Michelin Alpin 7 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 89% · 11
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 77% · 5
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 finished ahead 5 times and the Alpin 7 not once. The Alpin 7 lasted 16.5% longer in the wear tests; the Cinturato Winter 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 7.5% higher speed.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 if your winter driving is mainly wet, rainy and motorway-based and you want the most consistent grip and shortest wet/dry braking across tests. Choose the Michelin Alpin 7 if you prioritize efficiency, long tread life and stronger snow/ice bias-especially if you do high mileage and want lower energy use per kilometer while still having a safe, predictable winter tire.
Where the Alpin 7 is stronger
- Efficiency leader: lower rolling resistance in every measured comparison (e.g., 7.4 vs 8.26 kg/t in Auto Express; 7.6 vs 8.3 in BEST 2026/27), which helps fuel/EV range
- Stronger winter-surface performance tendency: more wins in snow braking (4/5) and snow traction (3/5), plus an ice braking win in ADAC (16.9 vs 18.1 m)
- Mileage/longevity advantage where measured (e.g., AvD 54,995 km vs 44,171 km; ADAC 46,800 km vs 43,100 km), supporting lower cost per km despite higher purchase price
Where the Cinturato Winter 3 is stronger
- Wet braking benchmark across the shared data (wins 5/5; e.g., ADAC 34.7 vs 36.8 m; AvD 46.1 vs 47.5 m), improving real-world stopping safety
- Aquaplaning resistance advantage, often by a clear margin (e.g., TÜV straight aqua 86 vs 78 km/h; ADAC curved aquaplaning 3.2 vs 2.7 m/s²)
- Dry braking superiority in every shared test (wins 5/5; e.g., AvD 41.7 vs 43.4 m), supporting confident cold-dry driving
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 7 vs Cinturato Winter 3 at a glance
| Category | Alpin 7 | Gap | Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 0 | 5 | |
| Dry7 measurements | 1 | The Cinturato Winter 3 stopped 2.8% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 5 |
| Wet16 measurements | 0 | The Cinturato Winter 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 7.5% higher speed (4 tests) | 16 |
| Snow13 measurements | 8 | 5 | |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort5 measurements | 1 | 3 | |
| Value8 measurements | 7 | The Alpin 7 lasted 16.5% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 1 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The Alpin 7 by 0.3 | 9.2/10 |
| Owner rating11 and 5 reviews | 89% | The Alpin 7 by 12 points | 77% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 100% | The Alpin 7 by 40 points | 60% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | +11.1% | The Alpin 7 was dearer in 4 of 4 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 49 | 28 sizes made in both | 36 |
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 5 tests, 2025 to 2026
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 7 | Field | Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The BEST Winter Tires for 2026/27 | P4 of 9 | P3 of 9 | |
| 2026 AvD Winter Tire Test | P2 of 15 | P1 of 15 | |
| 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 | P4 of 16 | P1 of 16 | |
| 2026 Auto Express Winter Tire Test | P4 of 11 | P2 of 11 | |
| 2025 TUV Test of Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 vs Rivals | P5 of 5 | P1 of 5 |
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Alpin 7
Cinturato Winter 3
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 90%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 11 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Alpin 7
Cinturato Winter 3
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 7
Cinturato Winter 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Alpin 7 89% from 11 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 3 77% from 5. 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 7 | Gap | Cinturato Winter 3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 142 | 2.8% | 138 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 57.88 | = | 57.88 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.5% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 121 | 3.2% | 117 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 134 | 5.9% | 126 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 96.9 | 3.7% | 93.42 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.42 | 2% | 12.17 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49.8 | 7.5% | 53.5 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9.7 | 13.2% | 10.9 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56 | 0.4% | 56 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 4.78 | 0.4% | 4.8 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 607 | 3.8% | 584 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 82.09 | 0.8% | 81.41 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.2% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55 | 6.6% | 59 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 2.5% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 65.13 | 0.2 dB | 64.95 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 31,626 | 16.5% | 27,114 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.46 | 8.7% | 8.16 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | 1.8% | 5.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 74 | 7.5% | 80 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 7 scores 9.5 and the Cinturato Winter 3 9.2 out of 10.
| Alpin 7 | Category | Cinturato Winter 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | Dry | 90 | ||
| 82 | Wet | 100 | ||
| 64 | Comfort | 69 | ||
| 85 | Value | 44 | ||
| 77 | Snow | 72 | ||
| 84 | Ice | 40 | ||
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 7 | Category | Cinturato Winter 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.7 | Dry Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 8.9 | Wet Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 7.5 | Road Feedback | 7 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 7.6 | ||
| 9.7 | Wear | 8.5 | ||
| 9.4 | Comfort | 6.4 | ||
| 9.2 | Snow Grip | 9.5 | ||
| 7.3 | Ice Grip | 9 | ||
Owners rate the Alpin 7 89% from 11 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 3 77% from 5. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Michelin Alpin 7
- 89%from 11 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 67,100 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers rate the Michelin Alpin 7 very highly overall, most often praising its very low noise and notably improved ride comfort/refinement versus previous winter or summer setups. Reviews frequently highlight confident grip and stability in dry and wet conditions, with many also reporting strong performance in snow and slush. A smaller set of users mention a softer sidewall/less direct steering feel, and a couple note that for true Nordic winters (deep snow/ice-heavy conditions) a dedicated Nordic winter tire may be a better fit.
