Michelin Alpin 6 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- TR Score
- 9.1/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 35
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 80% · 3
In the 10 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Alpin 6 finished ahead 6 times and the Cinturato Winter 2 3 times, with one level. The Alpin 6 lasted 26.4% longer in the wear tests; the Cinturato Winter 2 lapped the wet handling course 0.8% faster.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Alpin 6 if you want the most dependable all-round winter tire with clearly superior projected wear and typically better efficiency-ideal for high annual mileage, long commutes, and value-over-time. Choose the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 if your priority is a quieter, often cheaper tire with engaging winter-road handling and competitive wet braking-best for drivers who value refinement and feel and don't expect maximum tread life.
Where the Alpin 6 is stronger
- Class-leading predicted mileage/wear in multiple tests (e.g., 50,500 km vs 38,700 km; 53,200 km vs 34,000 km)
- Strong efficiency/eco credentials: often lower rolling resistance and lower abrasion (e.g., ADAC abrasion 48 vs 79 mg/km/t)
- Consistently balanced performance across dry/wet/snow with frequent high overall placings (e.g., ADAC 2024: 3/12; Auto Bild 2024: 5/23)
Where the Cinturato Winter 2 is stronger
- Quieter running in many comparisons (wins noise category frequently; e.g., 70.9 dB vs 71.9 dB in ADAC 2024)
- Often lower purchase price in like-for-like tests (e.g., 735 vs 915 in 2024 215/55 R17; also cheaper in several other datasets)
- Competitive wet-road security metrics in several tests, including wet braking wins and strong straight aquaplaning speed (e.g., 80.6-80.9 km/h advantages)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Alpin 6 vs Cinturato Winter 2 at a glance
| Category | Alpin 6 | Gap | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won10 shared tests | 6 | 1 level | 3 |
| Dry14 measurements | 7 | The Alpin 6 averaged a 0.7% higher speed on the dry handling course (2 tests) | 6 |
| Wet33 measurements | 16 | Level between the two. | 16 |
| Snow26 measurements | 10 | The Cinturato Winter 2 averaged a 1.1% higher speed on the snow handling course (2 tests) | 11 |
| Ice2 measurements | 1 | Level between the two. | 1 |
| Comfort9 measurements | 0 | The Cinturato Winter 2 was 0.5 dB quieter (7 tests) | 5 |
| Value13 measurements | 9 | The Alpin 6 lasted 26.4% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) | 3 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.1/10 | The Cinturato Winter 2 by 0.2 | 9.3/10 |
| Owner rating35 and 3 reviews | 85% | The Alpin 6 by 5 points | 80% |
| Pricein the 6 tests that listed prices | +12.8% | The Alpin 6 was dearer in 5 of 6 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 42 | 24 sizes made in both | 41 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 10 tests, 2022 to 2024
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Alpin 6 | Field | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P5 of 20 | P13 of 20 | |
| 2024 All Season and Winter Tire Test | P6 of 10 | P4 of 10 | |
| The Best Studded / Friction Winter Tires for 2024 | P2 of 5 | P3 of 5 | |
| 2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tire Test | P3 of 12 | P11 of 12 | |
| 2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test | P5 of 55 | P4 of 55 | |
| 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test | P2 of 15 | P12 of 15 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P1 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2022 Winter Tire Market Overview | P3 of 56 | P5 of 56 | |
| 2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test | P7 of 9 | P4 of 9 | |
| 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test | P3 of 8 | P7 of 8 |
Performance profile
24 measurements from the 10 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Alpin 6
Cinturato Winter 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 92%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 3 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Alpin 6
Cinturato Winter 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Alpin 6
Cinturato Winter 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Alpin 6 85% from 35 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 2 80% from 3. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Alpin 6 | Gap | Cinturato Winter 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 143 | 0.4% | 143 | 3-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73.13 | 0.1% | 73.03 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72 | 0.7% | 71.5 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 3.4% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 142 | 0.1% | 142 | 4-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 128 | 0.3% | 128 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 93.57 | 0.8% | 92.77 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 45.7 | 0.2% | 45.8 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.2% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.52 | 0.8% | 12.41 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 48.3 | = | 48.3 | 3-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.2 | 6.6% | 11.4 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 77 | 0.7% | 78 | 4-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.1 | = | 5.1 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 433 | 1% | 429 | 4-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 88.27 | 0.6% | 88.77 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 34.9 | 1.1% | 35.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 23% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 15.1 | 0.7% | 15.2 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.3 | 3% | 11.6 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 66 | 3.8% | 64 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.96 | 0.5 dB | 71.46 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 31,944 | 26.4% | 25,673 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.49 | 2% | 8.67 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.5 | 0.9% | 5.45 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 52 | 31.7% | 76.45 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Alpin 6 scores 9.1 and the Cinturato Winter 2 9.3 out of 10.
