Michelin Alpin 5
WatchThe Michelin Alpin 5 is a Premium Touring Winter tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.
Expected Mileage
28,980
miles
High Confidence
30
Reviews
85%
Average
245,238
miles driven
19
Tests (avg: 6th)
All Tests
View Test Results19
Tests
6th
Average
2nd
Best
17th
Worst
Latest Tyre Test Results
2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test
11th/22
195/65 R15 • 2018
Even as one of the most expensive tyres on test it finished as the best value tyre due to extremely low wear. Good in the wet and dry.
Average snow performance, high rolling resistance.
2018 51 Winter Tyre Shootout
17th/52
195/65 R15 • 2018
2018 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 205/55 R16
5th/16
205/55 R16 • 2018
Best tyre in the dry and lowest wear
Slightly weak in the snow and fuel consumption tests compared to the best
Alternative Tyres
9.8/10
9.3/10
9.3/10
8.8/10
8.6/10
8.1/10
7.7/10
| Size | Fuel | Wet | Noise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 inch | |||
| 195/65R15 91 T | D | B | 68 |
| 185/65R15 88 T | D | B | 68 |
| 16 inch | |||
| 205/60R16 96 H XL | D | B | 68 |
| 205/55R16 91 T | D | B | 68 |
| 215/60R16 99 H XL | C | B | 71 |
| 205/55R16 91 H | E | B | 68 |
| 215/60R16 95 H | C | B | 71 |
| 205/55R16 91 H | D | B | 68 |
| 205/60R16 92 V | D | B | 68 |
| 17 inch | |||
| 215/55R17 98 V XL | D | B | 71 |
| 205/50R17 89 V | E | B | 68 |
| 225/45R17 91 H | D | B | 71 |
| 225/45R17 94 V XL | D | B | 71 |
| 225/50R17 98 V XL | D | B | 71 |
| 225/45R17 91 V | E | B | 68 |
| 205/50R17 93 H XL | D | B | 68 |
Questions and Answers for the Michelin Alpin 5
Ask a question
February 17, 2017
What is the recommended max.outside working temperature?
The Michelin Alpin 5 has no maximum outside temperature as such and could be run year round, however it's good practice to change your winter tyres back to summer tyres when the temperature is starting to be consistently above 7c.
Review Summary
Based on 25 user reviews
Drivers report the Michelin Alpin 5 as a highly capable winter tyre, repeatedly praising its strong snow traction and confidence on wet roads with good resistance to aquaplaning. Many also highlight low wear/long service life and a quiet, comfortable ride that feels more precise than typical winter tyres. The main recurring drawback is that the compound and sidewalls feel soft, so handling becomes less sporty and performance can suffer when temperatures rise above roughly 20-30°C; the premium price is also noted by some.
Strengths
- Excellent snow traction and winter grip
- Strong wet grip and good aquaplaning resistance
- Quiet and comfortable ride for a winter tyre
- Good durability/low wear and long-lasting tread life
- Confident
- Stable performance in cold conditions
Areas for Improvement
- Too soft in warm temperatures (reduced cornering/traction as temps rise)
- Soft sidewalls/less sporty handling and steering feel
- Premium price
Top 3 Michelin Alpin 5 Reviews
Given 90%
while driving a
MINI Clubman
(225/40 R18)
on mostly motorways
for 4,500 average miles
It transformed the driving comfort and experience of the Mini Cooper S Clubman. You hardly notice its a wintertyre so much feel, precision, confidence and noice comfort.
