Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 and Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 appear in 21 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.
How the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 performs. It takes the win in dry, snow, mileage. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 95/100, based on 20 tests.
How the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 performs. It takes the win in wet, noise / comfort, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 1 test.
What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.
Verdict
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in dry and Tire Lab Score. The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 still wins on wet, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise snow
- You prioritise mileage
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise noise / comfort
- You prioritise efficiency
Test profile
| Metric | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Performance Winter | Studded Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 20 | 1 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 5.0 | 4.3 |
| Latest test | 2025 | — |
| Tire Lab Score | 95.4 | 90 |
Tire Lab Score
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 5.6 197 | Avg rank 4.5 1 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 2.7 17112 | Avg rank 4.5 1 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 3.2 24106 | Avg rank 3.7 11 | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 |
| 🧊Ice | Avg rank 4.5 1 | Avg rank 4.5 | Tie |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 6.2 765 | Avg rank 4.5 1 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 7.5 3 | No data | Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 7.3 3 | Avg rank 5.0 | Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 |
💧 Wet: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 5.6 for the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
☀️ Dry: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 2.7, compared to 4.5 for the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3.
❄️ Snow: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 3.2, compared to 3.7 for the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3.
🧊 Ice: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
Both tires perform similarly in ice, with average ranks of 4.5 and 4.5.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 6.2 for the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
📏 Mileage: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 wins this category with an average rank of 7.5, compared to no data for the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3.
🔋 Efficiency: Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 vs Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3
The Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 wins this category with an average rank of 5.0, compared to 7.3 for the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 or Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 ranks higher on average than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 ranks better than the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 shows better mileage performance than the Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 appears in 20 independent tests, Nexen WinGuard WinSpike 3 in 1.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →