Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is a Ultra High Performance Winter tire designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Tire review data from 21 tire reviews averaging 88% over 244,050 miles driven, and 18 tests with an average result of 2nd.

Dry Grip 93%
Wet Grip 93%
Road Feedback 90%
Handling 91%
Wear 91%
Comfort 80%
Buy again 83%
Snow Grip 90%
Ice Grip 81%

First On MarketJune 2018
Wheel Size16 - 22"
Width205 - 315mm
Profile30 - 65
Rolling ResistanceB - D
Wet GripB - C
Noise (dB)68 - 75
Winter Rating3PMSF Rated

The Pilot Alpin 5 is ranked 5th of 43 Winter Ultra High Performance tires.

This tire replaced the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4.

In Depth Tire Comparisons

Tests Included

18

Best Result

1st

Worst Result

4th

Average Result

2nd

Latest Tire Test Results

The BEST Performance Winter Tires for 2024 / 2025
1st of 9 tires
  • The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 demonstrated excellent all-round performance, with particularly strong dry handling and comfort.
  • Despite its strong overall performance, it was slightly outperformed by the Pirelli in snow tests.
  • Despite being one of the oldest tire in the test, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 demonstrated why it has long been considered the benchmark in this category. It offered excellent all-round performance, with particularly strong showings in dry handling and comfort. The tire provided a well-balanced and predictable driving experience across all conditions. While it was slightly outperformed by the Pirelli in snow tests, the differences were minimal. The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 remains a top choice for drivers wanting a proven, well-rounded winter tire.
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View Full Test >>
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test
1st of 13 tires
  • Exemplary premium tire with top performance on snow and wet surfaces, sporty and responsive handling, short braking distances in all weather conditions, low rolling resistance.
  • Higher price point.
  • Excellent.
View Full Test >>
2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test
1st of 11 tires
  • The winter champion. Dynamic handling characteristics in all weather conditions. Best traction in snow. Precise steering behavior with good feedback.
  • Only average in cornering aquaplaning.
View Full Test >>

SizeFuelWetNoise
17 inch
225/50R17 98 H XLDB68
18 inch
225/40R18 92 V XLDB70
245/40R18 97 V XLDB72
245/40R18 97 W XLDB72
245/45R18 100 V XLCB72
225/40R18 92 W XLDB70
19 inch
235/35R19 91 W XLDB70
View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 >>

Questions and Answers for the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

2022-09-30 - Hi,
I’m struggling to decide whether I should take a Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 or a Michelin Crossclimate 2…
I would like to equip my 2019 Seat Leon Cupra ST 4Drive with tires for the winter season here in the north of France (Lille) where we have what you call a Mild Winter (between 7-0 degrees, often wet but rarely snowy).
If they were available in my car’s size in Frnace (235/35 r19 91y), I would probably take the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S which seems to fit exactly what I’m looking for: a sporty “summer tire” with winter capabilities. From what I understand, it was the philosophy of the previous Crossclimate+ (without the sporty handling…) but they’re no longer available.
My questions are the followings.
Under 7 degrees Celsius, between the Pilot Alpin 5 and the Crossclimate 2:
- on dry roads, which one will have the best handling (for a sport car)? Which one will have the shortest braking distance?
- same thing for wet conditions
- how about aquaplaning?
I guess it would be a useful review as your YouTube guest promote all season tires for mild winter condition but I can’t find any in the web.
Thanks a lot for your excellent website and work!

The CC2 should have the advantage in dry braking, however wet I'm not so sure about. Handling is another difficult one to answer as I've not directly compared them, generally more sipes mean more block movement which means less direct handling, so again the CC2 should have the edge.

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Size Price Range  
Available in 7 tire sizes - View all.

