Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 Test Results
Tested 11 times by independent publications, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 has taken 1 test wins with an average finish of 3rd.
- 11Independent tests
- 1Test wins
- 7Podium finishes
- 3rdAverage finish
- 70%Field beaten on average
- 4Publications
11 tests, 2011 to 2019
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 70%
Record by discipline
Where the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tyres. Field beaten is the share of the other tyres it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 3 | P7.7 of 10.7 | 31% | - |
| Dry Handling | 3 | P5 of 10.7 | 58% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 3 | P2.3 of 10.7 | 87% | 1 |
| Wet Handling | 3 | P3.3 of 10.7 | 77% | 1 |
| Straight Aqua | 2 | P7.5 of 11 | 36% | - |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 3 | P6 of 10.7 | 48% | - |
| Snow Handling | 3 | P4.7 of 10.3 | 62% | 1 |
| Comfort | ||||
| Noise | 2 | P6 of 11 | 54% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Rolling Resistance | 2 | P8 of 11 | 30% | - |
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3 | 3 | - | 50% | |
| 6 | 1 | 5 | - | 17% | |
| 5 | 4 | 1 | - | 80% | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
Against its own line
The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.
| Tyre | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 Predecessor | 1 | 0 | 6th | 17% |
| Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 This tyre | 11 | 1 | 3rd | 70% |
| Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Successor | 28 | 17 | 2nd | 90% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 10 tests. Updated September 21, 2025.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 delivers consistently strong winter UHP performance with an average overall position of 3.4 across 10 winter tests. Its standout trait is wet performance, repeatedly winning or placing on the podium in wet braking and handling, while also offering competent snow traction/handling. Dry handling is generally solid mid-upper tier, though dry braking can lag. Later large-rim tests highlight weaknesses in aquaplaning, noise, rolling resistance, and price/value, tempering its otherwise well-rounded dynamic capability.
Performance Strengths
-
Wet Weather Performance
Strong
Details
- 1st place wet braking in 2017 Sport Auto (35.7 m)
- 1st place wet handling in 2017 Sport Auto (73.8 km/h)
- 3rd wet braking in 2017 AMS (+5.3% from best)
- 3rd wet braking in 2019 Auto Bild (+3.1% from best)
-
Snow Traction and Handling
Moderate
Details
- 1st place snow handling in 2017 Sport Auto (56.5 km/h)
- Best traction mention in 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Test
- Mid-pack but close gaps in 2017 AMS snow metrics (+0.4% handling, +3.6% braking)
-
Overall Competitiveness/Awards
Strong
Details
- 2nd overall in 2015 Sport Auto (235/35 R19)
- 2nd overall in 2014 Auto Bild (235/35 R19)
- 2nd overall in 2012 Auto Bild (225/40 R18)
- 3rd overall in 2012 Sport Auto and 2011 AMS
-
Dry Handling Stability
Moderate
Details
- 4th dry handling in 2019 Auto Bild (+3.2% from best)
- 5th dry handling in 2017 Sport Auto (+0.5% from best)
- 6th dry handling in 2017 AMS (+1.5% from best)
-
Noise Comfort
Minor
Details
- 2nd place noise in 2017 AMS (72.5 dB, +0.1% from best)
-
Dry handling
Strong
in 9 of 10 tests
Details
Stable safe handling on wet and dry roads
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)very well balanced on dry surfaces
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test (2017)good handling in the dry
- 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test (2017)Sharp handling with precise and stable dry grip
- 2016 AutoBild Winter UHP Tyre Test (2016)stable cornering and safe driving behavior on wet and dry roads
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (2015)
-
Steering feel
Strong
in 5 of 10 tests
Details
precise steering
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)precise steering response
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (2015)a high level of steering response
- 2014 AutoBild 235/35 R19 Winter Tyre Test (2014)High grip and short braking distance on wet roads, very precise reaction to steering the dry
- 2012 Sport Auto Winter Sports Tyre Test (2012)precise steering response and good feedback
- 2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test (2012)
-
Wet handling
Strong
in 4 of 10 tests
Details
Stable safe handling on wet and dry roads
- 2019 19 Inch Performance Winter Tyre Test (2019)balanced behavior on wet surfaces
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test (2017)safe driving behavior on wet and dry roads
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (2015)stable handling qualities in both wet and dry conditions
- 2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test (2012)
-
Ride comfort
Strong
in 4 of 10 tests
Details
pleasantly quiet ride comfort
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (2015)good ride comfort
- 2014 AutoBild 235/35 R19 Winter Tyre Test (2014)good ride comfort
- 2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test (2012)good comfort
- 2011 AMS Winter Tyre Test (2011)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Aquaplaning Resistance
Moderate
in 4 of 10 tests
Details
- 9th straight aquaplaning in 2019 Auto Bild (+7.1% from best)
- 6th straight aquaplaning in 2017 AMS (+2.1% from best)
weak resistance to transverse aquaplaning
- 2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test (2017)Relatively weak resistance to aquaplaning
- 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test (2017)weak resistance to aquaplaning
- 2015 Sport Auto 19 Inch Winter Tyre Test (2015)Only moderate aquaplaning properties
- 2011 AMS Winter Tyre Test (2011)
-
Dry Braking
Strong
in 4 of 10 tests
Details
- 8th dry braking in 2019 Auto Bild (+14.4% from best)
- 9th dry braking in 2017 Sport Auto (+6.4% from best)
- 6th dry braking in 2017 AMS (+4.3% from best)
long dry braking distances
- 2017 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test (2017)Slight weakness under dry braking
- 2016 AutoBild Winter UHP Tyre Test (2016)Slightly long dry braking distances
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (2015)Relatively long braking distance on dry roads
- 2015 Sport Auto 19 Inch Winter Tyre Test (2015)
-
Rolling Resistance and Efficiency
Moderate
Details
- 9th rolling resistance in 2019 Auto Bild (+16.5% from best)
- 7th rolling resistance in 2017 AMS (+16.9% from best)
-
Price/Value
Moderate
Details
- 11th/11 price ranking in 2019 Auto Bild (+86.4% from best)
-
Noise (large sizes)
Minor
Details
- 10th noise in 2019 Auto Bild (+5.9% from best)
Do owners agree with the tests?
Every tester write-up on the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 (10 tests) and 25 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
- Dry handling strength in 9 of 10 tests 4 praise, 0 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
- Snow traction strength in 4 of 10 tests 13 praise, 0 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
- Ride comfort strength in 4 of 10 tests 9 praise, 0 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
- Steering feel strength in 5 of 10 tests 5 praise, 0 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
- Snow handling strength in 3 of 10 tests 7 praise, 0 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
- Wet grip strength in 2 of 10 tests 10 praise, 0 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tyre
- Tread life no test mentions it 8 praise, 0 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
- Ice grip no test mentions it 6 praise, 0 criticise of 25 reviews · Read those reviews
Every test, newest first 11
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2017 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test
Recommended
2017 AMS Performance 18 inch Winter Tyre Test
Recommended
2015 Sport Auto 19 Inch Winter Tyre Test
Particularly recommended
2012 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test
Exemplary
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