Firestone Winterhawk 4 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- TR Score
- 8.1/10
- Owners say
- 72% · 6
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 34
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 9 times and the Winterhawk 4 not once. The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 16.9% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if you want the most consistent winter tyre across dry, wet and snow, with the strongest dry-road safety margins and the best overall test record. The Firestone Winterhawk 4 makes more sense if you prioritise snow traction results and Auto Bild's value metrics, and can live with weaker dry braking and less precise dry handling.
Where the Winterhawk 4 is stronger
- Strong snow traction in Auto Bild's 2025 winter tyre test, and it also topped the snow slalom there.
- Can be competitive for straight-line aquaplaning in Auto Bild testing, winning straight aquaplaning in Auto Bild 2025 and Auto Bild SUV 2022.
- Better value metrics than Michelin in Auto Bild's 2023 and 2025 winter tests, and it also showed lower rolling resistance in Auto Bild 2025.
Where the Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger
- Consistently shorter dry braking and better dry handling across the shared ranked tests, for example in Auto Bild 2025 and AMS 2022.
- More consistent all-round winter performance, with repeated wins in snow braking and measured advantages in snow handling across the shared tests.
- Refinement and longevity advantages, being quieter in several tests and delivering much higher predicted mileage in ADAC's 2025 test.
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.
Winterhawk 4 vs Pilot Alpin 5 at a glance
| Category | Winterhawk 4 | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won9 shared tests | 0 | 9 | |
| Dry11 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 8.7% shorter in the dry (6 tests) | 11 |
| Wet31 measurements | 10 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 3.3% shorter in the wet (9 tests) | 21 |
| Snow25 measurements | 3 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 2% shorter on snow (9 tests) | 22 |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort8 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.8 dB quieter (6 tests) | 7 |
| Value11 measurements | 4 | The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 16.9% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) | 7 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.1/10 | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 1.4 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating6 and 34 reviews | 72% | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 15 points | 87% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 67% | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 18 points | 85% |
| Pricein the 7 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Alpin 5 was dearer in 7 of 7 | +30.2% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 83 | 28 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 9 tests, 2022 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 | Winterhawk 4 | Field | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P16 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 50 Sets | P19 of 50 | P3 of 50 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | P16 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P7 of 51 | P2 of 51 | |
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | P17 of 31 | P2 of 31 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P20 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | P6 of 54 | P2 of 54 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | P6 of 10 | P1 of 10 | |
| 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | P5 of 8 | P1 of 8 |
Performance profile
15 measurements from the 9 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Winterhawk 4
Not ahead on any measurement here
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 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Winterhawk 4
Not ahead in any category
Pilot Alpin 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
Winterhawk 4
Not ahead in any category
Pilot Alpin 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Winterhawk 4 72% from 6 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 34. 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 | Winterhawk 4 | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46.68 | 8.7% | 42.63 | 0-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 109.1 | 2% | 111.3 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44.02 | 3.3% | 42.4 | 3-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 38.2 | 3.4% | 36.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 78.68 | 2% | 80.26 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.3 | 4.3% | 2.4 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.4 | 1.4% | 13.23 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 79.45 | 0.3% | 79.75 | 3-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.54 | 2.9% | 2.6 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 26.26 | 2% | 25.71 | 1-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2,431 | 1.9% | 2,478 | 1-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 58.64 | 1.9% | 59.78 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 4.1 | 0.5% | 4.08 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.51 | 1.7% | 3.58 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 16.1 | 1.2% | 16.3 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 10.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.5 | 0.8 dB | 69.68 | 0-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 45,068 | 16.9% | 53,014 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.38 | = | 8.37 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.7 | 1.7% | 5.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72 | 30.6% | 50 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Winterhawk 4 scores 8.1 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
| Winterhawk 4 | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Dry | 99 | ||
| 86 | Wet | 90 | ||
| 66 | Comfort | 89 | ||
| 49 | Value | 59 | ||
| 69 | Snow | 92 | ||
| 54 | Ice | 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
| Winterhawk 4 | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.3 | Dry Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 7.3 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 6.2 | Road Feedback | 8.8 | ||
| 5.5 | Handling | 9 | ||
| 7.6 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 7.7 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 7.5 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 6.8 | Ice Grip | 8 | ||
Owners rate the Winterhawk 4 72% from 6 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 34. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Firestone Winterhawk 4
- 72%from 6 reviews
- 67%would buy again
- 25,300 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally rate the Firestone Winterhawk 4 highly for everyday winter use, with strong confidence in snow and rain, short braking distances, and reassuring all-round performance. Many highlight its good value versus premium brands, along with a quiet, comfortable ride and responsive feel. Overall satisfaction is high across the majority of reviews.
