Tests 74 · 3 tests Owners 81 · 32 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (wear)
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin Alpin 5 vs Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 — 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 3 + 10 road tests and 32 + 68 owner reviews. How we score
Alpin 5 leads, 77–73 Narrow edge
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Tests 67 · 10 tests Owners 80 · 68 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch 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.
-
73
Dry
Winter Sottozero 3 +376Why this score
Source Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 8 tests 70 73 Reviews found online 77 82 Dry Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 96% 100% Dry Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 99% 99% Alpin 5: 60% × 70.3 + 40% × 76.6 = 73
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 72.9 + 40% × 81.7 = 76
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82
Wet
Winter Sottozero 3 +183Why this score
Source Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 10 tests 80 81 Reviews found online 87 87 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 98% 95% Wet Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 97% 100% Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 99% 100% Alpin 5: 60% × 79.6 + 40% × 86.7 = 82
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 80.5 + 40% × 86.6 = 83
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73
Snow
Alpin 5 +865Why this score
Source Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 10 tests 69 56 Reviews found online 79 79 Snow Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 94% 92% Snow Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 98% 97% Alpin 5: 60% × 68.7 + 40% × 79.1 = 73
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 56.3 + 40% × 78.8 = 65
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76
Comfort
Alpin 5 +274Why this score
Source Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests ≈ 71 (est.) 72 Reviews found online 79 75 Alpin 5: 40% × 70.9 (est.) + 60% × 79 = 76
Winter Sottozero 3: 40% × 72.2 + 60% × 74.8 = 74
No road tests of comfort for Alpin 5. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
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62
Noise
Winter Sottozero 3 +971Why this score
Source Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 7 tests 60 64 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) 82 Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 98% 98% Alpin 5: 60% × 59.7 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 62
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 64.3 + 40% × 81.5 = 71
No owner ratings of noise for 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.
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83
Treadwear
Alpin 5 +1964Why this score
Source Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 3 tests 83 57 Reviews found online 83 75 Wear (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 92% 61% Alpin 5: 60% × 83.1 + 40% × 83.1 = 83
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 57.1 + 40% × 74.7 = 64
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78
Handling (owners)
Winter Sottozero 3 +482Why this score
Source Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Reviews found online 78 82 -
59
Efficiency
Winter Sottozero 3 +1776Why this score
Source Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 7 tests 59 76 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 87% 89%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Alpin 5 | Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 77 | 73 |
| Dry | 73 | 76 |
| Wet | 82 | 83 |
| Snow | 73 | 65 |
| Comfort | 76 | 74 |
| Noise | 62 | 71 |
| Treadwear | 83 | 64 |
| Handling (owners) | 78 | 82 |
| Efficiency | 59 | 76 |
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
77
/ 100
Alpin 5
73
/ 100
Winter Sottozero 3
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 7 tests that ran both, Michelin Alpin 5 finished ahead 6 times and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 1 times.
| Discipline | Category | Alpin 5 | Winter Sottozero 3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% | 100% | −3.6 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 99% | +0.2 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 98% | 95% | +2.6 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 97% | 100% | −2.3 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 99% | 100% | −0.6 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 94% | 92% | +2.7 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% | 97% | +0.9 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Noise | Noise | 98% | 98% | +0.7 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 92% | 61% | +30.3 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 87% | 89% | −1.7 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 68% #19/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 54% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #13/20 | #20/20 | – | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Value | Cost | 61% | 45% | +16.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2017 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 225/50 R17 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #2/11 | #5/11 | – | 6–1 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2019 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test R17 · 225/55R17 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Alpin 5
Pros
- Exceptional grip and traction in deep snow and winter conditions
- Outstanding wet-weather performance and aquaplaning resistance
- High ride comfort and remarkably low noise levels for a winter tire
Cons
- Soft rubber compound struggles in warm temperatures (above 20°C–25°C), causing cornering smear
- Soft sidewalls reduce precision during aggressive dry handling
- Potential increase in noise and hardening of the rubber compound after 3 years of use
Tire B Winter Sottozero 3
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and resistance to hydroplaning.
- Strong dry-road handling and steering precision for a winter tire.
- Excellent traction and stability in snow and slush.
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, particularly if driven in temperatures above 15°C or year-round.
- Susceptibility to sidewall damage and bubbling when encountering road hazards.
- Increased noise levels as the tire ages and tread depth decreases.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Alpin 5 | B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 17 | 98 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 20″ | 16″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | — | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 50 psi |
| Sizes in common | 13 | 13 |
Which one should you actually buy?
77
/ 100
Michelin Alpin 5
73
/ 100
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Narrow edge: Michelin Alpin 5 — better treadwear and snow. Pick the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 if efficiency, noise and dry matter most to you.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Alpin 5 scores 83 vs 64 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want lower fuel or energy use
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 76 vs 59 on efficiency.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 71 vs 62 on noise.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Michelin Alpin 5 scores 73 vs 65 on snow.
Tire A · Michelin Alpin 5
Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
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Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Which is better in the wet, Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 82 vs 83 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 76 vs 73 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Michelin Alpin 5, 73 vs 65 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 71 vs 62 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 76 vs 74 on the comfort score, within 3 points.
Which lasts longer, Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Michelin Alpin 5, 83 vs 64 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 76 vs 59 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