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Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 33 + 23 road tests and 34 + 35 owner reviews. How we score

Pilot Alpin 5 is ahead, 88–81

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Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Tire AContinental

WinterContact TS 870 P

Winter

± 4

Tests 83 · 33 tests Owners 81 · 34 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (dry handling)

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Tire BMichelin

Pilot Alpin 5

Winter

± 4

Tests 91 · 23 tests Owners 85 · 35 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 31 in 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test (dry braking)

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

Key facts

  • In 17 tests that measured wet braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 7 and Pilot Alpin 5 won 10 (average 94% vs 95% of the best).
  • In 17 tests that measured snow braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 1 and Pilot Alpin 5 won 15 (average 97% vs 99% of the best).
  • In 14 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 5 and Pilot Alpin 5 won 7 (average 96% vs 96% of the best).
  • In 13 tests that measured dry braking for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 0 and Pilot Alpin 5 won 13 (average 97% vs 100% of the best).
  • In 13 tests that measured snow traction for both, WinterContact TS 870 P won 1 and Pilot Alpin 5 won 12 (average 96% vs 99% of the best).
  1. 81

    Dry

    Pilot Alpin 5 +8
    89
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PPilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 26 / 17 tests8391
    Reviews found online7986
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 13 shared tests · wins 0–1397%100%
    Dry Handling (% of best) · 12 shared tests · wins 4–7100%100%
    Dry Lane Change (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0100%99%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 83.1 + 40% × 78.6 = 81

    Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 90.6 + 40% × 86.4 = 89

  2. 91

    Wet

    Pilot Alpin 5 +2
    93
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PPilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 33 / 23 tests9495
    Reviews found online8689
    Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 3–187%82%
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 14 shared tests · wins 5–796%96%
    Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–0100%100%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 17 shared tests · wins 7–1094%95%
    Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–196%99%
    Wet Circle (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 4–197%95%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 12 shared tests · wins 4–698%98%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 94.5 + 40% × 86.2 = 91

    Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 95.4 + 40% × 88.8 = 93

  3. 79

    Snow

    Pilot Alpin 5 +9
    88
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PPilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 32 / 22 tests8193
    Reviews found online7780
    Ice Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–184%93%
    Snow Braking (% of best) · 17 shared tests · wins 1–1597%99%
    Snow Handling (% of best) · 12 shared tests · wins 1–1198%99%
    Snow Slalom (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–395%96%
    Snow Traction (% of best) · 13 shared tests · wins 1–1296%99%
    Ice Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–050%50%
    Snow Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–050%50%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 80.7 + 40% × 76.5 = 79

    Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 93.5 + 40% × 79.6 = 88

  4. 88

    Comfort

    WinterContact TS 870 P +3
    85
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PPilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 6 tests10093
    Reviews found online8080
    Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 3–194%91%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 40% × 100 + 60% × 80.1 = 88

    Pilot Alpin 5: 40% × 93.3 + 60% × 79.5 = 85

  5. 74

    Noise

    Pilot Alpin 5 +9
    83
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PPilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 23 / 17 tests7994
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)
    Noise (% of best) · 13 shared tests · wins 1–1198%99%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 79 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 74

    Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 94.3 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 83

    No owner ratings of noise for WinterContact TS 870 P or Pilot Alpin 5. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  6. 74

    Treadwear

    Pilot Alpin 5 +11
    85
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PPilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 6 tests7084
    Reviews found online8085
    Abrasion (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–282%100%
    Wear (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 0–582%93%

    WinterContact TS 870 P: 60% × 69.9 + 40% × 80.2 = 74

    Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 84.4 + 40% × 84.8 = 85

  7. 83

    Handling (owners)

    Pilot Alpin 5 +5
    88
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PPilot Alpin 5
    Reviews found online8388
  8. 87

    Efficiency

    WinterContact TS 870 P +15
    72
    Why this score
    SourceWinterContact TS 870 PPilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 17 tests8772
    Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–097%95%
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 12 shared tests · wins 10–297%91%
Scores at a glance
CategoryContinental WinterContact TS 870 PMichelin Pilot Alpin 5
Relative Score 81 88
Dry 81 89
Wet 91 93
Snow 79 88
Comfort 88 85
Noise 74 83
Treadwear 74 85
Handling (owners) 83 88
Efficiency 87 72

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
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Less important
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Recomputed
Headline score
± 4

WinterContact TS 870 P

± 4

Pilot Alpin 5

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

In the overall rankings of 18 tests that ran both, Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished ahead 3 times and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 14 times.

