Tests 81 · 12 tests Owners 84 · 12 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 15 in 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test (wear)
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin Alpin 7 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 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 12 + 6 road tests and 12 + 5 owner reviews. How we score
Alpin 7 leads, 82–78 Narrow edge
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Tests 83 · 6 tests Owners 73 · 5 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 (straight aquaplaning)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
Key facts
- In 4 tests that measured dry braking for both, Alpin 7 won 0 and Cinturato Winter 3 won 4 (average 96% vs 99% of the best).
- In 4 tests that measured wet braking for both, Alpin 7 won 0 and Cinturato Winter 3 won 4 (average 95% vs 99% of the best).
- In 3 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, Alpin 7 won 0 and Cinturato Winter 3 won 3 (average 93% vs 100% of the best).
- In 3 tests that measured snow braking for both, Alpin 7 won 2 and Cinturato Winter 3 won 1 (average 97% vs 97% of the best).
- In 3 tests that measured snow traction for both, Alpin 7 won 2 and Cinturato Winter 3 won 1 (average 98% vs 97% of the best).
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78
Dry
Alpin 7 +177Why this score
Source Alpin 7 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 6 tests 76 81 Reviews found online 82 72 Dry Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–4 96% 99% Dry Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–0 99% 99% Alpin 7: 60% × 75.7 + 40% × 82 = 78
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 80.7 + 40% × 71.5 = 77
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87
Wet
Cinturato Winter 3 +491Why this score
Source Alpin 7 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 6 tests 86 100 Reviews found online 87 77 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 88% 99% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 93% 100% Wet Braking (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 0–4 95% 99% Wet Braking (concrete) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 93% 99% Wet Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 97% 99% Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 95% 100% Alpin 7: 60% × 86.4 + 40% × 87 = 87
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 100 + 40% × 76.9 = 91
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81
Snow
Alpin 7 +378Why this score
Source Alpin 7 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 6 tests 82 80 Reviews found online 80 76 Ice Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 98% 91% Snow Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 2–1 97% 97% Snow Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 99% 100% Snow Traction (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 2–1 98% 97% Alpin 7: 60% × 82.3 + 40% × 80 = 81
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 79.7 + 40% × 75.7 = 78
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80
Comfort
Alpin 7 +1367Why this score
Source Alpin 7 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 2 tests 72 75 Reviews found online 85 61 Alpin 7: 40% × 72.1 + 60% × 84.7 = 80
Cinturato Winter 3: 40% × 74.9 + 60% × 61.4 = 67
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72
Noise
Cinturato Winter 3 +476Why this score
Source Alpin 7 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 4 tests 75 83 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 99% 99% Alpin 7: 60% × 75.4 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 72
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 82.8 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 76
No owner ratings of noise for Alpin 7 or Cinturato Winter 3. 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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85
Treadwear
Alpin 7 +1372Why this score
Source Alpin 7 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 2 tests 82 73 Reviews found online 89 71 Abrasion (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 73% 68% Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 90% 77% Alpin 7: 60% × 82.4 + 40% × 88.6 = 85
Cinturato Winter 3: 60% × 73 + 40% × 71.1 = 72
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84
Handling (owners)
Alpin 7 +1569Why this score
Source Alpin 7 Cinturato Winter 3 Reviews found online 84 69 -
87
Efficiency
Alpin 7 +1671Why this score
Source Alpin 7 Cinturato Winter 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 11 / 6 tests 87 71 Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 93% 95% Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 96% 88%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Alpin 7 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 82 | 78 |
| Dry | 78 | 77 |
| Wet | 87 | 91 |
| Snow | 81 | 78 |
| Comfort | 80 | 67 |
| Noise | 72 | 76 |
| Treadwear | 85 | 72 |
| Handling (owners) | 84 | 69 |
| Efficiency | 87 | 71 |
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
82
/ 100
Alpin 7
78
/ 100
Cinturato Winter 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 4 tests that ran both, Michelin Alpin 7 finished ahead 0 times and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 4 times.
| Discipline | Category | Alpin 7 | Cinturato Winter 3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% | 99% | −2.7 | 0–4 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 99% | 0.0 | 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 88% | 99% | −11.4 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 93% | 100% | −7.5 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% | 99% | −3.7 | 0–4 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 93% | 99% | −5.8 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 97% | 99% | −2.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 95% | 100% | −4.7 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 98% | 91% | +6.4 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 97% | 97% | 0.0 | 2–1 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% | 100% | −1.0 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 97% #5/9 · 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | 95% #7/12 · 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 98% | 97% | +0.6 | 2–1 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 78% #5/9 · 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | 92% #8/12 · 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 99% | 99% | −0.9 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 73% | 68% | +5.5 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 90% | 77% | +13.0 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 93% | 95% | −1.6 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 96% | 88% | +8.4 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Value | Cost | 56% | 54% | +2.3 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #2/15 | #1/15 | – | 0–4 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2026 AvD Winter Tyre Test · 225/45 R17 |
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
Tire B Cinturato Winter 3
Pros
- Outstanding grip and confidence in deep snow, ice, and mountain passes
- Remarkably quiet and comfortable ride quality at low to moderate speeds
- Surprising dry and wet handling upgrades compared to certain summer or OE tires
Cons
- Noticeable increase in tire noise at higher speeds (typically above 100-110 km/h)
- Higher energy or fuel consumption noted on electric vehicles
- Loss of steering precision under high lateral forces due to narrow tread blocks
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Alpin 7 | B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 43 | 36 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 20″ | 16″ – 20″ |
| Sizes in common | 25 | 25 |
Which one should you actually buy?
82
/ 100
Michelin Alpin 7
78
/ 100
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
Narrow edge: Michelin Alpin 7 — better efficiency, handling and comfort. Pick the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 if wet and noise matter most to you.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Michelin Alpin 7 scores 87 vs 71 on efficiency.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Alpin 7 scores 84 vs 69 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Alpin 7 scores 80 vs 67 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Alpin 7 scores 85 vs 72 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
Your priority is dry braking
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 won 4 of 4 shared dry braking tests.
Tire A · Michelin Alpin 7
Tire B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
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Alpin 7 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Which is better in the wet, Alpin 7 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3, 91 vs 87 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Alpin 7 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Neither, by our numbers: 78 vs 77 on the dry score, within 3 points.
Which is better in snow, Alpin 7 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Michelin Alpin 7, 81 vs 78 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Alpin 7 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3, 76 vs 72 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Alpin 7 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Michelin Alpin 7, 80 vs 67 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Alpin 7 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Michelin Alpin 7, 85 vs 72 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Alpin 7 or Cinturato Winter 3?
Michelin Alpin 7, 87 vs 71 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