Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Michelin Alpin 6
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 47
- TR Score
- 9.1/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 35
In the 20 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Alpin 6 finished ahead 16 times and the Winter Sport 5 3 times, with one level. The Winter Sport 5 stopped 3.4% shorter on snow; the Alpin 6 lasted 13.3% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Michelin Alpin 6 for primarily wet/mixed winter climates, high mileage, and long-term value. Choose Dunlop Winter Sport 5 for frequent snow, strong winter traction/handling, and lower upfront cost with good efficiency.
Where the Winter Sport 5 is stronger
- Outstanding snow performance (regularly wins snow braking/handling/traction)
- Low rolling resistance and good fuel economy
- Strong aquaplaning resistance, especially curved
Where the Alpin 6 is stronger
- Consistently shorter dry and wet braking distances
- Very high mileage with low wear/abrasion
- Balanced, precise handling with good comfort
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 Sport 5 vs Alpin 6 at a glance
| Category | Winter Sport 5 | Gap | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won20 shared tests | 3 | 1 level | 16 |
| Dry15 measurements | 1 | The Alpin 6 stopped 3.3% shorter in the dry (9 tests) | 14 |
| Wet39 measurements | 15 | The Alpin 6 stopped 3% shorter in the wet (13 tests) | 24 |
| Snow29 measurements | 23 | The Winter Sport 5 stopped 3.4% shorter on snow (13 tests) | 6 |
| Ice3 measurements | 1 | 2 | |
| Comfort9 measurements | 1 | The Alpin 6 was 0.8 dB quieter (8 tests) | 7 |
| Value19 measurements | 7 | The Alpin 6 lasted 13.3% longer in the wear tests (7 tests) | 11 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.9/10 | The Alpin 6 by 0.2 | 9.1/10 |
| Owner rating47 and 35 reviews | 83% | The Alpin 6 by 2 points | 85% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 83% | The Winter Sport 5 by 7 points | 76% |
| Pricein the 7 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Alpin 6 was dearer in 7 of 7 | +12.1% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 49 | 19 sizes made in both | 42 |
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 20 tests, 2019 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.
Performance profile
18 measurements from the 20 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Winter Sport 5
Alpin 6
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 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 4 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Winter Sport 5
Alpin 6
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 Sport 5
Alpin 6
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Winter Sport 5 83% from 47 reviews and the Alpin 6 85% from 35. 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 Sport 5 | Gap | Alpin 6 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 152 | 3.3% | 147 | 0-9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 67.6 | 0.3% | 67.9 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 40% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 140 | 3% | 136 | 2-11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 133 | 3.8% | 128 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 46.8 | 0.3% | 46.9 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 60% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.48 | 0.9% | 12.6 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 47.5 | 1.1% | 48 | 4-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 10.7 | 7.3% | 9.9 | 4-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 75 | 3.4% | 77 | 11-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 373 | 0.9% | 370 | 4-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 38 | 1% | 37.7 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 14.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.6 | 3.3% | 11.3 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 65 | 0.3% | 66 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.1% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.74 | 0.8 dB | 71.93 | 1-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 27,901 | 13.3% | 31,094 | 1-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.13 | 2.5% | 8.35 | 4-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.43 | 2.4% | 5.57 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 63.77 | 18.7% | 51.67 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Sport 5 scores 8.9 and the Alpin 6 9.1 out of 10.
| Winter Sport 5 | Category | Alpin 6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Dry | 68 | ||
| 85 | Wet | 88 | ||
| 18 | Comfort | 56 | ||
| 66 | Value | 67 | ||
| 83 | Snow | 59 | ||
| 48 | Ice | 43 | ||
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 Sport 5 | Category | Alpin 6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 8.5 | Wet Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 7.9 | Road Feedback | 8.5 | ||
| 7.9 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 8.7 | ||
| 8.4 | Comfort | 9 | ||
| 9.1 | Snow Grip | 8.1 | ||
| 8.2 | Ice Grip | 7.3 | ||
Owners rate the Winter Sport 5 83% from 47 reviews and the Alpin 6 85% from 35. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- 83%from 47 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 485,102 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers largely praise the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 for outstanding snow and ice traction, strong wet grip in cold conditions, predictable handling, good comfort/low noise (for a winter tire), and excellent tread life. A minority report softer sidewalls and reduced dry performance or understeer as temperatures rise, with a few notes on noise increase over time and isolated quality/balance issues. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with most buyers willing to repurchase.
