Budget vs Premium Winter Tires: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Leao Winter Defender UHP –> In the fiercely contested arena of winter tires, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stands as a premium choice, renowned for its exceptional performance and quality. On the other side of the ring, we have the Leao Winter Defender UHP, a budget-friendly contender that brings the backing of China’s Ling Long, the second most valuable brand in the nation with an estimated value of 116 billion USD.
This clash between the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and the Leao Winter Defender UHP in the Middle European winter segment is more than just a battle of brands; it’s a test to see if budget options have finally caught up to their premium counterparts. As snow blankets the roads of Europe, drivers eagerly watch to see which tire will come out on top. Will the well-established prestige of Michelin hold its ground, or will the Leao, backed by the formidable Ling Long, redefine what we expect from budget winter tires?
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Results: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Leao Winter Defender UHP
Results below were taken from 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test with a total of 13 tires tested including a reference summer & all season tire !. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Leao Winter Defender UHP based on the relevant performance category. The Pilot Alpin 5 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Since we are talking about winter segment with both tires having the converted 3 peak mountain logo, the objective & subjective snow performance was tested. Note that for subjective ratings, 1 point is equivalent to 5%. So if tire A has a 7 point rating & tire B has a 6 point rating, tire A is better than tire B by 5%. The tire size of interest is a 225/45 R18 which is a common tire size for Audi A4 & BMW 3 series. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a BMW 3 series.
Wet Performance Face-off :
In the crucial test of wet performance, a key aspect for winter tires where both snow and wet braking are A requirements, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and the Leao Winter Defender UHP reveal a distinct difference in capabilities. In wet braking, a critical safety measure, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 stops at 27.83 meters, significantly outperforming the Leao Winter Defender UHP, which takes 35.16 meters to come to a halt. This 7.33-meter difference is substantial, especially in emergency situations where every meter counts.
When it comes to wet handling, which tests the tire’s ability to maintain control and stability on wet roads, the Michelin again leads with a lap time of 57.53 seconds, compared to the Leao’s 66.05 seconds. This gap highlights the superior control and responsiveness of the Michelin tire under wet conditions.
Furthermore, subjective wet handling ratings, which factor in the driver’s feel and confidence during the test, show the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scoring a high 9.8 out of 10 points, whereas the Leao Winter Defender UHP trails with 8.0 points. This suggests a more assured and comfortable driving experience with the Michelin tire.
In the straight aquaplaning test, which measures the tire’s ability to resist hydroplaning, the Michelin maintains a higher slipping speed at 93.63 km/h compared to the Leao’s 91.08 km/h, indicating better performance in preventing loss of traction on wet surfaces.
Overall, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 consistently outperforms the Leao Winter Defender UHP in wet conditions, offering shorter braking distances, better handling, and greater resistance to aquaplaning, which are crucial for safety and performance during the wet and snowy months.
Winter Defender UHP :
- -21% in wet braking
- -13% in wet handling (lap time)
- -9% in wet handling (subjective)
- -3% in straight aquaplaning
Snow Performance Analysis:
In the critical realm of snow performance, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and the Leao Winter Defender UHP display notable differences, essential for drivers navigating winter conditions. On snow-covered surfaces, braking efficiency is vital, and here the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 takes the lead, stopping in 17.97 meters from 40 km/h, while the Leao Winter Defender UHP requires slightly more distance at 19.05 meters. This difference of 1.08 meters in snow braking can be crucial in preventing collisions.
When examining snow traction, which measures the tire’s ability to accelerate on snow, the Michelin again demonstrates superiority. It accelerates from 5 to 40 km/h in 5.54 seconds, outpacing the Leao, which takes 5.95 seconds. This faster acceleration underlines better grip and response from the Michelin tire in snowy conditions.
Snow handling, a test of the tire’s ability to navigate a course on snow, further emphasizes the Michelin’s advantage. It completes the course in 84.26 seconds, noticeably quicker than the Leao’s 89.95 seconds. This time difference highlights the Michelin’s enhanced maneuverability and stability on snow.
Additionally, in subjective snow handling, where driver’s feel and control are evaluated, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 achieves a perfect score of 10 out of 10, suggesting superior confidence and comfort for the driver. In comparison, the Leao Winter Defender UHP scores 9 out of 10, indicating good but not exceptional performance.
Overall, in snow conditions, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 consistently outperforms the Leao Winter Defender UHP, offering shorter braking distances, better traction, quicker handling, and a more confident driving experience. This performance gap is particularly significant in winter driving, where snow handling and traction are paramount for safety and control.
Winter Defender UHP :
- -6% in snow braking
- -7% in snow traction
- -6% in snow handling (lap time)
- -5% in snow handling (subjective)
Dry Performance Duel:
In dry conditions, the performance comparison between the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and the Leao Winter Defender UHP reveals clear distinctions. Dry braking, a crucial safety factor, shows the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 requiring 41.22 meters to stop from 100 km/h, while the Leao Winter Defender UHP needs 45.36 meters. This difference of 4.14 meters highlights the Michelin’s superior braking efficiency, which can be critical in emergency stopping scenarios.
