86
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
77/100
15 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Dunlop SP Sport 560 vs Michelin Energy XM2 — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
78
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
76/100
55 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Dunlop SP Sport 560 — better handling, comfort and dry. Pick the Michelin Energy XM2 if treadwear matters most to you.
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Category breakdown
5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
SP Sport 560 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport 560 | Energy XM2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 94 | 81 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
SP Sport 560 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport 560 | Energy XM2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 74 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
SP Sport 560 leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport 560 | Energy XM2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 96 | 72 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Energy XM2 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport 560 | Energy XM2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 96 | 86 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
SP Sport 560 leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | SP Sport 560 | Energy XM2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 74 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SP Sport 560 | Michelin Energy XM2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 86 | 78 |
| Dry | 91 | 81 |
| Wet | 84 | 74 |
| Comfort | 87 | 72 |
| Treadwear | 81 | 86 |
| Handling | 90 | 74 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
86
/ 100
Tire A
78
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SP Sport series is generally regarded as a high-performance tire that excels in ride comfort, cabin quietness, and dry-road handling. While many users praise its superior performance compared to other premium brands, the consensus is heavily polarized by concerns regarding rapid tread wear and inconsistent traction in high-horsepower applications.
Pros
- Exceptional ride comfort and low cabin noise levels.
- Strong dry-weather grip and responsive handling characteristics.
- Competitive pricing relative to other premium performance tire options.
- Solid durability when compared to specific factory-fitted alternatives.
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, particularly on high-performance or heavy vehicles.
- Poor traction and safety concerns in cold or wet conditions for high-torque vehicles.
- High total cost of ownership due to the frequency of required replacements.
Observations
- High-horsepower vehicles, such as the C63s AMG, struggle with off-the-line traction, suggesting the tire may be ill-suited for extreme torque outputs.
- Owners of luxury sedans like the Audi S8 and RS7 appreciate the balance of comfort and performance but report significant maintenance costs due to short tread life.
- Drivers of smaller, lower-power vehicles like the Hyundai Accent report excellent value and longevity, indicating the tire performs better on lighter platforms.
The Michelin Energy XM2 is widely regarded as a durable, long-lasting touring tire that excels in tread life and reliability for daily commuting. While many users praise its comfort and consistent performance, opinions are polarized regarding noise levels and wet-weather grip, with some drivers finding them exceptionally quiet and others reporting significant road noise as the tire ages.
Pros
- Exceptional tread longevity and durability
- Strong puncture resistance
- Reliable dry and wet grip for daily driving
- High levels of ride comfort
Cons
- Increased road noise as the tire wears
- Soft sidewalls can feel less responsive during spirited driving
- Premium price point compared to competitors
- Inconsistent performance feedback regarding wet-weather traction
Observations
- Users with smaller hatchbacks and sedans frequently report high satisfaction with comfort and fuel efficiency.
- Drivers of heavier or higher-torque vehicles occasionally noted that the soft sidewalls lead to noticeable body roll and less precise handling.
- Owners of vehicles with smaller wheel diameters (15-16 inch) often view the tire as a significant upgrade over budget stock options.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop SP Sport 560 | B · Michelin Energy XM2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
86
/ 100
Dunlop
78
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Dunlop SP Sport 560 — better handling, comfort and dry. Pick the Michelin Energy XM2 if treadwear matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Dunlop SP Sport 560 scores 90 vs 74 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Dunlop SP Sport 560 scores 87 vs 72 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Dunlop SP Sport 560 scores 91 vs 81 on dry.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Dunlop SP Sport 560 scores 84 vs 74 on wet.
Tire A · Dunlop SP Sport 560
Tire B · Michelin Energy XM2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop SP Sport 560 also compared with
Michelin Energy XM2 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.