Given 79%
while driving a
Toyota Corolla verso
(195/65 R15)
on mostly country roads
for 8,000 spirited miles
So i put these michelins on fairly early around 15th sept. and initially having only ever driven on shit tyres before this the difference was night and day for a 65 profile winter tyre they are Very communicative ofc nothing compared to a summer tyre after absolutely thrashing them on very slick roads snow and ice all winter and spring they have gotten very worn around the edges and are starting to loose grip in corners and are squealling a LOT given the fact i bought these tyres in 2024 with a DOT of 2016 they were in good condition when i bought them almost brand new essentially and they were not rotted cracked or anything of the sort in snow i've managed with some finesse to pull of sorcery with these tyres they are very responsive and very communicative in the dry and slick conditions they are good but in snow they come alive i've plowed through snow as much as 40-50 cm deep i've gone into piles of snow at 120 kph and kept on going straight without issue i've gone on expeditions to save stuck people with these tyres in very bad snowy conditions and they worked their magic But now after around 7k miles of absolutely thrashing them they are starting to both show their age AND wear ofc these tyres have been driven as hard as a semi slick so that is not on the tyre at all tread depth is quite good still its just that the rubber is finally starting to degrade and after all this now in hotter days of 20+ C you cannot get a good launch in you spin wheels quite a lot Amazing tyre will defo buy the newer generations after this summer
Given 87%
while driving a
Fiat croma
(205/55 R16)
on a combination of roads
for 10,000 average miles
Insanely low wear great tire in almost all conditions
Latest Michelin Alpin 5 Reviews
Initial Impressions Review
Given 69%
while driving a
Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4 ZC33S
(205/50 R17)
on
for 15,000 miles
A very good winter tire, very durable, incredible bite in the snow.
A car wearing these can traverse some serious snow inclines.
A car wearing these can traverse some serious snow inclines.
Given 66%
while driving a
SEAT Leon 2.0 Tsi 190
(205/55 R16)
on a combination of roads
for 10,000 average miles
To be honest? I bought those tires 3 years ago and i drove not so much. On the beginning - great tires but after 3 years and no more than 15000 km Alpine 5 are hard and very lodly even when i driving slow (around 50-70km/h). To be honest i had exactly same issue with Primacy 4. After 4 years theyt become so laudly that i change them (Goodyear). I think Michelin have good PR because i recently drove on Yokohama tires which are way more cheper.
Michelin of course has great side desgn - true but i don't recommend them in long term. Loudly like hell.
Michelin of course has great side desgn - true but i don't recommend them in long term. Loudly like hell.
Given 98%
while driving a
Audi A3
(205/55R16/ R)
on
for 20,000 miles
A long-lasting tire with great grip for winter.
Given 84%
while driving a
Fiat croma
(205/55 R16)
on a combination of roads
for 25,000 average miles
This tyre can be driven in all weather types, rubber lasts a lot more than other brands.
Given 86%
while driving a
Ford Fiesta ST180
(195/45 R16)
on mostly country roads
for 15,000 average miles
This is a winter tyre and it works incredibly well in the wet at cold temperatures. There was not a lot snow here, the tyre worked well well during the few days of snowy conditions no problem there.
The two main issues where the very soft rubber compound that really starts to struggle above 20C, it starts to smear in corners at 25C. Then there are these soft sidewalls. They are good for comfort, but not good for cornering and handling. It did not help that there is no rim protection either. So be gentle when use these rubbers when its warm.
This is an almost end of life review since the tyres are 9 years old now, but they have still lots of profile left after about 20.000km, I just don't drive that much during winter.
The tyres do what they are supposed to do, but my next winter tyres will have stronger sidewalls.
The two main issues where the very soft rubber compound that really starts to struggle above 20C, it starts to smear in corners at 25C. Then there are these soft sidewalls. They are good for comfort, but not good for cornering and handling. It did not help that there is no rim protection either. So be gentle when use these rubbers when its warm.
This is an almost end of life review since the tyres are 9 years old now, but they have still lots of profile left after about 20.000km, I just don't drive that much during winter.
The tyres do what they are supposed to do, but my next winter tyres will have stronger sidewalls.
