76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
80/100
25 professional tests
User signal (40%)
77/100
92 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S — Compared (September 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
89
/ 100
Objective (60%)
94/100
28 professional tests
User signal (40%)
93/100
2,091 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S — better handling, treadwear and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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Category breakdown
6 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)
Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 87 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 95 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 92 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 95% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 83 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 87 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 95% | 100% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 88% | 100% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 97% | 99% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 69 | 82 |
| Tire Rack owners | – | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 84 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 13
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 71 | 78 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | – | 80 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 80 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 18
Why this score
| Source | SportMaxx RT 2 | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 86 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 92 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 89 |
| Dry | 78 | 91 |
| Wet | 79 | 87 |
| Comfort | 73 | 86 |
| Noise | 71 | 84 |
| Treadwear | 75 | 90 |
| Handling | 77 | 95 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
Weight the categories that matter to you
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
76
/ 100
Tire A
89
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curved Aquaplaning | Curved | 100% #1/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 95% #7/7 · 2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test | +5.1 | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #8/15 · 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | -5.1 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #14/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/4 · 2025 Sport Auto UUHP Tyre Test | -1.8 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 64% #19/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 95% #9/11 · 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test | -31.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 98% #11/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 97% #3/10 · 2022 Tyre Reviews UUHP Summer Tyre Test | +1 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 86% #12/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 100% #6/6 · 2018 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test | -14.3 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 7% #14/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 25% #4/8 · 2025 Sports Cars Tyre Test | -17.9 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 97% #2/10 · 2021 Motor Summer Tyre Test | 97% #2/14 · 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 88% #6/7 · 2019 EVO Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · Best Performance Tyres For 2025 | -12.5 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 60% #13/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 90% #3/8 · 2019 Sport Auto 20 Inch UHP Tyre Test | -30 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 96% #2/6 · 2018 EVO UUHP Tyre Test | 96% #4/7 · 2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test | +0.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% #11/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/6 · 2018 EVO UUHP Tyre Test | -5 | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 88% #5/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · 2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test | -12.5 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% #5/6 · 2024 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test | 99% #4/10 · 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test | -2 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is generally regarded as a comfortable, quiet, and high-performing tire that excels in daily driving and wet weather conditions. While many users praise its grip and value, a significant segment of the enthusiast community finds the sidewalls too soft for aggressive, high-speed cornering, leading to a 'spongy' or unstable feeling under heavy load.
Pros
- Excellent wet weather traction and aquaplaning resistance
- High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
- Strong value proposition compared to other premium UHP tires
- Effective rim protection features
- Good steering feedback for normal to spirited road driving
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can feel unstable or 'wobbly' during aggressive cornering
- Reports of premature tread cracking or uneven wear in some cases
- Performance can degrade significantly as the tire wears down
- Some users report vibration issues or difficulty balancing the tires
- Not ideal for track use or extremely heavy, high-torque vehicles
Observations
- Users with heavier or high-torque vehicles often report that the soft sidewalls struggle to maintain composure during quick maneuvers.
- Drivers of lighter, sporty hatchbacks generally report higher satisfaction with the tire's responsiveness and weight-saving benefits.
- Several users noted that increasing tire pressure slightly can mitigate the 'spongy' sidewall sensation, though this may come at the cost of some grip.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is widely regarded as a benchmark ultra-high-performance summer tire, consistently praised for its exceptional wet and dry grip, confidence-inspiring handling, and superior ride comfort compared to OEM run-flat alternatives. While most users laud its versatility and safety, some enthusiasts note that its relatively soft sidewalls can result in slightly less steering precision or feedback compared to more track-focused or stiffer-walled competitors.
Pros
- Exceptional wet and dry traction
- High levels of ride comfort and reduced road noise
- Predictable handling and stability at high speeds
- Excellent rim protection design
- Strong longevity for a high-performance tire
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can feel vague or sluggish during aggressive steering inputs
- High price point compared to competitors
- Performance can degrade significantly as the tread wears down
- Reports of sidewall cracking or perishing in some climates
- Not suitable for cold weather or snow
Observations
- Users transitioning from OEM run-flat tires on luxury and performance vehicles (e.g., BMW, Mercedes, Tesla) report a transformative improvement in ride quality and noise reduction.
- Drivers of high-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive vehicles frequently highlight the tire's ability to put power down effectively, though some note faster wear on rear axles.
- Some users with heavy vehicles or specific performance setups noted that the tire's soft sidewall can lead to a 'bouncy' or less precise feel during rapid direction changes.
Community buzz
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Positive
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is widely praised by the community as a premier max performance summer tire, offering exceptional dry and wet grip, precise steering feel, and refined road manners for daily driving and spirited street use. While some users note higher pricing and relatively quick wear on heavier vehicles or hot tracks, it remains a benchmark choice that many enthusiasts gladly return to despite alternatives like Continental or Kumho.
r/CarTrackDays
·97 upvotes ·2026-05-04
“Tire condition after 1st track day. PS4s on a GR86 First 2 pics are drivers front, rest pass front. This was at CMP, temps mid 70s, mostly cloudy. Lowered TP to 31psi. Highest I saw on track was 36 psi. The driver side l thought looked good, but passengers side inner looks like they melted. Is this track rubber I picked up or due to mostly turning right on this clockwise circuit?? Also was pleasantly surprised to only have used 1/16 of tread depth after 110 minutes on track. Given what I have read, thought the ps4s would be all used up. Maybe on a hot track surface they would have been eaten up. Read more”
r/TyreReviews
·41 upvotes ·2026-03-17
“Am I the owner of the newer PS4s?😁 Hello everyone, new in the sub and just want to share my love for the Pilot Sport 4s. This is the third set and I love it. To me they are the perfect compromise beetween performance anche tyre wear. Last set last me 43k km, I do lot of highway and some spirited drive when possibile. I also had a set of Sport Contact 7, awesome grip, to me better than the PS4s, almost too much for my stock Golf. They also wear out faster. I saw yesterday the review of Potenza Sport Evo and they promise very week, maybe next time I’ll try!”
r/cars
·4 upvotes ·2018-08-21
“I’ll say this. Going from the Pilot Super Sport to the Pilot Sport 4 S of the same size, I’m disappointed in the soft sidewall of the 4 S. This is an 8.5” wide wheel with 235/40/18 tires. The left-right fast slalom action got a bit mushy like the weight transfer was slowed down when I switched to the 4 S. I think a shorter sidewall 4 S would perform better in this way, or the same tire on a 9” wide wheel too. That said, the dry and wet grip is exceptional. To save money, I’d recommend the Continental ExtremeContact Sport.”
r/ft86
·2 upvotes ·2023-06-01
“Depending on the size they are absolutely overkill for street use on stock motor. I just installed a set of 245 ps4s on 17x9 rpf1s and its almost impossible to trigger the abs and traction co trol. The car is on absolute rails. That being said, if you have the money, there is not really any negatives from that. I intend to use mine on track days. Felt the cup 2s were overkill for 2 to 3 track days a year.”
Top themes
#Dry and Wet Grip#Tread Life and Wear#Price vs Value#Track Performance Limits#Daily Comfort and Noise#Alternatives Comparison
Based on 104 community posts
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Max Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 4 | — |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 19″ | — |
| Tread depth | 10/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 300 A A | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Dunlop
89
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S — better handling, treadwear and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 95 vs 77 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 90 vs 75 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 91 vs 78 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 86 vs 73 on comfort.
Tire A · Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 also compared with
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 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.