Kumho Winter Craft WP52 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 and the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

There are a few basic differences between the two tires. The Kumho Winter Craft WP52 is an Premium-Touring Winter tire designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars, and the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is an Ultra-High-Performance Winter tire designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars

In This Article

Introduction Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion

Test Results

Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been four tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these four tests:

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead of the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 in four of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is better than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 2.05% less distance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

42.85M

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

41.97M

Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:42.66M	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 41.22M
2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test 225/40 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:44M	Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 44M
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 245/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:41.9M	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 40.7M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.9% faster around a lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

71.45s

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

70.81s

Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test
225/45 R18

Kumho Winter Craft WP52:71.45s

✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 70.81s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during zero dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was 0.86% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

103.85Km/H

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

104.75Km/H

Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test 225/40 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:102.5Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 103.1Km/H
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 245/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:105.2Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 106.4Km/H

Subj. Dry Handling

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

95 Points

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

95 Points

Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling:

See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test
225/45 R18

Kumho Winter Craft WP52:95 Points

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 95 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 3.65% less distance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

37.5M

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

36.13M

Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:30.8M	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 27.83M
2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test 225/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:36.9M	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 34.3M
2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Kumho Winter Craft WP52:49.7M	Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 49.9M
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 245/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:32.6M	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 32.5M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 4.42% faster around a wet lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

60.19s

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

57.53s

Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test
225/45 R18

Kumho Winter Craft WP52:60.19s

✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 57.53s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during zero wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was 2.18% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

80.9Km/H

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

82.7Km/H

Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test 225/40 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:79.1Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 81.4Km/H
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 245/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:82.7Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 84Km/H

Subj. Wet Handling

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

98 Points

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

98 Points

Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling:

See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test
225/45 R18

Kumho Winter Craft WP52:98 Points

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 98 Points

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 1.63% faster around a wet circle than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

16.54s

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

16.27s

Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>

2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test
245/45 R18

Kumho Winter Craft WP52:16.54s

✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 16.27s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during zero straight aqua tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 floated at a 3.32% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

87.31Km/H

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

90.31Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:91.52Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 93.63Km/H
2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test 225/40 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:95.1Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 99Km/H
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 245/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:75.3Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 78.3Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 slipped out at a 4.87% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

2.54m/sec2

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

2.67m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>

2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Kumho Winter Craft WP52:2.73m/sec2	Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 2.5m/sec2
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 245/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:2.35m/sec2	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 2.84m/sec2

Snow Braking

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during four snow braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 7.46% less distance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

26.01M

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

24.07M

Snow braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Snow Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:19.23M	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 17.97M
2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test 225/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:31.4M	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 29.2M
2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test 225/40 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:31M	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 28.6M
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 245/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:22.4M	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 20.5M

Snow Traction

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 accelerated 7.36% faster than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

5.98s

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

5.54s

Snow acceleration time, lower is better

Best In Snow Traction: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test
225/45 R18

Kumho Winter Craft WP52:5.98s

✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 5.54s

Snow Traction

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during zero snow traction tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 had 5.9% better snow traction than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

2398.5N

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

2549N

Pulling Force in Newtons, higher is better

Best In Snow Traction: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>

2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test 225/40 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:2096N	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 2218N
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 245/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:2701N	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 2880N

Snow Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.92% faster around a lap than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

86.79s

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

84.26s

Snow handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Snow Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test
225/45 R18

Kumho Winter Craft WP52:86.79s

✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 84.26s

Snow Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during zero snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was 2.81% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

58.7Km/H

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

60.4Km/H

Snow handling average speed, higher is better

Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test 225/40 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:54.2Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 55.8Km/H
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 245/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:63.2Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 65Km/H

Subj. Snow Handling

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during zero subj. snow handling tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 scored 8% more points than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

92 Points

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

100 Points

Subjective Snow Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test
225/45 R18

Kumho Winter Craft WP52:92 Points

✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 100 Points

Snow Slalom

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during zero snow slalom tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was 5.09% faster through a slalom than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

3.54m/sec2

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

3.73m/sec2

Lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Snow Slalom: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>

2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test
225/40 R18

Kumho Winter Craft WP52:3.54m/sec2

✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 3.73m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

90 Points

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

100 Points

Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>

Noise

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 measured 2% quieter than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

72.6dB

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

71.15dB

External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Noise winner was calculated >>

2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test 225/40 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:72.3dB	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 69.5dB
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 245/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:72.9dB	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 72.8dB

Price

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 was better during one price tests. On average the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 cost 40.43% less than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

110.79

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

185.99

Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Kumho Winter Craft WP52

See how the Price winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test
225/45 R18

✓ Kumho Winter Craft WP52:110.79

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 185.99

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 had a 2.79% lower rolling resistance than the Kumho Winter Craft WP52.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52

8.59kg / t

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

8.35kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>

2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:8.6kg / t	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 8.49kg / t
2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test 225/40 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:9.22kg / t	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 8.89kg / t
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 245/45 R18	Kumho Winter Craft WP52:7.95kg / t	✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5: 7.66kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

In total the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 has been reviewed 7 times and drivers have given the tire 68% overall.

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 has been reviewed 23 times and drivers have given the tire 88% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.

Best Review for the Kumho Winter Craft WP52

Given 60% 225/45 R17 on mostly country roads for 8,000 average miles

Good dry handling and traction, average wet and below expectations on snow as for a winter tire. Noise depends a lot on tire pressure

Helpful 55 - tire reviewed on February 28, 2023

View all Kumho Winter Craft WP52 driver reviews >>

Best Review for the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Given 81% 205/60 R16 H on mostly country roads for 76,000 spirited miles

This is by far the best winter I have used. I live in the alps and use every weekend to go from 300m to 1740m ski ressort. I have needed to chain up even with 30cm snow. On the packed snow/ice no issues even from standing start on gradient. Knowing the road I push the corners and straights with the knowledge they do not let me down

Helpful 196 - tire reviewed on November 5, 2018

View all Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Kumho Winter Craft WP52 performed better in price, while the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], dry handling [km/h], wet braking, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], wet circle, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, snow braking, snow traction, snow traction, snow handling [s], snow handling [km/h], subj. snow handling, snow slalom, noise and rolling resistance.

Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in subj. dry handling and subj. wet handling, showing that they are closely matched in these areas.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 seems to be the best tire overall.

However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.

Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.

Similar Comparisons

Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 VS Kumho Winter Craft WP52

Kumho Winter Craft WP52 VS Vredestein Wintrac Pro

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P VS Kumho Winter Craft WP52

Kumho Winter Craft WP52 VS Maxxis Premitra Snow WP6

Kumho Winter Craft WP52 VS Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro VS Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Hankook Winter i cept evo3 VS Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Dunlop Winter Sport 5 VS Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 VS Vredestein Wintrac Pro

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 VS Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P VS Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 VS Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Footnote

This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.

Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Kumho Winter Craft WP52 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Test Results

Dry Braking

Dry Handling [s]

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Subj. Dry Handling

Wet Braking

Wet Handling [s]

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Subj. Wet Handling

Wet Circle

Straight Aqua

Curved Aquaplaning

Snow Braking

Snow Traction

Snow Traction

Snow Handling [s]

Snow Handling [Km/H]

Subj. Snow Handling

Snow Slalom

Subj. Comfort

Noise

Price

Rolling Resistance

Real World Driver Reviews

Conclusion

Similar Comparisons

Footnote

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All Season Tire Tests

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