Firestone Winterhawk 4 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Across dry, wet, and snow metrics, the Pilot Alpin 5 repeatedly demonstrated shorter braking distances, sharper handling, lower noise, and markedly higher projected mileage. The Winterhawk 4 counters with pockets of strength-especially aquaplaning resistance, occasional wet-braking wins, and attractive pricing and efficiency-making this a clear performance-versus-value decision.
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 seven tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 | seven |
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is better than the Firestone Winterhawk 4 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
- Strong aquaplaning resistance (frequent wins in straight/curved tests)
- Good snow traction and stable winter behaviour
- Lower purchase price and solid value metrics
- Often lower rolling resistance/fuel use than peers
- Consistently shortest dry and snow braking distances
- Precise, predictable handling on dry/wet with low noise
- Excellent longevity and low abrasion (very high mileage)
- Balanced performance across all conditions; multiple overall test wins
Dry Braking
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during five dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 8.92% less distance than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during four dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 1.89% faster around a lap than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stopped the vehicle in 1.05% less distance than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
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 3.4% less distance than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
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 four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 1.23% faster around a wet lap than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
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 Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 had 4.17% higher lateral wet grip than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 floated at a 0.26% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Straight Aqua: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 slipped out at a 1.14% higher speed than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from seven 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 2.64% less distance than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Snow Braking: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during four snow traction tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 had 2.04% better snow traction than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Snow Traction: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during four snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 1.79% faster around a lap than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
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 Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.49% faster around a snow circle than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Snow Circle: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two snow slalom tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was 2.22% faster through a slalom than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
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 Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during one ice braking tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 stopped the vehicle 1.23% shorter than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Ice Braking: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 and Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during five noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 measured 1.34% quieter than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
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 three wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is predicted to cover 15.36% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during two value tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 proved to have a 22.05% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Value: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during two price tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 cost 36.12% less than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Price: Firestone Winterhawk 4
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 had a 1.4% lower rolling resistance than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Firestone Winterhawk 4 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Firestone Winterhawk 4 used 1.72% less fuel than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Firestone Winterhawk 4
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 30.56% less particle wear matter than the Firestone Winterhawk 4.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Firestone Winterhawk 4 Driver Reviews
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.
Based on 5 reviews with an average rating of 79%
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 for delivering near-summer-tyre performance in winter, with excellent dry and wet grip, precise handling, and strong stability. Snow traction is reported as confidently good (especially on packed or light snow), and several high-scoring reviews note impressive tread life. However, multiple users caution that ice traction and braking are weaker than dedicated snow/ice tyres, and the firm sidewall can make the ride feel harsh for some. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, especially for moderate winters and performance-oriented driving.
Based on 29 reviews with an average rating of 86%
Conclusion
Buyers prioritizing maximum safety, refinement, and longevity should choose the Pilot Alpin 5. Drivers in reliably snowy regions who value a softer price, are comfortable with conservative driving, and want good aquaplaning protection can justify the Winterhawk 4. The practical takeaway: Michelin is the benchmark all-rounder; Firestone is the budget-friendly snow-leaning option with trade-offs on dry-road control.
Key Differences
- Overall results: Michelin won all 7 shared tests; Firestone had none
- Dry safety: Michelin shorter dry braking by ~8-10% in multiple tests
- Handling precision: Michelin faster on dry/wet tracks; Firestone can feel vague/understeery on dry
- Winter capability: Both good, but Michelin usually leads snow braking/handling; Firestone occasionally edges traction/slalom
- Wet performance: Close in braking with Firestone taking some wins, but Michelin more balanced; Firestone stronger in aquaplaning
- Ownership costs: Michelin costs more upfront but offers far higher mileage; Firestone cheaper to buy with decent efficiency
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.