 9 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 9 | |
| Wet Circle | 6th of 9 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 2nd of 9 | |
| Snow Braking | 4th of 9 | |
| Snow Traction | 2nd of 9 | |
| Snow Handling | 3rd of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd of 9 | |
| Straight Aqua | 5th of 9 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 7th of 9 | |
| Noise | 1st of 9 | |
| Price | 9th of 9 | |
| Snow Slalom | 5th of 9 |
2023 Sports Cars Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18
2nd of 11
Best: Snow Braking · 1st
Weakest: Wet Braking · 9th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 9th of 11 | |
| Wet Handling | 4th of 11 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 11 | |
| Dry Handling | 2nd of 11 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 11 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 11 | |
| Snow Handling | 2nd of 11 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd of 11 | |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd of 11 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 9th of 11 | |
| Noise | 1st of 11 | |
| Snow Slalom | 2nd of 11 |
2023 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 225/45 R18
1st of 20
Best: Wet Circle · 1st
Weakest: Value · 17th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 2nd of 20 | |
| Wet Circle | 1st of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 2nd of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 12th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 10th of 20 | |
| Noise | 1st of 20 | |
| Value | 17th of 20 | |
| Wear | 5th of 20 | |
| Snow Slalom | 3rd of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 17th of 20 |
2023 Winter tire Test 54 Set Braking Test · 225/45 R18
2nd of 54
Best: Snow Braking · 2nd
Weakest: Wet Braking · 4th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 54 | |
| Snow Braking | 2nd of 54 |
2022 Sports Car UHP Winter tire Test · 245/40 R19
4th of 9
Best: Dry Handling · 1st
Weakest: Price · 9th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 9 | |
| Wet Handling | 4th of 9 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 1st of 9 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 9 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 9 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 9 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 9 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 9 | |
| Price | 9th of 9 |
2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter tire Test · 225/45 R19
1st of 10
Best: Dry Braking · 1st
Weakest: Price · 10th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 10 | |
| Wet Circle | 6th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 2nd of 10 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 10 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 10 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 10 | |
| Noise | 1st of 10 | |
| Price | 10th of 10 |
2022 AMS Winter tire Test · 245/45 R19
1st of 8
Best: Dry Braking · 1st
Weakest: Price · 8th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 8 | |
| Dry Handling | 3rd of 8 | |
| Snow Braking | 3rd of 8 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 8 | |
| Snow Handling | 2nd of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 5th of 8 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 8 | |
| Price | 8th of 8 |
2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter tire Test · 245/40 R18
2nd of 13
Best: Dry Braking · 1st
Weakest: Price · 13th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 13 | |
| Wet Handling | 2nd of 13 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 13 | |
| Dry Handling | 1st of 13 | |
| Snow Braking | 5th of 13 | |
| Snow Traction | 8th of 13 | |
| Snow Handling | 3rd of 13 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 13 | |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd of 13 | |
| Noise | 3rd of 13 | |
| Price | 13th of 13 |
2021 Tyre Reviews Winter tire Test · 225/40 R18
2nd of 9
Best: Dry Handling · 1st
Weakest: Price · 9th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 4th of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 1st of 9 | |
| Snow Traction | 1st of 9 | |
| Snow Handling | 1st of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 9 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 9 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 7th of 9 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 4th of 9 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 9 | |
| Price | 9th of 9 | |
| Snow Circle | 1st of 9 |
The Best Winter tires for 2020 · 205/55 R16
11th of 19
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2020 ADAC Winter tire Test - 235/55 R17 · 235/55 R17
1st of 13
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter tire Test · 245/45 R18
1st of 20
Best: Dry Braking · 1st
Weakest: Value · 19th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 2nd of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 2nd of 20 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 20 | |
| Snow Traction | 5th of 20 | |
| Snow Handling | 10th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 8th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 14th of 20 | |
| Noise | 3rd of 20 | |
| Value | 19th of 20 | |
| Wear | 1st of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 15th of 20 |
2020 Winter tire Market Overview - 52 tire Braking Test · 245/45 R18
2nd of 48
Best: Snow Braking · 1st
Weakest: Wet Braking · 4th
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 48 | |
| Snow Braking | 1st of 48 |
Our review
About the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
The Michelin Pilot Alpin PA5 studless tires replace the 2011 Pilot Alpin PA4. The asymmetric pattern of its predecessor was replaced by an asymmetric directional pattern - the "classics of the genre" for winter tires. This has improved the fifth-generation model's traction in wet and snowy conditions.
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 tread design helps you confidently overcome snowy stretches of road, which is aided by the tire's negative profile, represented by numerous wide drainage grooves.
The Pilot Alpin 5's tread beads are dotted with a new type of lamellas, says TireWheelGuide's technical specialist. Their unique shape helps to reduce the deformation of blocks during high-speed driving, which, in turn, positively affects the vehicle's handling on winter surfaces.
Head-to-head