In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV to find out which tire is best for your own driving.
There are a few basic differences between the two tires. The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is an Ultra-High-Performance Winter tire designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars, and the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV is an Ultra-High-Performance Winter tire designed to be fitted to SUV-and-4x4s
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:
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV is better than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P 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.
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV stopped the vehicle in 1.73% less distance than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:43.02M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 42.15M |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:44.2M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 43.7M |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:41.8M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 41.5M |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test 235/55 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:44.2M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 42.9M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 0.5% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:66.28s | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 66.61s |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 0.85% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:117.5Km/H | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 115.4Km/H |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:94.3Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 94.6Km/H |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test 235/55 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:115.5Km/H | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 114.5Km/H |
Best In Subj. Dry Handling:
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:95 Points | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 95 Points |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV stopped the vehicle in 0.4% less distance than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:33.06M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 32.86M |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:35.7M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 35.2M |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:44.5M | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 44.9M |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test 235/55 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:36.2M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 35.9M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 0.14% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:73.45s | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 73.55s |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 0.26% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:77.8Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 78Km/H |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:83.1Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 83.6Km/H |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test 235/55 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:65.5Km/H | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 65.4Km/H |
Best In Subj. Wet Handling:
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:95 Points | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 95 Points |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was 0.56% faster around a wet circle than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:16.2s | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 16.11s |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P floated at a 0.74% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:84.9Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 86.1Km/H |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:76Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 76.6Km/H |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:84.9Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 87.3Km/H |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test 235/55 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:74.2Km/H | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 72.4Km/H |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P slipped out at a 9.6% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:3.73m/sec2 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 3.63m/sec2 |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:2.82m/sec2 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 2.36m/sec2 |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:4.2m/sec2 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 4.02m/sec2 |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test 235/55 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:3.39m/sec2 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 2.77m/sec2 |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was better during four snow braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV stopped the vehicle in 2.65% less distance than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Snow Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:16.21M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 16.06M |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:31.2M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 29.8M |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:22.4M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 22.3M |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test 235/55 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:25.4M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 24.5M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV accelerated 4.08% faster than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:3.68s | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 3.53s |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during zero snow traction tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P had 4.18% better snow traction than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:3.28N | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 3.38N |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:3188N | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 3327N |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test 235/55 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:1.4N | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 1.48N |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was 2.42% faster around a lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:90.85s | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 88.65s |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during zero snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 2.16% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:46.4Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 48.2Km/H |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:55.5Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 56.1Km/H |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test 235/55 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:47.9Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 48.8Km/H |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during zero subj. snow handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scored 5% more points than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:95 Points | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 100 Points |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P provided 0.23% more lateral grip than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Snow Circle: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:4.3ms/2 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 4.29ms/2 |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during zero snow slalom tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 1.63% faster through a slalom than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Snow Slalom: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:4.82m/sec2 | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 4.9m/sec2 |
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during zero subj. noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scored 5% more points than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Subj. Noise: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:95 Points | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 100 Points |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was better during four noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV measured 2.11% quieter than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Noise: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:71.1dB | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 68.9dB |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:71.8dB | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 71.2dB |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:74.1dB | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 71.9dB |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test 235/55 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:72.5dB | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 71.4dB |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV was better during one price tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV cost 7.38% less than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Price: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:162.29 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 171.49 |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:865 | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 780 |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during four rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P had a 16.99% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test 235/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:6.493kg / t | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 8.186kg / t |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test 255/45 R20 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:7.2kg / t | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 8kg / t |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test 225/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:6.37kg / t | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 8.39kg / t |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tire Test 235/55 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:7.3kg / t | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 8.4kg / t |
Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
In total the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P has been reviewed 18 times and drivers have given the tire 89% overall.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV has been reviewed 7 times and drivers have given the tire 83% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV.
In conclusion the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P performed better in dry handling [s], dry handling [km/h], wet handling [s], curved aquaplaning, snow circle and rolling resistance, while the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV performed better in dry braking, wet braking, wet handling [km/h], wet circle, straight aqua, snow braking, snow traction, snow traction, snow handling [s], snow handling [km/h], subj. snow handling, snow slalom, subj. noise, noise and price.
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 SUV 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 SUV
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV 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.Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
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.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.