Giti GitiWinterW2 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- TR Score
- 7.8/10
- Owners say
- 86% · 1
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 33
In the 8 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 8 times and the GitiWinterW2 not once. The GitiWinterW2 held a 14.7% higher speed on the wet circle; the Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 28.3% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 for the best all-round winter safety, control, longevity, and comfort-ideal for performance cars, mixed winter climates, and safety-focused buyers. Pick Giti GitiWinterW2 if budget is the priority and you value strong aquaplaning reserves for heavy rain, accepting longer braking distances and higher consumption.
Where the GitiWinterW2 is stronger
- Excellent straight-line aquaplaning resistance (multiple test wins, +2-6% vs Michelin)
- Competitive wet-circle performance and occasional wet handling wins
- Lower purchase price (circa 25-37% cheaper in tests)
Where the Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger
- Consistently shorter braking on dry, wet, snow, and ice (e.g., wet −7-12%; snow −2-6%)
- Superior snow traction and handling; precise, confidence-inspiring control
- Outstanding longevity and low abrasion (ADAC: +53% mileage; lower wear and abrasion)
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.
GitiWinterW2 vs Pilot Alpin 5 at a glance
| Category | GitiWinterW2 | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won8 shared tests | 0 | 8 | |
| Dry10 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 4.7% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 9 |
| Wet26 measurements | 11 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 7% shorter in the wet (8 tests) | 14 |
| Snow20 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 4.2% shorter on snow (8 tests) | 19 |
| Ice1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Comfort6 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.7 dB quieter (4 tests) | 6 |
| Value8 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 28.3% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 7 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.8/10 | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 1.7 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating1 and 33 reviews | 86% | Too close to call | 87% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Alpin 5 was dearer in 5 of 5 | +29.2% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 57 | 18 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 8 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 | GitiWinterW2 | Field | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P12 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets | P18 of 50 | P3 of 50 | |
| 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P24 of 51 | P2 of 51 | |
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | P16 of 31 | P2 of 31 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | P8 of 12 | P1 of 12 | |
| 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | P8 of 9 | P3 of 9 | |
| 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | P28 of 54 | P2 of 54 | |
| 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | P7 of 11 | P1 of 11 |
Performance profile
16 measurements from the 8 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
GitiWinterW2
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. 11 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
GitiWinterW2
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.
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 | GitiWinterW2 | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43.97 | 4.7% | 41.88 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 71.59 | 1.1% | 70.81 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 112 | 1.3% | 113.4 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 3.2% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 38.48 | 7% | 35.65 | 0-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 | 7.8% | 36.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 58.2 | 1.2% | 57.53 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 80.57 | 1.4% | 81.73 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.23 | 14.7% | 4.88 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14.44 | 0.4% | 14.39 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 84.77 | 3.5% | 82.03 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.81 | 9.4% | 2.59 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25.11 | 4.2% | 24.11 | 0-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6.09 | 9% | 5.54 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1,997 | 6.5% | 2,111 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 87.61 | 3.8% | 84.26 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 56.4 | 4.6% | 59 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 8.7% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.88 | 1.4% | 3.93 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17.8 | 8.4% | 16.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 12.9% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 72.55 | 0.7 dB | 71.88 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 49,200 | 28.3% | 61,750 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8.94 | 7.1% | 8.3 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.8 | = | 5.8 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 86 | 41.9% | 50 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 GitiWinterW2 scores 7.8 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
| GitiWinterW2 | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | Dry | 99 | ||
| 78 | Wet | 90 | ||
| 47 | Comfort | 89 | ||
| 22 | Value | 59 | ||
| 41 | Snow | 92 | ||
| 25 | 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
| GitiWinterW2 | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 9 | Road Feedback | 8.8 | ||
| 8 | Handling | 8.9 | ||
| 6 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 10 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 10 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 8 | Ice Grip | 8 | ||
Owners rate the GitiWinterW2 86% from 1 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
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: 57 sizes of the GitiWinterW2 and 81 of the Pilot Alpin 5, 18 of them made in both.