Given 76%
while driving a
Renault Clio 1.5 dCi 86
(195/50 R16)
on mostly town
for 15 average miles
delivery driver
These winter tyres are amazing! The performance in the British winter is unmatched
They're a great reliable road tyre that lasted me 15,000 miles driving around my local area
I never got stuck in the snow and believe me I tried! they're so reliable and handy to have in the winter for any conditions
I highly recommend them
Given 100%
while driving a
Alfa Romeo 1.9 JTD M
(225/45 R17)
on a combination of roads
for 100 average miles
top grip, i went into circle part of road when going out of highway, and there is sign with allowed speed of 40km/h and i decide to try them,it was 3 celsius outside so it was cold and road was not 100 percent dry because there was a slightly fog,more like air was quite humid,and i went 70km/h through it like i was glued to it.Top performance tyre,and you won t regret of buying it,i have nexen su1 summer tyre and they have nice grip and all but above 200km/h you can feel car is kinda swingy,idk how to explain correctly(i have them for 25000km and they are great in their price range,but michelin is michelin),and with these tyres you feel you are on the railway even though they are winter tyre.Price is there but with it you will buy great product that will last double amount of some other high middle tyre.Buy it and enjoy in top quality tyre.
Given 93%
while driving a
Volvo (195/65 R15 R)
on a combination of roads
for 23 average miles
I've bought my 2nd set my last set lasted over 3 years about 20 000 miles I've had Dunlop Toyo Goodyear good grip on snow not bad on dry tarmac and great in the wet can't find better
Hyundai (205/45 R17)
on a combination of roads
for 8,000 average miles
I had these on my Hyundai Tucson 2.0 petrol 2WD,and boy did they do a great job in the snow.Had to go down to airport ,BURGAS when living in BG,it was around a 60 ml trip,snow was at a constant depth of at least 6
inches in most places.Got me there and back without getting stuck,and the car was only 2 wheel FWD ....Very good in wet too..great choice just for harsh winter driving
inches in most places.Got me there and back without getting stuck,and the car was only 2 wheel FWD ....Very good in wet too..great choice just for harsh winter driving
Given 77%
while driving a
Skoda Octavia
(195/65 R15)
on a combination of roads
for 15,000 average miles
I have bought these tyres 3 years ago (end 2015 - DOT mid 2015) and they behaved well for the first three winter seasons. The previous winter tyres were Alpin 3 and in the fourth year they were not reliable at all, ice grip was zero.
My personal opinion is that there is a big catch with these tyres and Michelin tyres in general (summer ones are Michellin also and have the same problem). They are pretty good for the first 3 years but no more; after 3 years, regardless of mileage (I have only done 37k KM with both sets, minimal wear) rubber compound degrades beyond safety driving (with the summer set I had a few occasions where I could barely stop the car, and the winter set got me into a total car crash).
So, if you do enough mileage to replace them in 3 years, I would say they are fine, otherwise no; even Michellin says you could keep your tyres longer than 3 years.
My personal opinion is that there is a big catch with these tyres and Michelin tyres in general (summer ones are Michellin also and have the same problem). They are pretty good for the first 3 years but no more; after 3 years, regardless of mileage (I have only done 37k KM with both sets, minimal wear) rubber compound degrades beyond safety driving (with the summer set I had a few occasions where I could barely stop the car, and the winter set got me into a total car crash).
So, if you do enough mileage to replace them in 3 years, I would say they are fine, otherwise no; even Michellin says you could keep your tyres longer than 3 years.
Given 81%
while driving a
Ford Focus mk2
(225/45 R17)
on a combination of roads
for 3,000 average miles
since buying these winter tyres, i don't use anything else between October and April, the wet performance is outstanding,
And in the snow is unbelievable, i dont need a 4x4 in snow anymore, they really are that good.
if you drive sensibly, i dont see why they wouldnt last through the summer either, but i suspect if you push them when the roads are too hot and dry they wouldnt be able to handle it. i think they are best under 7 - 8 degrees celcius.
And in the snow is unbelievable, i dont need a 4x4 in snow anymore, they really are that good.
if you drive sensibly, i dont see why they wouldnt last through the summer either, but i suspect if you push them when the roads are too hot and dry they wouldnt be able to handle it. i think they are best under 7 - 8 degrees celcius.
Given 91%
while driving a
BMW 535d M Sport
(225/55 R17 W)
on mostly motorways
for 2,000 average miles
So much grip and feel in snow, wet roads and dry roads. No vibrations. Perfect winter tyre and well worth the money.