- Very quiet/low road noise (near summer-tire levels for many)
- High ride comfort and good bump/pothole absorption
- Strong dry and wet grip with stable handling, including at higher speeds
- Good snow and slush traction with predictable control
- Soft sidewalls/less direct steering feel (floatier feedback, slightly longer-feeling dry braking for some)
- Higher energy consumption/efficiency loss versus summer tires (typical winter-tire penalty)
Summarised by AI from 11 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 11 Alpin 7 reviewsDefinitely comfortable, safe tires that provide amazing grip on snow and ice. I'm very satisfied, I won't use another tire.
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
- 77%from 5 reviews
- 60%would buy again
- 11,000 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally rate the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 positively, highlighting strong winter capability and a confident, planted feel in snow/ice as well as reassuring grip in wet conditions. Several also note good overall handling and comfort, with some reporting impressive quietness at lower speeds (especially with PNCS). The most consistent drawback is increased road noise as speeds rise (around 100-110 km/h and above), and a couple of users report higher energy consumption on EVs versus summer tires.
- Strong snow and ice traction
- Confident grip and stability in wet conditions
- Good dry-road handling for a winter tire
- Comfortable ride and generally refined feel (noted by multiple users)
- Noticeable road noise at higher speeds (around 100-110 km/h and above)
- Higher energy consumption/rolling resistance versus summer tires (reported on EVs)
Summarised by AI from 5 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 5 Cinturato Winter 3 reviewsCompared to the previous tire (Michelin Alpin 6), the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 offers more grip on snow.
I haven’t yet reached the limit in dry or wet conditions to provide an objective evaluation in those scenarios, but I notice that as lateral forces increase, the steering loses precision, accompanied by a clearly noticeable noise, typical of a winter tire “working”.
I believe this is due to the relatively narrow tread blocks. The car has also become more sensitive to crosswinds, as well as to road camber.
It is a safe tire, but not a particularly fun or precise one.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 49 sizes of the Alpin 7 and 36 of the Cinturato Winter 3, 28 of them made in both.
| Category | Alpin 7 | Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 49 sizes, 15 to 20 inch | 36 sizes, 16 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 28 sizes 195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16205/50 R17205/55 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17225/45 R17and 16 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B100% | A58%B42% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C66%B30%D5% | C61%B39% |
| EU label noise | 69-71 dB B100% | 72 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 64 of 64 | 36 of 36 |
| On the market since | 2024 | 2025 |
| Replaced | - | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 (2021) |
| Awards | Highly Recommended: Best Winter Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) Winner: Best Winter SUV Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The Alpin 7 was the dearer tire in 4 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 11.1% 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 7 and Pirelli's Cinturato Winter 3 sit in the same premium-touring winter bracket, but they're clearly tuned with different priorities. Across five shared tests (including ADAC, AvD and Auto Express), the Pirelli repeatedly lands nearer the top of the overall rankings (1st, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1st), while the Michelin tends to follow closely behind (2nd, 4th, 4th, 4th, 5th).
Conclusion
Across multiple independent tests, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 is the more consistent “driving safety” and grip-focused tire on wet and dry roads, and that's the main reason it converts the comparison into five overall wins out of five. The repeated pattern is meaningful: Pirelli beats Michelin in dry braking in every shared test (5/5) and wet braking in every shared test (5/5), and it's typically stronger for aquaplaning too (e.g., ADAC straight aquaplaning 85.0 vs 78.6 km/h; BEST 2026/27 87.8 vs 83.1 km/h; TÜV 86 vs 78 km/h). If your winter is dominated by rain, standing water, and cool wet roads, the Pirelli's advantage is both measurable and practically valuable in emergency stops and high-speed stability.
The Michelin Alpin 7's case is strongest where winter tires still “earn their keep”: snow/ice and running costs. It more often leads on snow braking/traction (snow braking wins 4/5; snow traction wins 3/5) and it pairs that with a clear efficiency and longevity edge-rolling resistance wins 4/4 measured tests and wear wins 2/2 (e.g., AvD predicted wear 54,995 km vs 44,171 km; ADAC 46,800 km vs 43,100 km). The trade-off is that, in several reports, Michelin's wet grip/handling is described as safe but not class-leading (including understeer in long wet corners), and ride can be on the firm side-so it feels more “efficient and composed” than “aggressively grippy.” Practical takeaway: choose Pirelli for maximum wet-road confidence and all-round grip; choose Michelin if you want a winter tire that's strong on snow/ice while saving fuel and lasting longer, especially for high-mileage driving.
Alpin 7 vs Cinturato Winter 3: your questions
Is the Michelin Alpin 7 or the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 the better tire?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 finished ahead 5 times and the Alpin 7 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Alpin 7 scores 9.5 and the Cinturato Winter 3 9.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Alpin 7 or the Cinturato Winter 3?
The Cinturato Winter 3 led 16 of the 16 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 7.5% higher speed across 4 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Cinturato Winter 3 led 5 of the 7 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.8% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Alpin 7 led 8 of the 13 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Alpin 7 lasted 16.5% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and had 8.7% lower rolling resistance (4 tests). Owners rate wear 9.7/10 for the Alpin 7 and 8.5/10 for the Cinturato Winter 3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 9.4/10 for the Alpin 7 and 6.4/10 for the Cinturato Winter 3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Alpin 7 89% from 11 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 3 77% from 5. 100% of Alpin 7 owners would buy it again, against 60% for the Cinturato Winter 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Alpin 7 was the dearer tire in 4 of them, by 11.1% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Alpin 7 is made in 49 sizes (15 to 20 inch) and the Cinturato Winter 3 in 36 (16 to 20 inch). 28 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Alpin 7 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Cinturato Winter 3 A and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Cinturato Winter 3 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2025, the Alpin 7 in 2024. The Cinturato Winter 3 replaced the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2.
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Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
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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