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Michelin Alpin 5 Test Results

Tested 2014 to 2018 7 publications

Tested 19 times by independent publications, the Michelin Alpin 5 averages a finish of 6th.

  • 19Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 4Podium finishes
  • 6thAverage finish
  • 60%Field beaten on average
  • 7Publications
Michelin Alpin 5

19 tests, 2014 to 2018

0%50%100%20142015201620172018Average 60%2014 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 (2014): P7 of 14, Beat 54% of the field2014 AMS Winter Tire Test (2014): P4 of 10, Beat 67% of the field2015 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2015): P12 of 19, Beat 39% of the field2015 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2015): P5 of 8, Beat 43% of the field2015 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test (2015): P5 of 8, Beat 43% of the field2015 ACE 17 Inch Winter Tire Test (2015): P5 of 8, Beat 43% of the field2016 AZ Winter Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2016): P4 of 14, Beat 62% of the field2016 Winter Tire Market Overview (2016): P3 of 49, Beat 95% of the field2016 AutoBild Winter Tire Test (2016): P2 of 20, Beat 95% of the field2016 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2016): P5 of 8, Beat 43% of the field2017 Auto Express Winter Tire Test (2017): P7 of 8, Beat 14% of the field2017 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 195/65 R15 (2017): P12 of 16, Beat 27% of the field2017 ADAC SUV Winter Tire Test - 215/65 R16 (2017): P5 of 16, Beat 73% of the field2017 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2017): P2 of 20, Beat 95% of the field2017 50 Winter Tire Shoot Out (2017): P7 of 50, Beat 86% of the field2017 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test (2017): P3 of 10, Beat 78% of the field2018 51 Winter Tire Shootout (2018): P17 of 52, Beat 69% of the field2018 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 205/55 R16 (2018): P5 of 16, Beat 73% of the field2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test (2018): P11 of 20, Beat 47% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 60%
The latest test

2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test P11 of 20

Strong: Wear, Value Weak: Rolling Resistance Winner: Dunlop Winter Sport 5

Record by discipline

Where the Michelin Alpin 5 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 3 P9 of 18 52% -
Dry Handling 3 P7.3 of 18 60% -
Wet
Wet Braking 3 P9 of 18 56% -
Wet Handling 3 P6.3 of 18 66% -
Straight Aqua 3 P4 of 18 85% 1
Snow
Snow Braking 3 P12.3 of 18 41% -
Snow Handling 3 P10.7 of 17.7 47% -
Comfort
Noise 3 P10 of 18 50% -
Value
Wear 2 P2 of 20.5 95% 1
Value 2 P5.5 of 20.5 76% 1
Rolling Resistance 3 P15.7 of 18 18% -

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Michelin Alpin 5. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 14 shared: 5 ahead, 9 behind 14 5 9 - 36%
Nokian WR D4 13 shared: 5 ahead, 8 behind 13 5 8 - 38%
Continental WinterContact TS 860 11 shared: 0 ahead, 11 behind 11 0 11 - 0%
Hankook Winter i cept RS2 10 shared: 6 ahead, 4 behind 10 6 4 - 60%
Goodyear UltraGrip 9 9 shared: 1 ahead, 7 behind 9 1 7 1 13%
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 8 shared: 6 ahead, 2 behind 8 6 2 - 75%
Uniroyal MS+ 77 8 shared: 5 ahead, 3 behind 8 5 3 - 63%
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Gen 1 8 shared: 1 ahead, 7 behind 8 1 7 - 13%
Barum Polaris 3 7 shared: 5 ahead, 2 behind 7 5 2 - 71%
Vredestein Snowtrac 5 7 shared: 5 ahead, 2 behind 7 5 2 - 71%
Firestone Winterhawk 3 7 shared: 5 ahead, 2 behind 7 5 2 - 71%
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 7 shared: 4 ahead, 3 behind 7 4 3 - 57%
Kumho Winter Craft WP51 6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind 6 6 0 - 100%
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 6 shared: 5 ahead, 1 behind 6 5 1 - 83%
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind 6 4 2 - 67%
Yokohama W drive V905 6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind 6 3 3 - 50%
Kleber Krisalp HP3 6 shared: 2 ahead, 4 behind 6 2 4 - 33%
Maxxis Arctictrekker WP05 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Vredestein Wintrac xtreme S 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Semperit Speed Grip 2 5 shared: 4 ahead, 1 behind 5 4 1 - 80%

Against its own line

The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.

Tire Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Michelin Alpin A4 Predecessor 41 4 4th 72%
Michelin Alpin 5 This tire 19 0 6th 60%
Michelin Alpin 6 Successor 30 2 4th 74%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 19 tests. Updated October 11, 2025.

Michelin Alpin 5 delivers consistently solid, well-rounded winter performance with standout longevity and value, frequently finishing upper-midfield to podium in large comparison tests. It shows reliable wet handling/braking and good aquaplaning resistance, plus competitive snow capability, helping it achieve several top-5 overall results and multiple podiums. However, it is held back by higher rolling resistance, occasional weak wet/snow braking in certain sizes, and premium purchase prices.

Across 19 winter tests (avg position 6.4), Alpin 5 scored podiums in 2016-2017 big tests (2/20 Auto Bild 2016; 3/11 Auto Bild SUV 2017; 2/21 Auto Bild 2017) and remained competitive in ADAC (5/16 in 2017 SUV; 5/16 in 2018). Its hallmark is outstanding wear, repeatedly leading to best value ratings despite high initial cost.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Michelin Alpin 5 (14 tests) and 26 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Wet grip strength in 6 of 14 tests 11 praise, 0 criticise of 26 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Tread life strength in 5 of 14 tests 9 praise, 1 criticise of 26 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry grip strength in 5 of 14 tests 3 praise, 0 criticise of 26 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Ride comfort strength in 2 of 14 tests 4 praise, 0 criticise of 26 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Ice grip strength in 1 of 14 tests 1 praise, 3 criticise of 26 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire

  • Warm-weather behavior no test mentions it 0 praise, 5 criticise of 26 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Performance when worn no test mentions it 1 praise, 3 criticise of 26 reviews · Read those reviews

Flagged by testers, not mentioned by owners

  • Rolling resistance weakness in 6 of 14 tests no owner mentions it
  • Snow handling strength in 4 of 14 tests no owner mentions it
  • Wet braking strength in 3 of 14 tests no owner mentions it

Every test, newest first 19

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2018 3 tests
P11 of 20 Beat 47% of the field

2018 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test

Auto Bild 195/65 R15

StrongWearValue WeakRolling Resistance WinnerDunlop Winter Sport 5

2017 6 tests
P7 of 8 Beat 14% of the field

2017 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

Auto Express 225/45 R17

The Michelin Alpin 5 is another tire that seems more comfortable in 16" sizes than the 17" on test here. Beating only last placed Bridgestone in most of the tests, the Alpin 5 is due an update to keep it with the best tires on the market.

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 860

2016 4 tests
P5 of 8 Beat 43% of the field

2016 Auto Express Winter Tire Test

Auto Express 205/55 R16

The Michelin Alpin 5 proved to be a snowmaster, winning the snow circle and snow handling tests, but as with many modern Michelin tires, had a compromised aquaplaning result. A strong balance in the dry, and third place in the wet handling tests were highlights. Not the best rolling resistance on test, but not the worst.

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 860

2015 4 tests
2014 2 tests
P4 of 10 Beat 67% of the field

2014 AMS Winter Tire Test

Auto Motor Und Sport 205/55 R16

WinnerContinental WinterContact TS 850

Back to the Michelin Alpin 5 overview

Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Michelin tires

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