The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 and the Michelin Alpin 6 go head-to-head in a thrilling clash of tire philosophies: a cutting-edge 3-peak mountain-certified all-season tire versus a dedicated middle European winter tire. With advancements in tire technology, the big question arises—do all-season tires like the AllSeasonContact 2 render the hassle of changing tires every autumn and spring obsolete? Or does the Alpin 6’s specialized winter focus still reign supreme when the snow hits? Buckle up as we pit these contenders against each other to settle the debate once and for all!
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Results: Continental AllSeasonContact 2 vs Michelin Alpin 6
Results below were taken from Auto Zeitung’s 2024 Winter Tire Test. A total of 10 tires were tested this time around with a mixture of middle European winter tires & all season tires. The graph below shows the comparison between Continental AllSeasonContact 2 vs Michelin Alpin 6 based on the relevant performance category. The Continental AllSeasonContact 2 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
The handling criteria’s are evaluated by lap times rather than the average lap time speed or subjective evaluation. The tire size of interest is a 215/55 R17 which is a common tire size for Hyundai Kona Electric & Honda HR-V. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice is a Volkswagen Passat.
Wet
We would expect the Continental AllSeasonContact 2, as a 3-peak mountain-certified all-season tire, to excel in wet conditions. On the flip side, the Michelin Alpin 6, being a middle European winter tire, also prioritizes wet performance as a key requirement.
In wet braking, the AllSeasonContact 2 stops 1.7 meters shorter than the Alpin 6, highlighting its wet-weather edge. During wet handling, the AllSeasonContact 2 completes the course 2 seconds faster, showcasing its superior agility in such conditions. However, in straight-line aquaplaning, the Alpin 6 manages a higher resistance at 78.1 km/h, a 1.6 km/h advantage over the AllSeasonContact 2. This tight competition reflects how both tires deliver strong wet performances tailored to their design philosophies.
Alpin 6 :
- -3% in wet braking
- -2% in wet handling (lap time)
- +2% in straight aquaplaning
Snow
Snow performance is where the Michelin Alpin 6, as a middle European winter tire, should hold the advantage, but the key question is: how significant are the differences?
In snow braking, the Alpin 6 stops just 0.2 meters shorter than the AllSeasonContact 2, a minimal gap. Snow traction tells a similar story, with the Alpin 6 generating 3217 N of pulling force compared to 3226 N from the AllSeasonContact 2—essentially neck and neck. However, in snow handling, the Alpin 6 pulls ahead more clearly, completing the course 2.1 seconds faster, showcasing its winter specialization. The differences, while present, are narrower than expected, emphasizing how competitive modern all-season tires have become on snow.
Alpin 6 :
- +1% in snow braking
- +3% in snow handling (lap time)
- ~0% in snow traction
Dry
In dry conditions, we fully expect the Continental AllSeasonContact 2, as an all-season tire, to excel—no questions about it. But the key remains: how much does it outperform the Michelin Alpin 6?
In dry braking, the AllSeasonContact 2 stops a substantial 4.5 meters shorter than the Alpin 6, clearly demonstrating its advantage. In dry handling, the AllSeasonContact 2 completes the course 1.4 seconds faster, further reinforcing its superiority. While the Alpin 6 is optimized for winter conditions, these results highlight the stark performance gap in favor of the all-season tire on dry roads.
Alpin 6 :
- -10% in dry braking
- -2% in dry handling (lap time)
Noise
We would expect the softer compound of the middle European winter tire, the Michelin Alpin 6, to perform better in exterior noise. Surprisingly, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 comes out quieter, producing 72.5 dB compared to the Alpin 6’s 73.5 dB—a difference of 1 dB. This unexpected result shows that despite its firmer all-season construction, the AllSeasonContact 2 manages to deliver a quieter ride.
Alpin 6 :
- -1% in exterior noise (+1 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 significantly outperforms the Michelin Alpin 6. The AllSeasonContact 2 measures 6.58 N/kN, while the Alpin 6 registers 8.14 N/kN. This 1.56 N/kN difference highlights the AllSeasonContact 2’s efficiency, which translates into better fuel economy.
Alpin 6 :
- -19% in Rolling Resistance.
Price
Middle European winter tires, like the Michelin Alpin 6, are generally priced higher than 3-peak mountain-certified all-season tires, a trend consistent across most brands. For the 215/55 R17 size, the Alpin 6 costs €181, making it 19% more expensive than the Continental AllSeasonContact 2, priced at €152. This price difference reflects the specialized focus of winter tires compared to the versatility of all-season options.
Tire size: 215/55 R17
- AllSeasonContact 2 : € 152
- Alpin 6 : € 181
Difference: -19% more expensive for Alpin 6
Summary
As a tire expert, the comparison between a middle European winter tire like the Michelin Alpin 6 and a 3-peak mountain-certified all-season tire like the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 showcases the evolving capabilities of both designs. While the Alpin 6 has a slight edge in snow performance, the advantage is minimal, with differences in braking and traction being barely noticeable.
The AllSeasonContact 2, however, consistently excelled in wet and dry braking, handling, noise, and rolling resistance—key metrics for year-round driving. Based on these results, all-season tires are clearly the way to go moving forward, offering superior convenience and versatility without sacrificing performance. While mileage wasn’t tested here, it’s safe to expect the all-season tire to also dominate in durability, further solidifying its position as the better choice for most drivers.
Dr Edwin Pang