Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Pirelli P Zero PZ5
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 179
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 94% · 20
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 have met in 4 independent tests and the record is level at 2-2. The Pilot Sport 4 S had 7.9% lower rolling resistance; the P Zero PZ5 stopped 0.9% shorter in the dry.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 if you prioritize maximum grip-led performance-especially wet handling confidence and consistently strong braking/handling results. Pick the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S if you want the more refined, efficient all-rounder with standout rolling resistance and road comfort/steering quality (and it's particularly compelling when priced close to rivals).
Where the Pilot Sport 4 S is stronger
- Lower rolling resistance across all shared tests (e.g., 8.5 vs 9.73 kg/t in Autobild; 8.3 vs 9.1 kg/t in EVO), supporting economy/EV range and typically lower energy loss
- Best-in-comparison road manners and steering linearity in EVO's road scoring (22.7 vs 19.0 points), with consistently praised comfort/refinement
- Very strong straight-line aquaplaning results in multiple tests (e.g., 75.13 vs 71.45 km/h in EVO; led Autobild front-axle aquaplaning at 90.2 km/h)
Where the P Zero PZ5 is stronger
- Consistently shorter dry braking distances in shared measurements (won 3/3), albeit by small margins (often ~0.3-1.5%)
- Wet handling advantage is the clearest repeated performance edge (won 3/3; e.g., Autobild 76.5 vs 71.2 km/h and wet circle 12.7 vs 14.3 s)
- Strong overall performance potential highlighted by winning the 2025 performance-tire test (1/7) with class-leading blended dry and wet results
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Pilot Sport 4 S vs P Zero PZ5 at a glance
| Category | Pilot Sport 4 S | Gap | P Zero PZ5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won4 shared tests | 2 | 2 | |
| Dry9 measurements | 2 | The P Zero PZ5 stopped 0.9% shorter in the dry (3 tests) | 6 |
| Wet14 measurements | 4 | The P Zero PZ5 lapped the wet handling course 1.5% faster (2 tests) | 10 |
| Comfort4 measurements | 0 | The P Zero PZ5 was 0.7 dB quieter (2 tests) | 1 |
| Value3 measurements | 3 | The Pilot Sport 4 S had 7.9% lower rolling resistance (3 tests) | 0 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.4/10 | Level | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating179 and 20 reviews | 85% | The P Zero PZ5 by 9 points | 94% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 80% | The P Zero PZ5 by 20 points | 100% |
| Pricein the 2 tests that listed prices | +21.6% | The Pilot Sport 4 S was dearer in 2 of 2 | Cheaper |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 4 tests, 2025 to 2026
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 | Pilot Sport 4 S | Field | P Zero PZ5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tire Test | P5 of 8 | P3 of 8 | |
| 2026 ACE Summer Tire Test | P1 of 10 | P5 of 10 | |
| 2025 EVO Summer Tire Test | P5 of 9 | P6 of 9 | |
| Best Performance Tires For 2025 | P2 of 7 | P1 of 7 |
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 4 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Pilot Sport 4 S
P Zero PZ5
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. 4 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Pilot Sport 4 S
P Zero PZ5
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
Pilot Sport 4 S
Not ahead in any category
P Zero PZ5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179 reviews and the P Zero PZ5 94% from 20. 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. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Pilot Sport 4 S | Gap | P Zero PZ5 | Wins | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112 | 0.9% | 111 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||
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| 75.39 | 1.3% | 74.4 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 67 | 1.8% | 65.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.4% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 19.5% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 109 | 0.7% | 108 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 91.4 | 1.5% | 89.9 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 44.2 | 7.4% | 47.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.6% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||
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| 14.3 | 11.2% | 12.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 49.5 | 2% | 48.5 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 30.7 | 1.5% | 30.2 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||
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| 73.05 | 0.7 dB | 72.4 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||
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| 8.5 | 7.9% | 9.24 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||
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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. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Pilot Sport 4 S scores 9.4 and the P Zero PZ5 9.4 out of 10.
| Pilot Sport 4 S | Category | P Zero PZ5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | Dry | 95 | ||
| 89 | Wet | 95 | ||
| 44 | Comfort | 37 | ||
| 32 | Value | 19 | ||
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.
What owners say
| Pilot Sport 4 S | Category | P Zero PZ5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 9.9 | ||
| 8.7 | Wet Grip | 9.6 | ||
| 8.4 | Road Feedback | 9.6 | ||
| 8.6 | Handling | 9.6 | ||
| 8 | Wear | 8.8 | ||
| 8.4 | Comfort | 8.7 | ||
Owners rate the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179 reviews and the P Zero PZ5 94% from 20. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
- 85%from 179 reviews
- 80%would buy again
- 2,104,714 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners broadly agree the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S delivers standout dry and wet grip, with over half mentioning strong dry traction and nearly half praising its wet confidence. Comfort is also a common plus for a max-performance tire, though noise is more mixed, with a noticeable minority finding it loud. Longevity gets a more divided reception: many report solid tread life, but around one in eight complain about faster wear or uneven wear, and a smaller group say performance drops off as it wears. A further recurring criticism is a soft sidewall feel, with around one in ten owners reporting less support or precision than expected.
