Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Uniroyal WinterExpert
The data shows a clear pattern: Michelin dominates braking and handling on dry, wet, snow and even ice, often by meaningful margins, while Uniroyal counters with lower purchase price and class-leading rolling resistance. Aquaplaning is the notable exception where Uniroyal frequently edges ahead in curved/combined water evacuation. Buyers are essentially choosing between maximum dynamic safety and refinement (Michelin) versus lower running costs and solid, predictable winter competence (Uniroyal).
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 Uniroyal WinterExpert 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
- Class-leading braking on dry, wet, snow and ice across tests
- Consistently precise handling and high lateral grip in dry/wet
- Low noise and high comfort; strong predicted mileage and low abrasion
- All-round balance with top overall test results (multiple wins)
- Excellent rolling resistance for fuel savings
- Strong curved aquaplaning resistance
- Attractive purchase price and value score
- Balanced, predictable performance without major weaknesses
Dry Braking
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 8.61% less distance than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during three dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 1.06% faster around a lap than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
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 3.87% less distance than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
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 3.15% less distance than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
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 three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 3.63% faster around a wet lap than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
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 Uniroyal WinterExpert was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Uniroyal WinterExpert had 7.69% higher lateral wet grip than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Wet Circle: Uniroyal WinterExpert
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 floated at a 1.7% higher speed than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Uniroyal WinterExpert was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Uniroyal WinterExpert slipped out at a 6.94% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Uniroyal WinterExpert
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 3.61% less distance than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
Best In Snow Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during four snow traction tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 had 4.9% better snow traction than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during three snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.78% faster around a lap than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Uniroyal WinterExpert was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Uniroyal WinterExpert was 8.82% faster around a snow circle than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Snow Circle: Uniroyal WinterExpert
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two snow slalom tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 4.55% faster through a slalom than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
Best In Snow Slalom: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
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 6.32% shorter than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
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 Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scored 8.22% more points than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during four noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 measured 2.01% quieter than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
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 two wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is predicted to cover 9.23% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Uniroyal WinterExpert.
Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Uniroyal WinterExpert was better during two value tests. On average the Uniroyal WinterExpert proved to have a 28.59% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Value: Uniroyal WinterExpert
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Uniroyal WinterExpert was better during one price tests. On average the Uniroyal WinterExpert cost 28.8% less than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Price: Uniroyal WinterExpert
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Uniroyal WinterExpert was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Uniroyal WinterExpert had a 4.04% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Uniroyal WinterExpert
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and Uniroyal WinterExpert 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 Uniroyal WinterExpert.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and Uniroyal WinterExpert.
In total the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 has been reviewed 29 times and drivers have given the tyre 86% overall.
The Uniroyal WinterExpert has been reviewed 6 times and drivers have given the tyre 74% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Conclusion
Uniroyal's WinterExpert delivers balanced, dependable winter manners with standout efficiency. It regularly tops curved aquaplaning and posts the best rolling resistance and value scores, which can translate into lower fuel costs and a smaller purchase outlay. For cost-conscious drivers who prioritize economy and are comfortable with slightly longer stopping distances and softer steering precision, it's a smart, practical pick.
Bottom line: Choose Michelin if you want the highest safety margins and driving precision in all winter conditions. Choose Uniroyal if you value low running costs and good all-round capability, especially on wet motorways where aquaplaning resistance and efficiency matter most.
Key Differences
- Braking advantage: Michelin stops shorter on dry, wet, snow and ice (often 2-12% quicker depending on test).
- Handling precision: Michelin offers sharper steering and higher cornering speeds; Uniroyal feels less direct on dry.
- Aquaplaning: Uniroyal frequently leads in curved aquaplaning; Michelin typically leads in straight-line.
- Efficiency: Uniroyal has lower rolling resistance and better value pricing; Michelin is the premium-priced option.
- Noise and comfort: Michelin is consistently quieter and more refined.
- Durability: Michelin often shows higher predicted mileage and lower abrasion in independent scoring.
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.