Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 47
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 33
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 9 times and the Winter Sport 5 not once. The Winter Sport 5 held 7.3% more grip in curved aquaplaning; the Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 6% shorter in the dry.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 for maximum safety, shortest braking, and refined handling in mixed winter conditions, especially for performance-oriented driving. Choose Dunlop Winter Sport 5 if you prioritize strong aquaplaning resistance in heavy rain, lower purchase price, and good overall efficiency while accepting longer braking distances.
Where the Winter Sport 5 is stronger
- Best-in-group curved aquaplaning resistance across multiple tests
- Often lower fuel use/rolling resistance and better value pricing
- Stable, balanced winter performance with good safety reserves
Where the Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger
- Consistently shorter braking on dry, wet, snow, and ice
- Precise steering, strong dry/wet handling and feedback
- Lower noise and high predicted mileage/low wear
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 Pilot Alpin 5 at a glance
| Category | Winter Sport 5 | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won9 shared tests | 0 | 9 | |
| Dry11 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 6% shorter in the dry (6 tests) | 11 |
| Wet27 measurements | 10 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 4.1% shorter in the wet (8 tests) | 17 |
| Snow23 measurements | 3 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 2.9% shorter on snow (8 tests) | 20 |
| Ice1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Comfort7 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.7 dB quieter (6 tests) | 6 |
| Value10 measurements | 3 | The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 9% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 7 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.9/10 | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 0.6 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating47 and 33 reviews | 83% | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 4 points | 87% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 83% | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 2 points | 85% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Alpin 5 was dearer in 5 of 5 | +17.1% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 49 | 27 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 9 tests, 2020 to 2025
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 Sport 5 | Field | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tire Test | P4 of 31 | P2 of 31 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test | P4 of 10 | P1 of 10 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P7 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test | P15 of 54 | P2 of 54 | |
| 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tire Test | P5 of 13 | P1 of 13 | |
| 2021 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test | P6 of 9 | P1 of 9 | |
| The Best Winter Tires for 2020 | P4 of 19 | P2 of 19 | |
| 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test | P8 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking Test | P13 of 51 | P2 of 51 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 9 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Winter Sport 5
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 94%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 12 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
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 Sport 5
Pilot Alpin 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Winter Sport 5 83% from 47 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 | Winter Sport 5 | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 144 | 6% | 135 | 0-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 46.01 | 2.6% | 44.8 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 65.3 | 2.2% | 66.7 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 143 | 4.1% | 137 | 2-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 128 | 5.1% | 121 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 50.72 | 1.8% | 49.8 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 47.9 | 1.6% | 48.6 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6.7 | 25% | 5.4 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12.72 | 2.1% | 12.46 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 53.1 | 1.4% | 53.9 | 2-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 76.5 | 7.3% | 73.7 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 82 | 2.9% | 80 | 1-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.39 | 2.4% | 5.26 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 490 | 2.2% | 501 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 89.18 | 3.3% | 86.2 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 34.9 | 0.7% | 35.1 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 35.92 | 5.4% | 33.99 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9.4 | 3.5% | 9.8 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11.3 | 5.4% | 11.9 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55 | 3% | 53 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 11.1% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 73.67 | 2.7 dB | 70.95 | 0-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29,678 | 9% | 32,385 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8.53 | 0.3% | 8.48 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.7 | 1.7% | 5.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 67 | 25.4% | 50 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
| Winter Sport 5 | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Dry | 99 | ||
| 85 | Wet | 90 | ||
| 18 | Comfort | 89 | ||
| 66 | Value | 59 | ||
| 83 | Snow | 92 | ||
| 48 | 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 Sport 5 | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.5 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.9 | Road Feedback | 8.8 | ||
| 7.9 | Handling | 8.9 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 8.4 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 9.1 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.2 | Ice Grip | 8 | ||
Owners rate the Winter Sport 5 83% from 47 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33. 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 Pilot Alpin 5
- 87%from 33 reviews
- 85%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: 49 sizes of the Winter Sport 5 and 81 of the Pilot Alpin 5, 27 of them made in both.
| Category | Winter Sport 5 | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 49 sizes, 15 to 21 inch | 81 sizes, 16 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 27 sizes 205/60 R16215/65 R16225/50 R17235/45 R17235/55 R17245/45 R17215/50 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18235/40 R18235/45 R18and 15 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B52%C48% | B58%C40%D2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C75%D24%B1% | C60%D30%B9% |
| EU label noise | 70-74 dB B100% | 68-75 dB B70%A30% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 79 of 79 | 96 of 96 |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2017 |
| Replaced | Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D (2021) | Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 (2012) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tire in 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 17.1% 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 puts two ultra-high-performance winter staples under the microscope: Dunlop's Winter Sport 5 and Michelin's Pilot Alpin 5. Across nine shared professional tests from 2020-2025 in popular UHP sizes, the Michelin consistently finishes at or near the top, while the Dunlop positions as a competent, value-forward alternative with notable strengths in aquaplaning and economy.
Expect the Michelin to lead on objective grip and control: shorter braking on dry, wet, snow and ice, sharper steering, lower noise, and strong longevity. The Dunlop counters with superior curved-aquaplaning resistance, competitive straight aquaplaning in several tests, often lower fuel consumption/rolling resistance, and a friendlier purchase price-appealing for drivers prioritizing wet-weather safety margins in standing water and total running cost.
Conclusion
Across the test body, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the more complete winter UHP tire. It repeatedly delivers class-leading braking (dry/wet/snow/ice), precise handling, quieter running, and strong wear performance-attributes that translate to confidence in varied winter climates and faster, safer stops when it matters. Its main drawbacks are price and occasionally average curved-aquaplaning resistance.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is the savvy budget-conscious pick. It shines in aquaplaning-especially curved-and often posts lower consumption, while maintaining solid all-round winter ability. However, its longer braking distances on dry/wet and higher noise cap its ultimate safety/comfort ceiling versus Michelin. If your priority is ultimate grip and refinement, choose Michelin; if you want robust wet safety in deep water and lower running/entry cost, Dunlop is compelling.
Winter Sport 5 vs Pilot Alpin 5: your questions
Is the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 or the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 the better tire?
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 9 times and the Winter Sport 5 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Winter Sport 5 scores 8.9 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Winter Sport 5 or the Pilot Alpin 5?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 17 of the 27 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.1% shorter in the wet across 8 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 11 of the 11 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 6% shorter in the dry across 6 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 20 of the 23 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.9% shorter on snow across 8 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 9% longer in the wear tests (3 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the Winter Sport 5 and 9/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.7 dB quieter (6 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.4/10 for the Winter Sport 5 and 8.3/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winter Sport 5 83% from 47 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33. 83% of Winter Sport 5 owners would buy it again, against 85% for the Pilot Alpin 5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tire in 5 of them, by 17.1% 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 Pilot Alpin 5 in 81 (16 to 23 inch). 27 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 Pilot Alpin 5 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Winter Sport 5 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the Pilot Alpin 5 in 2017. The Winter Sport 5 replaced the Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D. The Pilot Alpin 5 replaced the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4.
More comparisons with these tires
vs
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
3-14 in 18 shared tests
vs
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
3-14 in 21 shared tests
vs
Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
0-11 in 11 shared tests
vs
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
0-8 in 8 shared tests
vs
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
1-18 in 20 shared tests
vs
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
5-10 in 16 shared tests
vs
Linglong Sport Master Winter vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
0-5 in 5 shared tests
vs
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3
2-6 in 9 shared tests
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.
Discussion