- Excellent dry grip and traction
- Very strong wet grip and confidence in the rain
- Comfortable ride for a performance tire
- Stable, confidence-inspiring dry handling
- Noticeable road noise at certain speeds or on coarse surfaces
- Soft sidewalls can feel less supportive or precise
- Tread life can be shorter than expected for some drivers
Summarised by AI from 154 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 179 Pilot Sport 4 S reviewsThe wet and dry grip has been exceptional with low road noise and moderate harshness. Handling precision and responsiveness have been good, not exceptional. The tires have held inflation pressure very well with minimal leakage. This is my second set and unless Michelin comes out with a better max performance summer tire, I'll buy them again.
Pirelli P Zero PZ5
- 94%from 20 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 120,924 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners are overwhelmingly happy with the Pirelli P Zero PZ5, praising its strong dry grip and confident, sporty handling, with many also highlighting improved comfort for a UHP tire. Around two in five owners comment on steering feel, and while the balance is generally positive, a noticeable minority report a softer or more muted initial response compared with sharper rivals. A smaller group mentions trade-offs such as higher rolling resistance and slightly weaker dry braking, while road noise feedback is mixed rather than clearly better or worse.
- Outstanding dry grip and traction
- Sporty, confidence-inspiring dry handling
- More comfortable than expected for a UHP tire
- Strong wet grip and confidence in rain
- Steering can feel muted or slower on initial turn-in
- Rolling resistance higher, hurting fuel economy
- Dry braking can feel a bit longer than key rivals
Summarised by AI from 17 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 20 P Zero PZ5 reviewsPreviously had continental sportcontact 5p and michelin pilot supersports and the pirellis are way better especially in the wet. So much confidence.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
| Category | Pilot Sport 4 S | P Zero PZ5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| On the market since | 2016 | - |
| Replaced | Michelin Pilot Super Sport (2010) | Pirelli P Zero PZ4 |
| Replaced by | Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 | - |
| Awards | Winner: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) | Winner: Supersports Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2025) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Sport 4 S was the dearer tire in 2 of the 2 tests that listed prices, by 21.6% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Previous generation: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (9 shared tests)
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Michelin's Pilot Sport 4 S has long been the reference “do-it-all” max-performance summer tire: premium pricing, high refinement, and dependable grip across a wide range of cars. Pirelli's new P Zero PZ5 is positioned directly against it, aiming to bring sharper performance-especially in outright grip and lap-time-style metrics-without giving up everyday usability.
Across four shared tests in multiple sizes (225/40 R18 through 255/35 R19), the story isn't a simple win/loss tally (they split overall wins 2-2). Instead, it's about where each tire consistently earns time and safety margins: the Pirelli tends to score more category “wins” in braking/handling metrics, while the Michelin repeatedly stands out for efficiency (rolling resistance) and road-going polish-plus it can look unbeatable in some aquaplaning scenarios depending on the axle and test method.
Conclusion
On pure performance criteria, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 comes out as the more “results-driven” tire in this head-to-head. It wins 3/3 dry braking comparisons and 3/3 wet handling comparisons in the provided data, and it took the overall win in the 2025 performance-tire group test (1/7) with strong blended wet results (e.g., wet braking 22.48 m vs 23.08 m for the Michelin; wet handling 101.91 s vs 104.77 s). In Autobild's 255/35 R19 test it also delivered a big wet-circuit advantage (wet handling 76.5 km/h vs 71.2 km/h; wet circle 12.7 s vs 14.3 s), helping it place 3/8 vs Michelin's 5/8.
Michelin's Pilot Sport 4 S still makes a very strong case if your priorities extend beyond the stopwatch. It repeatedly leads rolling resistance (e.g., 8.5 vs 9.73 kg/t in Autobild; 8.3 vs 9.1 kg/t in EVO), and professional comments consistently highlight its steering linearity, comfort and “road route” excellence (EVO ranked it best on the road). It also posts standout straight-line aquaplaning in some tests (e.g., 75.13 vs 71.45 km/h in EVO; 90.2 km/h front-axle in Autobild), though Autobild also noted a pronounced front-to-rear aquaplaning imbalance that can matter on powerful rear-driven cars in deep water.
Practical takeaway: choose the PZ5 if you want the more aggressive, grip-led max-performance option and your driving leans sporty (or you simply want the newer tire that often tops objective grip metrics). Choose the PS4S if you value refinement, efficiency and predictable road manners-and especially if price is competitive in your market, because at least one test flagged the Michelin's cost (~1020€ per set) as hard to justify against newer rivals.
Pilot Sport 4 S vs P Zero PZ5: your questions
Is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S or the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 the better tire?
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 have met in 4 independent tests and the record is level at 2-2. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Pilot Sport 4 S scores 9.4 and the P Zero PZ5 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Pilot Sport 4 S or the P Zero PZ5?
The P Zero PZ5 led 10 of the 14 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it lapped the wet handling course 1.5% faster across 2 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The P Zero PZ5 led 6 of the 9 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 0.9% shorter in the dry across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Sport 4 S had 7.9% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 8/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 S and 8.8/10 for the P Zero PZ5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The P Zero PZ5 was 0.7 dB quieter (2 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.4/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 S and 8.7/10 for the P Zero PZ5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179 reviews and the P Zero PZ5 94% from 20. 80% of Pilot Sport 4 S owners would buy it again, against 100% for the P Zero PZ5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 2 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Sport 4 S was the dearer tire in 2 of them, by 21.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
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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.
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