DisciplineCategoryWinterContact TS 870 PPilot Alpin 5ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 97% 100% −2.8 0–13 in 13 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Dry Handling Dry 100% 100% −0.1 4–7 in 12 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Dry Lane Change Dry 100% 99% +1.3 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Curved Aquaplaning Wet 87% 82% +5.1 3–1 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 96% 96% −0.6 5–7 in 14 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Wet Braking Wet 94% 95% −0.2 7–10 in 17 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Wet Braking (concrete) Wet 96% 99% −2.8 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18
Wet Circle Wet 97% 95% +2.1 4–1 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Wet Handling Wet 98% 98% −0.1 4–6 in 12 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Wet Handling (tester's mark) Wet 100% 100% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Ice Braking Snow 84% 93% −9.3 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18
Ice Handling (tester's mark) Snow 50% 50% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Snow Braking Snow 97% 99% −2.4 1–15 in 17 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Snow Handling Snow 98% 99% −1.3 1–11 in 12 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Snow Handling (tester's mark) Snow 50% 50% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Snow Slalom Snow 95% 96% −0.8 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Snow Traction Snow 96% 99% −3.6 1–12 in 13 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 94% 91% +2.1 3–1 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Noise Noise 98% 99% −1.0 1–11 in 13 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Abrasion Treadwear 82% 100% −18.3 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18
Wear Treadwear 82% 93% −11.0 0–5 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Fuel Consumption Efficiency 97% 95% +2.1 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 97% 91% +5.8 10–2 in 12 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 58% 53% +4.7 4–0 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #11/20 #16/20 – 2–1 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18
Value Cost 53% 56% −2.7 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19
Road Rating (tester's mark) Other 90% 60% +30.0 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18
Overall Ranking Overall #1/20 #1/20 – 3–14 in 18 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A WinterContact TS 870 P

Pros

  • Exceptionally low noise levels and high ride comfort
  • Outstanding wet weather and slush performance, cutting through heavy rain effortlessly
  • Balanced dry and cold-weather handling with impressive cornering stability

Cons

  • Higher price point compared to some competitors
  • Steering response and initial stiffness are slightly softer and less sporty than dedicated summer tires or some rivals
  • Snow and ice traction can feel less exceptional or borderline inadequate for a small subset of users
All owner themes in the WinterContact TS 870 P review

Tire B Pilot Alpin 5

Pros

  • Outstanding dry and wet grip for a winter tire, offering summer-tire-like handling characteristics
  • Excellent traction, stability, and handling in snow and alpine conditions
  • Crisp steering response, high precision, and great road feedback

Cons

  • Subpar performance on pure ice and certain slush conditions
  • Stiffer sidewalls can translate to a bumpy ride that transmits minor road imperfections
  • Potential for increased cabin noise or humming at highway speeds
All owner themes in the Pilot Alpin 5 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P B · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available12181
Rim diameters16″ – 23″16″ – 23″
Sizes in common4343

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 — better treadwear, snow and noise. Pick the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P if efficiency and comfort matter most to you.

Pick tire A You want lower fuel or energy use

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scores 87 vs 72 on efficiency.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 85 vs 74 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You drive through snowy winters

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 88 vs 79 on snow.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 83 vs 74 on noise.

Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
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Tire B · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
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WinterContact TS 870 P or Pilot Alpin 5?

Which is better in the wet, WinterContact TS 870 P or Pilot Alpin 5?

Neither, by our numbers: 91 vs 93 on the wet score, within 3 points.

Which grips better on dry roads, WinterContact TS 870 P or Pilot Alpin 5?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 89 vs 81 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, WinterContact TS 870 P or Pilot Alpin 5?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 88 vs 79 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, WinterContact TS 870 P or Pilot Alpin 5?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 83 vs 74 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, WinterContact TS 870 P or Pilot Alpin 5?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 88 vs 85 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, WinterContact TS 870 P or Pilot Alpin 5?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 85 vs 74 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, WinterContact TS 870 P or Pilot Alpin 5?

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P, 87 vs 72 on our efficiency score.

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology