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Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Alpin 7 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 13 + 23 road tests and 12 + 35 owner reviews. How we score

Pilot Alpin 5 is ahead, 88–82

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Michelin Alpin 7
Tire AMichelin

Alpin 7

Winter

± 4

Tests 81 · 13 tests Owners 84 · 12 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 15 in 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test (wear)

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.

  1. 78

    Dry

    Pilot Alpin 5 +11
    89
    Why this score
    SourceAlpin 7Pilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / 17 tests7591
    Reviews found online8286

    Alpin 7: 60% × 75.4 + 40% × 82 = 78

    Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 90.7 + 40% × 86.3 = 89

  2. 86

    Wet

    Pilot Alpin 5 +7
    93
    Why this score
    SourceAlpin 7Pilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / 23 tests8695
    Reviews found online8789

    Alpin 7: 60% × 86 + 40% × 87 = 86

    Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 95.4 + 40% × 88.9 = 93

  3. 81

    Snow

    Pilot Alpin 5 +7
    88
    Why this score
    SourceAlpin 7Pilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / 22 tests8293
    Reviews found online8079

    Alpin 7: 60% × 81.6 + 40% × 79.9 = 81

    Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 93.3 + 40% × 79.4 = 88

  4. 81

    Comfort

    Pilot Alpin 5 +4
    85
    Why this score
    SourceAlpin 7Pilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 6 tests7794
    Reviews found online8580

    Alpin 7: 40% × 76.8 + 60% × 84.6 = 81

    Pilot Alpin 5: 40% × 93.8 + 60% × 79.5 = 85

  5. 73

    Noise

    Pilot Alpin 5 +10
    83
    Why this score
    SourceAlpin 7Pilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 10 / 17 tests7794
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)

    Alpin 7: 60% × 76.8 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 73

    Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 94.2 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 83

    No owner ratings of noise for Alpin 7 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. 85

    Treadwear

    Level
    85
    Why this score
    SourceAlpin 7Pilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 6 tests8284
    Reviews found online8985

    Alpin 7: 60% × 82.4 + 40% × 88.5 = 85

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

  7. 83

    Handling (owners)

    Pilot Alpin 5 +5
    88
    Why this score
    SourceAlpin 7Pilot Alpin 5
    Reviews found online8388
  8. 88

    Efficiency

    Alpin 7 +16
    72
    Why this score
    SourceAlpin 7Pilot Alpin 5
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 17 tests8872
Scores at a glance
CategoryMichelin Alpin 7Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Relative Score 82 88
Dry 78 89
Wet 86 93
Snow 81 88
Comfort 81 85
Noise 73 83
Treadwear 85 85
Handling (owners) 83 88
Efficiency 88 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.

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Recomputed
Headline score
± 4

Alpin 7

± 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.

DisciplineCategoryAlpin 7Pilot Alpin 5ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 92% #10/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 99% #2/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #6/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 99% #5/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Curved Aquaplaning Wet 75% #8/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 86% #13/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 91% #13/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 97% #9/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 95% #10/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 92% #3/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking (concrete) Wet 94% #4/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 99% #5/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 97% #10/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 97% #4/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 99% #6/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 99% #5/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling (tester's mark) Wet 80% #4/9 · 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Ice Braking Snow 97% #3/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 93% #8/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 94% #9/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 99% #3/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 95% #7/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 100% #3/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Handling (tester's mark) Snow 80% #4/9 · 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test 50% #2/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Slalom Snow 86% #4/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Traction Snow 95% #9/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 99% #3/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 98% #2/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 96% #6/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 98% #5/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 99% #5/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Abrasion Treadwear 80% #5/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 100% #2/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wear Treadwear 100% #1/15 · 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Fuel Consumption Efficiency 96% #10/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 93% #5/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 100% #1/14 · 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test 92% #13/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Value Cost 69% #10/15 · 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test 56% #18/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #8/14 2026 Auto Bild 205/55 R16 Winter Tyre Test #1/20 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A Alpin 7

Pros

  • Exceptional ride comfort and bump absorption
  • Class-leading low noise levels, often compared to summer tires
  • Strong traction and stability on snow and slush

Cons

  • Handling can feel slightly 'floaty' or soft due to sidewall flex
  • Not suitable for extreme Nordic winter conditions (deep ice/heavy snow)
  • Dry braking distances may feel slightly longer compared to dedicated summer tires
All owner themes in the Alpin 7 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 · Michelin Alpin 7 B · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available4381
Rim diameters15″ – 20″16″ – 23″
Sizes in common1010

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Alpin 7

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 — better dry, noise and wet. Pick the Michelin Alpin 7 if efficiency matters most to you.

Pick tire A You want lower fuel or energy use

Michelin Alpin 7 scores 88 vs 72 on efficiency.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 89 vs 78 on dry.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 83 vs 73 on noise.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 93 vs 86 on wet.

Tire A · Michelin Alpin 7
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Tire B · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
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Alpin 7 or Pilot Alpin 5?

Which is better in the wet, Alpin 7 or Pilot Alpin 5?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 93 vs 86 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Alpin 7 or Pilot Alpin 5?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 89 vs 78 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, Alpin 7 or Pilot Alpin 5?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 88 vs 81 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, Alpin 7 or Pilot Alpin 5?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 83 vs 73 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Alpin 7 or Pilot Alpin 5?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 85 vs 81 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Alpin 7 or Pilot Alpin 5?

Neither, by our numbers: 85 vs 85 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.

Which rolls more easily, Alpin 7 or Pilot Alpin 5?

Michelin Alpin 7, 88 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