Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Pirelli P Zero Winter 2
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 34
- TR Score
- 9.8/10
- Owners say
- 91% · 4
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 3 times and the P Zero Winter 2 once, with one level. The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 13.5% longer in the wear tests; the P Zero Winter 2 stopped 4.9% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if snow performance and projected tread life matter most. Choose the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 if you mainly drive on wet winter roads and put more weight on wet braking and handling.
Where the Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger
- Stronger snow traction and handling in the 2025 and 2026 full tests
- Higher predicted mileage in both wear tests
- Higher straight-line aquaplaning speeds in three tests
Where the P Zero Winter 2 is stronger
- Shorter wet braking in three tests
- Faster wet handling in all three measured tests
- Marginally faster dry handling in all three measured tests
Conclusion
Michelin has the stronger overall record across these five shared tests. It placed ahead in Auto Bild's 2026 full winter test, Auto Zeitung's 2025 test and Teknikens Värld's 2026 Central European winter class. Pirelli led Auto Bild's separate 2026 braking qualifier, while Tyre Reviews named both joint winners in 2024. Those results do not mean Michelin leads in every condition: the two tyres have different, repeatable strengths.
Pirelli's clearest advantage is wet-road grip. Its wet stops were about 8% shorter in Auto Bild's 2026 full test and braking qualifier, and about 4% shorter in Auto Zeitung's 2025 test. It also recorded faster wet handling times in the three tests that measured them, although those time or speed differences were smaller. The exception is Tyre Reviews' 2024 test, where wet braking was effectively level. Michelin more often has the edge on snow: it led the measured traction and handling results in Auto Bild's full test and Auto Zeitung's test, with snow braking differences small. Tyre Reviews' 2024 test unusually reversed that pattern, but Pirelli's snow leads there were narrow. Michelin also had higher predicted mileage in both wear tests, by about 10% at Auto Bild and 17% at Auto Zeitung. Neither tyre has a consistent curved-aquaplaning advantage across the two tests reporting it.
For a driver who regularly encounters snow and wants longer projected tread life, Michelin is the better-supported choice. It also led straight-line aquaplaning in three tests, though the margins over Pirelli were only about 2%. Pirelli suits a driver whose winter journeys are mainly on wet roads and who prioritises braking and handling there. Its dry handling times were marginally faster in all three measured tests, and Auto Zeitung's testers rated its dry handling more highly. Both remain credible all-round choices: in Tyre Reviews' 2024 test they shared the overall win, with most of their measured gaps small.
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.
Pilot Alpin 5 vs P Zero Winter 2 at a glance
| Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | Gap | P Zero Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 3 | 1 level | 1 |
| Dry10 measurements | 4 | 5 | |
| Wet19 measurements | 6 | The P Zero Winter 2 stopped 4.9% shorter in the wet (4 tests) | 12 |
| Snow15 measurements | 11 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 0.7% shorter on snow (4 tests) | 3 |
| Ice3 measurements | 2 | 0 | |
| Comfort7 measurements | 1 | 4 | |
| Value7 measurements | 6 | The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 13.5% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 1 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The P Zero Winter 2 by 0.3 | 9.8/10 |
| Owner rating34 and 4 reviews | 87% | The P Zero Winter 2 by 4 points | 91% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | +6.6% | The Pilot Alpin 5 was dearer in 4 of 4 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 81 | 36 sizes made in both | 66 |
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 5 tests, 2024 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 | Pilot Alpin 5 | Field | P Zero Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 20 | P3 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets | P3 of 50 | P1 of 50 | |
| 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 6 | P4 of 6 | |
| 2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 10 | P3 of 10 | |
| The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 | P1 of 6 | P1 of 6 |
Performance profile
17 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Pilot Alpin 5
P Zero Winter 2
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. 14 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Pilot Alpin 5
P Zero Winter 2
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
Pilot Alpin 5
P Zero Winter 2
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 34 reviews and the P Zero Winter 2 91% from 4. 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 | Pilot Alpin 5 | Gap | P Zero Winter 2 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41.75 | 1.2% | 42.27 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 81.61 | 0.4% | 81.31 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 110.9 | 0.7% | 111.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 12.4% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 50% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 74 | = | 74 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 43.31 | 4.9% | 41 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 27.88 | 0.2% | 27.93 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 97.64 | 1.6% | 96.13 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 81.8 | 1.2% | 82.8 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 13.9% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 12.51 | 2.5% | 12.2 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 81.58 | 1.4% | 80.38 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 2.29 | 0.4% | 2.28 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 25.43 | 0.7% | 25.64 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 5.18 | 0.4% | 5.16 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 4,446 | 3.8% | 4,282 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 73.64 | 1.3% | 74.54 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 57.8 | 1.6% | 56.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 14.7% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 3.76 | 4.7% | 3.59 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 3.49 | 1.2% | 3.45 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 9.46 | 0.5% | 9.51 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 4.5 | = | 4.5 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 66.7% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 2.2% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 71.5 | 0.3 dB | 71.17 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 51,625 | 13.5% | 45,650 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 8.25 | 1.5% | 8.38 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 6.2 | 1.4% | 6.29 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||
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| 0.12 | 19.5% | 0.15 | 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 Pilot Alpin 5 scores 9.5 and the P Zero Winter 2 9.8 out of 10.
