Linglong Sport Master Winter vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- TR Score
- 7.3/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 4
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 33
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 5 times and the Sport Master Winter not once. The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 33.2% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if you want the safest, most consistently high-performing winter tire-especially in wet braking/handling and mixed winter conditions; it's the clear performance winner across all five shared tests. Pick the Linglong Sport Master Winter only if upfront cost is the overriding constraint and you drive mostly in mild winters with limited wet-road severity and infrequent snow, accepting noticeably weaker wet safety margins and less refinement.
Where the Sport Master Winter is stronger
- Strong upfront value: repeatedly far cheaper on cost metrics (e.g., Value 7.81 vs 13.36 price/1000 in AutoBild; 13.52 vs 23.32 in AZ)
- Can be genuinely quick in certain handling exercises (fastest dry handling lap in AZ: 75.2 s vs 75.9 s; strong subjective dry handling there too)
- Capable snow handling pace in at least one test (wins snow handling in Auto Bild Allrad: 43.0 km/h vs 42.5 km/h)
Where the Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger
- Consistently top overall rankings across all shared tests (wins 5/5 head-to-head; as high as 1st/20 and 2nd/51)
- Clear advantage in wet safety: shorter wet braking in every shared test (e.g., 35.9 m vs 40.6 m; 51.9 m vs 55.8 m) plus better wet handling and circles
- Stronger winter mobility on snow: wins snow braking 5/5 and leads traction in every shared traction test (e.g., 3781 N vs 3525 N; 3575 N vs 3090 N)
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.
Sport Master Winter vs Pilot Alpin 5 at a glance
| Category | Sport Master Winter | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 0 | 5 | |
| Dry7 measurements | 2 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 2.4% shorter in the dry (3 tests) | 5 |
| Wet17 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 6.9% shorter in the wet (5 tests) | 17 |
| Snow15 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 3.2% shorter on snow (5 tests) | 14 |
| Comfort6 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.8 dB quieter (3 tests) | 4 |
| Value6 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 33.2% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 6 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.3/10 | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 2.2 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating4 and 33 reviews | 82% | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 5 points | 87% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Alpin 5 was dearer in 4 of 4 | +50.1% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 95 | 36 sizes made in both | 81 |
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 | Sport Master Winter | Field | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Winter Tire Braking Test - 50 Sets | P21 of 50 | P3 of 50 | |
| 2026 Auto Bild Allrad SUV Winter Tire Test | P7 of 10 | P2 of 10 | |
| 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tire Test | P9 of 10 | P2 of 10 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test | P19 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P16 of 51 | P2 of 51 |
Performance profile
15 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Sport Master Winter
Not ahead on any measurement here
Pilot Alpin 5
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 85%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 8 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Sport Master Winter
Not ahead in any category
Pilot Alpin 5
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
Sport Master Winter
Pilot Alpin 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Sport Master Winter 82% from 4 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33. 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 | Sport Master Winter | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 142 | 2.4% | 139 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 75.2 | 0.9% | 75.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.6 | 1% | 71.2 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 25% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 154 | 6.9% | 144 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 89.1 | 3% | 86.4 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49.9 | 4.1% | 51.9 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 32% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 14.01 | 2.5% | 13.67 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 48.8 | 3.9% | 50.6 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.5 | 15.4% | 8.7 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 94 | 3.2% | 91 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 671 | 9.9% | 739 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.6 | 5% | 68 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 31.3 | 0.9% | 31.6 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 66.7% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.4 | 8.7% | 12.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.4 | 0.3% | 11.5 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 7.7% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.93 | 2.8 dB | 69.13 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 23,180 | 33.2% | 29,180 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9.32 | 12.5% | 8.1 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.22 | 42.3% | 0.12 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Sport Master Winter scores 7.3 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
| Sport Master Winter | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | Dry | 99 | ||
| 62 | Wet | 90 | ||
| 29 | Comfort | 89 | ||
| 32 | Value | 59 | ||
| 26 | Snow | 92 | ||
| 17 | Ice | 80 | ||
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
| Sport Master Winter | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.3 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.8 | Road Feedback | 8.8 | ||
| 7.8 | Handling | 8.9 | ||
| 6.7 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 8 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 9.3 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 8 | Ice Grip | 8 | ||
Owners rate the Sport Master Winter 82% from 4 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Linglong Sport Master Winter
- 82%from 4 reviews
- 5,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 Sport Master Winter reviewsDrove them one winter on really heavy snow in the moutains no problem at all the snow grip was really impresive even against some premium tires. I had no problems never got stuck even when i was trying to get stuck i saw many people with premium tires and same awd having trouble but not with this ones. The only problem is Wear I think if ur winter is mild and temp are high the tires will melt away. About to mount them for this winter to see did they change after 1 year.
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- 87%from 33 reviews
- 84%would buy again
- 357,850 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 highly overall (average 82.7%), with the clearest consensus around strong snow traction and unusually capable dry-road performance for a winter tire. Wet grip also earns plenty of praise, and a smaller group highlights sharp steering feel and secure snow handling. Complaints are more mixed, but around a quarter of owners mention either firmer-than-expected ride comfort or disappointing ice performance, and a smaller minority report noticeable road noise and weak slush behavior.
