Michelin Alpin 6 vs Bridgestone Blizzak 6: The successor of the highly successful Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 is finally here! The Bridgestone Blizzak 6, introduced in 2024, is already making waves in its debut results. This new contender is set to challenge the established Michelin Alpin 6, launched in 2018, which is soon to be replaced by the Alpin 7. Get ready for an intense battle between these two in the middle European winter segment!
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Results: Michelin Alpin 6 vs Bridgestone Blizzak 6
Results below were taken from 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test with a total of 53 tires tested. Only 20 tires made it into the final round of testing with wet & dry braking being the evaluation criteria. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin Alpin 6 vs Bridgestone Blizzak 6 based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin Alpin 6 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Since we are talking about the middle European winter segment with both tires having the converted 3 peak mountain logo, snow performances was tested. The tire size of interest is 205/55 R16 which is a common tire size for Toyota Corolla & Volkswagen Jetta. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a Volkswagen Golf.
Wet
In wet braking, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 stops 2.6 meters shorter than the Michelin Alpin 6. For wet handling, the Blizzak 6 is slightly faster with a speed of 76.01 km/h compared to 75.02 km/h for the Alpin 6. In straight-line aquaplaning, the Blizzak 6 also performs better, resisting aquaplaning at a speed of 81 km/h, which is 2.5 km/h higher than the Alpin 6. Bridgestone Blizzak 6 clearly outpaced Michelin Alpin 6 in wet performance.
Blizzak 6 :
- +5% in wet braking
- +1% in wet handling (average lap speed)
- +3% in straight aquaplaning
Snow
In snow braking, the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 stops 0.1 meters shorter than the Michelin Alpin 6. For snow traction, the Blizzak 6 provides 29 newtons more traction force compared to the Alpin 6. In snow handling, the Blizzak 6 is slightly faster, with a speed of 59.2 km/h compared to 58.7 km/h for the Alpin 6. The results were close, with the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 just marginally better.
Blizzak 6 :
- ~0% in snow braking
- +1% in snow traction
- +1% in snow handling (average lap speed)
Mileage
The weakness of the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was always in mileage, with the Michelin Alpin 6 previously offering 50% better longevity. With the new Blizzak 6, this gap has been narrowed, but the Alpin 6 still outperforms it, offering a 12% longer mileage—covering 50,500 km compared to 44,300 km for the Blizzak 6 with a total difference of 6,200 km.
Blizzak 6 :
- -12% in mileage
Dry
In dry braking, the Michelin Alpin 6 stops 0.1 meters shorter than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6. For dry handling, the Blizzak 6 is slightly faster, achieving a speed of 110.2 km/h compared to 109.2 km/h for the Alpin 6.
Blizzak 6 :
- ~0% in dry braking
- +1% in dry handling (average lap speed)
Noise
The Michelin Alpin 6 is 0.9 decibels quieter than the Bridgestone Blizzak 6, with a noise level of 71.4 dB compared to 72.3 dB for the Blizzak 6.
Blizzak 6 :
- -1% in exterior noise (+0.9 dB)
Rolling Resistance
The Michelin Alpin 6 has a lower rolling resistance of 8.1 N/kN compared to the Bridgestone Blizzak 6’s 8.77 N/kN, showing a 0.67 N/kN advantage in efficiency.
Blizzak 6 :
- -8% in rolling resistance
Price
For the 205/55R16 tire size, the Michelin Alpin 6 is priced at €178, while the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 costs €142, making the Blizzak 6 25% cheaper.
Tire size: 205/55R16
- Blizzak 6 : € 142
Difference: -25% more cheaper for Blizzak 6
Conclusion from a Tire Expert’s Perspective:
As a tire expert, I can confidently say that the new Bridgestone Blizzak 6 has made significant strides, particularly in wet and snow performance, where it marginally outperforms the Michelin Alpin 6. However, the Michelin Alpin 6 still holds key advantages in mileage, rolling resistance, and noise levels, which makes it an excellent choice for those prioritizing comfort and efficiency. Both tires are well-suited for middle European winters, with the Blizzak 6 offering a more affordable price point and improved performance over its predecessor.
Dr Edwin Pang