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Head-to-head Updated September 2026

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 — 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 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.

VS
Tire B Nexen

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

Summer Ultra High Performance tires

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
87/100
19 professional tests
User signal (40%)
70/100
17 owner reviews
Dry
78
Wet
79
Comfort
82
Noise
57
Treadwear
58
Handling
76

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VerdictWinner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 — better treadwear, noise and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
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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

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 5 leads by 13
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 5
91
B — Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
78
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
Professional tests (TWG score) 88 77
Tyre Reviews owners 90 81
Dry Braking (% of best) 98% 92%
Dry Circle Speed (% of best) 99% 99%
Dry Handling (% of best) 97% 100%

Wet

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 5 leads by 11
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 5
90
B — Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
79
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
Professional tests (TWG score) 87 80
Tyre Reviews owners 91 77
Wet Braking (% of best) 93% 92%
Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best) 64% 70%
Wet Circle (% of best) 99% 97%
Wet Handling (% of best) 99% 100%

Comfort

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 5 leads by 2
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 5
84
B — Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
82
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
Professional tests (TWG score) 77 93
Tyre Reviews owners 84 67

Noise

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 5 leads by 29
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 5
86
B — Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
57
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
Professional tests (TWG score) 82 57

Treadwear

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 5 leads by 32
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 5
90
B — Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
58
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
Tyre Reviews owners 81 58

Handling

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Pilot Sport 5 leads by 19
A — Michelin Pilot Sport 5
95
B — Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
76
Why this score
SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
Tyre Reviews owners 83 76
DriverReviews owners 88 –

Scores at a glance

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Nexen N Fera Sport SU2: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin Pilot Sport 5Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
Relative Score 89 71
Dry 91 78
Wet 90 79
Comfort 84 82
Noise 86 57
Treadwear 90 58
Handling 95 76

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

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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

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 87% #6/7 · 2026 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test 97% #4/10 · 2022 AMS Performance Summer Tyre Test -10 Different tests
Dry Braking Dry 98% #2/4 · 2026 AutoView Value Sport Tyre Test 92% #6/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test +6.3 Different tests
Dry Circle Speed Dry 99% #3/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test 99% #4/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test +0.1 Same test
Dry Handling Dry 97% #4/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 100% #4/10 · 2022 AMS Performance Summer Tyre Test -2.7 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 83% #2/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 83% #10/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test +0.4 Different tests
Fuel Consumption Fuel 97% #8/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 97% #14/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 0 Same test
Abrasion Other 68% #1/6 · The BEST Performance Tyres Tested 85% #15/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test -17.3 Different tests
Noise Other 99% #3/6 · 2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tyres for Asia Test 98% #4/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test +1 Different tests
Price Other 100% #13/13 · 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test 69% #3/10 · 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test +31.3 Different tests
Value Other 89% #15/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test 70% #4/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test +18.9 Same test
Wear Other 88% #2/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 59% #8/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +29.2 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 50% #2/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 14% #7/10 · 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test +35.7 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 99% #2/7 · Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 98% #6/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test +1.2 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 98% #2/9 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test 91% #17/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test +6.8 Different tests
Subj. Dry Handling Subj 80% #6/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test 67% #15/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test +13 Different tests
Subj. Wet Handling Subj 100% #1/7 · Top Tire Review 2026 UHP Tyre Test: Big Brands vs Challengers 60% #11/11 · 2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test +40 Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Total 0% #13/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test 0% #5/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test 0 Same test
Wet Braking Wet 93% #5/6 · The BEST Performance Tyres Tested 92% #5/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test +0.7 Different tests
Wet Braking - Concrete Wet 64% #3/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 70% #13/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test -5.8 Same test
Wet Circle Wet 99% #7/13 · 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test 97% #5/7 · 2025 Autobild Sports Cars UUHP Tyre Test +2.3 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 99% #3/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test 100% #10/10 · 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test -1.1 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 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.
Tire B Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

The Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 is widely regarded as a high-value, budget-friendly performance tire that offers impressive initial grip in both wet and dry conditions. While many users praise its affordability compared to premium brands, the consensus is heavily polarized by reports of rapid tread wear and inconsistent long-term durability.

Pros

  • Excellent price-to-performance ratio compared to premium competitors
  • Strong initial dry and wet handling capabilities
  • Quiet operation and good comfort levels when new
  • Predictable and stable cornering performance

Cons

  • Rapid and premature tread wear
  • Inconsistent quality control leading to sidewall or shoulder damage
  • Performance degradation as the tire ages
  • Mediocre ride comfort and increased noise levels over time

Observations

  • Users driving heavier vehicles or SUVs, such as the BMW iX1, report severe shoulder wear despite proper alignment.
  • Factory-fitted units on various vehicles have received mixed feedback, with some users reporting premature cracking or structural damage within the first few thousand miles.
Community buzz

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

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

Tire B

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Specifications

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Pilot Sport 5 B · Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
CategorySummer Max Performance tiresSummer Ultra High Performance tires
Vehicle type—Passenger Car / Crossover
Final verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin

Nexen

Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 — better treadwear, noise and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scores 90 vs 58 on treadwear.

Pick tire A You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scores 86 vs 57 on noise.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scores 95 vs 76 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scores 91 vs 78 on dry.

Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Tire B · Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

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.