Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Semperit Speed Grip 5
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 33
- TR Score
- 8.5/10
- Owners say
- 92% · 3
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 7 times and the Speed Grip 5 not once. The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 13.9% longer in the wear tests; the Speed Grip 5 had 2.4% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if you want the more consistently strong winter tyre for braking, snow ability and overall balance across different tests. Choose the Semperit Speed Grip 5 if you mainly face wet, milder winters and prioritise Auto Bild's aquaplaning results and cost metrics over outright snow and braking performance.
Where the Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger
- Consistently shorter wet braking than the Semperit across all six shared tests, typically by around 4 to 6%
- Stronger snow performance overall, leading on snow braking in every shared test and also ahead on snow traction and handling in Auto Bild 2023 and 2025
- Refinement and longevity advantages in the shared results, quieter in Auto Bild 2023 and 2025 and markedly higher predicted mileage and lower abrasion in ADAC 2025
Where the Speed Grip 5 is stronger
- Better aquaplaning resistance in Auto Bild's winter tests, leading both straight and curved aquaplaning in 2023 and 2025, with a big curved-aqua margin in 2025
- Competitive wet grip in specific measures, beating the Michelin on the wet circle in ADAC 2025
- Stronger on Auto Bild's cost metrics, with better 'value' scores and lower rolling resistance than the Michelin in Auto Bild 2025
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 Speed Grip 5 at a glance
| Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | Gap | Speed Grip 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 7 | 0 | |
| Dry7 measurements | 7 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 8.2% shorter in the dry (4 tests) | 0 |
| Wet22 measurements | 15 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 4.9% shorter in the wet (7 tests) | 7 |
| Snow17 measurements | 17 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 3.6% shorter on snow (7 tests) | 0 |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort6 measurements | 6 | The Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.1 dB quieter (4 tests) | 0 |
| Value9 measurements | 5 | The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 13.9% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) | 3 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 1.0 | 8.5/10 |
| Owner rating33 and 3 reviews | 87% | The Speed Grip 5 by 5 points | 92% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | +32.2% | The Pilot Alpin 5 was dearer in 5 of 5 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 81 | 30 sizes made in both | 90 |
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 7 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 | Pilot Alpin 5 | Field | Speed Grip 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 20 | P12 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets | P3 of 50 | P13 of 50 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 20 | P11 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P2 of 51 | P15 of 51 | |
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | P2 of 31 | P15 of 31 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P1 of 20 | P16 of 20 | |
| 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | P2 of 54 | P19 of 54 |
Performance profile
15 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Pilot Alpin 5
Speed Grip 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. 5 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
Speed Grip 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
Pilot Alpin 5
Not ahead in any category
Speed Grip 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33 reviews and the Speed Grip 5 92% from 3. 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 | Speed Grip 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42.2 | 8.2% | 46 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 113.4 | 0.7% | 112.6 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 42.46 | 4.9% | 44.7 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 36.9 | 1.9% | 37.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 83.63 | 4.9% | 79.73 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.4 | 8.3% | 2.6 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.32 | 3.4% | 12.75 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 83.15 | 1% | 84.1 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.27 | 7.2% | 2.44 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 25.94 | 3.6% | 26.97 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2,752 | 5.9% | 2,588 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 59.23 | 3.5% | 57.2 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.21 | 3.2% | 3.11 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 16.3 | 4.1% | 17 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 13.2% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69.7 | 2.1 dB | 71.8 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 53,014 | 13.9% | 46,267 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.43 | 2.4% | 8.23 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.8 | = | 5.8 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 50 | 24.2% | 66 | 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 Speed Grip 5 8.5 out of 10.
| Pilot Alpin 5 | Category | Speed Grip 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | Dry | 62 | ||
| 90 | Wet | 80 | ||
| 89 | Comfort | 25 | ||
| 59 | Value | 73 | ||
| 92 | Snow | 51 | ||
| 80 | Ice | 32 | ||
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 | Speed Grip 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Dry Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 9.7 | ||
| 8.8 | Road Feedback | 9 | ||
| 8.9 | Handling | 9 | ||
| 9 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 8.3 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 9 | Snow Grip | 9.3 | ||
| 8 | Ice Grip | 9.3 | ||
Owners rate the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33 reviews and the Speed Grip 5 92% from 3. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- 87%from 33 reviews
- 85%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.
Semperit Speed Grip 5
- 92%from 3 reviews
- 20,500 milesdriven by reviewers
All 3 Speed Grip 5 reviewsSehr guter Winterreifen im mittleren Preissegment. Fahre 100 km täglich durchs Mittelgebirge (Stadt, BAB, Bundesstraßen) und hatte nun alle Bedingungen: Schnee, Eis, Regen, Trockene Fahrbahn. Toller Grip auf Schnee und Eis bedeckten Straßen. Habe mich stehts sicher gefühlt.
