Hankook Winter I*cept Evo 4 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- TR Score
- 9.6/10
- Owners say
- 95% · 3
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 34
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 2 times and the Winter I*cept Evo 4 once. The Winter I*cept Evo 4 held 13.8% more grip in curved aquaplaning; the Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 1.8% shorter in the dry.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if regular snow driving is the priority. Choose the Hankook Winter I*cept Evo 4 for stronger dry handling and curved aquaplaning results, particularly if Auto Bild's lower measured running cost matters to you.
Where the Winter I*cept Evo 4 is stronger
- Quicker dry handling in both full 2026 tests.
- Better curved aquaplaning grip in both full 2026 tests.
- Lower cost per 1,000 km in Auto Bild's 2026 winter test.
Where the Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger
- Stronger snow results in both full 2026 tests.
- Shorter dry braking in both full 2026 tests.
- Longest estimated tread life in Auto Bild's 2026 winter test.
Conclusion
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 has the clearest repeatable advantage on snow. It braked shorter in all three 2026 comparisons, though the gap in the two 245/45 R19 Auto Bild tests was just a tenth of a meter; in Auto Bild Allrad's SUV test it stopped about 2.5% shorter. In both full tests it also had more snow traction and better snow handling and slalom results. Michelin finished first in Auto Bild's winter test and second in the Allrad test, where testers called it the best tire on snow. It stopped sooner on dry roads in both full tests too, although the SUV test gap was less than 1%.
Hankook Winter I*cept Evo 4 has a more convincing advantage in dry cornering and curved aquaplaning. It was faster in dry handling in both full tests, although the main test gap was under 1%, and its curved aquaplaning grip was about 11% higher in Auto Bild's winter test and 16% higher in Auto Bild Allrad's SUV test. Its wet performance changed between sizes: Michelin stopped marginally shorter in both 245/45 R19 Auto Bild tests and was about 3% quicker in wet handling in the full test. Hankook's roughly 4% shorter wet stop in the 225/55 R18 SUV test was an unusual reversal, and helped it win that test.
Both earned exemplary verdicts in the full tests, so neither is a poor all-round choice. Auto Bild's winter test estimated that Michelin would last about 2% longer, but Hankook had about 21% lower cost per 1,000 km and about 6% lower rolling resistance. The SUV test showed a very small rolling-resistance advantage for Michelin instead. Hankook was rated slightly more comfortable in the main test and level with Michelin in the SUV test. Michelin suits drivers who regularly face snow and want shorter dry stops. Hankook suits those prioritising dry handling, curved aquaplaning resistance and the lower measured running costs in Auto Bild's main test.
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.
Winter I*cept Evo 4 vs Pilot Alpin 5 at a glance
| Category | Winter I*cept Evo 4 | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won3 shared tests | 1 | 2 | |
| Dry4 measurements | 2 | Level between the two. | 2 |
| Wet11 measurements | 6 | The Winter I*cept Evo 4 held 13.8% more grip in curved aquaplaning (2 tests) | 5 |
| Snow9 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 1% shorter on snow (3 tests) | 9 |
| Comfort4 measurements | 2 | 1 | |
| Value3 measurements | 1 | 2 | |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.6/10 | The Winter I*cept Evo 4 by 0.1 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating3 and 34 reviews | 95% | The Winter I*cept Evo 4 by 8 points | 87% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Alpin 5 was dearer in 2 of 2 | +22.7% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 87 | 54 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 3 tests in 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 | Winter I*cept Evo 4 | Field | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P3 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tire Braking Test - 50 Sets | P4 of 50 | P3 of 50 | |
| 2026 Auto Bild Allrad SUV Winter Tire Test | P1 of 10 | P2 of 10 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 3 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Winter I*cept Evo 4
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 97%: 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
Winter I*cept Evo 4
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
Winter I*cept Evo 4
Pilot Alpin 5
Not ahead in any category
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Winter I*cept Evo 4 95% from 3 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 34. 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 | Winter I*cept Evo 4 | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 141 | 1.8% | 138 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 70.1 | 1% | 69.4 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 151 | 0.6% | 152 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 50.9 | 1.1% | 51.4 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 14.46 | 0.2% | 14.43 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 54 | 1.4% | 53.3 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 10.4 | 13.8% | 9.1 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 95 | 1% | 94 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| 1,002 | 2.2% | 1,023 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 30.6 | 1.8% | 31.2 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 12.3 | 2.3% | 12.6 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.1% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 71.5 | 0.1 dB | 71.45 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 34,517 | 1.7% | 35,107 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 7.72 | 2.4% | 7.92 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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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 Winter I*cept Evo 4 scores 9.6 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
| Winter I*cept Evo 4 | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | Dry | 99 | ||
| 96 | Wet | 90 | ||
| 87 | Comfort | 89 | ||
| 65 | Value | 59 | ||
| 68 | Snow | 92 | ||
| - | 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
| Winter I*cept Evo 4 | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.7 | Dry Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 9.5 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 9.3 | Road Feedback | 8.8 | ||
| 10 | Handling | 9 | ||
| 10 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 10 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| - | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| - | Ice Grip | 8 | ||
Owners rate the Winter I*cept Evo 4 95% from 3 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 34. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Hankook Winter I*cept Evo 4
- 95%from 3 reviews
- 520 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 Winter I*cept Evo 4 reviewsA very responsive tire !