YouTube Review

Top 3 Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Reviews

Given 81% while driving a Toyota Verso 1.6 D4 D mpv (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 189 - tire reviewed on November 5, 2018
Given 74% while driving a Volkswagen Passat (235/45 R18 V) on a combination of roads for 2,500 spirited miles
Pros:
The wet grip is very good;
Dry and snow grip is good;
Very good handling in dry and wet conditions;
Damage resistant boards;

Cons:
Very bad in slush road;
Bad in sharp corner on icy road;
Helpful 122 - tire reviewed on January 20, 2019
Given 69% while driving a Audi S3 (225/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 5,000 miles
After a set of nexen winguard I decided to go with what is supposed to be the best winter tire according to reviews around the web. I am disillusioned...the cheaper nexen were better by far, expecially on dry road and sport driving on dry roads. On the snow the michelin are only slightly worse than the nexen but still worse. For sure not buying again
Helpful 41 - tire reviewed on May 1, 2023
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Latest Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Reviews

Given 85% while driving a Mercedes Benz GLA 200d sport (235/55 R19) on for 15,000 miles
The best in winter tires.
Helpful 3 - tire reviewed on August 22, 2024
Given 70% while driving a BMW 330 (225/45 R18) on mostly country roads for 0 average miles
Very good dry and wet grip (like summer Pilot Sport 4) good level of comfort, but unfortunately very noisy! Maybe due to staggered setup of wheels (225 front / 255 rear) and symetrical "V" shape design, tires produced loud humming noise at 100 km/h, probably some resonance frequency between front and rear... Excellent tire behaviour but noise level was not acceptable and lead me to unfortunately get rid of them... Changed for used Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 and these were much more quiet despite runflats...
Helpful 13 - tire reviewed on January 17, 2024
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Given 91% while driving a BMW 335i (235/45 R18) on mostly country roads for 10,000 spirited miles
I use these as my winter tires on my E92 BMW Alpina B3S Allrad which is based on the 335ix They are quite a brilliant tire that reassure me on and through the the worst of winter conditions. I have driven my car across The Alps and other mountain ranges during quite bleak blizzard conditions with these tires on and they simply don’t put a foot wrong. Although it’s not compulsory and there’s no legal obligation upon me to use winter tires on my car where I currently reside, I am convinced that every car, even those with 4WD or AWD should change to winter tires when the temperature drops to +7C or below. Just talk to my friend who recently put his 4WD BMW X5 through a ditch after it slid on ice, after swearing to me that very day that he didn’t need winter tires as all four of the wheels on his X5 are driven. He now uses winter tires….. Now, the Alpin 5 tires are very supple and provide me with all that I want or need for winter driving. Good under braking and accelerating, good on turning and direction changes and quite simply excellent on even the heaviest of snow covered navigable roads.
Helpful 36 - tire reviewed on February 21, 2023
Given 70% while driving a Lotus Evora 40 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,000 average miles
Have driven them ca 1500 km in a Nordic country (Estonia) with my Lotus Evora 400. As seen in the rating, very good if not excellent if there is no snow or ice. If there is snow, they will do the job OK(ish) in the city, not the highway. If there is ice, these things are pretty much useless, borderline dangerous. Braking is hilariously poor. Would not recommend or buy them for a winter tire. Great tire for +10 to -5 temperature countries that don't experience much snow or ice.
Helpful 53 - tire reviewed on January 21, 2022
Given 84% while driving a BMW 140i xdrive (225/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles
Very convincing as a Sport tire in winter time. Side walls are not hard as I had them in my own hands when not on the rims. Thus at least 2.5 "bar" tire pressure required. Car reacts very good on steering wheel inputs for a winter tire. Did a lot of abuse last two months driving agressivly curvy roads at the limit (standard adaptive chassis but same tire dimension all around). Tires managed this very good with low wear. Dry grip is outstanding for winter tire and wet grip on an high level and good controllable. Feels sure footed. Conti 850P had slightly better grip in wet but dry was average. Comfort is below average (a bit hard for a winter tire and some unexpected noise at 120km/h / Limit in Switzerland) but overall still quiet for a winter tire.
