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 — 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
83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
71/100
8 professional tests
User signal (40%)
94/100
2,005 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S — better comfort, noise 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 5
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 87 | 78 |
| Tire Rack owners | 95 | 94 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 92 | 94 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 100% | 87% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 96% | 94% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 77 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | 55 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 60 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 99% | 81% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 99% | 98% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 97% | 91% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 19
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 82 | 50 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | 76 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 74 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport 4 S leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 56 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 80 | 65 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 59 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport Cup 2 leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 S | Pilot Sport Cup 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 86 | 93 |
| DriverReviews owners | 92 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 89 | 83 |
| Dry | 91 | 86 |
| Wet | 87 | 83 |
| Comfort | 86 | 67 |
| Noise | 84 | 70 |
| 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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
89
/ 100
Tire A
83
/ 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 | 84% #11/15 · 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test | 93% #4/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | -9.2 | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 100% #1/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 87% #6/6 · The BEST Track Day Tyres for 2024 | +13.3 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 96% #3/14 · 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test | 94% #2/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | +2.2 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 94% #2/7 · Best Performance Tyres For 2025 | 77% #4/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | +17.6 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 100% #6/7 · Best Performance Tyres For 2025 | 97% #1/8 · The BEST Performance Summer Tyres for 2026 Tested! | +3 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 41% #8/9 · 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test | 100% #10/10 · 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test | -59 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/5 · Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Cup 2 vs Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3 vs 3R vs Toyo R888R | 50% #2/9 · 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test | -30 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 100% #1/11 · 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test | 97% #6/8 · The BEST Performance Summer Tyres for 2026 Tested! | +2.7 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 100% #1/7 · Best Performance Tyres For 2025 | 60% #10/10 · 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test | +40 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 100% #1/5 · 2025 AutoView Sports Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · The BEST Performance Summer Tyres for 2026 Tested! | 0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 89% #6/9 · 2025 EVO Summer Tyre Test | 94% #6/8 · The BEST Performance Summer Tyres for 2026 Tested! | -4.9 | Different tests |
| Tyre Weight | Tyre | 99% #2/10 · 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test | 91% #7/10 · 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test | +8 | Same test |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 99% #2/6 · 2018 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test | 81% #4/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 | +18 | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 99% #2/7 · 2025 Autobild Sports Cars UUHP Tyre Test | 98% #9/10 · 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test | +0.8 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% #3/7 · 2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test | 91% #6/9 · 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test | +6.1 | 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 is widely regarded as a premier track-focused tire that offers exceptional dry-weather grip and steering precision for high-performance vehicles. While it provides surprising levels of feedback and stability for a semi-slick, users emphasize that it is not a traditional daily driver tire, as it requires significant heat to reach optimal performance and suffers from rapid tread wear and compromised wet-weather safety.
Pros
- Exceptional dry-weather traction and cornering grip
- High levels of steering feedback and communicative handling
- Predictable and progressive breakaway characteristics at the limit
- Strong, stiff sidewalls that enhance stability during spirited driving
- Surprisingly capable on track for a street-legal tire
Cons
- Very short tread life and rapid wear
- Poor performance in cold temperatures and standing water
- Requires significant heat to reach optimal operating grip
- High price point relative to longevity
- Tendency to pick up and throw road debris due to sticky compound
Observations
- Users with high-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive sports cars (e.g., Corvette, M2, GT3) report the most significant benefits in traction, though they also experience the fastest wear.
- Drivers of lighter vehicles (e.g., Mazda MX-5) note that the tire's stiff sidewall significantly improves steering precision compared to standard performance tires.
- Some users on AWD platforms noted that the tire's performance is highly dependent on proper tire pressure management to avoid overheating during track sessions.
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
83
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S — better comfort, noise and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 86 vs 67 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 84 vs 70 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 91 vs 86 on dry.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 87 vs 83 on wet.
Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S also compared with
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 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.