The Winter I*cept Evo 4 in size 245/40 R20 is very comfortable, which was quite surprising to me.
Its handling is incredible, as is its grip and steering precision.
I still need to see how it performs when the first signs of frost appear on the roads, as well as in snow, but so far, it's excellent.My only complaint is that it starts getting noisy at speeds above 100 km/h. That's its biggest downside so far.
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- 87%from 34 reviews
- 85%would buy again
- 402,850 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 34 Pilot Alpin 5 reviewsThe tires are quite good in the dry and come into their own when the temperature drops below 7C. The responsiveness improves as the temperature drops, especially around freezing point and these tires are a much better option than the all weather tires I used to fit on some of my previous cars.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 87 sizes of the Winter I*cept Evo 4 and 81 of the Pilot Alpin 5, 54 of them made in both.
| Category | Winter I*cept Evo 4 | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 87 sizes, 17 to 22 inch | 81 sizes, 16 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 54 sizes 235/45 R17235/55 R17245/45 R17245/55 R17205/40 R18215/40 R18215/50 R18215/55 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18225/55 R18and 42 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B100% | B58%C40%D2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C70%B30% | C60%D30%B9% |
| EU label noise | 69-75 dB B99%A1% | 68-75 dB B70%A30% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 117 of 119 | 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 2 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 22.7% 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.
Three independent tests put these tires side by side: Auto Bild's 2026 winter tire test and 2026 braking test, plus Auto Bild Allrad's 2026 SUV winter tire test. Michelin finished ahead in both Auto Bild tests, first against Hankook's third in the full winter test and third against fourth in braking. Hankook reversed the order in the SUV test, finishing first to Michelin's second.
Michelin was stronger on snow across the shared tests, while Hankook was quicker in dry handling and resisted curved aquaplaning better in both full tests. The wet result was less settled. Michelin's wet braking lead was small in the 245/45 R19 Auto Bild tests, but Hankook stopped about 4% shorter in Auto Bild Allrad's 225/55 R18 test. Both tires received exemplary verdicts in the two full tests.
Winter I*cept Evo 4 vs Pilot Alpin 5: your questions
Is the Hankook Winter I*cept Evo 4 or the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 the better tire?
In the 3 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 2 times and the Winter I*cept Evo 4 once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Winter I*cept Evo 4 scores 9.6 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Winter I*cept Evo 4 or the Pilot Alpin 5?
The Winter I*cept Evo 4 led 6 of the 11 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 13.8% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
Across the shared tests the dry measurements are split 2-2 between the Winter I*cept Evo 4 and the Pilot Alpin 5.
Which is better in snow?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 9 of the 9 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1% shorter on snow across 3 tests.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 10/10 for the Winter I*cept Evo 4 and 8.3/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winter I*cept Evo 4 95% from 3 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 34.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 22.7% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Winter I*cept Evo 4 is made in 87 sizes (17 to 22 inch) and the Pilot Alpin 5 in 81 (16 to 23 inch). 54 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Winter I*cept Evo 4 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Alpin 5 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Winter I*cept Evo 4 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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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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