Skip to content
Head-to-head Updated September 2026

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5 — 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 5

Summer Max Performance tires

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
96/100
24 professional tests
User signal (40%)
94/100
2,038 owner reviews
Dry
91
Wet
90
Comfort
84
Noise
86
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 5 are within 2 points overall. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is stronger on comfort. Michelin Pilot Sport 5 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 5
91
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 5
Professional tests (TWG score) 89 88
Tire Rack owners 93 –
Tyre Reviews owners 90 90
Dry Braking (% of best) 97% 82%
Dry Handling (% of best) 97% 99%

Wet

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 5 leads by 1
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 4
89
B — Michelin Pilot Sport 5
90
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 5
Professional tests (TWG score) 87 87
Tire Rack owners 87 –
Tyre Reviews owners 87 91
Wet Braking (% of best) 92% 100%
Wet Circle (% of best) 86% 100%
Wet Handling (% of best) 100% 100%

Comfort

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 4 leads by 3
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 4
87
B — Michelin Pilot Sport 5
84
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 5
Professional tests (TWG score) 83 77
Tire Rack owners 83 –
Tyre Reviews owners 78 84

Noise

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 5 leads by 5
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 4
81
B — Michelin Pilot Sport 5
86
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 5
Professional tests (TWG score) 74 82

Treadwear

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 5 leads by 2
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 4
88
B — Michelin Pilot Sport 5
90
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 5
Tire Rack owners 67 –
Tyre Reviews owners 74 81

Handling

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 5 leads by 1
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 4
94
B — Michelin Pilot Sport 5
95
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 4Pilot Sport 5
Tyre Reviews owners 84 83
DriverReviews owners 90 88

Scores at a glance

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin Pilot Sport 4Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Relative Score 89 89
Dry 92 91
Wet 89 90
Comfort 87 84
Noise 81 86
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 92% #5/6 · 2024 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test +8 Different tests
Dry Braking Dry 97% #6/11 · 2022 AutoBild Sports Cars UHP Summer Tyre Test 82% #1/6 · 2024 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test +15 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 97% #2/9 · 2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test 99% #5/6 · The BEST Performance Tyres Tested -2.5 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 95% #2/10 · 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test 89% #3/6 · 2024 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test +5.3 Different tests
Noise Other 97% #5/10 · 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test 99% #16/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test -1.6 Different tests
Price Other 87% #5/9 · 2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tyre Test 100% #13/13 · 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test -13.5 Different tests
Value Other 100% #20/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 89% #15/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test +11.3 Different tests
Wear Other 74% #5/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 93% #2/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test -19.5 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 20% #5/9 · 2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test 50% #2/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test -30 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 100% #1/9 · 2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tyre Test 100% #1/9 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test 0 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 78% #5/10 · 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test 98% #2/9 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test -20.2 Different tests
Subj. Dry Handling Subj 90% #2/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test -10 Different tests
Subj. Wet Handling Subj 60% #6/10 · 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test 60% #7/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test 0 Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Total 0% #13/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test 0% #6/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 0 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 92% #2/11 · 2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test -8.1 Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 86% #4/10 · 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test 100% #5/7 · 2026 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test -14.4 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 100% #1/11 · 2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/4 · Michelin CrossClimate 3 & 3 Sport vs Pilot Sport 5 vs Primacy 5 0 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 5

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is widely regarded as a premier ultra-high-performance tire that excels in balancing daily comfort with impressive wet and dry grip. While many users praise its longevity and refinement compared to its predecessor, some enthusiasts note a slight reduction in steering sharpness and feedback, positioning it more as a sophisticated grand-touring tire than a dedicated track-focused performance tire.

Pros

  • Exceptional wet weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
  • High levels of comfort and reduced road noise compared to many competitors
  • Strong tread life and durability for an ultra-high-performance tire
  • Predictable and confidence-inspiring handling in daily driving conditions

Cons

  • Softer sidewall construction leads to less steering precision and feedback
  • Tendency toward understeer when pushed to the absolute limit
  • Higher price point compared to some direct competitors
  • Reports of uneven wear or 'out-of-round' issues near the end of the tire's life

Observations

  • EV owners report a noticeable decrease in range due to higher rolling resistance compared to OEM efficiency-focused tires.
  • Users transitioning from run-flat tires consistently report a significant improvement in ride quality and cabin noise.
  • Drivers of high-horsepower vehicles note that while grip is excellent for street use, the tire can overheat and lose performance during aggressive track sessions.
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 5

