Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- TR Score
- 7.9/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 4
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 33
In the 12 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 12 times and the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro not once. The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 39.6% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if you want the best all-round UHP winter performance with strong wet-and-snow safety margins and proven test-winning consistency (and typically better mileage over time). The Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro only makes sense if it's significantly cheaper in your market and your winters are mild with limited snow/standing water-otherwise its repeated wet-braking and aquaplaning weaknesses are too big a compromise.
Where the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is stronger
- Competitive wet and dry handling feel in parts of the test set (often not far behind premium tyres on handling courses)
- Occasional wins in low-speed grip metrics like wet circle (e.g., marginally faster wet circle in Auto Bild SUV 2024 and Auto Bild Allrad 2026)
- Can deliver slightly better efficiency in specific datasets (e.g., lower rolling resistance in Auto Bild Sportscars 2026: 8.4 vs 8.6 kg/t; lower fuel consumption in Teknikens Värld 2026)
Where the Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger
- Class-leading snow performance across the shared tests (shorter snow braking and stronger traction/handling; frequently best on snow)
- Stronger wet safety on average, especially wet braking (e.g., 35.9 m vs 42.4 m in the 2026 50-set braking test; 52.8 m vs 65.2 m in Auto Bild Sportscars 2026)
- More secure aquaplaning resistance overall, particularly straight-line aquaplaning where it often has a meaningful speed advantage (e.g., 77.4 vs 66.9 km/h in Auto Bild Sportscars 2026; 78.3 vs 69.8 km/h in Auto Bild SUV 2024)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs Pilot Alpin 5 at a glance
| Category | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won12 shared tests | 0 | 12 | |
| Dry19 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 3.1% shorter in the dry (8 tests) | 16 |
| Wet42 measurements | 6 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 6.1% shorter in the wet (11 tests) | 33 |
| Snow35 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 7.1% shorter on snow (11 tests) | 34 |
| Ice1 measurement | 0 | Level between the two. | 0 |
| Comfort12 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Alpin 5 was 1.2 dB quieter (7 tests) | 8 |
| Value11 measurements | 2 | The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 39.6% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 9 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.9/10 | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 1.6 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating4 and 33 reviews | 91% | The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro by 4 points | 87% |
| Pricein the 10 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Alpin 5 was dearer in 10 of 10 | +28.5% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 110 | 46 sizes made in both | 81 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 12 tests, 2023 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Field | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | P11 of 12 | P1 of 12 | |
| 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets | P28 of 50 | P3 of 50 | |
| 2026 Auto Bild Allrad SUV Winter Tyre Test | P6 of 10 | P2 of 10 | |
| 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | P6 of 6 | P1 of 6 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | P20 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P20 of 51 | P2 of 51 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | P10 of 12 | P1 of 12 | |
| 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | P9 of 9 | P3 of 9 | |
| 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tyre Test | P9 of 11 | P1 of 11 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P17 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | P20 of 54 | P2 of 54 | |
| 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | P10 of 11 | P1 of 11 |
Performance profile
17 measurements from the 12 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Not ahead on any measurement here
Pilot Alpin 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 90%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 10 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Not ahead in any category
Pilot Alpin 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Pilot Alpin 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43.48 | 3.1% | 42.13 | 1-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.25 | 0.6% | 70.81 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 109.6 | 0.8% | 110.5 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73 | 1.4% | 74 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44.03 | 6.1% | 41.11 | 1-9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 57.97 | 0.8% | 57.53 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 80.1 | 1.3% | 81.14 | 1-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 12.5% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.38 | 0.4% | 7.35 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 14.35 | 0.7% | 14.27 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 78.28 | 6.2% | 82.61 | 1-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.33 | 10% | 2.56 | 0-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 28.56 | 7.1% | 26.62 | 0-11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.15 | 9.9% | 5.54 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2,254 | 7.6% | 2,432 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 90.66 | 7.1% | 84.26 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 54.8 | 5.2% | 57.69 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 38.9% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.46 | 9.6% | 3.76 | 1-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.7% | scored | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.29 | 1.2 dB | 70.11 | 0-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 31,727 | 39.6% | 44,279 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.88 | 5% | 8.43 | 1-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.14 | 1.1% | 6.2 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro scores 7.9 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
| EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Dry | 99 | ||
| 66 | Wet | 90 | ||
| 57 | Comfort | 89 | ||
| 18 | Value | 59 | ||
| 23 | Snow | 92 | ||
| 53 | Ice | 80 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.8 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 9.5 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 6.5 | Road Feedback | 8.8 | ||
| 9 | Handling | 8.9 | ||
| 8 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 9 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 9 | Ice Grip | 8 | ||
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
- 91%from 4 reviews
- 18,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 EUROWINTER HS02 Pro reviewsReally solid tyres, I didn't expect them to be good through snow however they performed very well. But they're even better on dry and wet roads.
