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Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

Winter Passenger Car 21 shared tests
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
TR Score
9.3/10
Owners say
85% · 33
Head to head 3-14 wins in 21 shared tests, 4 level 2021-2026 · 9 publications
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
TR Score
9.5/10
Owners say
87% · 34

In the 21 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 14 times and the WinterContact TS 870 P 3 times, with 4 level. The WinterContact TS 870 P had 5.8% lower rolling resistance; the Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 15.4% longer in the wear tests.

Data updated

Which should you buy?

Choose the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if you regularly drive in real winter conditions (frequent snow/ice, mixed secondary roads) or you simply want the highest chance of topping the test table with the strongest dry + snow performance. Choose the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P if your winters are milder and wet, you drive lots of motorway kilometres, or you prioritise EV range/fuel economy and strong aquaplaning-in-bends security over ultimate snow traction.

Where the WinterContact TS 870 P is stronger

  • Very strong efficiency/low rolling resistance across tests (14 rolling-resistance wins; e.g., 7.5 vs 8.6 kg/t in Auto Bild Sportscars 2026)
  • Excellent resistance to aquaplaning in bends in most comparisons (11 curved-aquaplaning wins; often a meaningful advantage)
  • Frequently competitive wet braking, including strong results in several braking-only and multi-discipline tests (e.g., 33.9 m vs 35.9 m in 2026 braking test)
Everything on the WinterContact TS 870 P

Where the Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger

  • Best overall results across shared tests (14 overall wins), including multiple 1st-place finishes in major group tests
  • Class-leading snow performance and traction (wins most snow braking/traction/handling categories; consistently highest grip and quickest snow times)
  • Strong dry-road braking and sporty steering response (16/16 dry-braking category wins; often among the quickest in dry handling)
Everything on the Pilot Alpin 5

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.

WinterContact TS 870 P vs Pilot Alpin 5 at a glance

Category WinterContact TS 870 P Gap Pilot Alpin 5
Shared tests won21 shared tests 3 4 level 14
Dry39 measurements 8 The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry (17 tests) 30
Wet87 measurements 43 The WinterContact TS 870 P held 9.9% more grip in curved aquaplaning (14 tests) 38
Snow71 measurements 8 The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 2.7% shorter on snow (20 tests) 61
Ice4 measurements 0 The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 12.5% shorter on ice (2 tests) 3
Comfort25 measurements 8 The Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.6 dB quieter (16 tests) 15
Value26 measurements 16 The WinterContact TS 870 P had 5.8% lower rolling resistance (16 tests) 10
Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold 9.3/10 The Pilot Alpin 5 by 0.2 9.5/10
Owner rating33 and 34 reviews 85% The Pilot Alpin 5 by 2 points 87%
Would buy againshare of owners 83% The Pilot Alpin 5 by 2 points 85%
Pricein the 19 tests that listed prices Cheaper The Pilot Alpin 5 was dearer in 18 of 19 +6.8%
Sizes madeEU label registrations 121 43 sizes made in both 81

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 21 tests, 2021 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 WinterContact TS 870 P Field Pilot Alpin 5
2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild · 2026 · 245/45 R19 · BMW 5 Series P1 of 20 P1 of 20
2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild Sportscars · 2026 · 225/45 R18 · BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupé and BMW M240i P4 of 12 P1 of 12
2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets Auto Bild · 2026 · 245/45 R19 · BMW 5 Series P2 of 50 P3 of 50
2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test Teknikens Varld · 2026 · 235/45 R18 · Volvo V60 (petrol)Central European Winter Tyres P1 of 6 P1 of 6
2025 AZ Performance Winter Tyre Test Auto Zeitung · 2025 · 245/45 R19 · BMW 520d Touring P5 of 10 P2 of 10
2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild · 2025 · 225/40 R18 · BMW M135i P7 of 20 P1 of 20
2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! Auto Bild · 2025 · 225/40 R18 P13 of 51 P2 of 51
2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test ADAC · 2025 · 225/40 R18 P6 of 31 P2 of 31
2024 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild Allrad · 2024 · 245/45 R18 P2 of 12 P1 of 12
2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild Sportscars · 2024 · 235/35 R19 P3 of 10 P1 of 10
The BEST Performance Winter Tyres for 2024 / 2025 Tyre Reviews · 2024 · 235/35 R19 Tyre Reviews test P4 of 6 P1 of 6
2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test Tyre Reviews · 2023 · 255/40 R19 Tyre Reviews test P1 of 6 P2 of 6
2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test Sport Auto · 2023 · 225/40 R18 P4 of 9 P3 of 9
2023 Sports Cars Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild Sportscars · 2023 · 225/40 R18 P3 of 11 P1 of 11
2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild · 2023 · 225/45 R18 P3 of 20 P1 of 20
2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test Auto Bild · 2023 · 225/45 R18 P7 of 54 P2 of 54
2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test Tyre Reviews · 2023 · 225/45 R18 Tyre Reviews test P3 of 11 P1 of 11
2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild Sportscars · 2022 · 245/40 R19 P3 of 9 P4 of 9
2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test Auto Bild Allrad · 2022 · 225/45 R19 P2 of 10 P1 of 10
2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test Auto Motor Und Sport · 2022 · 245/45 R19 P1 of 8 P1 of 8
2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test Tyre Reviews · 2021 · 225/40 R18 Tyre Reviews test P1 of 9 P1 of 9

Performance profile

28 measurements from the 21 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.