Moving to dry handling, which tests the tire’s ability to navigate a course under dry conditions, the Michelin again leads with a lap time of 70.81 seconds, compared to the Leao’s 73.24 seconds. This gap of 2.43 seconds underlines the Michelin’s better grip and responsiveness on dry tracks.
The subjective dry handling scores, reflecting the driver’s perception of control and handling, also favor the Michelin, albeit by a narrower margin. The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 scores 9.5 out of 10, indicating a high level of driver confidence and comfort. The Leao Winter Defender UHP is close behind with a score of 9.2 out of 10, suggesting good performance but slightly less impressive than the Michelin.
In summary, in dry conditions, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 consistently outperforms the Leao Winter Defender UHP, with shorter braking distances, quicker handling times, and slightly better driver perception. These differences, particularly in braking and handling, underscore the Michelin’s superiority in terms of safety and performance in dry winter conditions.
Winter Defender UHP :
- -9% in dry braking
- -3% in dry handling (lap time)
- -1.5% in dry handling (subjective)
Comfort
In comfort performance, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 slightly outshines the Leao Winter Defender UHP. Scoring a perfect 10 out of 10, the Michelin offers an exceptional driving experience with minimal noise and vibrations. The Leao, with a score of 9.5 out of 10, also provides a comfortable ride but falls marginally short of the Michelin’s refined comfort levels. This half-point difference, while not substantial, highlights the Michelin’s superior ability to deliver a smoother and more pleasant driving experience.
Winter Defender UHP :
- -2.5% in subjective comfort
Rolling Resistance Evaluation:
In the rolling resistance comparison, a factor crucial for fuel efficiency and environmental impact, the Leao Winter Defender UHP narrowly edges out the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, marking a notable achievement for the budget tire. The Leao shows a rolling resistance of 8.44 N/kN, just a whisker below the Michelin’s 8.49 N/kN. This slight advantage, though minimal, indicates that the Leao is slightly more efficient in terms of energy usage, leading to potentially better fuel economy and a smaller environmental footprint. It’s a significant point for the Leao, as it finally surpasses the Michelin in one key performance criterion, albeit by a very slim margin.
Winter Defender UHP :
- +1% in rolling resistance
Price
In terms of pricing, the contrast between the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and the Leao Winter Defender UHP is stark, reflecting the expertise of Ling Long/Leao in offering consistently low-cost options in the tire market. For the tire size 225/45 R18, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is priced at €207, positioning it as one of the most expensive options in the market, often serving as a pricing benchmark. In contrast, the Leao Winter Defender UHP is significantly more affordable at €86.
This price difference is substantial, with the Leao tire being approximately 140% cheaper than the Michelin. This disparity highlights Ling Long/Leao’s commitment to providing budget-friendly tire options, making them a go-to choice for cost-conscious consumers. Meanwhile, Michelin’s pricing reflects its positioning as a premium brand, known for high-quality, high-performance tires. This comparison shows a clear choice for buyers between premium quality at a higher cost and budget efficiency with considerable savings.
Tire size: 225/45 R18
- Pilot Alpin 5 : € 207
- Winter Defender UHP : € 86
Difference: -140% more cheaper for Winter Defender UHP
Conclusion from a Tire Expert’s Perspective:
As a tire expert, my analysis of the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and the Leao Winter Defender UHP from Ling Long reveals a significant performance gap between these two tires. The contrast in their capabilities, particularly in crucial areas like wet and snow conditions, is quite pronounced. In wet braking, the Michelin stops from 80 km/h to 5 km/h in 27.83 meters, while the Leao requires 35.16 meters – a substantial difference of over 7 meters. In snow braking, this disparity continues with the Michelin stopping in 17.97 meters from 40 km/h, compared to the Leao’s 19.05 meters. These differences are not just numbers; they represent crucial seconds and meters that could be vital in real-world driving situations.
The pricing strategy of Ling Long/Leao, offering their Winter Defender UHP at a significantly lower cost than the Michelin, aligns with their market position as a budget-friendly option. At €86 for the Leao compared to €207 for the Michelin, the price difference is stark. However, this difference in cost is directly reflected in the performance capabilities of these tires.
In conclusion, the old adage “you get what you pay for” holds true in this comparison. The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5, as a premium tire, offers superior performance in critical safety areas like wet and snow braking. On the other hand, the Leao Winter Defender UHP presents a more economical option, but with noticeable compromises in performance. For drivers prioritizing safety and performance, especially in challenging winter conditions, the investment in a higher-priced tire like the Michelin could be a wise decision.
Dr Edwin Pang