Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

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

Tyre review data from 23 tyre reviews averaging 88% over 258,050 miles driven, and 18 tests with an average result of 2nd.

Dry Grip 93%
Wet Grip 92%
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 tyres.

This tyre replaced the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4.

In Depth Tyre Comparisons

Tests Included

18

Best Result

1st

Worst Result

4th

Average Result

2nd

Latest Tyre Test Results

The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025
1st of 9 tyres
  • 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 tyre 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 tyre 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 tyre.
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View Full Test >>
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test
1st of 13 tyres
  • Exemplary premium tyre 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 Tyre Test
1st of 11 tyres
  • 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
245/45R18 100 V XLCB72
245/40R18 97 W XLDB72
225/40R18 92 V XLDB70
245/40R18 97 V XLDB72
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 tyre” 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 tyres 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 2 tyre 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 199 - tyre reviewed on November 5, 2018
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 tyre 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 46 - tyre reviewed on May 1, 2023
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 130 - tyre reviewed on January 20, 2019
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Latest Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Reviews

Given 88% while driving a Hyundai Sonata N Line (245/40 R19) on a combination of roads for 4,000 spirited miles
This tire feels like a UHP summer tire but in winter. Outstanding performance in dry and wet when cold. Starts to soften above 15 degrees C. Good snow performance - almost as good as X-ice. Ice performance is meh. Michelin sacrificed comfort for handling characteristics; feels too sporty and bumpy for my preference.
Helpful 2 - tyre reviewed on December 13, 2024
Given 88% while driving a Mercedes Benz B200 (205/55 R17) on mostly town for 10,000 average miles
After i bought this tyres, there is no snow in my city due to climate changes. So no snow or ice experience so far. Best benefit of this tyre is comfort. In dry and wet handling, i am satisfied with tyre. Near performance to my hp summer tyre in corners. Only thing i hate about tyre is, it easily skids in standing start from standing start both in dry and wet. Which reduces tyre life. Standing start from wet high inclined road is not so fun but still good compared to lots of tyres. But it must be improved.
Helpful 3 - tyre reviewed on December 13, 2024
What to know the BEST All Season Tyres for 2024? Click to find out!
Given 85% while driving a Mercedes Benz GLA 200d sport (235/55 R19) on for 15,000 miles
The best in winter tires.
Helpful 14 - tyre 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, tyres produced loud humming noise at 100 km/h, probably some resonance frequency between front and rear... Excellent tyre 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 24 - tyre reviewed on January 17, 2024
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 tyres on my E92 BMW Alpina B3S Allrad which is based on the 335ix They are quite a brilliant tyre 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 tyres 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 tyres on my car where I currently reside, I am convinced that every car, even those with 4WD or AWD should change to winter tyres 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 tyres as all four of the wheels on his X5 are driven. He now uses winter tyres….. Now, the Alpin 5 tyres 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 45 - tyre 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 62 - tyre 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 47 - tyre 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 46 - tyre 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 tyre. Only negative is the comfort that is not as good as other winter tyres. But then this is more responsive with better feedback than other winter tyres.
Helpful 45 - tyre 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 tyre 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 tyre. It's not so precise and stable like a 4s for example, but you can still drive hard and the tyre 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 tyre 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 tyre delivers!!! An absolute amazing winter tyre!!
Helpful 49 - tyre 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 tyre 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 tyres I've had in the past from other brands. So highly recommend, can't fault them on anything. Worth every penny.
Helpful 41 - tyre 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 tyre 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 tyre. 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 48 - tyre reviewed on June 24, 2021