| Alpin 6 | Category | Cinturato Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | Dry | 65 | ||
| 88 | Wet | 90 | ||
| 56 | Comfort | 42 | ||
| 67 | Value | 33 | ||
| 59 | Snow | 64 | ||
| 43 | Ice | 76 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Alpin 6 | Category | Cinturato Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.9 | Dry Grip | 8 | ||
| 9.1 | Wet Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 8.5 | Road Feedback | 8 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 7.7 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 6 | ||
| 9 | Comfort | 7.7 | ||
| 8.1 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.3 | Ice Grip | 7 | ||
Owners rate the Alpin 6 85% from 35 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 2 80% from 3. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Michelin Alpin 6
- 85%from 35 reviews
- 76%would buy again
- 257,110 milesdriven by reviewers
Across 30 reviews, the Michelin Alpin 6 is most often praised for strong dry and especially wet-road grip, high comfort, and generally low noise, with many drivers highlighting excellent longevity and slow wear over multiple seasons. Most users describe it as a confidence-inspiring winter tire for cold, wet, and highway driving. The main recurring complaint is that snow and ice performance can be only average (and for some, notably weak in braking/traction and lateral stability), making it feel better suited to mild winters than frequent deep-snow conditions.
- Strong wet grip and wet-road stability (including aquaplaning resistance)
- Good dry/cold grip and confident roadholding
- High comfort/ride quality
- Long tread life / excellent wear resistance
- Mixed to weak snow/ice performance for a notable share of drivers (traction/braking/lateral stability), better suited to mild-winter conditions
Summarised by AI from 30 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 35 Alpin 6 reviewsAfter 6 years and ~37.000km of use, the tire still looks good, has a usable tread left. From the beginning till now it performance excellent in dry and wet conditions. Yesterday I've covert 300km of motorway in a very strong storm and they felt really good on a tarmac that was soaked.
On the other hand, the tire really disappointed on snow covered roads. We live in the mountains and when the roads are covered with snow, the tire loses traction very easily uphill.
So, the tire is really great if you live in areas that don't see a lot of snow.
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
- 80%from 3 reviews
- 20,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 Cinturato Winter 2 reviewsIt’s the best winter tire I’ve had so far great wet and snow traction also the tire is very quiet (test say otherwise but on my car this tire is quiet) big downfall is the wear of the tire after 1 winter the tires lost almost half of their tread . Last winter was weak so maybe that’s because but I’ve heard that pirelli don’t last that long. Other than that great tire
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 42 sizes of the Alpin 6 and 41 of the Cinturato Winter 2, 24 of them made in both.
| Category | Alpin 6 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 42 sizes, 15 to 20 inch | 41 sizes, 16 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 24 sizes 195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16175/65 R17205/45 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17205/60 R17215/40 R17and 12 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B100% | B91%A9% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%D26% | C78%B16%D5% |
| EU label noise | 69 dB A90%B10% | 69-72 dB B84%A16% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 72 of 72 | 74 of 74 |
| On the market since | 2018 | 2021 |
| Replaced | Michelin Alpin 5 (2014) | Pirelli Cinturato Winter (2015) |
| Replaced by | - | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 |
| Awards | Winner: Best Winter Tires (DriverReviews, 2024/25) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The Alpin 6 was the dearer tire in 5 of the 6 tests that listed prices, by 12.8% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Michelin's Alpin 6 and Pirelli's Cinturato Winter 2 sit in the same “premium-touring” winter segment, but their test histories show they reach that goal in different ways. Across 10 shared professional tests, the Michelin tends to score as the more complete all-rounder (including several high overall finishes), while the Pirelli often trades a bit of long-run efficiency for strong winter-road feel, quieter running, and sharp wet metrics in some test formats.