| Category | GitiWinterW2 | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 57 sizes, 13 to 21 inch | 81 sizes, 16 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 18 sizes 205/60 R16215/65 R16225/50 R17235/55 R17215/50 R18215/55 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18225/60 R18235/45 R18235/50 R18and 6 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B96%A4% | B58%C40%D2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D60%C29%E9%B2% | C60%D30%B9% |
| EU label noise | 68-74 dB A68%B32% | 68-75 dB B70%A30% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 127 of 127 | 96 of 96 |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2017 |
| Replaced | Giti GitiWinterW1 (2017) | Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 (2012) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 29.2% 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.
This matchup pits the value-focused Giti GitiWinterW2 (touring winter) against the benchmark ultra-high-performance winter tyre, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5. Tested head-to-head across six independent programmes in 18-inch fitments, the Michelin consistently ran at or near the front, while the Giti delivered pockets of strength in aquaplaning resistance and price.
Across dry, wet and winter metrics, the Pilot Alpin 5 repeatedly stopped shorter and handled with greater precision, pairing strong safety performance with class-leading longevity. The Giti counters with excellent straight-line aquaplaning resistance and several wet-circle wins, plus notably lower purchase price-valuable for drivers prioritising hydroplaning security and budget.
Conclusion
The data is decisive: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 dominated objective safety metrics-clean sweeps in wet and snow braking (6/6 each), broad wins in dry braking, snow traction/handling, and far superior wear life (ADAC: +53% mileage; markedly lower abrasion). It also offered better comfort and rolling resistance in multiple tests. These advantages translate into shorter stops, more precise control, and lower long-term running costs.
Giti GitiWinterW2's case rests on robust aquaplaning reserves (frequent wins in straight aquaplaning, competitive wet circle times), agreeable pricing, and decent subjective feel in some dry/wet scenarios. However, its longer braking distances in all conditions and higher rolling resistance limit its overall safety and efficiency proposition. If you drive briskly or face mixed winter conditions, choose the Michelin; if budget is tight and your primary concern is deep-water stability at motorway speeds, the Giti can serve, with the caveat of longer stopping distances.
GitiWinterW2 vs Pilot Alpin 5: your questions
Is the Giti GitiWinterW2 or the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 the better tyre?
In the 8 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 8 times and the GitiWinterW2 not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the GitiWinterW2 scores 7.8 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the GitiWinterW2 or the Pilot Alpin 5?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 14 of the 26 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 7% shorter in the wet across 8 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 9 of the 10 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.7% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 19 of the 20 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.2% shorter on snow across 8 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 28.3% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and had 7.1% lower rolling resistance (4 tests). Owners rate wear 6/10 for the GitiWinterW2 and 9/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.7 dB quieter (4 tests). Owners rate comfort 10/10 for the GitiWinterW2 and 8.3/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the GitiWinterW2 86% from 1 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 5 of them, by 29.2% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The GitiWinterW2 is made in 57 sizes (13 to 21 inch) and the Pilot Alpin 5 in 81 (16 to 23 inch). 18 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the GitiWinterW2 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 GitiWinterW2 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the Pilot Alpin 5 in 2017. The GitiWinterW2 replaced the Giti GitiWinterW1. The Pilot Alpin 5 replaced the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4.
More comparisons with these tyres
vs
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
3-14 in 18 shared tests
vs
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
3-14 in 21 shared tests
vs
Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
0-11 in 11 shared tests
vs
Hankook Winter i cept evo3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
1-18 in 20 shared tests
vs
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
5-10 in 16 shared tests
vs
Linglong Sport Master Winter vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
0-5 in 5 shared tests
vs
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
0-9 in 9 shared tests
vs
Kleber Krisalp HP3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
0-11 in 11 shared tests
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.
Discussion