215/55 R18 99V XL. Made in France. Neuprofiltiefe gemessene 8,7 mm. Nach 10500 km vorn 8,2 mm, hinten 8,0 mm bei sehr ruhigem, entspanntem Fahrstil. D. h. sehr wenig Verschleiß und hohe zu erwartende Laufleistung. Laufgeräusch ist wie bei allen Winterreifen hörbar, aber nicht sonderlich auffällig.
Bin sehr zufrieden, würde sie wieder kaufen.
Meine vorherigen Reifen Bridgestone LM001 mit 5 mm Profil, 2 Jahre alt, waren auf nasser und trockener Fahrbahn top, hatten aber bei Schnee und Matsch null Grip und drehten durch.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 81 sizes of the Pilot Alpin 5 and 90 of the Speed Grip 5, 30 of them made in both.
| Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | Speed Grip 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 81 sizes, 16 to 23 inch | 90 sizes, 14 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 30 sizes 205/60 R16215/65 R16225/50 R17235/45 R17235/55 R17215/40 R18215/50 R18215/55 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18225/55 R18and 18 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B58%C40%D2% | C76%B24% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C60%D30%B9% | C70%D18%B12% |
| EU label noise | 68-75 dB B70%A30% | 71-75 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 96 of 96 | 137 of 137 |
| On the market since | 2017 | 2021 |
| Replaced | Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 (2012) | Semperit Speed Grip 3 (2017) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 32.2% 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.
These two winter tyres have been compared directly in six independent group tests, Auto Bild's winter tyre tests in 2023 and 2025, ADAC's winter tyre test in 2025, plus large braking comparisons in 2023 (54 sets), 2025 (52 sets) and 2026 (50 sets). Across those shared outings the headline is clear, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finishes far higher overall every time.
The Michelin's advantage mainly comes from consistently shorter braking distances and stronger all round dynamics on dry, wet and snow. The Semperit Speed Grip 5 tends to sit mid-pack overall, but it repeatedly shows better aquaplaning resistance in Auto Bild's tests and can look competitive on efficiency and purchase cost in Auto Bild's scoring.
Conclusion
Looking across the six shared tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the more complete and more consistently high-performing tyre. It beats the Semperit in overall placing in every head to head, winning Auto Bild's full winter test in both 2023 and 2025, while the Semperit sits around the middle of the field in those same tests. The braking-only comparisons tell the same story, Michelin is shorter in wet braking and snow braking in 2023, 2025 and 2026, typically by around 4 to 6% in the wet and from near-identical to clearly better on snow depending on the test.
Where the Michelin really separates itself is in the core safety metrics and balance. In Auto Bild 2025 it is about 7% shorter in dry braking and nearly 5% shorter in wet braking, with small but repeatable gains in dry and wet handling. ADAC 2025 backs that up with around 6.5% shorter dry braking and a small wet braking advantage, and it also notes the Michelin's precise, communicative steering. On snow, Michelin repeatedly leads on braking, traction and handling in Auto Bild 2023 and 2025, while Auto Bild's notes on the Semperit highlight snow cornering as a weak point.
The Semperit's main counterpunch is aquaplaning. In Auto Bild 2025 it is ahead in both straight and curved aquaplaning, with a particularly large margin in curved aquaplaning, and it also leads both aquaplaning measures in Auto Bild 2023, albeit by much less. That said, the picture is not one-way, ADAC 2025 has the Michelin slightly ahead in straight-line aquaplaning, while giving the Semperit the advantage on the wet circle. Wear is mixed too, Michelin is massively ahead in predicted mileage in ADAC 2025, but in Auto Bild 2023 the Semperit slightly outlasts it.
If you want the tyre that most often delivers the strongest braking and the most rounded winter performance across different test types, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the safer bet. If your winters are mostly wet and mild and you put particular weight on aquaplaning resistance and Auto Bild's cost metrics, the Semperit Speed Grip 5 makes more sense, but you need to accept it gives away performance on snow and often on dry and wet braking.
Pilot Alpin 5 vs Speed Grip 5: your questions
Is the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 or the Semperit Speed Grip 5 the better tyre?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 7 times and the Speed Grip 5 not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Pilot Alpin 5 scores 9.5 and the Speed Grip 5 8.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Pilot Alpin 5 or the Speed Grip 5?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 15 of the 22 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.9% shorter in the wet across 7 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 7 of the 7 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 8.2% shorter in the dry across 4 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 17 of the 17 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.6% shorter on snow across 7 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 13.9% longer in the wear tests (4 tests); the Speed Grip 5 had 2.4% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 9/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5 and 9/10 for the Speed Grip 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.1 dB quieter (4 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.3/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5 and 8.3/10 for the Speed Grip 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33 reviews and the Speed Grip 5 92% from 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 5 of them, by 32.2% 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 Speed Grip 5 in 90 (14 to 21 inch). 30 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 Speed Grip 5 C and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Speed Grip 5 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the Pilot Alpin 5 in 2017. The Pilot Alpin 5 replaced the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4. The Speed Grip 5 replaced the Semperit Speed Grip 3.
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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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