Helpful 38 - tire reviewed on January 15, 2022
Given 80% while driving a Kia Motors Stinger 2.0 RWD (225/45 R18) on mostly country roads for 5,000 spirited miles
I've had the tires since November and would say that I'm fairly satisfied with performance but, they seem to have a super hard sidewall because you can feel every single imperfection from the road. And not necessarily in a nice way. They give you some good confidence in the snow and traction control barely steps in under acceleration on snow. I only once felt the rear go loose while driving on a wet-oily road. Other than that, vey stable. Super poor fuel economy. About 0.5l/100km more for constant highway driving (at 140km/h). Comparing them to the previous Pirelli Sottozero 3.
Helpful 39 - tire reviewed on January 14, 2022
Given 97% while driving a BMW M135i X Drive (225/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 12,000 spirited miles
Amazing grip in the dry for a winter tire. Only negative is the comfort that is not as good as other winter tires. But then this is more responsive with better feedback than other winter tires.
Helpful 36 - tire reviewed on January 11, 2022
Given 91% while driving a BMW M140i (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 4,000 spirited miles
The best winter tire I ever drove. Finally I can go for a drive in winter and enjoy the car and the road. You get a lot of feedback from the tire. It's not so precise and stable like a 4s for example, but you can still drive hard and the tire will not fall apart. And the wearing is even when you drive it hard really good. I was very supportive by that. Even with these really good dry performance, the tire works very good in the snow also. I spend a lot of time in the mountains so it has to work for me also in the snow and the tire delivers!!! An absolute amazing winter tire!!
Helpful 44 - tire reviewed on December 30, 2021
Given 100% while driving a Mercedes Benz A180 CDI W176 (225/40 R19) on a combination of roads for 20,000 spirited miles
Went from Alpin 5 (predecessor of alpin 6) to the new Pilot Alpin 5 and was blown away by the way the tire handles. I don't often get snow so dry and wet performance below 7 degrees Celsius is very important and they do not disappoint. Winter tires can feel wobbly but these do a great job and still giving some sense of connection to the road. And just recently drove on icy roads and some snow and they handled it like a champ. Wear is excellent, and despite the fact they only have about 3.5mm left they still grip which hasn't been the case with some other winter tires I've had in the past from other brands. So highly recommend, can't fault them on anything. Worth every penny.
Helpful 34 - tire reviewed on December 29, 2021
Given 96% while driving a Ford Mondeo TDCI (235/45 R18) on a combination of roads for 13,050 average miles
This is a review after the first winter with those Pilot Alpin 5. I have managed to do aprox. 13.000miles with them and thread left is : 5MM front 6MM rear I have a sporty driving, aprox. 70% Highways, 25% Roads, 5% Town. So tire wear is generally fast with my style of driving but those Pilot Alpin 5 seems to last quite a bit. It was my last winter with the car so I do this review about it to feed the reviews on this tire. I recommend them if you have the money. I think you will find your money back as those seems to make a higher milage as I am used to do!
Helpful 41 - tire reviewed on June 24, 2021
Given 94% while driving a Audi A8 (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 1,000 spirited miles
Mounted on a 2019 Audi A8L which is a heavy car. Dry performance and in the rain is outstanding, especially for a winter tire. Snow performance is great in every area except for hard braking. I suspect due to the compromises made by not being a dedicated snow tire. However, lateral stability and inability to execute a drift with ease adds to overall safety of the vehicle. It's also very difficult to break traction when accelerating hard though the A8L is equipped with Quattro. All in all a great tire for those in moderate winter climate conditions with tread life as a concern and/or for those that don't want all of the downsides of a dedicated snow tire.
Helpful 34 - tire reviewed on December 3, 2020
Given 97% while driving a Volkswagen Golf (225/40 R18 V) on a combination of roads for 500 spirited miles
I haven’t tested them in snow yet, but the comfort and handling is great, I had Hankook fitted before them, and there is a huge difference, the sidewall looks nice too, I love these types.
Helpful 48 - tire reviewed on November 1, 2020