Bridgestone Potenza S001 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S finished ahead 2 times and the Potenza S001 not once. The Pilot Sport 4 S was stronger in dry, wet, comfort and value.
Performance profile
7 measurements from the 2 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Potenza S001
Pilot Sport 4 S
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 3 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Potenza S001
Pilot Sport 4 S
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Potenza S001
Not ahead in any category
Pilot Sport 4 S
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Potenza S001 69% from 173 reviews and the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Wins count the tests in which each tire did better.
| Measurement | Potenza S001 | Gap | Pilot Sport 4 S | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Pilot Sport 4 S ahead | ||||
| Dry Braking ft | 123 | 5.6% | 116 | 0-2 |
| Dry Handling mph | 62.7 | 0.8% | 63.1 | 1-1 |
| Subj. Dry Handling pts | scored | = | scored | 0-0 |
| Wet Pilot Sport 4 S ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking ft | 144 | 10.6% | 128 | 0-2 |
| Wet Handling mph | 49.3 | 2.6% | 50.4 | 1-1 |
| Subj. Wet Handling pts | scored | = | scored | 0-0 |
| Straight Aqua mph | 45.7 | 1.1% | 45.2 | 1-0 |
| Comfort Pilot Sport 4 S ahead | ||||
| Subj. Comfort pts | scored | 28.6% | scored | 0-1 |
| Noise dB | 74.9 | 0.5 dB | 74.4 | 1-1 |
| Value Pilot Sport 4 S ahead | ||||
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 10.12 | 4% | 9.72 | 0-2 |
Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared.
Head to head in 2 tests, 2018 to 2019
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Potenza S001 | Field | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Sport Auto 20 Inch UHP Tire Test | P5 of 8 | P2 of 8 | |
| 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tire Test | P6 of 8 | P1 of 8 |
Potenza S001 vs Pilot Sport 4 S: your questions
Is the Bridgestone Potenza S001 or the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S the better tire?
In the 2 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S finished ahead 2 times and the Potenza S001 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Potenza S001 scores 8.5 and the Pilot Sport 4 S 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Potenza S001 or the Pilot Sport 4 S?
The Pilot Sport 4 S led 3 of the 7 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 10.6% shorter in the wet across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Sport 4 S led 3 of the 5 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.6% shorter in the dry across 2 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Sport 4 S had 4% lower rolling resistance (2 tests). Owners rate wear 6.7/10 for the Potenza S001 and 8/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 6/10 for the Potenza S001 and 8.4/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Potenza S001 69% from 173 reviews and the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179. 48% of Potenza S001 owners would buy it again, against 80% for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Potenza S001 is made in 53 sizes (15 to 20 inch) and the Pilot Sport 4 S in 105 (17 to 22 inch). 33 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Potenza S001 is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Sport 4 S A and C.
More comparisons with these tires
Every Bridgestone vs Michelin test → All comparisons → Compare three or more tires →
Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.