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- 87%from 33 reviews
- 84%would buy again
- 357,850 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 highly overall (average 82.7%), with the clearest consensus around strong snow traction and unusually capable dry-road performance for a winter tyre. Wet grip also earns plenty of praise, and a smaller group highlights sharp steering feel and secure snow handling. Complaints are more mixed, but around a quarter of owners mention either firmer-than-expected ride comfort or disappointing ice performance, and a smaller minority report noticeable road noise and weak slush behaviour.
- Strong snow traction and confidence in winter conditions
- Outstanding dry grip for a winter tyre
- Very good wet grip
- Secure, sporty handling on dry roads
- Ice grip can be poor and unpredictable for some
- Firm or bumpy ride comfort for a winter tyre
- Noticeable road noise at speed
Summarised by AI from 27 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 33 Pilot Alpin 5 reviewsGreat tyre, i replaced my GY Ultragrip performance 3 with this and i can say they are even better on snow than GY. Where Michelin lacks to GY is on wet. I find goodyear a bit better on wet surfaces but both tyres are excepional.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 110 sizes of the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 81 of the Pilot Alpin 5, 46 of them made in both.
| Category | EUROWINTER HS02 Pro | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 110 sizes, 16 to 22 inch | 81 sizes, 16 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 46 sizes 225/50 R17235/45 R17235/55 R17245/45 R17245/55 R17225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18225/55 R18225/60 R18235/40 R18235/45 R18and 34 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B96%C4% | B58%C40%D2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D51%C44%B5% | C60%D30%B9% |
| EU label noise | 70-74 dB B97%A3% | 68-75 dB B70%A30% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 134 of 134 | 96 of 96 |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2017 |
| Replaced | - | Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 (2012) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 10 of the 10 tests that listed prices, by 28.5% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Falken's EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and Michelin's Pilot Alpin 5 sit in the same niche: ultra-high-performance winter tyres aimed at drivers who still want crisp steering and stable high-speed behaviour when temperatures drop. On paper that suggests a close fight, but across 12 shared professional tests the gap is unusually consistent-Michelin dominates overall results and, more importantly, the safety-critical winter disciplines.
The pattern that emerges is simple: the Pilot Alpin 5 is repeatedly the benchmark for balanced winter performance (especially on snow and in wet safety metrics), while the Falken tends to be “good enough” in some handling feel measures but gives away too much where it matters most-wet braking, aquaplaning resistance, and snow control. If your winter is frequently wet, slushy, or properly snowy, the test data paints two very different ownership experiences.
Conclusion
Across all 12 shared tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finishes ahead overall every time (12-0 in overall comparison), including multiple outright wins (e.g., 1/20 in Auto Bild Winter 2025, 1/12 in Auto Bild Sportscars 2026, 1/11 in Tyre Reviews 2023). The reasons are repeatable and practical: it consistently brakes shorter in the wet and on snow, maintains higher snow traction/handling speeds, and typically offers lower noise and better overall refinement. Even where Michelin isn't class-leading in a single wet metric in a given test, it remains safely competitive without the big “red flag” results seen on the Falken.
The Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro's highlights are narrower: it can feel decent on wet/dry handling courses in some tests, occasionally nicks a win on wet circle or straight aquaplaning in one dataset, and sometimes shows slightly better rolling resistance or fuel consumption. However, the broader evidence repeatedly points to compromised safety margins-most notably wet braking and aquaplaning. In Auto Bild Sportscars 2026, the Falken's wet braking is 65.2 m vs Michelin's 52.8 m (about 19% longer), and its straight aquaplaning threshold is much lower (66.9 km/h vs 77.4 km/h). On snow it is routinely in the bottom group, while Michelin is regularly best-in-test.
Value is the only reason to hesitate on the Michelin-multiple reports call it the most expensive option. But when wear is measured, Michelin often clawbacks cost over time (e.g., 47,170 km vs 33,920 km in Auto Bild 2025; 41,387 km vs 29,534 km in Auto Bild 2023). The practical takeaway: the Pilot Alpin 5 is the clear “buy once, buy right” UHP winter choice for real winter conditions, while the Falken is difficult to justify if you prioritise wet safety and snow capability over initial purchase price.
EUROWINTER HS02 Pro vs Pilot Alpin 5: your questions
Is the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro or the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 the better tyre?
In the 12 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 12 times and the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro scores 7.9 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro or the Pilot Alpin 5?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 33 of the 42 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 6.1% shorter in the wet across 11 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 16 of the 19 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.1% shorter in the dry across 8 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 34 of the 35 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 7.1% shorter on snow across 11 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 39.6% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and had 5% lower rolling resistance (8 tests). Owners rate wear 8/10 for the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 9/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Pilot Alpin 5 was 1.2 dB quieter (7 tests). Owners rate comfort 9/10 for the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro and 8.3/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro 91% from 4 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33.
Which is more expensive?
In the 10 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 10 of them, by 28.5% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is made in 110 sizes (16 to 22 inch) and the Pilot Alpin 5 in 81 (16 to 23 inch). 46 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Alpin 5 B and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The EUROWINTER HS02 Pro is the newer design: it reached the market in 2022, the Pilot Alpin 5 in 2017. The Pilot Alpin 5 replaced the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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