Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
Expect clear performance separation in braking and wet safety where the Michelin repeatedly posts shorter stops and faster laps, plus a notable edge in wear life. The Nexen counters with lower noise, competitive rolling resistance and a friendlier price-per-tire, creating a classic premium vs. value trade-off.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been eight tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | seven | |
| Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 | one |
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is better than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Key Strengths
- Class-leading wet and dry braking (up to ~10% shorter wet stops across tests)
- Precise handling with strong aquaplaning resistance and stability
- Excellent tread life (often 30-60% higher mileage)
- Balanced efficiency with competitive rolling resistance and strong overall cost-per-km
- Lower purchase price and strong value ratings in some tests
- Low external noise and good ride comfort
- Competitive rolling resistance aiding fuel economy
- Solid dry performance with acceptable wet safety for the price
Dry Braking
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during six dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 1.9% less distance than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 0.89% faster around a lap than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 2.93% faster around a lap than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 33% more points than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during six wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 5.29% less distance than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 8.31% less distance than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.88% faster around a wet lap than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.87% faster around a wet lap than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 8.75% more points than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.71% faster around a wet circle than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 floated at a 0.25% higher speed than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 slipped out at a 9.28% higher speed than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 was better during five noise tests. On average the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 measured 3.59% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is predicted to cover 28.21% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 was better during three value tests. On average the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 proved to have a 9.96% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Value: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 was better during two price tests. On average the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 cost 35.86% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Price: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 had a 2.23% lower rolling resistance than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 performed equally well in fuel consumption tests.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Both tires performed equally well
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 lost 21.29% less particle wear matter than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Driver Reviews
Across 89 reviews, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is widely described as an excellent all-round UHP summer tire with standout wet performance, strong dry grip, and high driver confidence at speed. Many drivers also praise its comfort/refinement and generally low road noise versus rival sporty tires, with a large portion reporting very good tread life for the category. The most repeated drawback is a less engaging steering feel (softer sidewalls, mild understeer, and reduced feedback) compared with sharper alternatives like Pilot Sport 4S/Continental SportContact 7, while price is a smaller but recurring complaint.
Based on 101 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 Driver Reviews
For the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2, most high-scoring reviews praise strong dry and wet grip, predictable handling, acceptable comfort for some, and excellent value. However, a significant portion of mid/low-scoring reviews report fast shoulder wear, durability/quality issues, and higher noise/harshness, especially over time. Overall sentiment is mixed but leans slightly positive due to several very high-rated performance-focused reviews, while longevity and refinement remain common concerns.
Based on 17 reviews with an average rating of 70%
Conclusion
Nexen's N Fera Sport SU2 delivers respectable capability for its class with low noise, agreeable efficiency, and a substantially lower purchase price. It's a sensible pick for budget-conscious drivers who value comfort and acceptable performance over ultimate pace. But for spirited driving, frequent rain, or those keeping tires for many seasons, the Michelin's superior performance envelope and tread life justify the premium.
Key Differences
- Wet braking: Michelin consistently shorter (e.g., 27.7m vs 30.9m; 43.2m vs 48.3m)
- Dry braking: Michelin ahead in every test (e.g., 33.5m vs 35.0m)
- Handling: Michelin faster on dry and wet circuits; clearer steering precision
- Aquaplaning: Michelin generally stronger, especially curved (notably higher m/s²)
- Wear life: Michelin substantially better (e.g., ~52-56k km vs ~35-44k km)
- Comfort/noise: Nexen quieter; Michelin slightly louder but still comfortable
Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.