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Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV - Test Results

Test Statistics

6

Tests Completed

2nd

Average Position

1st

Best Result

3rd

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV - Official Image

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV is an elite winter SUV tyre with outstanding consistency, averaging 1.7 across six tests and winning three of them. Its standout strengths are dominant snow performance (frequent class wins across braking, traction, and handling) and exceptional comfort/low noise, often ranking first. Dry braking is repeatedly excellent, while dry handling is typically competitive. Wet performance is generally good on handling/braking but shows variability, with some middling-to-weak aquaplaning resistance and occasional longer wet braking distances. Rolling resistance and price are frequent trade-offs.
Overall, it delivers class-leading safety and control in snow, strong dry stopping, and top-tier comfort, with wet aquaplaning and efficiency/value as the main areas for improvement.

Performance Strengths
  • Snow Performance Strong
    • 1st overall with 1st snow braking/traction/handling in 2021 Auto Bild (snow braking 25.3 m, traction 2845 N, handling 54 km/h)
    • 1st overall with 1st snow traction and 3rd snow braking in 2023 Auto Bild (traction 3327 N; snow braking 22.3 m, +1.8%)
    • 2nd overall with 1st snow traction/handling and 3rd snow braking in 2023 Tyre Reviews (traction 1st; handling 88.65 s 1st; braking 16.06 m, +0.9%)
    • 1st overall with 1st snow traction/handling and 3rd snow braking in 2024 AS (handling 48.8 km/h 1st; traction 1st; braking 24.5 m, +0.8%)
    • 3rd overall with 1st snow braking/traction/handling in 2023 AMS (snow braking 29.8 m 1st; traction 1st; handling 48.2 km/h 1st)
  • Noise/Comfort Strong
    • 1st noise in 2021 Auto Bild (68.7 dB) and article notes quietest on test
    • 1st noise and top subjective comfort/noise (100 pts) in 2023 Tyre Reviews; 68.9 dB 1st
    • 1st noise in 2024 AS (71.4 dB), 2023 AMS (71.2 dB), and 2021 AZ (70 dB)
    • 1st noise in 2023 Auto Bild (71.9 dB)
  • Dry Braking Strong
    • 1st dry braking in 2024 AS (42.9 m)
    • 1st dry braking in 2021 AZ (42.5 m)
    • 2nd dry braking in 2021 Auto Bild (43.3 m, +12.8% vs best reference summer)
    • Top-3 dry braking in 2023 Tyre Reviews (42.15 m, +1.7%)
  • Overall Test Results/Awards Strong
    • 1st/10 in 2024 AS (test winner)
    • 1st/11 in 2023 Auto Bild (overall winner)
    • 1st/11 in 2021 Auto Bild (tied test win)
    • 2nd/9 in 2023 Tyre Reviews; 2nd/10 in 2021 AZ; 3rd/7 in 2023 AMS
    • Average overall position 1.7 across 6 winter tests
  • Wet Handling/Braking (general grip) Moderate
    • 2nd wet handling in 2023 Auto Bild (83.6 km/h, +0.8%)
    • 1st wet braking in 2023 Tyre Reviews (32.86 m) and competitive wet handling (73.55 s, +0.6%)
    • 3rd wet handling in 2024 AS (+0.2%)
Performance Weaknesses
  • Aquaplaning Resistance Strong
    • Curved aquaplaning 8th/10 (+22%) and straight aquaplaning 7th/10 (+3.5%) in 2024 AS
    • Curved aquaplaning 8th/11 (+14.6%) in 2023 Auto Bild
    • Curved aquaplaning 9th/11 (+21.9%) in 2021 Auto Bild; wet circle often mid-pack to low
  • Rolling Resistance/Efficiency Moderate
    • 11th/11 (+40.5%) in 2023 Auto Bild
    • 8th/10 (+15.1%) in 2024 AS
    • Mid-pack 5th/9 (+26.1%) in 2023 Tyre Reviews; 7th/10 (+12.3%) in 2021 AZ; 4th/7 (+12.7%) in 2023 AMS
  • Price/Value Moderate
    • 9th/9 price (+73.2%) in 2023 Tyre Reviews
    • 10th/10 price (+140.9%) in 2021 Auto Bild
    • 10th/10 price (+54.6%) in 2021 AZ; 7th/10 in 2023 Auto Bild (+122.9%)
  • Wet Braking Variability Moderate
    • 10th/11 wet braking (+10.8%) and 10th/11 wet handling (+2.2%) in 2021 Auto Bild
    • 8th/11 wet braking (+9.2%) in 2023 Auto Bild
    • 6th/7 wet braking (+8%) in 2023 AMS
Performance Over Time

Test History

1
of 10
2024 AS SUV Winter Tyre Test

2024

Very good.
Strong:
Noise, Dry Braking, Snow Handling, Snow Traction
View Test
1
of 11
2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test

2023

Strong:
Noise, Dry Handling, Snow Slalom, Snow Traction, Wet Handling
Weak:
Rolling Resistance
View Test
2
of 9
2023 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test

2023
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 narrowly missed out on the top spot, but arguably it's the best winter tyre of the group. Let me explain how that works. The Michelin was the best in snow, one of the bes...
Strong:
Noise, Subj. Comfort, Subj. Noise, Snow Handling, Snow Traction, Subj. Snow Handling, Wet Braking
Weak:
Price
View Test
3
of 7
2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test

2023
Winner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

For alpine regions: the snow specialist among the winter tyres."Very Good"
Strong:
Noise, Snow Braking, Snow Handling, Snow Traction, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Dry Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Circle
View Test
2
of 10
2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test

2021
Winner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

The Michelin PA5 SUV is a snow specialist but it also offers enormously high safety margins in all conditions.
Strong:
Noise, Dry Braking, Snow Handling, Snow Traction, Wet Circle, Wet Handling
Weak:
Snow Braking, Price
View Test
1
of 11
2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test

2021

Strong:
Noise, Dry Braking, Snow Braking, Snow Handling, Snow Slalom, Snow Traction
Weak:
Price, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
View Test