Tests 91 · 23 tests Owners 85 · 34 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 31 in 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test (dry braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin Pilot 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 23 + 10 road tests and 34 + 68 owner reviews. How we score
Pilot Alpin 5 is ahead, 88–73
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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.
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89
Dry
Pilot Alpin 5 +1376Why this score
Source Pilot Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 17 / 8 tests 91 73 Reviews found online 86 82 Dry Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 96% Dry Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 99% Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 90.7 + 40% × 86.3 = 89
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 72.9 + 40% × 81.7 = 76
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93
Wet
Pilot Alpin 5 +1083Why this score
Source Pilot Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 23 / 10 tests 95 80 Reviews found online 89 87 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 94% 94% Wet Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 95% 86% Wet Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 95% Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 95.4 + 40% × 88.8 = 93
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 80.4 + 40% × 86.5 = 83
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88
Snow
Pilot Alpin 5 +2365Why this score
Source Pilot Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 22 / 10 tests 93 56 Reviews found online 80 79 Snow Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 100% 94% Snow Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 98% 97% Snow Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 97% 91% Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 93.4 + 40% × 79.5 = 88
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 56.5 + 40% × 78.8 = 65
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85
Comfort
Pilot Alpin 5 +1174Why this score
Source Pilot Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 1 tests 94 72 Reviews found online 80 75 Pilot Alpin 5: 40% × 93.8 + 60% × 79.5 = 85
Winter Sottozero 3: 40% × 72.1 + 60% × 74.5 = 74
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84
Noise
Pilot Alpin 5 +1371Why this score
Source Pilot Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 17 / 7 tests 95 64 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) 82 Noise (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 99% 97% Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 95.2 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 84
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 64.4 + 40% × 81.6 = 71
No owner ratings of noise for 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.
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85
Treadwear
Pilot Alpin 5 +2164Why this score
Source Pilot Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 3 tests 84 57 Reviews found online 85 75 Wear (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 100% 83% Pilot Alpin 5: 60% × 84.4 + 40% × 84.8 = 85
Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 57.1 + 40% × 74.6 = 64
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88
Handling (owners)
Pilot Alpin 5 +682Why this score
Source Pilot Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Reviews found online 88 82 -
72
Efficiency
Winter Sottozero 3 +476Why this score
Source Pilot Alpin 5 Winter Sottozero 3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 17 / 7 tests 72 76 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 87% 100%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 | Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 88 | 73 |
| Dry | 89 | 76 |
| Wet | 93 | 83 |
| Snow | 88 | 65 |
| Comfort | 85 | 74 |
| Noise | 84 | 71 |
| Treadwear | 85 | 64 |
| Handling (owners) | 88 | 82 |
| Efficiency | 72 | 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
88
/ 100
Pilot 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 5 tests that ran both, Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 5 times and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 0 times.
| Discipline | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | Winter Sottozero 3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 100% | 96% | +4.1 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 100% | 99% | +0.9 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 94% | 94% | +0.1 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% | 86% | +8.9 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% | 95% | +5.2 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 100% #1/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | 70% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 100% | 94% | +5.8 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 98% | 97% | +0.5 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Snow Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 50% #2/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | 80% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 97% | 91% | +5.8 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 96% #6/20 · 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 99% | 97% | +2.2 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 100% | 83% | +17.1 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 87% | 100% | −12.8 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 72% #9/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | 54% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #15/20 | #5/20 | – | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Value | Cost | 68% | 64% | +4.2 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #3/10 | #10/10 | – | 5–0 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test R18 · 225/40R18 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A 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
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 Pilot Alpin 5 | B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 81 | 98 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 23″ | 16″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | — | 10/32″ |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 50 psi |
| Sizes in common | 53 | 53 |
Which one should you actually buy?
88
/ 100
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
73
/ 100
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 — better snow, treadwear and dry. Pick the Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 if efficiency matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 88 vs 65 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 85 vs 64 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 89 vs 76 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 84 vs 71 on noise.
Tire A · Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
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Pilot Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Which is better in the wet, Pilot Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 93 vs 83 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Pilot Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 89 vs 76 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Pilot Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 88 vs 65 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Pilot Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 84 vs 71 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Pilot Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 85 vs 74 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Pilot Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, 85 vs 64 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Pilot Alpin 5 or Winter Sottozero 3?
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 76 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