Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 - Test Results

Test Statistics

23

Tests Completed

2^nd

Average Position

1^st

Best Result

4^th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Across 23 winter tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 shows exceptionally consistent top-tier overall performance (average overall position 1.5), repeatedly finishing 1st/2nd and earning a test-winner award. The dominant pattern is a tire that is extremely strong on snow and very competent on dry roads for a winter tire, combining high control with impressive longevity/low wear in the few tests that measured durability.

Its main recurring limitation is wet safety/performance in specific sub-disciplines rather than overall wet capability: wet handling/grip metrics (wet circle) and especially curved aquaplaning often sit mid-pack to bottom-half even when overall scores remain excellent. In addition, value-for-money is a frequent drawback due to high purchase price, despite strong wear rates lowering cost-per-km in some evaluations.

Performance Strengths

Snow Performance (braking, traction, handling) Strong Details
• 1st overall in 2025 Sportauto test with snow braking 1/7 and snow slalom 1/7 (4.03 m/s²), plus snow handling 3/7 (+0.7% from best)
• 2025 Auto Zeitung: snow traction 1/10 (3575 N) and snow handling 1/10 (68 s), snow braking 2/10 (+0.8% from best)
• 2023 Auto Bild full test: snow braking 1/22, snow traction 1/22, snow handling 1/21
• 2023/24 Tire Reviews UHP: snow braking 1/6, snow traction 1/6, snow handling 1/6, snow slalom 1/6
• 2022 Auto Bild SUV: snow braking 1/11, snow traction 1/11, snow handling 1/10, snow slalom 1/11
Dry Road Performance (especially braking/handling for a winter tire) Strong Details
• 2025 ADAC: dry braking 1/31 (41.4 m)
• 2025 Auto Zeitung: dry braking 1/10 (42.4 m)
• 2021 Tire Reviews: dry handling 2/10 (+0.2% from best) and dry braking 2/10 (+8.4% from best)
• 2023/24 Tire Reviews UHP: dry handling 1/6 and dry braking 2/6 (+0.7% from best)
• 2024 Auto Bild SUV: dry handling 2/13 (+0.6% from best)
Refinement & Comfort (noise/comfort) Strong Details
• Multiple class-leading noise results: 2025 Sportauto noise 1/7 (71.8 dB), 2023 Auto Bild noise 1/22 (70.6 dB), 2022 Auto Bild SUV noise 1/11 (69.5 dB), 2023 Auto Bild Sportscars noise 1/12 (69.5 dB)
• 2025 Auto Zeitung: subjective comfort 1/10 (8 points)
• 2023/24 Tire Reviews winter test: subjective comfort 1/13 (100 points)
Wear/Longevity & Low Abrasion (where measured) Strong Details
• 2025 Auto Zeitung: wear 1/10 with 46,750 km projected mileage and abrasion 1/10 (0.124 mm/1000 km)
• 2023/24 Tire Reviews UHP: wear 1/6 (31,460 km) despite being the most expensive tire (price 6/6, +253.4% from best)
• 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter: wear 1/20 (47,970 km)
• 2025 ADAC: abrasion 1/31 (50 mg/km/t) and wear 4/31 (67,000 km)

Performance Weaknesses

Wet Grip Limit & Lateral Stability (wet circle / wet handling variability) Moderate Details
• 2025 ADAC: wet circle only 20/30 (+22.6% from best)
• 2024 Auto Bild SUV: wet circle 10/13 (+9.3% from best)
• 2025 Sportauto: wet handling 6/7 (+2.2% from best) and wet circle 6/7 (+1.4% from best)
• 2023 Sport Auto: wet handling 6/9 (+0.9% from best) and wet circle 6/9 (+0.8% from best)
Aquaplaning Resistance (especially curved aquaplaning) Strong Details
• 2023/24 Tire Reviews UHP: curved aquaplaning 5/6 (+43% from best)
• 2025 Auto Bild full test: curved aquaplaning 14/22 (+23.9% from best)
• 2023 Auto Bild full test: curved aquaplaning 16/22 (+26.4% from best)
• 2023 Sport Auto: curved aquaplaning 7/9 (+24.3% from best)
Value/Price Competitiveness Strong Details
• 2025 Auto Zeitung: value 6/10 (+83.3% from best) while noted as most expensive set (1090 euros)
• 2025 Auto Bild full test: value 19/20 (+82.5% from best)
• 2023 Auto Bild full test: value 17/20 (+72.6% from best)
• 2023/24 Tire Reviews UHP: price 6/6 (+253.4% from best) and value 4/6 (+86.9% from best)
Snow Traction Consistency (occasional outlier) Minor Details
• 2025 Sportauto: snow traction 7/7 (+16.8% from best) despite being overall 1/7 and leading snow braking 1/7
• 2025 Auto Bild full test: snow traction 9/22 (+4.5% from best) while snow handling was 1/21

Performance Over Time

Test History

of 7

2025 High Performance Winter Tire Test

2025

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 emerges as the test winner, proving itself to be a highly reliable, grip-strong tire with broad safety reserves on snow. Testers found it delivered precisely what a rear-...

Strong:
Noise, Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Snow Braking, Snow Slalom, Rolling Resistance

Weak:
Snow Traction, Wet Circle, Wet Handling

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