Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Alpin 6

Michelin are a French tyre brand that has been manufacturing and developing tyres since the late 19^th century.

The premium tyre brand has been specialising in seasonal tyres for years now, with winter tyres being seasonal staple in the brand’s product line-up.

Michelin’s top winter tyre series is their Alpin series, with the latest rendition being released in 2024 – the Alpin 7.

However, we’re going to look back to the Alpin 7’s predecessors and compare key features of both the Michelin Pilot Sport Alpin 5 and Michelin Alpin 6.

Pilot Sport Alpin 5 Overview

The Michelin Pilot Sport Alpin 5 is a winter tyre released by Michelin back in 2018.

Tailored for high-performance vehicles, it boasts advanced technology to ensure superior control and precision on wet, snowy, and icy roads.

The tyre features a symmetrical tread pattern designed to maximize road grip and includes Michelin’s innovative tread compound for improved grip and reduced braking distances.

The Pilot Alpin 5 significantly enhances safety with its innovative design that promotes longevity and fuel efficiency while maintaining exceptional handling and traction in winter environments.

Selected as an Original Equipment tyre for many cars such as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Porsche Macan, the Pilot Alpin 5 has been trusted by car industries’ leading brands.

The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 replaced the Pilot Alpin 4 when released globally in 2018.

Alpin 6 Overview

The Michelin Alpin 6 is a premier winter tire produced by Michelin, specifically engineered for optimal performance under wet, snowy, and icy conditions.

This tyre features the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification, highlighting its ability to meet rigorous European standards for winter use.

With Michelin's WinterEverGrip technology, the Alpin 6 ensures improved braking and traction on snow, while the MaxTouch technology aids in evenly distributing tire pressure, enhancing the tire's durability.

The Alpin 6 surpasses its predecessor, the Michelin Alpin 5, with better performance on wet and snowy surfaces.

Tyre Label Ratings

Tyre label ratings are an EU regulated ranking system that outlines key performing categories of a tyre and gives a specific model ratings based on its performance. Tyre label ratings may vary between different tyre sizes.

The categories and ratings are as follows:

Fuel Efficiency – Ranked A to G

Wet Grip – Ranked A to G

Tyre Noise – Ranked with numbers and A to C/Decibels (dB)

Pilot Alpin 5 Label Ratings

Based on tyre sizes available on the Michelin website, fuel efficiency ratings for the Pilot Alpin 5 ranges between D and B.

Wet grip ratings for the Michelin tyre consist of either B or C.

External tyre noise levels vastly range between 68 dB – 74 dB.

Alpin 6 Label Ratings

On the Michelin website, the Michelin Alpin 6 displays fuel efficiency ratings of C or D for its range of tyre sizes.

It consistently achieves a wet grip rating of B across all sizes.

Additionally, the external noise level for these tyres is uniformly rated at 69 dB.

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Awards

The Michelin Pilot Sport Alpin 5 has received many awards, and in particular, prestigious tyre test wins over the years.

In a comparative tyre test carried out by Auto Bild for 245/45 R18 winter tyres in 2023, the Pilot Alipin 5 finished 1^st out of 54 tyres. Auto Bild stated that the tyre is “Test winner with top performance on ice and snow, ​ precise handling on wet and dry roads, ​ and good mileage.” In the same test win, the tyre was rated ‘Eco-Master’.

Also in 2023, Tyre Reviews awarded the Pilot Alpin 5 with a comparative tyre test win against 11 other winter tyres, stating that the PA5 is “Best in dry braking and dry handlings, ​ extremely good in the wet, ​ best tyre overall in the snow, ​ highest levels of comfort.”

In the previous year, Auto Motor Und Sport awarded the Pilot Alpin 5 with a winter tyre test win for 245/45 R19 tyres out of 8 tyres.

These prestigious tyre test wins outlines how much of a reliable winter tyre the Pilot Alpin 5 is, especially considering the test wins are as recent as 2022 and 2023.

Alpin 6 Awards

Since its launch in 2018, the Michelin Alpin 6 has earned various accolades from industry experts.

In 2021, it secured the second spot on WhatTyre's 'Best 15 Winter Tyres' list, narrowly trailing the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.

For 215/55 R17 tyres, the Alpin 6 won a 2022 Auto Bild comparative winter tyre test, competing against 56 other winter tyre models. Auto Bild labelled the Alpin 6 with having “convincing performance in all weather conditions, ​ precise steering response, ​ sporty and dynamic handling, and high mileage.”

The following year, Tyre Seeker recommended the Alpin 6 as a leading winter tyre.

Additionally, ADACC awarded the tire a 'Good' rating in its comparative test of winter tyres.

These recognitions highlight the Alpin 6's standing as a reliable and high-quality winter tyre model.

Pilot Alpin 5 Customer Reviews

Our customer review system is powered by DriverReviews in which our customers are given the chance to rate their previously purchased tyre out of 5 in different categories.

Over 180 of our customers at Blackcircles.com have reviewed the Alpin 6 as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.5/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.5/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.2/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4/5

Alpin 6 Customer Reviews

Over 1090 of our customers at Blackcircles.com have reviewed the Alpin 6 as follows:

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.4/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.6/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.3/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.1/5

Buy Winter Tyres Online Today

Overall, both the Pilot Alpin 5 and Alpin 6 serve as excellent winter tire choices, accommodating various vehicle types and winter driving needs.

To learn more about winter tyres or to purchase yours online, visit our winter tyres page today.