In this article we will be looking at independent tyre 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 tyre is best for your own driving.
There are a few basic differences between the two tyres. The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is an Ultra-High-Performance Winter tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars, and the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV is an Ultra-High-Performance Winter tyre designed to be fitted to SUV-and-4x4s
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been four tests which compare both tyres 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, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Looking at data from four tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:43.02M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 42.15M |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:44.2M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 43.7M |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:41.8M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 41.5M |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/55 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:44.2M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 42.9M |
Looking at data from one tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:66.28s | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 66.61s |
Looking at data from three tyre 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 Tyre 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 Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:94.3Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 94.6Km/H |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/55 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:115.5Km/H | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 114.5Km/H |
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV performed equally well in subj. dry handling tests.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:95 Points | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 95 Points |
Looking at data from four tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:33.06M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 32.86M |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:35.7M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 35.2M |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:44.5M | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 44.9M |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/55 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:36.2M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 35.9M |
Looking at data from one tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:73.45s | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 73.55s |
Looking at data from three tyre 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 Tyre Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:77.8Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 78Km/H |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:83.1Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 83.6Km/H |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/55 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:65.5Km/H | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 65.4Km/H |
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV performed equally well in subj. wet handling tests.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:95 Points | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 95 Points |
Looking at data from one tyre 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 Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:16.2s | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 16.11s |
Looking at data from four tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:84.9Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 86.1Km/H |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:76Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 76.6Km/H |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:84.9Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 87.3Km/H |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre 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 tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:3.73m/sec2 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 3.63m/sec2 |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre 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 Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:4.2m/sec2 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 4.02m/sec2 |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre 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 tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:16.21M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 16.06M |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:31.2M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 29.8M |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:22.4M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 22.3M |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/55 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:25.4M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 24.5M |
Looking at data from one tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:3.68s | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 3.53s |
Looking at data from three tyre 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 Tyre Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:3.28N | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 3.38N |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:3188N | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 3327N |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/55 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:1.4N | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 1.48N |
Looking at data from one tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:90.85s | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 88.65s |
Looking at data from three tyre 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 Tyre 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 Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:55.5Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 56.1Km/H |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre 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 tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:95 Points | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 100 Points |
Looking at data from one tyre 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 Tyre 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 tyre 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 Tyre 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 tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:95 Points | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 100 Points |
Looking at data from four tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:71.1dB | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 68.9dB |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test 255/45 R20 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:71.8dB | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 71.2dB |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:74.1dB | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 71.9dB |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/55 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:72.5dB | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 71.4dB |
Looking at data from two tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:162.29 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 171.49 |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:865 | ✓ Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 780 |
Looking at data from four tyre 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 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:6.493kg / t | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 8.186kg / t |
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test 255/45 R20 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:7.2kg / t | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 8kg / t |
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 225/60 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:6.37kg / t | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 8.39kg / t |
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test 235/55 R18 |
✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870 P:7.3kg / t | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 8.4kg / t |
Tyre 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 tyre 89% overall.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV has been reviewed 7 times and drivers have given the tyre 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 tyres performed equally well in subj. dry handling and subj. wet handling, showing that they are closely matched in these areas.
Which tyre is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tyre. Comparing all the data in the tyre reviews database, on balance Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV seems to be the best tyre overall.
However, it's important to note that both tyres have their strengths.
Remember, the best tyre for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre 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 tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre 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 tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.