Skip to content
Head-to-head Updated September 2026

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 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.

Tire A Michelin

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Summer Max Performance tires

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
92/100
17 professional tests
User signal (40%)
92/100
2,273 owner reviews
Dry
92
Wet
89
Comfort
87
Noise
81
Treadwear
88
Handling
94

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VS
Tire B Michelin

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Summer Max Performance tires

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tread pattern
Objective (60%)
94/100
28 professional tests
User signal (40%)
93/100
2,091 owner reviews
Dry
91
Wet
87
Comfort
86
Noise
84
Treadwear
90
Handling
95

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VerdictToo close to call: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S are within 2 points overall. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is stronger on noise.
Read full

TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.

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

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 4 leads by 1
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 4
92
B — Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
91
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 4 S
Professional tests (TWG score) 89 87
Tire Rack owners 93 95
Tyre Reviews owners 90 92
Dry Braking (% of best) 100% 92%
Dry Handling (% of best) 99% 96%

Wet

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 4 leads by 2
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 4
89
B — Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
87
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 4 S
Professional tests (TWG score) 87 83
Tire Rack owners 87 88
Tyre Reviews owners 87 87
Wet Braking (% of best) 93% 97%
Wet Circle (% of best) 100% 87%
Wet Handling (% of best) 93% 90%

Comfort

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 4 leads by 1
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 4
87
B — Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
86
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 4 S
Professional tests (TWG score) 83 82
Tire Rack owners 83 87
Tyre Reviews owners 78 84

Noise

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 3
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 4
81
B — Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
84
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 4 S
Professional tests (TWG score) 74 78

Treadwear

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 2
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 4
88
B — Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
90
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 4 S
Tire Rack owners 67 80
Tyre Reviews owners 74 80

Handling

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 1
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 4
94
B — Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
95
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 4 S
Tyre Reviews owners 84 86
DriverReviews owners 90 92

Scores at a glance

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin Pilot Sport 4Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Relative Score 89 89
Dry 92 91
Wet 89 87
Comfort 87 86
Noise 81 84
Treadwear 88 90
Handling 94 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.

Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score

Tire A

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.

DisciplineCategoryTire ATire BΔBoth?
Curved Aquaplaning Curved 100% #1/10 · 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test 91% #6/14 · 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test +9.2 Different tests
Dry Braking Dry 100% #1/9 · 2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tyre Test 92% #1/8 · 2019 Sport Auto 20 Inch UHP Tyre Test +8 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #2/7 · 2019 EVO Summer Tyre Test 96% #4/10 · 2022 Tyre Reviews UUHP Summer Tyre Test +3.1 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 99% #2/9 · 2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/7 · 2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test -1.2 Different tests
Noise Other 97% #5/10 · 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test 97% #8/15 · 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test +0.2 Different tests
Price Other 100% #10/10 · 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test 41% #8/9 · 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test +59 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 100% #1/9 · 2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tyre Test 33% #3/14 · 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test +66.7 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 95% #5/14 · 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test 98% #3/10 · 2022 Tyre Reviews UUHP Summer Tyre Test -3 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 78% #5/10 · 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test 100% #1/7 · 2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test -22.2 Different tests
Subj. Dry Handling Subj 87% #4/9 · 2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test 98% #2/6 · 2018 EVO UUHP Tyre Test -10.7 Different tests
Subj. Wet Handling Subj 100% #1/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test 92% #3/6 · 2018 EVO UUHP Tyre Test +8.1 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 93% #4/10 · 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test 97% #2/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 -4.2 Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 100% #10/10 · 2022 AMS Performance Summer Tyre Test 87% #7/8 · 2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tyre Test +12.6 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 93% #6/9 · 2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test 90% #6/8 · 2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tyre Test +2.5 Different tests
From owners

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Michelin Pilot Sport 4

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is widely regarded as a premier high-performance summer tire, praised for its exceptional wet-weather traction and balanced daily-driving characteristics. While many users report a significant improvement in ride quality and noise levels compared to OEM run-flats or older performance tires, some enthusiasts note a softer sidewall that can feel less precise or 'darty' during aggressive cornering compared to dedicated track-focused rubber.

