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Comparison: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs. Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (2026)

Pilot Sport 4 S is the track-ready flagship; Pilot Sport 5 is the smarter daily sports tyre.

Within Michelin's summer performance range, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 occupy distinct but adjacent positions. The Pilot Sport 4 S wears the Super Sport badge — it is Michelin's highest-grade road-legal performance tyre, engineered with occasional track use in mind. The Pilot Sport 5, successor to the Pilot Sport 4, carries the Performance designation — a tyre built around spirited daily driving and exceptional longevity rather than outright lap-time capability. Both are excellent; the question is which version of sport driving matters most to you.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Good for
Sports car owners on 18"–23" wheels Drivers who use track days occasionally Those wanting maximum wet and dry grip High-performance saloon and coupe drivers
Not ideal for
Drivers prioritising tyre longevity and mileage Those needing 16" or 17" fitments EV drivers focused on rolling resistance Budget-conscious buyers watching running costs
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Good for
Hot hatch and compact sports car drivers EV owners wanting sport performance Daily drivers prioritising long tyre life Those balancing sport grip with running costs
Not ideal for
Drivers needing 22" or 23" fitments Track day regulars wanting limit-level grip Those who prioritise outright aquaplaning resistance

Test Profile

Michelin
Pilot Sport 4 S
Michelin
Pilot Sport 5
Number of tests
14
16
Best position
#1
#1
Average position
2.4
3.5
Latest test
2026
2026
Available sizes
250
74

These tyres were not tested together. The comparison below is inferred from separate tests by normalizing both tyres against 19 shared benchmark tyres, so treat it as an estimate.

Dry
Confidence
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
100%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
98%
Dry braking
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
100%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
92%
Dry handling
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
100%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
95%
Dry handling - objective
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
100%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
98%
Dry lane changing
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
99%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100%
Dry steering response
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
81%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100%
Wet
Confidence
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
99%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100%
Aquaplaning - cross
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
100%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
95%
Aquaplaning - longitudal
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
100%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
98%
Wet braking
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
95%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100%
Wet circle cornering
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
96%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100%
Wet handling
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
92%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100%
Wet handling - objective
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
100%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
93%
Comfort
Confidence
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
98%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100%
Comfort
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
91%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100%
Exterior noise
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
100%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
96%
Costs
Confidence
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
97%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100%
Rolling resistance
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
97%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100%

Verdict

Choose the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S if you drive a large-engined sports car or high-performance saloon on 18" wheels or larger, push your tyres hard on fast roads or occasional track days, and want the absolute best in dry and wet grip with a tyre that matches the car's capability. Choose the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 if you want genuine sport character for daily driving, prioritise tyre longevity and fuel efficiency, drive a hot hatch or compact sports car, or run an EV that demands a tyre built for the specific demands of electric vehicle torque and weight. It is the more rounded, practical and ultimately cost-effective performance choice for most drivers — the 4 S is for those who genuinely need more.

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