Tests 75 · 25 tests Owners 78 · 44 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (snow traction)
Head-to-head
Updated
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 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 25 + 21 road tests and 44 + 30 owner reviews. How we score
Pilot Alpin 5 is ahead, 87–76
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Tests 91 · 21 tests Owners 82 · 30 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 7 tests that measured wet braking for both, Winter Sport 5 won 1 and Pilot Alpin 5 won 6 (average 90% vs 95% of the best).
- In 7 tests that measured snow braking for both, Winter Sport 5 won 1 and Pilot Alpin 5 won 6 (average 96% vs 99% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured dry braking for both, Winter Sport 5 won 0 and Pilot Alpin 5 won 5 (average 94% vs 100% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, Winter Sport 5 won 2 and Pilot Alpin 5 won 3 (average 96% vs 97% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured snow traction for both, Winter Sport 5 won 1 and Pilot Alpin 5 won 4 (average 95% vs 97% of the best).
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69
Dry
Pilot Alpin 5 +1988Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Pilot Alpin 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 19 / 16 tests 66 91 Reviews found online 73 83 Dry Braking (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 0–5 94% 100% Dry Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–4 98% 100% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 65.9 + 40% × 72.9 = 69
Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 91.1 + 40% × 83.4 = 88
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84
Wet
Pilot Alpin 5 +791Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Pilot Alpin 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 21 tests 86 95 Reviews found online 81 86 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–3 96% 97% Wet Braking (% of best) · 7 shared tests · wins 1–6 90% 95% Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 94% 99% Wet Circle (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 97% 89% Wet Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–3 97% 98% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 86.2 + 40% × 80.9 = 84
Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 94.8 + 40% × 86.2 = 91
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83
Snow
Pilot Alpin 5 +487Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Pilot Alpin 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 20 tests 87 93 Reviews found online 78 77 Ice Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 91% 93% Snow Braking (% of best) · 7 shared tests · wins 1–6 96% 99% Snow Handling (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–3 98% 99% Snow Slalom (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 93% 99% Snow Traction (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 1–4 95% 97% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 86.7 + 40% × 77.6 = 83
Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 93.4 + 40% × 77.1 = 87
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76
Comfort
Pilot Alpin 5 +682Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Pilot Alpin 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 5 tests 75 90 Reviews found online 76 77 Winter Sport 5: 40% × 74.8 + 60% × 76.3 = 76
Pilot Alpin 5: 40% × 90.2 + 60% × 76.6 = 82
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33
Noise
Pilot Alpin 5 +5184Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Pilot Alpin 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 17 / 16 tests 10 95 Reviews found online ≈ 67 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 0–5 95% 99% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 10.3 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 33
Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 95.3 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 84
No owner ratings of noise for Winter Sport 5 or Pilot Alpin 5. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
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79
Treadwear
Pilot Alpin 5 +584Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Pilot Alpin 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / 5 tests 78 85 Reviews found online 80 83 Abrasion (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 75% 100% Wear (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 84% 91% Winter Sport 5: 60% × 78.1 + 40% × 79.7 = 79
Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 84.6 + 40% × 82.7 = 84
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76
Handling (owners)
Pilot Alpin 5 +985Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Pilot Alpin 5 Reviews found online 76 85 -
79
Efficiency
Winter Sport 5 +673Why this score
Source Winter Sport 5 Pilot Alpin 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 18 / 16 tests 79 73 Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 98% 97% Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 2–2 92% 92%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 87 |
| Dry | 69 | 88 |
| Wet | 84 | 91 |
| Snow | 83 | 87 |
| Comfort | 76 | 82 |
| Noise | 33 | 84 |
| Treadwear | 79 | 84 |
| Handling (owners) | 76 | 85 |
| Efficiency | 79 | 73 |
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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
76
/ 100
Winter Sport 5
87
/ 100
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 8 tests that ran both, Dunlop Winter Sport 5 finished ahead 0 times and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 8 times.
| Discipline | Category | Winter Sport 5 | Pilot Alpin 5 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 94% | 100% | −6.1 | 0–5 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% | 100% | −2.1 | 0–4 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 97% #2/12 · 2024 ADAC 16 Inch Winter Tyre Test | 87% #3/12 · 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 96% | 97% | −0.8 | 2–3 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 90% | 95% | −4.7 | 1–6 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 94% | 99% | −5.1 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 97% | 89% | +8.2 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% | 98% | −1.5 | 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 50% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 91% | 93% | −2.8 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 96% | 99% | −2.7 | 1–6 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% | 99% | −0.7 | 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Snow Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 80% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 50% #2/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 93% | 99% | −5.6 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 95% | 97% | −2.1 | 1–4 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 90% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/12 · 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 95% | 99% | −3.9 | 0–5 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 75% | 100% | −25.4 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 84% | 91% | −7.5 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 98% | 97% | +1.7 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 92% | 92% | +0.7 | 2–2 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 73% | 61% | +11.5 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test · 245/40 R18 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #9/20 | #17/20 | – | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Value | Cost | 71% | 63% | +7.3 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R18 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #5/10 | #2/10 | – | 0–8 in 8 shared tests Newest: 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test R18 · 245/40R18 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Winter Sport 5
Pros
- Exceptional grip and braking performance in snow, slush, and heavy winter conditions
- Strong wet weather handling and reliable water clearance to prevent hydroplaning
- Impressive tread wear and long-term durability across multiple seasons
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a mushy or floating steering response and unstable cornering when temperatures rise above 5-10°C
- Reduced dry handling precision and longer braking distances in warmer ambient conditions
- Inadequate or missing effective rim protection despite manufacturer claims
Tire B Pilot Alpin 5
Pros
- Outstanding dry and wet grip and handling, feeling similar to a UHP summer tire
- Great snow traction and stability for mountain driving and aggressive winter cornering
- Excellent steering response and high feedback compared to traditional winter tires
Cons
- Subpar performance and braking on pure ice or severe slush
- Stiffer sidewalls can lead to a firmer, sometimes bumpy ride quality and transfer road imperfections
- Fuel economy can be negatively impacted
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | B · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 46 | 81 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 21″ | 16″ – 23″ |
| Sizes in common | 25 | 25 |
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
87
/ 100
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 — better noise, dry and handling. Pick the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 if efficiency matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 84 vs 33 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 88 vs 69 on dry.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 85 vs 76 on handling.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 91 vs 84 on wet.
Tire A · Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
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Winter Sport 5 or Pilot Alpin 5?
Which is better in the wet, Winter Sport 5 or Pilot Alpin 5?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 91 vs 84 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Winter Sport 5 or Pilot Alpin 5?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 88 vs 69 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Winter Sport 5 or Pilot Alpin 5?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 87 vs 83 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Winter Sport 5 or Pilot Alpin 5?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 84 vs 33 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Winter Sport 5 or Pilot Alpin 5?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 82 vs 76 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Winter Sport 5 or Pilot Alpin 5?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 84 vs 79 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Winter Sport 5 or Pilot Alpin 5?
Dunlop Winter Sport 5, 79 vs 73 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