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Winter tire Updated October 2026

Michelin Alpin A4 review

± 7

Relative score 60% tests + 40% owners

Better than 97% of the winter tires we score.

Owners 88 · 55 reviews analysed Road tests 73 · 1 test

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Michelin Alpin A4 has a Relative Score of 80 out of 100 among winter tires. In 40 road tests with an overall ranking it finished first 4 times and in the top three 19 times. 55 owner reviews rate it 88 out of 100. 96% would buy it again.

Michelin Alpin A4

Two scoring systems, side by side

Owner scores come from reviews found online; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.

How scores work
Relative score
0–100. Blends road tests (60%) and owner reviews (40%) category by category, the same way on every TireWheelGuide page. With only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from it, so the score stays closer to average. It needs at least one road test or five owner reviews.
Road tests
0–100 per score, from published tests, newer tests counting more. Each result is compared with every other tire in the same test, so a win against a strong field counts for more. The average tested tire gets 70, the best 100; with only one or two tests a tire stays nearer 70. The discipline rows show % of the best tire in that test.
Owner reviews
0–100 from the owner reviews we found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates and scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70. With only a few reviews a tire stays near the average.

Full methodology

By owner reviews

88/100

From 55 owner reviews analysed, scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70.

Would buy again 96%
Dry
Overall dry
87
Wet
Overall wet
93
Snow & ice
Overall snow & ice
82
Comfort
Overall comfort
88
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
89
Handling
Overall handling
91

Own these tires? Write a review →

By road tests

73/100

Scaled across every tested tire: the average gets 70, the best 100.

Dry
75
Wet
75
Snow
69
Efficiency
64
By discipline (% of best in test)
Dry Braking
94%
Dry Handling
94%
Subj. Dry Handling
94%
Wet Braking
81%
Wet Handling
81%
Straight Aquaplaning
81%
Curved Aquaplaning
81%
Side G-Force on Wet surface
81%
Snow Braking
56%
Snow Handling
56%
Snow Traction
56%
Ice Braking
94%
Ice Handling
94%
Inside Noise level
75%
Rolling Resistance
38%
Wear
100%

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 55 owner reviews found online.

The Michelin Alpin A4 is widely regarded as a benchmark winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction and confidence-inspiring performance in snow, ice, and cold wet conditions. While some users note a slight numbness in steering feedback and reduced performance in warmer, dry weather, the consensus highlights its durability, quiet ride, and ability to transform the handling of both front-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles in treacherous winter climates.

Pros

  • Exceptional traction and braking performance on snow and ice
  • High level of confidence and stability in wet, cold conditions
  • Impressive tread life and durability over multiple seasons
  • Quiet and comfortable ride quality compared to competitors
  • Reliable handling that significantly improves safety for RWD vehicles

Cons

  • Reduced steering feedback and 'numb' handling feel
  • Performance decline in dry conditions when temperatures exceed 10°C
  • Occasional reports of increased rolling resistance
  • Potential for performance drop-off as tread depth wears down

Worth knowing

  • Users with high-power rear-wheel drive vehicles (e.g., BMW 3-series, Mercedes E-Class) report that the tires effectively mitigate common winter handling issues.
  • Drivers opting for narrower tire widths on smaller rims noted improved traction and ride comfort in deep snow.
  • Heavy-duty use, such as in taxi applications, confirms the tire's longevity and ability to handle high-mileage, stop-start driving cycles.

40 published test appearances (1 in the score)

Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.

2019 ADAC 185/65 R15 Winter tire Test · 185/65 R15

6th of 16

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2017 AC Winter tire Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15

3rd of 8
Best: Wet Braking · 1st Weakest: Rolling Resistance · 8th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking1st of 8
Wet Handling2nd of 8
Dry Braking2nd of 8
Snow Braking3rd of 8
Snow Traction6th of 8
Ice Braking7th of 8
Ice Handling6th of 8
Rolling Resistance8th of 8
Straight Aquaplaning2nd of 8
Ice Traction6th of 8

2016 ADAC Winter tire Test - 185/65 R15 · 185/65 R15

2nd of 15

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2015 Auto Bild Top 18 Winter tire Test · 185/60 R15

5th of 18

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Bild

2015 ADAC Winter tire Test - 165/70 R14 · 165/70 R14

2nd of 16

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2015 Winter tire Market Overview · 185/60R15

4th of 51

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2014 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

5th of 10

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

2014 AZ Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

4th of 11

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2014 ADAC Winter tire Test - 175/65 R14 · 175/65 R14

3rd of 14

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2014 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17

2nd of 16

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Bild

2014 50 Winter tire Braking Overview · 225/50 R17

6th of 48

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2013 Auto Zeitung Winter tire Test · 195/65 R15

3rd of 8

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Zeitung

2013 Auto Bild SUV / 4x4 Winter tire Test · 215/65 R16

2nd of 10

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Bild

2013 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter tire Shootout · 195/65 R15

1st of 15

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Bild

2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17

4th of 9

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Bild

2013 Winter tire Overview - Braking · 195/65 R15

10th of 50

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2013 AMS Sports Winter tire Test · 225/50 R17

6th of 8

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Motor und Sport

2013 ADAC Winter tire Test - 185/60 R15 · 185/60 R15

4th of 17

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2013 ADAC Winter tire Test - 225/45 R17 · 225/45 R17

3rd of 15

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ADAC

2013 ACE Winter tire Test · 185/60 R15

3rd of 9

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ACE

2012 European tire Test - 165/70 R14 · 165/70 R14

1st of 13

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2012 EVO Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

2nd of 9

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: evo

2012 Auto Bild Top 15 Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

3rd of 15

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Bild

2012 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

4th of 8

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

2012 European tire Test - 205/55 R16 · 205/55 R16

2nd of 16

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2012 Auto Bild Performance Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17

4th of 9

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Bild

2012 Auto Zeitung Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

5th of 8

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Zeitung

2012 Auto Bild 42 Winter tire Braking Test · 205/55 R16

7th of 43

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Bild

2011 Sport Auto Performance Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17

3rd of 5

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Sport Auto

2011 European Winter tire Test - 195/65 R15 · 195/65 R15

5th of 14

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2011 EVO Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17

2nd of 10

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: evo

2011 Auto Express Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17

5th of 9

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

2011 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 225/45 R17

1st of 12

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Bild

2011 ACE Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

7th of 8

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: ACE

2011 Winter tire Buying Guide · 205/55 r16

5th of 5

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2011 Auto Zeitung Winter tire Test · 205/55 R16

7th of 14

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Zeitung

2010 AMS Winter tire Test · 205/55 r16

2nd of 10

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Motor und Sport

2010 Auto Bild Winter tire Test · 195/65 R15

6th of 12

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Bild

2010 European Winter tire Test · 225/45 r17

1st of 10

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

2010 Auto Zeitung Winter tire Test · 195/65 r15

7th of 13

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Zeitung

Michelin Alpin A4 specs & sizes

Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.

Specifications
EU label: wet gripC
EU label: energyD in 69% of sizes
EU label: external noise70 dB
SizeRetailer
165/70 R14 Amazon
175/65 R14 Amazon
185/60 R14 Amazon
165/65 R15 Amazon
175/65 R15 Amazon
185/55 R15 Amazon
185/60 R15 Amazon
195/50 R15 Amazon
225/55 R17 Amazon

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Reviews from our readers

Drivers who have these tires on their car, in their own words. We check every review before it goes live.

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Michelin Alpin A4 compared

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