Michelin Alpin 5 vs Kumho WinterCraft WP71
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Alpin 5 finished ahead 4 times and the WinterCraft WP71 not once. The Alpin 5 was stronger in wet, snow and comfort, the WinterCraft WP71 in value.
Performance profile
9 measurements from the 4 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Alpin 5
WinterCraft WP71
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 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 1 measurement recorded in only one shared test is left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Alpin 5
WinterCraft WP71
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 5
WinterCraft WP71
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Alpin 5 86% from 33 reviews and the WinterCraft WP71 58% from 17. 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. Wins count the tests in which each tire did better.
| Measurement | Alpin 5 | Gap | WinterCraft WP71 | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Level | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 151 | 1.3% | 149 | 0-2 |
| Dry Handling mph | 69.2 | 1.4% | 68.2 | 2-0 |
| Wet Alpin 5 ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 144 | 4.2% | 150 | 2-0 |
| Wet Handling mph | 45.9 | 3.6% | 44.3 | 2-0 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 52.1 | 8.2% | 48.3 | 2-0 |
| Snow Alpin 5 ahead | ||||
| Snow Braking ft | 84 | 2.4% | 86 | 2-0 |
| Snow Handling mph | 30.9 | 0.6% | 30.7 | 2-0 |
| Comfort Alpin 5 ahead | ||||
| Noise dB | 72.85 | 0.1 dB | 72.95 | 1-0 |
| Value WinterCraft WP71 ahead | ||||
| Wear miles | 27,496 | 4.4% | 26,331 | 1-0 |
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 8.87 | 4.1% | 8.52 | 0-2 |
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.
Head to head in 4 tests, 2016 to 2017
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 5 | Field | WinterCraft WP71 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test | P3 of 10 | P8 of 10 | |
| 2017 50 Winter Tire Shoot Out | P7 of 50 | P16 of 50 | |
| 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P2 of 20 | P12 of 20 | |
| 2016 AZ Winter Tire Test - 205/55 R16 | P4 of 14 | P11 of 14 |
Alpin 5 vs WinterCraft WP71: your questions
Is the Michelin Alpin 5 or the Kumho WinterCraft WP71 the better tire?
In the 4 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Alpin 5 finished ahead 4 times and the WinterCraft WP71 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Alpin 5 scores 8.6 and the WinterCraft WP71 7.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Alpin 5 or the WinterCraft WP71?
The Alpin 5 led 6 of the 6 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 8.2% higher speed across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
Across the shared tests the dry measurements are split 2-2 between the Alpin 5 and the WinterCraft WP71.
Which is better in snow?
The Alpin 5 led 4 of the 4 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.4% shorter on snow across 2 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The WinterCraft WP71 had 4.1% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 9/10 for the Alpin 5 and 7.3/10 for the WinterCraft WP71.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.6/10 for the Alpin 5 and 5.1/10 for the WinterCraft WP71.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Alpin 5 86% from 33 reviews and the WinterCraft WP71 58% from 17. 87% of Alpin 5 owners would buy it again, against 35% for the WinterCraft WP71.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Alpin 5 is made in 17 sizes (15 to 20 inch) and the WinterCraft WP71 in 68 (15 to 22 inch). 2 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Alpin 5 is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the WinterCraft WP71 C and D.
More comparisons with these tires
Run either of these?
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.