Pros

  • Class-leading wet weather grip and hydroplaning resistance
  • Excellent balance of comfort and road noise reduction for a performance tire
  • Predictable and progressive handling characteristics
  • Strong dry-weather traction and braking performance
  • Significant upgrade over OEM run-flat tires in terms of ride quality

Cons

  • Softer sidewalls can lead to a less 'sharp' or 'darty' steering feel
  • Tread wear can be rapid, particularly with spirited driving or on high-torque vehicles
  • Performance can drop off noticeably as tread depth decreases
  • Higher price point compared to many competitors
  • Some reports of increased road noise as the tire ages

Observations

  • Tesla and EV owners frequently report a measurable decrease in range due to higher rolling resistance compared to OEM 'eco' tires.
  • Users with heavy, high-torque vehicles (e.g., tuned sedans, performance wagons) often praise the tire's ability to put power down, though this comes at the cost of faster rear-tire wear.
  • Drivers switching from run-flat tires on luxury vehicles (BMW, Audi, Mercedes) consistently report a transformative improvement in ride comfort and cabin noise.
Tire B Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

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

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Positive

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (and its variants) is widely praised by the community as a massive upgrade over stock run-flats and budget tires, offering exceptional dry and wet grip, precise steering feel, and improved ride comfort. While users frequently note trade-offs in tread life due to the softer rubber compound, and higher pricing, it remains a top-tier recommendation for spirited street driving and performance cars.

r/BMW ·26 upvotes ·2024-09-23

“Surprised by Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires - 2024 M440i Hey, BMW community. A year ago, I was lucky enough to order a 2024 M440i GC Xdrive. Spent hours driving different BMW's, tweaking my order sheet before my allocation was filled. Got the adaptive suspension, with 19's on Pirelli run-flats. After a few months, my San Remo GC was delivered. GREAT car. Now with ~17k miles, it was time for a routine service. And, apparently, new rear tires. Decided to just replace them all at the dealer. Went with what they recommended; Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (Star marked). What an upgrade! Steering feel, precision, comfort AND quiet. Anyone on the fence about the Pilot Sport 4 - highly recommended. Read more”

r/BoltEV ·5 upvotes ·2026-04-29

“Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires are noisy (a followup) I have been asked on this sub if the PS4 tires on my wife’s Bolt are noisy, and I wasn’t sure how to answer. Well, we made two 60-mile round trips this past weekend, mostly on highways with 55 and 70 mph speed limits, and I have to say that the tires are kind of noisy. Certainly not as quiet as EV-oriented tires are. The grip is fantastic, so we really like them. If you are sensitive to noise, though, these Max Performance class tires are probably not for you.”

r/ft86 ·3 upvotes ·2022-01-09

“I just installed A/S PS4 from Michelin on my BRZ recently & man they are so nice. How quiet it is, is wow, night and day. They handle quite nice except when it's still cold (sub 40F) on highway, traction control triggers but it may bc I'm lowered and yet to do my alignment. I don't know compared to stock, I was on Falken prior. I am using different tire set-up then stock however. I have 245/35 at the front and 265/35 in rear. My only regret is not going up to 40 on the sidewall for more meat. This is on 18" wheels.”

r/tires ·2 upvotes ·2026-07-28

“Those are Pilot sport 4 (all season). If it had s after the 4 it would be the summer high performance version. I put the pilot sport 4 on wife's GTI autobahn 2016. Great handling tire, stiff side walls, not the smoothest ride but best overall.”

Top themes
#grip and handling performance#ride quality and comfort#tread wear and lifespan#wet weather capability#comparison to runflats#noise levels#temperature limits and cold weather

Based on 117 community posts

Tire B

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Positive

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 · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
CategorySummer Max Performance tiresSummer Max Performance tires
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Final verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin

Michelin

Too close to call: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S are within 2 points overall. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is stronger on noise.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 84 vs 81 on noise.

Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

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.