| Pilot Alpin 5 | Category | P Zero Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | Dry | 99 | ||
| 90 | Wet | 99 | ||
| 89 | Comfort | 88 | ||
| 59 | Value | 27 | ||
| 92 | Snow | 78 | ||
| 80 | Ice | 59 | ||
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
| Pilot Alpin 5 | Category | P Zero Winter 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.1 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 9.5 | ||
| 8.8 | Road Feedback | 9 | ||
| 9 | Handling | 8.5 | ||
| 9 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 8.3 | Comfort | 9 | ||
| 9 | Snow Grip | 10 | ||
| 8 | Ice Grip | 9.8 | ||
Owners rate the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 34 reviews and the P Zero Winter 2 91% from 4. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- 87%from 34 reviews
- 85%would buy again
- 402,850 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 34 Pilot Alpin 5 reviewsThe tyres are quite good in the dry and come into their own when the temperature drops below 7C. The responsiveness improves as the temperature drops, especially around freezing point and these tyres are a much better option than the all weather tyres I used to fit on some of my previous cars.
Pirelli P Zero Winter 2
- 91%from 4 reviews
- 16,200 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 P Zero Winter 2 reviewsFirst of all I would like to mention that I have switched cars and tyres too. I went from an Audi A4 B8.5 Quattro on Continental Wintercontact 870Ps to a Ford Focus ST mk4 and I was a bit worried going from awd to fwd during the winter, but Pirelli have made a great tyre. Dry, wet and snow grip are excellent, the only circumstance where I have found the tyres to not overachieve my expectations are conditions when the roads are soaking wet and the ambient temperatures are above 3 degrees Celsius and that is only in longitudinal grip when accelerating. Braking is amazing, lateral grip is astonishing for a winter tire and ice and performance is very good and wear seems also good. I would definitely recommend this tyre to anyone.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 81 sizes of the Pilot Alpin 5 and 66 of the P Zero Winter 2, 36 of them made in both.
| Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | P Zero Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 81 sizes, 16 to 23 inch | 66 sizes, 18 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 36 sizes 235/40 R18235/45 R18245/40 R18245/45 R18255/40 R18225/40 R19235/35 R19235/40 R19245/40 R19245/45 R19255/35 R19265/35 R19and 24 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B58%C40%D2% | A70%B24%C6% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C60%D30%B9% | C77%B12%D6%A5% |
| EU label noise | 68-75 dB B70%A30% | 68-73 dB A66%B34% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 96 of 96 | 101 of 101 |
| On the market since | 2017 | 2023 |
| Replaced | Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 (2012) | Pirelli P Zero Winter (2017) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 4 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 6.6% 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.
Five independent tests have put the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 side by side: Tyre Reviews' 2024 performance winter test, Auto Zeitung's 2025 winter test, Auto Bild's 2026 winter test and 50-set braking test, and Teknikens Värld's 2026 winter test. Michelin finished higher in three, Pirelli topped the braking test, and they shared first place in Tyre Reviews' test.
The split is fairly clear. Pirelli is usually stronger on wet braking and handling, while Michelin more often leads on snow and lasts longer in the two tests that measured wear. Auto Bild's 2026 full test placed Michelin joint first and Pirelli joint third; Teknikens Värld put them first and fourth respectively within the Central European winter class. The gaps are not uniform, though. Their dry handling times are consistently close, and Tyre Reviews' 2024 snow results narrowly favoured Pirelli, unlike the later snow tests.
Pilot Alpin 5 vs P Zero Winter 2: your questions
Is the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 or the Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 the better tyre?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 3 times and the P Zero Winter 2 once, with one level. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Pilot Alpin 5 scores 9.5 and the P Zero Winter 2 9.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Pilot Alpin 5 or the P Zero Winter 2?
The P Zero Winter 2 led 12 of the 19 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.9% shorter in the wet across 4 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The P Zero Winter 2 led 5 of the 10 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 11 of the 15 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 0.7% shorter on snow across 4 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 13.5% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and had 1.5% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 9/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5 and 8/10 for the P Zero Winter 2.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.3/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5 and 9/10 for the P Zero Winter 2.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 34 reviews and the P Zero Winter 2 91% from 4.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 4 of them, by 6.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Pilot Alpin 5 is made in 81 sizes (16 to 23 inch) and the P Zero Winter 2 in 66 (18 to 23 inch). 36 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Pilot Alpin 5 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the P Zero Winter 2 A and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The P Zero Winter 2 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2023, the Pilot Alpin 5 in 2017. The Pilot Alpin 5 replaced the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4. The P Zero Winter 2 replaced the Pirelli P Zero Winter.
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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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