Positive

Community opinion on the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is largely positive, highlighting its exceptional wet grip, low road noise, and impressive tread life compared to older generations and direct rivals. While some enthusiast drivers find the sidewalls a bit soft or note less extreme dry grip and steering feel compared to hardcore track tires like the PS4S or SportContact 7, it is widely praised as the ultimate daily-driver performance tire.

r/TyreReviews ·31 upvotes ·2026-04-26

“My 8-month experience with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 – honest thoughts after highway + city use Switched to Michelin Pilot Sport 5s about 8 months ago on my Hyundai Creta]and figured I'd share a proper update since I couldn't find many India-based long-term reviews when I was researching. Background: I drive a mix of Delhi–Gurugram highway stretches and stop-go city traffic. Previous tyres were Ceat tyres. Wet grip: This is where they genuinely shine. Monsoon season in NCR was the real test — braking distances felt noticeably shorter than my previous set, and I never had that nervous moment on waterlogged roads near Dhaula Kuan. Dry handling: Confident and predictable. Not much to complain about here. Cornering feel is crisp, especially at highway speeds. Ride comfort: Slightly firmer than my old tyres, which I expected given the performance focus. Not harsh — just different. Long highway runs are still comfortable. Noise: Quieter than I expected for a performance tyre. Road noise on concrete sections of NH-48 is very manageable. Fuel efficiency: Marginal difference — maybe 0.3–0.5 kmpl lower, hard to say definitively. Wear so far: Looking good at 8 months / ~7,000 km. No uneven wear patterns. Would I buy again? Probably yes, especially if wet weather safety matters to you. Price premium over budget options is real, but the wet grip gives peace of mind. Happy to answer any questions. Anyone else running Michelins in Indian conditions? Read more”

r/i20n ·17 upvotes ·2025-07-21

“Tyres: Ps5’s initial impression Tyres seem to be a common question across a few forums so I thought ide share. So after 12 months (27,000kms) with my i20n, I was (over) due to replace my tyres. While I loved the p-zeros, I wasn’t keen on the short life, so went with the pilot sport 5. My impressions as follows: Initial impression: a lot less road noise than the p-zero City drive: no noticeable difference (apart from the reduced noise) Highway drive: handling is not noticeably changed, but the reduced noise is really appreciated here! Twisty’s: the difference here is notable, ps5’s don’t provide quite the same aggressive limitless grip feel as the p-zeros. Still holds the line perfectly but noted a bit of slip on the inside front wheel under heavy throttle. I do approx 100km on back roads commuting to and from work every day, so I’ll update this thread if I find anything worth reporting Read more”

r/CarsAustralia ·8 upvotes ·2025-09-10

“In my experience they are quite long wearing tires and well worth the cost. I used to get around 40k out of most tyres. My first set of ps4’s lasted 55k and now the ps5’s are trending to beat it. I'm a pretty spirited driver around the roundabouts of Canberra too, though I only have a hatch so experiences may vary. As to performance I've driven them on my i30 n-line and other people’s i30N, BRZ, tesla 3, and stinger and the tyres have more grip than I have guts to push them on public roads. In both wet and dry they are very confidence inspiring and a hell of a lot of fun.”

r/DubaiPetrolHeads ·3 upvotes ·2025-07-15

“Had both on my ST. The 4S is more performance oriented but it wore out much quicker in approximately 35k kms. PS5 is more comfortable and the wear is slower however it does get noisy towards its end of life. After the 2 sets of Michelins, I tried the Falken FK520 for half the cost of the Michelins but found it to more comfortable for daily driving as it is comparatively softer.”

Top themes
#Wet grip and safety#Road noise and comfort#Tread life and durability#Daily driving performance#Comparison with PS4S#Value and pricing

Based on 130 community posts

Specifications

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 B · Michelin Pilot Sport 5
CategorySummer Max Performance tiresSummer Max Performance tires
Vehicle typePassenger Car / Crossover—
Final verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin

Michelin

Too close to call: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 are within 2 points overall. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is stronger on comfort. Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is stronger on noise.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scores 86 vs 81 on noise.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 87 vs 84 on comfort.

Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport 5

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.