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Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV vs Nexen Winguard Sport — 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 6 + 3 road tests and 15 + 27 owner reviews. How we score

Pilot Alpin 5 SUV is ahead, 79–66

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Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
Tire AMichelin

Pilot Alpin 5 SUV

Winter

± 5

Tests 83 · 6 tests Owners 78 · 15 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test (dry braking)

Nexen Winguard Sport
Tire BNexen

Winguard Sport

Winter

± 7

Tests 68 · 3 tests Owners 64 · 27 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (noise)

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 SUV +14
    64
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Alpin 5 SUVWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 1 tests7668
    Reviews found online8058

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 60% × 76.1 + 40% × 79.9 = 78

    Winguard Sport: 60% × 68.3 + 40% × 57.5 = 64

  2. 82

    Wet

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV +14
    68
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Alpin 5 SUVWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 3 tests8270
    Reviews found online8265

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 60% × 81.8 + 40% × 81.9 = 82

    Winguard Sport: 60% × 70.3 + 40% × 64.9 = 68

  3. 83

    Snow

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV +12
    71
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Alpin 5 SUVWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 2 tests8972
    Reviews found online7570

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 60% × 88.7 + 40% × 74.6 = 83

    Winguard Sport: 60% × 71.5 + 40% × 69.6 = 71

  4. 74

    Comfort

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV +11
    63
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Alpin 5 SUVWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 70 (est.)≈ 67 (est.)
    Reviews found online7761

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 40% × 70.2 (est.) + 60% × 76.5 = 74

    Winguard Sport: 40% × 67 (est.) + 60% × 60.5 = 63

    No road tests of comfort for Pilot Alpin 5 SUV. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

    No road tests of comfort for Winguard Sport. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 84

    Noise

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV +13
    71
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Alpin 5 SUVWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 1 tests9780
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)58

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 60% × 96.5 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 84

    Winguard Sport: 60% × 80.1 + 40% × 58.4 = 71

    No owner ratings of noise for Pilot Alpin 5 SUV. 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. 72

    Treadwear

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV +8
    64
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Alpin 5 SUVWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 70 (est.)60
    Reviews found online7569

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV: 60% × 69.7 (est.) + 40% × 75.2 = 72

    Winguard Sport: 60% × 60.2 + 40% × 68.8 = 64

    No road tests of treadwear for Pilot Alpin 5 SUV. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 79

    Handling (owners)

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV +22
    57
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Alpin 5 SUVWinguard Sport
    Reviews found online7957
  8. 63

    Efficiency

    Pilot Alpin 5 SUV +10
    53
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Alpin 5 SUVWinguard Sport
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 1 tests6353
Scores at a glance
CategoryMichelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUVNexen Winguard Sport
Relative Score 79 66
Dry 78 64
Wet 82 68
Snow 83 71
Comfort 74 63
Noise 84 71
Treadwear 72 64
Handling (owners) 79 57
Efficiency 63 53

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

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 5

Pilot Alpin 5 SUV

± 7

Winguard Sport

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.

DisciplineCategoryPilot Alpin 5 SUVWinguard SportΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 100% #2/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 95% #15/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #5/10 · 2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test 99% #7/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 87% #7/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 92% #16/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 93% #4/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 76% #48/54 · 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 100% #1/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 98% #10/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Braking Snow 93% #6/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 96% #19/30 · 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview – Different tests
Snow Handling Snow 100% #1/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 95% #19/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Snow Traction Snow 92% #7/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 99% #4/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 100% #1/10 · 2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test 100% #1/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 96% #3/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 71% #18/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 45% #7/10 · 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test 98% #2/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #1/10 2025 Auto Motor und Sport Winter Tire Test R18 #48/54 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A Pilot Alpin 5 SUV

Pros

  • Exceptional traction and handling on wet and slushy roads
  • High tread life and durability over long distances
  • Excellent dry road comfort and low noise levels

Cons

  • Abrupt loss of grip when reaching the limit on hard-packed snow
  • Higher price point compared to some competitors
  • Performance can feel less predictable than dedicated Nordic winter tires in extreme ice/snow conditions
All owner themes in the Pilot Alpin 5 SUV review

Tire B Winguard Sport

Pros

  • Exceptional value and budget-friendly pricing compared to major brand alternatives
  • Strong traction and control in snow, slush, and compacted winter conditions
  • Remarkably quiet and smooth ride with low road noise

Cons

  • Occasional understeer or reduced grip on semi-dry or wet roads
  • Performance degrades in warmer transition temperatures (around 4-13°C)
  • Some mixed feedback regarding ice performance compared to dedicated Scandinavian winter tires
All owner themes in the Winguard Sport review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV B · Nexen Winguard Sport
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4Passenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available7137
Rim diameters17″ – 23″15″ – 20″
Tread depth—11/32″
Treadwear warranty—25,000 mi
Sidewall—Blackwall
Max pressure—44 psi
Sizes in common11

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV

Nexen Winguard Sport

Winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV — better handling, dry and wet. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV scores 79 vs 57 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV scores 78 vs 64 on dry.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV scores 82 vs 68 on wet.

Pick tire A You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV scores 84 vs 71 on noise.

Tire A · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
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Tire B · Nexen Winguard Sport
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Pilot Alpin 5 SUV or Winguard Sport?

Which is better in the wet, Pilot Alpin 5 SUV or Winguard Sport?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV, 82 vs 68 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Pilot Alpin 5 SUV or Winguard Sport?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV, 78 vs 64 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, Pilot Alpin 5 SUV or Winguard Sport?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV, 83 vs 71 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, Pilot Alpin 5 SUV or Winguard Sport?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV, 84 vs 71 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Pilot Alpin 5 SUV or Winguard Sport?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV, 74 vs 63 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Pilot Alpin 5 SUV or Winguard Sport?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV, 72 vs 64 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Pilot Alpin 5 SUV or Winguard Sport?

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV, 63 vs 53 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