Based on the research of performance data and user reviews, we believe that the Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 is one of the best luxury touring snow tires on the market, only beaten by its successor, the Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa5.
There are cheaper or similar price options that are good (as mentioned above), but for its fantastic grip, solid drive quality, and unmatched comfort, the Pa4 is a tire we think you’ll be most happy and safe with.
Its shortcomings are few, with noise and comfort giving as the tire ages. But take into account that this tire is designed for snow, and will typically last you longer than a set of all-season tires.
| Label | Value | Difference to Test Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Handling | 120.5 Km/H | +1.1 (0.92%) |
| Dry Braking | 42.1 M | +1.9 (4.73%) |
| Wet Handling | 92.8 Km/H | -2.5 (-2.62%) |
| Wet Braking | 47.1 M | +1.4 (3.06%) |
| Snow Handling | 47.4 Km/H | -1.5 (-3.07%) |
| Snow Braking | 28.8 M | +1.2 (4.35%) |
| Label | Value | Difference to Test Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling Resistance | 9.39 kg / t | +0.73 (8.43%) |
| Noise | 74.9 dB | +0.8 (1.08%) |
| Label | Value | Difference to Test Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Aqua | 68.5 Km/H | -5.2 (-7.06%) |
 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 |  Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32 |  Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 |  Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 RFT |  Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 RFT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
|
|
|
| Dry Traction | 8.9 | 8.6 | 8.8 | 9.0 | 8.1 |
| Wet Traction | 9.2 | 8.8 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.3 |
| Noise | 8.8 | 8.3 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 7.4 |
| comfort | 9.0 | 8.6 | 8.4 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Tread Life | 9.0 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 7.4 | 7.3 |
| Braking | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Sharpness | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Durability | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Feel | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Show more |
This article reviews the Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 tire, designed to help you decide if these tires are for your vehicle.
We have researched Michelin manufacturer specs and taken a deeper look at how the Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 performed in a variety of tests. We also looked at customer reviews to compile a full-spectrum look at the capabilities.
Don’t have time to read everything? Here’s a quick summary of our review as well as pros & cons listed.
To learn more about how we reached our conclusion, please read the rest of the article as we break down the Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 into three categories:
Now strap yourself in as we take a look at the Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 to decide if it’s the right tire for you.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 is a luxury touring tire designed with ultra-high snow, ice, and winter performance in mind for low-temperature conditions. The tires are for sports cars, sedans, coupes, and crossovers.
The Pa4 is a high-priced tire for this category, averaging over $200 per tire, but these specialty tires are durable in Winter conditions.
Michelin has a reputation as the lead tire manufacturer in the United States due to durability, various tire options, customer reviews, and the Pa4 tire backs that reputation.
The tires are also sold in sets of four. The reason behind this is the snow treads need to be equivalent to function properly at their highest level.
Now, let’s dive into a comprehensive breakdown of the Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 to evaluate these tires based on their performance, noise, durability, and price.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 offers impressive performance in wet or dry conditions as well as freezing temperatures.
In tests conducted by TireRack.com, the Pa4 excelled in wet conditions, especially hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. Michelin molded the tires as an asymmetrical, heavily-grooved tread pattern with a high-density Stabiligrip 3D sipe tech. This sipe enhances acceleration, braking, and handling and is supported by wrap-around shoulders.
Though it is important to note that these tires were not designed for wet conditions, and customers reported that in wet conditions, the tires were less responsive than in the Winter.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 also tested well in dry conditions for a Winter tire in cornering stability, dry traction, and steering response.
Some customers reported that the tires were impressive from -10F degree weather to 50F degree weather.
This is where the Pa4 shines and excelled in every Winter test it was put to, including light snow traction, deep snow traction, and ice traction
The Pa4’s were manufactured to be eco-friendly by decreasing fuel consumption with its resistance that’s slow-rolling using Michelin’s Green X technology. The Green X technology utilizes complete silica-based helio compounds enriched with sunflower in its tire treads to help flexibility in low temperatures to increase traction.
User reviews confirm that these tires perform as intended in winter conditions, even during long trips with various conditions. The snow platform indicators, which are similar to snow wear bars, have been molded into the Pa4 and inform drivers as to when traction has been compromised due to snow or ice.
The Pilot Alpin PA4 winter radials meet the severe snow standards that are required in the industry. The three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, serves as the brand, which signifies that the tires have been heavily tested in snowy and icy conditions for acceleration and traction.
Michelin improved their braking distance from the Pa3 by using a new formula of full silica-based rubber Helio compound. In tests, the tires stopped over 5% shorter in snow, ice, and wet roads than the Pa3.
Customer reviews also showed that the braking was satisfactory and gave drivers a feeling of security.
The internal structure of the tire is made with twin steel belts that are reinforced with Michelin’s FAZ technology. This tech incorporates filaments that are spirally-wound and made out of a polyester cord which fits inside of the tread creating a stable ride, responsive handling, and higher-speed abilities in snowy, wet, and dry climates.
Some customer reviews noted that beyond 75mph, the tires began to vibrate, though the Pa4’s reportedly kept their precision even at high speeds.
For a snow tire, the Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 tested well with minimal noise. It is important to note that snow tires by nature will be louder than average all-season tires on dry roads, which is the case for the Pa4 as well.
Like noise, the Pa4 tested well for ride quality also.
Customers reported a smooth transition from snow to dry road and noted that the tires aged well with use in terms of a Winter tire.
The Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 comes with a 30,000 miles warranty, which is low by tire standards, yet average for snow tires as drivers will most likely put fewer miles on them each year.
Users reviewed that the Pa4 lasted just around 30,000 miles. There were no reports of the tires expiring prematurely.
The price point on the Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 is high, but it is considered a top-quality snow tire and with its ratings and test performance there aren’t many options to compete.
As well, the durability of the tires, ranging on average around 30,000 miles, is sufficient and long-lasting for a snow tire.
The Alpin Pa4 is a very good snow tire that we highly recommend. For its price, performance, longevity, and user recommendations, we don’t think there’s a better tire on the market for your coupe, sedan, or crossover.
If there are any variables about the Pa4 that you are not convinced by, we recommend looking at any of these competitor models from the same class:
It is also important to note that the Pa4 has since been replaced by the Pa5, which offers improved braking and performance modifications from the Pa4.
Based on the research of performance data and user reviews, we believe that the Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa4 is one of the best luxury touring snow tires on the market, only beaten by its successor, the Michelin Pilot Alpin Pa5.
There are cheaper or similar price options that are good (as mentioned above), but for its fantastic grip, solid drive quality, and unmatched comfort, the Pa4 is a tire we think you’ll be most happy and safe with.
Its shortcomings are few, with noise and comfort giving as the tire ages. But take into account that this tire is designed for snow, and will typically last you longer than a set of all-season tires.
Rankings are generated based on of customer reviews & real-life tire tests. We don't accept free products from anyone or any company – we review only products we believe are best for the users. By clicking on products above, we may receive a commission at no cost to you.