Dry BrakingDry Handling (s)Dry Handling (km/h)Subj. Dry HandlingWet BrakingWet Braking - CoolWet Handling (s)Wet Handling (km/h)Subj. Wet HandlingWet Circle (m/s)Wet Circle (s)Straight AquaCurved AquaplaningSnow BrakingSnow TractionSnow TractionSnow HandlingSnow Handling (km/h)Subj. Snow HandlingSnow CircleSnow Circle (ms/2)Snow SlalomIce BrakingSubj. ComfortNoiseWearRolling ResistanceFuel Consumption

Where each is furthest ahead

WinterContact TS 870 P

Pilot Alpin 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. The scale stops at 92%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 8 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.

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 WinterContact TS 870 P Gap Pilot Alpin 5 Wins
43.07 2.6% 41.95 0-17
66.8 0.9% 66.26 0-4
108.7 0.2% 108.9 4-7
scored 3.2% scored 2-2
scored 50% scored 1-0
75 1.4% 74 1-0
40.83 0.5% 41.05 9-11
29.97 1.1% 30.39 1-1
38 2.9% 36.9 0-1
33.2 10.8% 37.2 1-0
77.85 0.2% 77.67 2-3
80.11 0.2% 80.26 3-6
scored 1.3% scored 1-2
5 5.9% 4.88 1-1
13.61 0.6% 13.72 6-2
81.83 0.4% 82.08 7-9
8.64 9.9% 8.17 12-2
24.8 2.7% 24.15 1-18
6.28 5% 5.98 0-4
2,330 3.9% 2,417 1-12
81.32 2.2% 79.5 0-5
58.45 1.1% 59.1 1-10
scored 2.8% scored 1-3
19.29 2.2% 19.04 1-1
3.29 2.5% 3.37 0-2
3.42 1% 3.46 3-6
14.62 12.5% 12.88 0-2
5.32 15.4% 4.5 0-1
scored = scored 0-0
scored 3% scored 6-1
71.2 0.6 dB 70.64 2-14
41,967 15.4% 48,378 0-6
7.96 5.8% 8.45 14-2
5.87 2.2% 6 2-0
60 16.7% 50 0-1
0.15 15.6% 0.12 0-1

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 WinterContact TS 870 P scores 9.3 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.

Tyre Reviews Score by category
WinterContact TS 870 P Category Pilot Alpin 5
94Dry 99
92Wet 90
77Comfort 89
76Value 59
73Snow 92
30Ice 80

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

What owners rate
WinterContact TS 870 P Category Pilot Alpin 5
8.6Dry Grip 9.1
9Wet Grip 9
8.1Road Feedback 8.8
8.7Handling 9
8.7Wear 9
8.9Comfort 8.3
8.7Snow Grip 9
7.8Ice Grip 8

Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 34. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

  • 85%from 33 reviews
  • 83%would buy again
  • 294,700 milesdriven by reviewers

Across 26 owner reviews averaging 85.8%, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is most consistently praised for strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both the wet and the dry, often paired with a notably quiet, comfortable ride. Many owners also report good longevity for a winter tyre, with several noting healthy tread remaining after substantial mileage. Winter performance is generally rated as capable, but a meaningful minority (around two in five of those mentioning it) found snow traction lacking, and opinions are split on ice grip and steering feel; a small number also note it can feel softer when temperatures rise.

  • Strong wet grip and confident wet cornering
  • Strong dry grip with secure traction
  • Noticeably quiet on the road
  • Comfortable, supple ride quality
  • Snow traction not as strong as expected for some drivers
  • Ice grip is inconsistent depending on conditions
  • Steering feel not the sharpest

Summarised by AI from 26 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.

I've driven the tyres in the winter, but on roads devoid of snow and ice so I can't comment on that. They made me feel very secure, however, I have to say that they are far too sporty for my driving style and needs. They carry a lot of responsibility for my decision to buy the car, as they are very comfortable, quiet and make the car feel very surefooted and responsive in the dry and in the wet.
There is one gripe, though, they have absolutely no rim protection, so I blame them for all the scratching on my wheels. I would expect more from a tyre of this class from a reputable brand, and, honestly, it is a strong enough reason (albeit the only one) for me not to buy them again. In every other aspect they are brilliant, they even equal summer tyres in fuel consumption.

79% Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring 235/40 R18 8,000 miles October 17, 2026
All 33 WinterContact TS 870 P reviews

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.

Great 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.