- Strong snow traction and confidence in winter conditions
- Outstanding dry grip for a winter tire
- Very good wet grip
- Secure, sporty handling on dry roads
- Ice grip can be poor and unpredictable for some
- Firm or bumpy ride comfort for a winter tire
- Noticeable road noise at speed
Summarised by AI from 27 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 33 Pilot Alpin 5 reviewsGreat tire, i replaced my GY Ultragrip performance 3 with this and i can say they are even better on snow than GY. Where Michelin lacks to GY is on wet. I find goodyear a bit better on wet surfaces but both tires are excepional.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 95 sizes of the Sport Master Winter and 81 of the Pilot Alpin 5, 36 of them made in both.
| Category | Sport Master Winter | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter Run flat | Winter |
| Sizes made | 95 sizes, 14 to 21 inch | 81 sizes, 16 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 36 sizes 205/60 R16215/65 R16225/50 R17235/45 R17235/55 R17245/45 R17215/55 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18225/55 R18225/60 R18and 24 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A81%B19% | B58%C40%D2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D82%C17%B1% | C60%D30%B9% |
| EU label noise | 71-75 dB B100% | 68-75 dB B70%A30% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 101 of 101 | 96 of 96 |
| On the market since | 2025 | 2017 |
| Replaced | - | Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 (2012) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tire in 4 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 50.1% 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.
This comparison pits a budget-minded winter touring tire (Linglong Sport Master Winter) against one of the segment benchmarks in the ultra-high-performance winter category (Michelin Pilot Alpin 5). They're both tested in the same winter conditions and sizes across five shared professional tests, which makes the pattern of strengths and weaknesses unusually clear.
Across those shared tests, the Michelin consistently sits near the very top overall (1st/20, 2nd/10, 2nd/10, 2nd/51, 3rd/50), while the Linglong lands mid-pack to near the bottom (7th/10, 9th/10, 16th/51, 19th/20, 21st/50). The headline theme is simple: the Pilot Alpin 5 repeatedly delivers shorter braking distances and more complete wet/snow safety margins, while the Linglong counters mainly with lower purchase cost and occasional bright spots in handling pace-especially in certain snow and dry handling exercises.
Conclusion
Measured performance across the five shared tests overwhelmingly favors the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 for safety-critical winter behavior. It wins every shared wet-braking and snow-braking result (5/5 in each), typically by meaningful margins in the wet: for example 35.9 m vs 40.6 m in wet braking (+11.6%) in the 2026 50-tire braking test, and 51.9 m vs 55.8 m (+7.0%) in the 2025 AutoBild winter test. In the wet handling/aquaplaning suite where winter tires often get exposed, Michelin is consistently ahead too (e.g., straight aquaplaning 80.7 km/h vs 75.9 km/h in Auto Bild Allrad; curved aquaplaning 3.1 vs 2.6 m/s², a very large +19% gap). On snow, Michelin's advantage is less dramatic in pure braking distance in some tests (often ~1-3%), but it compounds through higher traction (e.g., 3781 N vs 3525 N; 3575 N vs 3090 N) and more consistent overall snow capability, which is why it ranks at or near the top overall.
The Linglong Sport Master Winter's best arguments are value and flashes of pace in specific handling tests: it can post a fast lap in dry handling (75.2 s vs 75.9 s in AZ) and even edge Michelin in isolated snow-handling pace (43.0 km/h vs 42.5 km/h in Auto Bild Allrad). But the repeatable weakness is wet-road security-where it not only loses to Michelin, but is described as falling into the slower/poorer half of the field and even receiving a safety penalty for wet handling in one test. Add higher noise and higher rolling resistance in multiple tests, and the Michelin becomes the far more rounded winter choice despite its higher upfront price. The practical takeaway: if you drive in real winter variability (wet motorways, slush, rain-soaked cold roads, and occasional snow), the Pilot Alpin 5 buys you margin when it matters; the Linglong is primarily a budget compromise that only makes sense when cost is the overriding constraint and your winter climate is mild and roads are quickly cleared.
Sport Master Winter vs Pilot Alpin 5: your questions
Is the Linglong Sport Master Winter or the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 the better tire?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 5 times and the Sport Master Winter not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Sport Master Winter scores 7.3 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Sport Master Winter or the Pilot Alpin 5?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 17 of the 17 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 6.9% shorter in the wet across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 5 of the 7 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.4% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 14 of the 15 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.2% shorter on snow across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 33.2% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and had 12.5% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 6.7/10 for the Sport Master Winter and 9/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.8 dB quieter (3 tests). Owners rate comfort 8/10 for the Sport Master Winter and 8.3/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Sport Master Winter 82% from 4 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tire in 4 of them, by 50.1% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Sport Master Winter is made in 95 sizes (14 to 21 inch) and the Pilot Alpin 5 in 81 (16 to 23 inch). 36 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Sport Master Winter is graded A for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Alpin 5 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Sport Master Winter is the newer design: it reached the market in 2025, the Pilot Alpin 5 in 2017. The Pilot Alpin 5 replaced the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4.
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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.
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