- snow and ice grip
- wet grip in cold
- predictable handling
- ride comfort
- weaker dry grip/softer feel in warmer temps
- increased noise with age
- occasional balance/quality issues
Summarised by AI from 39 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 47 Winter Sport 5 reviewsYou must know, in 225/50/17 it is the best what you can buy in eurowinter tires
+ perfect rim protector
+ dry and wet grip at different temperatures including +17 Celsius
+ snow grip? Easy
+ treadwear 12000 km/per 1 mm (on my new set 8 mm, now 7,0-6,8 after 2 seasons and 14400 km)
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.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 49 sizes of the Winter Sport 5 and 42 of the Alpin 6, 19 of them made in both.
| Category | Winter Sport 5 | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 49 sizes, 15 to 21 inch | 42 sizes, 15 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 19 sizes 195/65 R15195/45 R16195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/45 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16225/55 R16205/50 R17205/55 R17and 7 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B52%C48% | B100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C75%D24%B1% | C74%D26% |
| EU label noise | 70-74 dB B100% | 69 dB A90%B10% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 79 of 79 | 72 of 72 |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2018 |
| Replaced | Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D (2021) | Michelin Alpin 5 (2014) |
| Awards | - | Winner: Best Winter Tires (DriverReviews, 2024/25) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Alpin 6 was the dearer tire in 7 of the 7 tests that listed prices, by 12.1% 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 head-to-head pitches two proven winter specialists with different design priorities: the Dunlop Winter Sport 5, an ultra-high-performance winter tire with a reputation for snow mastery and efficiency, versus the Michelin Alpin 6, a premium touring winter tire known for balanced performance and standout longevity. Across 20 shared tests, Michelin takes far more overall wins, but Dunlop regularly counters with class-leading snow capability and strong economy.
Conclusion
Across multiple years and sizes, Michelin Alpin 6 is the more complete all-rounder, repeatedly leading in dry and especially wet braking, steering precision and comfort, while delivering top-tier tread life and low wear. If your winter driving includes frequent rain, mixed temperatures, and long motorway miles, Michelin's consistency and durability justify the premium. Dunlop Winter Sport 5, despite its age, remains a snow specialist with excellent traction/handling on packed snow, very competitive rolling resistance and often better value at purchase and at the pump. Drivers facing prolonged or frequent snow and who value efficiency and price will find the Dunlop compelling. The practical takeaway: choose Michelin for wet-grip assurance and longevity; pick Dunlop for snow confidence and lower running costs.
Winter Sport 5 vs Alpin 6: your questions
Is the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 or the Michelin Alpin 6 the better tire?
In the 20 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Alpin 6 finished ahead 16 times and the Winter Sport 5 3 times, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Winter Sport 5 scores 8.9 and the Alpin 6 9.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Winter Sport 5 or the Alpin 6?
The Alpin 6 led 24 of the 39 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3% shorter in the wet across 13 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Alpin 6 led 14 of the 15 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.3% shorter in the dry across 9 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Winter Sport 5 led 23 of the 29 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.4% shorter on snow across 13 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Winter Sport 5 had 2.5% lower rolling resistance (6 tests) and used 2.4% less fuel (3 tests); the Alpin 6 lasted 13.3% longer in the wear tests (7 tests) and shed 18.7% less rubber in the abrasion test (3 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the Winter Sport 5 and 8.7/10 for the Alpin 6.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Alpin 6 was 0.8 dB quieter (8 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.4/10 for the Winter Sport 5 and 9/10 for the Alpin 6.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winter Sport 5 83% from 47 reviews and the Alpin 6 85% from 35. 83% of Winter Sport 5 owners would buy it again, against 76% for the Alpin 6.
Which is more expensive?
In the 7 tests that listed prices, the Alpin 6 was the dearer tire in 7 of them, by 12.1% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Winter Sport 5 is made in 49 sizes (15 to 21 inch) and the Alpin 6 in 42 (15 to 20 inch). 19 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Winter Sport 5 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Alpin 6 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Winter Sport 5 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the Alpin 6 in 2018. The Winter Sport 5 replaced the Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D. The Alpin 6 replaced the Michelin Alpin 5.
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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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