Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV vs Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV: The battle of the mid-European winter SUV tires is on! In one corner, we have the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV, launched in 2018, known for its balanced performance in snow and wet conditions. And in the other corner, the newcomer, the Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV, launched in 2023, promising cutting-edge winter performance and safety. With Michelin’s proven expertise going head-to-head with Nokian’s latest innovation, this showdown is set to redefine the winter SUV segment!
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Results: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV vs Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV
Results below were taken from 2023 Tyre Reviews SUV Winter Tyre Test with a total of 9 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV vs Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV 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 235/60 R18 which is a common tire size for Audi Q5. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a Volkswagen Tiguarn SUV.
Wet:
When comparing wet performance, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV stops quicker in wet braking, taking 32.9 meters, while the Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV needs 34.1 meters, a difference of over 1 meter. In wet handling, the Michelin completes a lap in 73.6 seconds, slightly faster than the Nokian’s 74.1 seconds. Both tires score equally in subjective wet handling, with 9.5 points each. However, the Nokian outperforms in straight-line aquaplaning, resisting slip at 90.7 km/h, compared to Michelin’s 86.1 km/h.
Snowproof 2 SUV :
- -4% in wet braking
- -1% in wet handling (lap time)
- 0% in wet handling (subjective)
- +5% in straight aquaplaning
Snow:
In snow performance, the Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV stops slightly quicker in snow braking at 15.97 meters, compared to the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV’s 16.06 meters—a difference of just 0.09 meters. However, the Michelin is quicker in snow traction, finishing in 3.53 seconds, while the Nokian takes 3.67 seconds, a difference of 0.14 seconds. For snow handling, the Michelin completes the test in 88.7 seconds, a notable 4.6 seconds faster than the Nokian’s 93.3 seconds. Subjectively, the Michelin scores a perfect 10, while the Nokian earns 9.5 points, showing a slight 0.5 difference in feel.
Pilot Alpin 5 SUV :
- +1% in snow braking
- -4% in snow traction
- -5% in snow handling (lap time)
- -2.5% in snow handling (subjective)
Dry:
In dry performance, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV outperforms the Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV in dry braking, stopping at 42.2 meters compared to Nokian’s 44.2 meters, a difference of 2 meters. For dry handling, the Michelin completes the lap in 66.6 seconds, slightly faster than the Nokian’s 66.9 seconds, with a 0.3-second difference. In subjective dry handling, the Michelin scores 9.5 points, 0.3 points marginally higher than the Nokian’s 9.2 points, showing a slight edge in overall driving feel.
Pilot Alpin 5 SUV :
- -5% in dry braking
- ~0% in dry handling (lap time)
- -1.5% in dry handling (subjective)
Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH)
In terms of NVH performance, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV offers slightly better comfort, scoring a perfect 10 points, while the Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV scores 9.8 points, a minor difference. Both tires are very close in subjective noise, with the Michelin again scoring 10 points and the Nokian just behind at 9.8 points. However, there is a significant difference in actual exterior noise levels: the Michelin registers 68.9 dB, while the Nokian is noticeably louder at 72.2 dB. This substantial gap in noise levels is extremely large & unusual for tires in this category.
Pilot Alpin 5 SUV :
- -2% in subjective comfort
- -2% in subjective noise
- -5% in exterior noise (-3.3 dB)
Rolling Resistance:
In terms of rolling resistance, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV measures 8.19 N/kN, while the Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV comes in at 8.22 N/kN. The difference is extremely small, with just 0.03 N/kN separating the two, indicating almost no difference in rolling resistance between these tires.
Pilot Alpin 5 SUV :
- ~0% in rolling resistance
Price
When comparing prices for the 235/60 R18 size, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV costs €203, while the Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV is priced at €131. Despite Nokian being a premium brand in harsh Nordic winter conditions, in the middle European winter segment, it competes as a quality segment brand. This results in the Snowproof 2 SUV being 55% cheaper than the Michelin, offering strong value for the price.
Tire size: 235/60 R18
- Pilot Alpin 5 SUV : € 203
- Snowproof 2 SUV : € 131
Difference: -55% more cheaper for Snowproof 2 SUV
Conclusion from a Tire Expert’s Perspective:
As a tire expert, I can say that both the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV and Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV offer distinct advantages. The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV excels in wet and dry performance, providing shorter braking distances, better handling in snow/wet/dry , and a quieter ride, making it the premium choice for those prioritizing comfort and performance. However, the Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV shines in aquaplaning resistance and snow braking, giving it an edge in challenging conditions.
Dr Edwin Pang