Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Nokian Powerproof 1
Across three independent 2025 tests, the Michelin consistently finishes at or near the top (1/21, 3/18, 2/52), while the Nokian sits mid-pack to lower (17/21, 14/18, 13/52). The biggest gaps appear in wet and wear performance, where Michelin delivers shorter stopping distances and far higher mileage, while Nokian's strongest cards are quieter operation and slightly lower rolling resistance/fuel use.
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 three tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | three |
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is better than the Nokian Powerproof 1 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 (+4-9% shorter in tests)
- Stable, precise handling with strong curved aquaplaning resistance
- Excellent tread life and low abrasion (often best-in-test mileage)
- Strong overall cost per km despite higher purchase price
- Low exterior noise (≈72-73 dB) for quieter cruising
- Slight efficiency edge: lower rolling resistance and fuel use
- Good straight-line aquaplaning reserves
- Lower upfront price point vs. premium rivals
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 4.55% less distance than the Nokian Powerproof 1.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 2.82% faster around a lap than the Nokian Powerproof 1.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 8.5% less distance than the Nokian Powerproof 1.
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 9.49% less distance than the Nokian Powerproof 1.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 2.05% faster around a wet lap than the Nokian Powerproof 1.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.07% faster around a wet circle than the Nokian Powerproof 1.
Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 floated at a 0.5% higher speed than the Nokian Powerproof 1.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 slipped out at a 3.51% higher speed than the Nokian Powerproof 1.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 14% more points than the Nokian Powerproof 1.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Powerproof 1 was better during two noise tests. On average the Nokian Powerproof 1 measured 1.56% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Nokian Powerproof 1
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is predicted to cover 31.55% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Nokian Powerproof 1.
Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Nokian Powerproof 1 was better during one value tests. On average the Nokian Powerproof 1 proved to have a 1.99% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Value: Nokian Powerproof 1
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Powerproof 1 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Nokian Powerproof 1 had a 0.11% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Nokian Powerproof 1
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Nokian Powerproof 1 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Nokian Powerproof 1 used 1.79% less fuel than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Nokian Powerproof 1
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 emitted 17.13% less particle wear matter than the Nokian Powerproof 1.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Nokian Powerproof 1.
In total the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has been reviewed 101 times and drivers have given the tire 85% overall.
The Nokian Powerproof 1 has been reviewed 2 times and drivers have given the tire 88% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Nokian Powerproof 1.
Conclusion
The Nokian Powerproof 1 makes its case with lower cabin noise, marginally better rolling resistance and fuel use, and competitive straight-line aquaplaning. However, its longer wet stops, understeer tendencies at the limit, and notably shorter wear life limit its appeal for spirited or all-weather summer driving. If you value dynamic performance, safety margins in the wet, and long-term value, choose the Michelin. If your priorities are comfort, quieter cruising, and a lower upfront price, the Nokian is the budget-friendlier pick.
Key Differences
- Wet safety: Michelin stops ~7-9% shorter and handles more predictably in the wet
- Dry braking: Michelin consistently shorter by ~4-6%
- Handling feel: Michelin offers better precision and stability; Nokian shows understeer at the limit
- Wear life: Michelin projects +33-64% higher mileage with lower abrasion
- Comfort/noise: Nokian is quieter; Michelin rides slightly firmer but more composed
- Efficiency/value lens: Nokian has lower fuel/rolling resistance and cheaper buy-in; Michelin wins long-term cost per km via longevity
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.
Nokian Powerproof 1 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.