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.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R — 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
91
/ 100
Objective (60%)
84/100
6 professional tests
User signal (40%)
94/100
1,988 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R — better comfort, noise and dry. Pick the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S if wet matters most to you.
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
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 87 | 92 |
| Tire Rack owners | 95 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 100 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 94% | 99% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 96% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 76 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 45 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 95% | 68% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 94% | 100% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 95 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 80 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 60 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 R leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 95 |
| DriverReviews owners | 92 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 89 | 91 |
| Dry | 91 | 94 |
| Wet | 87 | 83 |
| Comfort | 86 | 94 |
| Noise | 84 | 92 |
| Treadwear | 90 | 90 |
| Handling | 95 | 96 |
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
89
/ 100
Tire A
91
/ 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 | 78% #4/4 · 2025 Sport Auto UUHP Tyre Test | 92% #5/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | -13.8 | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 94% #8/8 · 2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tyre Test | 99% #2/6 · The BEST Track Day Tyres for 2024 | -4.3 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 96% #3/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | 98% #2/6 · The BEST Track Day Tyres for 2024 | -1.9 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 100% #1/7 · 2024 Sports Car Tyre Test | 95% #2/4 · The FASTEST Track Tyres In The World Tested | +5.3 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 33% #3/11 · 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test | 25% #4/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | +8.3 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 97% #2/14 · 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test | 92% #5/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | +5.1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 98% #2/6 · 2018 EVO UUHP Tyre Test | 100% #1/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R vs Hoosier TrackAttack Pro vs Bridgestone Potenza RE71 RS | -2.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% #2/10 · 2022 Tyre Reviews UUHP Summer Tyre Test | 68% #5/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | +27.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 94% #5/8 · 2025 Sports Cars Tyre Test | 100% #2/2 · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 VS Cup 2 R - Tested | -5.7 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
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.
The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R is a specialized, track-focused tire that offers exceptional dry-weather grip and steering precision for high-performance vehicles. While it excels in competitive driving and track-day environments, users emphasize that it is not suitable for daily driving, particularly due to its rapid tread wear, poor wet-weather performance, and lack of cold-temperature capability.
Pros
- Unrivaled dry-weather traction and cornering grip
- Precise steering response and communicative feedback
- Excellent performance consistency during track sessions
- Superior stability at high speeds
Cons
- Extremely short tread life and rapid wear
- Significant safety risks in wet or cold conditions
- High purchase price and high cost-per-mile
- Increased road noise and harsh ride quality
Observations
- Performance is highly dependent on vehicle-specific alignment settings; improper camber can lead to premature shoulder wear.
- Users note that the tire requires significant heat to reach optimal operating temperatures, making it feel 'sketchy' or stiff during short street trips.
- The tire is frequently cited as a 'one-trick pony' for track-day enthusiasts, with many users recommending the Pilot Sport 4S as a more practical alternative for street-driven vehicles.
Community buzz
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
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
Tire B
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | B · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Trackday and Competition tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
89
/ 100
Michelin
91
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R — better comfort, noise and dry. Pick the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S if wet matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R scores 94 vs 86 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R scores 92 vs 84 on noise.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 87 vs 83 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R scores 94 vs 91 on dry.
Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R
More comparisons
Also compared with
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S also compared with
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R 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.