Dunlop Winter Sport 5 vs Radar Dimax Alpine
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 83% · 47
- TR Score
- 7.2/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 1
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 finished ahead 6 times and the Dimax Alpine not once. The Winter Sport 5 stopped 10.1% shorter in the wet.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Dunlop Winter Sport 5 for the safest, most balanced winter performance-especially in wet, variable conditions and spirited driving. Consider Radar Dimax Alpine only if budget is tight and you primarily drive on snow at moderate speeds, accepting weaker wet safety and higher rolling resistance.
Where the Winter Sport 5 is stronger
- Class-leading wet braking across all shared tests
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved)
- Confident dry handling and braking
Where the Dimax Alpine is stronger
- Good snow balance (occasional wins in snow braking/handling/circle)
- Very low exterior noise in Sportscars test
- Affordable pricing
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.
Winter Sport 5 vs Dimax Alpine at a glance
| Category | Winter Sport 5 | Gap | Dimax Alpine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won6 shared tests | 6 | 0 | |
| Dry2 measurements | 2 | 0 | |
| Wet9 measurements | 9 | The Winter Sport 5 stopped 10.1% shorter in the wet (6 tests) | 0 |
| Snow7 measurements | 2 | 5 | |
| Comfort1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Value1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.9/10 | The Winter Sport 5 by 1.7 | 7.2/10 |
| Owner rating47 and 1 reviews | 83% | Too close to call | 84% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 49 | 25 sizes made in both | 42 |
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 6 tests, 2020 to 2024
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 | Winter Sport 5 | Field | Dimax Alpine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | P4 of 10 | P9 of 10 | |
| 2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test | P11 of 55 | P21 of 55 | |
| 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | P15 of 54 | P21 of 54 | |
| 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview | P8 of 56 | P36 of 56 | |
| 2021 Winter Tyre Market Overview | P2 of 50 | P25 of 50 | |
| 2020 Winter Tyre Market Overview - 52 Tyre Braking Test | P13 of 51 | P41 of 51 |
Performance profile
12 measurements from the 6 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Winter Sport 5
Dimax Alpine
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. The scale stops at 85%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow.
Where each scores higher
Winter Sport 5
Dimax Alpine
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 | Winter Sport 5 | Gap | Dimax Alpine | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 43.3 | 0.5% | 43.5 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 101 | 1.1% | 99.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 37.73 | 10.1% | 42.52 | 6-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 82.2 | 6.3% | 77.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 89.2 | 12.2% | 79.5 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.69 | 92.2% | 1.92 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 29.58 | 0.2% | 29.63 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2,172 | 5.1% | 2,066 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 59.8 | 3.8% | 62.1 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.88 | 2.8% | 2.96 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.4 | 2.7 dB | 69.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.89 | 10.4% | 9.92 | 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 Winter Sport 5 scores 8.9 and the Dimax Alpine 7.2 out of 10.
| Winter Sport 5 | Category | Dimax Alpine | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Dry | 45 | ||
| 85 | Wet | 35 | ||
| 18 | Comfort | 99 | ||
| 66 | Value | 4 | ||
| 83 | Snow | 86 | ||
| 48 | Ice | - | ||
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
| Winter Sport 5 | Category | Dimax Alpine | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 8 | ||
| 8.5 | Wet Grip | 8 | ||
| 7.9 | Road Feedback | 7 | ||
| 7.9 | Handling | 8 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 8.4 | Comfort | - | ||
| 9.1 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.2 | Ice Grip | 9 | ||
Owners rate the Winter Sport 5 83% from 47 reviews and the Dimax Alpine 84% from 1. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
- 83%from 47 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 485,102 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers largely praise the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 for outstanding snow and ice traction, strong wet grip in cold conditions, predictable handling, good comfort/low noise (for a winter tyre), and excellent tread life. A minority report softer sidewalls and reduced dry performance or understeer as temperatures rise, with a few notes on noise increase over time and isolated quality/balance issues. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with most buyers willing to repurchase.
- snow and ice grip
- wet grip in cold
- predictable handling
- ride comfort
- weaker dry grip/softer feel in warmer temps
- increased noise with age
- occasional balance/quality issues
Summarised by AI from 39 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 47 Winter Sport 5 reviewsYou must know, in 225/50/17 it is the best what you can buy in eurowinter tyres
+ perfect rim protector
+ dry and wet grip at different temperatures including +17 Celsius
+ snow grip? Easy
+ treadwear 12000 km/per 1 mm (on my new set 8 mm, now 7,0-6,8 after 2 seasons and 14400 km)
Radar Dimax Alpine
- 84%from 1 reviews
- 1,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 1 Dimax Alpine reviewsI have this tyres for 1 month(1500 km) were i was on the icy, snowy and wet(and very wet) roads. On snow, tyres are really good and also on dry surfaces. On wet surfaces, are good but not like Michelin alpin a5. Very good price for this performances. I really recomanded
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 49 sizes of the Winter Sport 5 and 42 of the Dimax Alpine, 25 of them made in both.
| Category | Winter Sport 5 | Dimax Alpine |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 49 sizes, 15 to 21 inch | 42 sizes, 15 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 25 sizes 195/55 R15195/65 R15195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16225/55 R16205/50 R17205/55 R17215/55 R17and 13 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B52%C48% | C75%B13%E12% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C75%D24%B1% | D100% |
| EU label noise | 70-74 dB B100% | 68-73 dB A76%B24% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 79 of 79 | 68 of 68 |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2019 |
| Replaced | Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D (2021) | - |
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 head-to-head pits two very different winter tyres against each other: the ultra-high-performance Dunlop Winter Sport 5 versus the budget-oriented touring Radar Dimax Alpine. Across six shared tests from 2020-2024, the Dunlop consistently places higher, with notable strength in wet safety and aquaplaning resistance.
The Radar counters with competent snow manners, low noise, and attractive pricing. But the gap in wet braking and stability is substantial in multiple sizes, which has clear implications for everyday winter driving where cold, wet roads are common.
Conclusion
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is the clear all-rounder and safety pick. It dominates wet braking in every shared test (often by 6-13%), leads wet handling and both straight and curved aquaplaning, and delivers stronger dry dynamics-translating to more margin for error in real traffic. It also posts better rolling resistance than the Radar in the key Sportscars test.
The Radar Dimax Alpine shines with quiet running and decent snow feel, occasionally edging the Dunlop in snow braking/handling by small margins. However, its wet-road limitations and high rolling resistance undermine its overall value unless price is the overriding factor. If you frequently face mixed winter conditions (cold rain, slush, thaw/freeze), choose the Dunlop; if your winters are predominantly packed-snow at low speeds and budget is tight, the Radar can suffice, with awareness of its wet-safety trade-offs.
Winter Sport 5 vs Dimax Alpine: your questions
Is the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 or the Radar Dimax Alpine the better tyre?
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 finished ahead 6 times and the Dimax Alpine not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Winter Sport 5 scores 8.9 and the Dimax Alpine 7.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Winter Sport 5 or the Dimax Alpine?
The Winter Sport 5 led 9 of the 9 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 10.1% shorter in the wet across 6 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Winter Sport 5 led 2 of the 2 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The Dimax Alpine led 5 of the 7 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winter Sport 5 83% from 47 reviews and the Dimax Alpine 84% from 1.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Winter Sport 5 is made in 49 sizes (15 to 21 inch) and the Dimax Alpine in 42 (15 to 20 inch). 25 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Winter Sport 5 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Dimax Alpine C and D.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Winter Sport 5 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the Dimax Alpine in 2019. The Winter Sport 5 replaced the Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D.
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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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