The data also highlights why shoppers can get conflicting impressions depending on which test they read. In some group tests the two are very close (even a shared overall win in Auto Bild 2022), but in others the spread is significant-most notably ADAC 2024 (Alpin 6: 3/12 vs Cinturato Winter 2: 11/12). The practical story is: Michelin is usually the safer bet for mileage and balanced capability, while Pirelli can appeal if you prioritize cabin quietness and “lively” winter handling-accepting that longevity and consistency vary by test and size.
Conclusion
Taken as a pattern across the shared tests, the Michelin Alpin 6 is the more consistently high-ranking tire overall, driven by a rare combination of balanced grip plus standout environmental/ownership metrics. The clearest, repeatable advantage is wear/longevity: Auto Bild 2024 projects 50,500 km for Alpin 6 vs 38,700 km for Cinturato Winter 2 (+30%), and ADAC 2024 shows 53,200 km vs 34,000 km (+56%). Michelin also repeatedly posts lower abrasion and often lower rolling resistance, which matters for drivers doing big winter mileage or running EVs/hybrids where efficiency and tire consumption are magnified.
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2's case is strongest when you focus on comfort/refinement and certain winter/wet dynamics. It wins noise frequently (e.g., ADAC 2024: 70.9 dB vs 71.9 dB) and is often cheaper at point of sale (e.g., 735 vs 915 in the 2024 215/55 R17 test). It can also be very competitive in wet braking and straight-line aquaplaning in multiple datasets (e.g., Auto Bild 2024 wet braking 55.6 m vs 56.6 m; straight aquaplaning 80.9 km/h vs 78.5 km/h), and it regularly scores well subjectively for “fun/feedback” in Tire Reviews' winter test.
The takeaway: if you want the most dependable, long-lasting premium winter touring tire with strong all-weather balance and excellent ownership value over time, Alpin 6 is the smarter default-even if it can be pricier up front and occasionally less “sporty” in feel. If you want a quieter cabin, often a lower purchase price, and you value responsive winter handling-while accepting more variable overall rankings and typically shorter predicted life-the Cinturato Winter 2 can be a satisfying pick.
Alpin 6 vs Cinturato Winter 2: your questions
Is the Michelin Alpin 6 or the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 the better tire?
In the 10 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Alpin 6 finished ahead 6 times and the Cinturato Winter 2 3 times, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Alpin 6 scores 9.1 and the Cinturato Winter 2 9.3 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Alpin 6 or the Cinturato Winter 2?
Across the shared tests the wet measurements are split 16-16 between the Alpin 6 and the Cinturato Winter 2.
Which is better in the dry?
The Alpin 6 led 7 of the 14 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 0.7% higher speed on the dry handling course across 2 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Cinturato Winter 2 led 11 of the 26 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 1.1% higher speed on the snow handling course across 2 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Alpin 6 lasted 26.4% longer in the wear tests (4 tests), had 2% lower rolling resistance (5 tests) and shed 31.7% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests); the Cinturato Winter 2 used 0.9% less fuel (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the Alpin 6 and 6/10 for the Cinturato Winter 2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Cinturato Winter 2 was 0.5 dB quieter (7 tests). Owners rate comfort 9/10 for the Alpin 6 and 7.7/10 for the Cinturato Winter 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Alpin 6 85% from 35 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 2 80% from 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 6 tests that listed prices, the Alpin 6 was the dearer tire in 5 of them, by 12.8% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Alpin 6 is made in 42 sizes (15 to 20 inch) and the Cinturato Winter 2 in 41 (16 to 20 inch). 24 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Alpin 6 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Cinturato Winter 2 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Cinturato Winter 2 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the Alpin 6 in 2018. The Alpin 6 replaced the Michelin Alpin 5. The Cinturato Winter 2 replaced the Pirelli Cinturato Winter.
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Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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