96% Cupra Leon 225/40 R18 5,000 miles October 22, 2026
All 34 Pilot Alpin 5 reviews

Sizes, EU label and lineage

From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 121 sizes of the WinterContact TS 870 P and 81 of the Pilot Alpin 5, 43 of them made in both.

Category WinterContact TS 870 P Pilot Alpin 5
Season Winter Winter
Sizes made 121 sizes, 16 to 23 inch 81 sizes, 16 to 23 inch
Made in both 43 sizes 205/60 R16215/65 R16225/50 R17235/45 R17235/55 R17245/55 R17205/40 R18215/40 R18215/50 R18215/55 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18and 31 more
EU label wet grip B99%C1% B58%C40%D2%
EU label rolling resistance C62%B37%D1% C60%D30%B9%
EU label noise 70-75 dB B100% 68-75 dB B70%A30%
Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes 221 of 221 96 of 96
On the market since - 2017
Replaced Continental WinterContact TS 860 S (2017) Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 (2012)
Replaced by Continental WinterContact 8 S -
Awards Highly Recommended: Best Winter SUV Tyre (DriverReviews, 2025/26) Winner: Best Winter SUV Tyres (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Winter Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2024) -
Price in the shared tests The Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 18 of the 19 tests that listed prices, by 6.8% 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.

Continental's WinterContact TS 870 P and Michelin's Pilot Alpin 5 sit in the same niche: premium ultra-high-performance winter tyres designed for drivers who want a “real” winter tyre without giving up too much steering precision, high-speed stability and refinement. They're also two of the most frequently tested UHP winters in Europe, so their strengths (and trade-offs) show up consistently across many independent comparisons.

Across the 20 shared tests here, the story is clear: the Pilot Alpin 5 is the more outright performance-focused tyre, repeatedly taking top overall rankings (including multiple 1st-place finishes such as Auto Bild Winter 2025 1/20 and Auto Bild Sportscars 2026 1/12). The WinterContact TS 870 P fights back not by trying to out-snow the Michelin, but by being the efficiency and wet-safety “specialist” in key areas-most notably rolling resistance (14 category wins) and a strong pattern of curved-aquaplaning wins (11 category wins), plus frequent wet-braking victories depending on the test format and temperature.

Conclusion

If you want the most consistent “win on points” UHP winter tyre, Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the safer bet: it dominates the cold-weather traction and stopping categories and often leads the overall table. The margins aren't always huge, but they're persistent-especially on snow (17 snow-braking wins, 15 snow-traction wins, 14 snow-handling wins). Real-world implication: in regions where winter regularly means packed snow, steep exits, or mixed-grip secondary roads, the Michelin's extra bite and shorter snow stops (e.g., 20.5 m vs 22.0 m in Auto Bild SUV 2024, and 25.1 m vs 25.8 m in Auto Bild Sportscars 2026) translate into easier launches, more stable progress, and a bit more “margin” when you misjudge speed.

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is the smarter choice when your winter is mostly wet, cold and fast-and you care about efficiency (EV range/fuel use) and hydroplaning security. It repeatedly posts notably lower rolling resistance (e.g., 7.5 vs 8.6 kg/t in Auto Bild Sportscars 2026; and 7.39 vs 8.49 kg/t in Tyre Reviews 2023) and very often leads in curved aquaplaning (including large gaps in some tests, such as 2.37 vs 1.87 m/s² in the 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP winter test). The practical takeaway: Pilot Alpin 5 is the “performance winter benchmark” for snow-prone drivers, while TS 870 P is the “efficient wet-weather security blanket” that makes the most sense for milder winters and high-mileage users-even if it usually can't match Michelin's outright snow traction.

WinterContact TS 870 P vs Pilot Alpin 5: your questions

Is the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P or the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 the better tyre?

In the 21 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 14 times and the WinterContact TS 870 P 3 times, with 4 level. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the WinterContact TS 870 P scores 9.3 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.

Which is better in the wet, the WinterContact TS 870 P or the Pilot Alpin 5?

The WinterContact TS 870 P led 43 of the 87 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 9.9% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 14 tests.

Which is better in the dry?

The Pilot Alpin 5 led 30 of the 39 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry across 17 tests.

Which is better in snow?

The Pilot Alpin 5 led 61 of the 71 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.7% shorter on snow across 20 tests.

Which lasts longer and costs less to run?

The WinterContact TS 870 P had 5.8% lower rolling resistance (16 tests) and used 2.2% less fuel (2 tests); the Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 15.4% longer in the wear tests (6 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P and 9/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.

Which is quieter and more comfortable?

The Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.6 dB quieter (16 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.9/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P and 8.3/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.

What do owners say?

Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 34. 83% of WinterContact TS 870 P owners would buy it again, against 85% for the Pilot Alpin 5.

Which is more expensive?

In the 19 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 18 of them, by 6.8% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.

Are they available in the same sizes?

The WinterContact TS 870 P is made in 121 sizes (16 to 23 inch) and the Pilot Alpin 5 in 81 (16 to 23 inch). 43 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the WinterContact TS 870 P is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Alpin 5 B and C.

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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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