Fulda Kristall Control HP2 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Across six shared tests from 2020 to 2025, the Pilot Alpin 5 consistently finishes near the top-and often first-thanks to shorter braking distances and cleaner handling on dry, wet, ice and snow. The Fulda counters with better value metrics, notably price and, in some cases, aquaplaning resistance and subjective comfort. The question is whether Fulda's strengths offset Michelin's sizeable safety margins in critical braking and handling scenarios.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been six tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 | six |
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is better than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Strong aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) in multiple tests
- Comfortable and compliant ride; solid subjective comfort scores
- Competitive value: lower purchase price and good efficiency
- Adequate snow performance with occasional wins in traction/slalom
- Class-leading braking on dry, wet, snow and ice (often 8-12% shorter)
- Balanced, precise handling with low noise and high refinement
- Excellent wear and projected mileage; low abrasion
- Consistently top overall rankings across all tests
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 9.21% less distance than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.77% faster around a lap than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during six wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 10.53% less distance than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 7.75% less distance than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 5.13% faster around a wet lap than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 6.26% faster around a wet circle than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 floated at a 1.74% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Straight Aqua: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 slipped out at a 12.55% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during six snow braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 1.77% less distance than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Snow Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two snow traction tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 had 0.5% better snow traction than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.67% faster around a lap than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during one snow slalom tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was 6.02% faster through a slalom than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Snow Slalom: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Ice Braking
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one ice braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle 4.12% shorter than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Ice Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 scored 8.75% more points than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during three noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 measured 3.99% quieter than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Noise: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during three wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is predicted to cover 11.73% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during two value tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 proved to have a 24.42% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Value: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 had a 0.6% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Fulda Kristall Control HP2
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 performed equally well in fuel consumption tests.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 emitted 27.54% less particle wear matter than the Fulda Kristall Control HP2.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 Driver Reviews
Drivers of the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 generally report strong wet and snow traction, predictable handling, and good comfort/noise levels, with several noting good value and even low rolling resistance. High-scoring reviews particularly praise its stability and confidence in winter conditions. A minority highlight longer-term issues, citing performance deterioration as the rubber hardens with age and instances of uneven rear wear/cupping that can raise noise. Overall sentiment skews moderately positive with some durability/aging caveats.
Based on 11 reviews with an average rating of 68%
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 for delivering near-summer-tyre performance in winter, with excellent dry and wet grip, precise handling, and strong stability. Snow traction is reported as confidently good (especially on packed or light snow), and several high-scoring reviews note impressive tread life. However, multiple users caution that ice traction and braking are weaker than dedicated snow/ice tyres, and the firm sidewall can make the ride feel harsh for some. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, especially for moderate winters and performance-oriented driving.
Based on 29 reviews with an average rating of 86%
Conclusion
Fulda Kristall Control HP2 offers a credible alternative for budget-focused drivers: better or comparable aquaplaning resistance in several tests, agreeable ride comfort, and a notably lower purchase price. However, its wet braking and handling shortfalls, plus less precise dry control, limit its appeal for spirited or safety-first driving. For most buyers, Michelin's higher price is justified by its all-round capability and longevity; Fulda suits those prioritizing cost and cruising comfort over ultimate grip and shortest stops.
Key Differences
- Safety margins: Michelin stops shorter in every dry and wet braking test (e.g., 41.4 m vs 45.3 m dry; 32.2 m vs 35.9 m wet in ADAC 2025).
- Wet dynamics: Michelin delivers higher wet handling speeds; Fulda shows moderate grip and precision shortfalls.
- Snow and ice: Michelin edges snow/ice braking and combines traction with control; Fulda is adequate, occasionally winning snow slalom/traction.
- Aquaplaning: Fulda often resists aquaplaning better (straight and curved) despite Michelin's overall wet advantage.
- Comfort and noise: Michelin is quieter; Fulda can feel cushier. Subjective comfort occasionally favors Fulda, noise favors Michelin.
- Value and longevity: Michelin costs more but wears slower with higher mileage; Fulda's upfront price is significantly lower.
Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
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Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.