- strong snow performance
- good wet grip and braking
- quiet and comfortable ride
- good value for money
Summarised by AI from 5 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 6 Winterhawk 4 reviewsGood quality for mid-range brand, cover winter needs. In general there is no high potential of performance for winter tyres independently of brand!
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 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.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 83 sizes of the Winterhawk 4 and 81 of the Pilot Alpin 5, 28 of them made in both.
| Category | Winterhawk 4 | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 83 sizes, 14 to 20 inch | 81 sizes, 16 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 28 sizes 205/60 R16215/65 R16225/50 R17235/45 R17235/55 R17245/45 R17215/50 R18215/55 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18225/55 R18and 16 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B100% | B58%C40%D2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D50%C50% | C60%D30%B9% |
| EU label noise | 71 dB B100% | 68-75 dB B70%A30% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 101 of 101 | 96 of 96 |
| On the market since | 2020 | 2017 |
| Replaced | Firestone Winterhawk 3 (2013) | Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 (2012) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 7 of the 7 tests that listed prices, by 30.2% 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 tyres have been compared head to head in eight independent tests: AMS 2022 (245/45 R19), Auto Bild SUV 2022 (225/45 R19), the 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 set braking test, Auto Bild 2023 (225/45 R18), ADAC 2025 (225/40 R18), the 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test 52 sets, Auto Bild 2025 (225/40 R18), and the 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test 50 sets (245/45 R19).
Across those shared tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finishes ahead overall every time, often by a big margin in the ranked group tests, while the Firestone Winterhawk 4 tends to pick up isolated wins in aquaplaning and occasional wet braking results.
The pattern is fairly clear: Michelin is the more complete, more road-focused UHP winter tyre, while the Firestone leans more towards winter traction and some efficiency or value metrics, but gives away too much on dry road control and stopping distances.
Conclusion
Taken together, the shared tests consistently favour the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 for overall ability. It wins all five tests that report dry braking, typically stopping around 7 to 10% shorter than the Firestone (for example in Auto Bild 2025 and AMS 2022). The same theme carries into dry handling, where Michelin is always quicker when measured, and both Auto Bild 2025 and ADAC 2025 back up the subjective point that the Michelin is more precise, while the Firestone can feel spongy or imprecise on dry roads.
In the wet, Michelin is usually in front, but the gap is more variable. It has the clearest advantage when braking in the 2026 Winter Tyre Braking Test, where it stops about 11% shorter, and it also leads wet braking in Auto Bild 2025, ADAC 2025 and the 2025 braking test. However, the Firestone does pop up with narrow wet braking wins in Auto Bild 2023 and Auto Bild SUV 2022, and it can be strong in straight aquaplaning in some Auto Bild testing. Aquaplaning overall is not one-way though: Michelin is better for straight aquaplaning in ADAC 2025 and for lateral aquaplaning in AMS 2022, while Auto Bild 2025 notes Michelin is only mid-pack for aquaplaning resistance.
On snow, Michelin is more consistently well-rounded in the measured results, particularly for braking and handling, winning snow braking in seven of the eight shared tests and leading snow handling whenever it is measured. The Firestone's best snow moments are more specific, such as its higher snow traction and slalom performance in Auto Bild 2025, but those do not translate into better overall snow times versus Michelin.
For running qualities, Michelin is repeatedly quieter (Auto Bild 2025, Auto Bild 2023, ADAC 2025) and shows a clear longevity advantage where properly measured, most notably in ADAC 2025 where predicted mileage is around 37% higher. Firestone's main non-dynamic positives are value metrics in Auto Bild (2023 and 2025) and occasional small wins in rolling resistance or fuel consumption, but the trade-off in dry safety and precision is a recurring issue across multiple publications.
Winterhawk 4 vs Pilot Alpin 5: your questions
Is the Firestone Winterhawk 4 or the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 the better tyre?
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 9 times and the Winterhawk 4 not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Winterhawk 4 scores 8.1 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Winterhawk 4 or the Pilot Alpin 5?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 21 of the 31 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.3% shorter in the wet across 9 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 11 of the 11 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 8.7% shorter in the dry across 6 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 22 of the 25 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2% shorter on snow across 9 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 16.9% longer in the wear tests (4 tests). Owners rate wear 7.6/10 for the Winterhawk 4 and 9/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.8 dB quieter (6 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.7/10 for the Winterhawk 4 and 8.3/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Winterhawk 4 72% from 6 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 34. 67% of Winterhawk 4 owners would buy it again, against 85% for the Pilot Alpin 5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 7 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tyre in 7 of them, by 30.2% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Winterhawk 4 is made in 83 sizes (14 to 20 inch) and the Pilot Alpin 5 in 81 (16 to 23 inch). 28 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Winterhawk 4 is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Alpin 5 B and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Winterhawk 4 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2020, the Pilot Alpin 5 in 2017. The Winterhawk 4 replaced the Firestone Winterhawk 3. The Pilot Alpin 5 replaced the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4.
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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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