Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S are Max Performance Summer tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.

Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.

In This Article
Introduction Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion
Potenza-Sport VS Pilot-Sport-4-S

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 seven tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these seven tests:

  • Bridgestone Potenza Sport finished ahead of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S in one of the tests
  • Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S finished ahead of the Bridgestone Potenza Sport in six of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is better than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport 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.

Lets look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S stopped the vehicle in 1.21% less distance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
34.84M
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
34.42M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tire Test
265/35 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 35.1M Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 35.5M
2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test
275/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 33.1M Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.3M
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 34.7M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.5M
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 33.4M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.18M
2022 Tire Reviews UUHP Summer Tire Test
255/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 35.4M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.73M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 35.2M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.9M
2024 Sports Car Tire Test
295/30 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 37M Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 37.8M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.14% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
73.36s
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
73.46s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 94.34s Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 94.42s
2022 Tire Reviews UUHP Summer Tire Test
255/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 52.37s Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 52.5s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 0.38% faster around a lap than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
111.2Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
111.62Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tire Test
265/35 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 98.2Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 100Km/H
2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test
275/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 129.3Km/H Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 129.2Km/H
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 119.7Km/H Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 118.4Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 101.1Km/H Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 100.6Km/H
2024 Sports Car Tire Test
295/30 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 107.7Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 109.9Km/H

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during zero subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 0% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
10 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
10 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test
275/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 10 Points Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 10 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 0.29% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
41.2M
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
41.32M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tire Test
265/35 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 41.1M Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 43.3M
2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test
275/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 34.3M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 34.1M
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 48.8M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 45.5M
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 34.79M Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 35.52M
2022 Tire Reviews UUHP Summer Tire Test
255/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 53.41M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 52.91M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 25.4M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 24.5M
2024 Sports Car Tire Test
295/30 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 50.6M Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 53.4M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 2.07% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
76.55s
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
78.17s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 64.53s Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 65.23s
2022 Tire Reviews UUHP Summer Tire Test
255/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 88.57s Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 91.11s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 3.37% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
79.58Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
76.9Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tire Test
265/35 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 85.5Km/H Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 79.6Km/H
2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test
275/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 72Km/H Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 69.7Km/H
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 73.9Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 74Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 88.7Km/H Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 84.6Km/H
2024 Sports Car Tire Test
295/30 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 77.8Km/H Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 76.6Km/H

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport scored 22.22% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
7 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test
275/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9 Points Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 7 Points

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 2.24% faster around a wet circle than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
10.89s
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
11.14s
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2024 Sports Car Tire Test
295/30 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 10.89s Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 11.14s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S floated at a 0.69% higher speed than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
81.87Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
82.44Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tire Test
265/35 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 74.6Km/H Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 72.7Km/H
2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test
275/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 88.1Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 89.2Km/H
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 74Km/H Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 73.6Km/H
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 73.4Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 78.5Km/H
2022 Tire Reviews UUHP Summer Tire Test
255/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 86.87Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 88.1Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 79.3Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 80.6Km/H
2024 Sports Car Tire Test
295/30 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 96.8Km/H Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 94.4Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S slipped out at a 1.86% higher speed than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
2.64m/sec2
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
2.69m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 2.72m/sec2 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 2.34m/sec2
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 1.93m/sec2 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 2.18m/sec2
2022 Tire Reviews UUHP Summer Tire Test
255/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 2.51m/sec2 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 2.59m/sec2
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 3.38m/sec2 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 3.63m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 15.79% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
8 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
9.5 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2022 Tire Reviews UUHP Summer Tire Test
255/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 8 Points ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 9.5 Points

Noise

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during five noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S measured 1.26% quieter than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
73.03dB
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
72.11dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tire Test
265/35 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 72.9dB ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 72dB
2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test
275/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 73.1dB ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 72dB
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 73.7dB ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 72.3dB
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 71.7dB Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 72.2dB
2022 Tire Reviews UUHP Summer Tire Test
255/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 74.4dB ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 73dB
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 71.6dB Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 72.1dB
2024 Sports Car Tire Test
295/30 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 73.8dB ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 71.2dB

Price

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four price tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport cost 10.12% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
428.84
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
477.1
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Bridgestone Potenza Sport

2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tire Test
265/35 R20		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 1055 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 1130
2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test
275/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 267 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 259
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 630 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 720
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 78.2 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 95.5
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 114 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 181

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during six rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S had a 5.86% lower rolling resistance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.

Bridgestone Potenza Sport
9.56kg / t
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
9kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tire Test
265/35 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.15kg / t ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 8.88kg / t
2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tire Test
275/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.7kg / t ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 8.8kg / t
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tire Test
235/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.57kg / t ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 8.87kg / t
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 9.47kg / t Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 9.67kg / t
2022 Tire Reviews UUHP Summer Tire Test
255/35 R19		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 10.29kg / t ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 9.04kg / t
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 10.2kg / t ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 9.6kg / t
2024 Sports Car Tire Test
295/30 R20		 Bridgestone Potenza Sport: 8.53kg / t ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 8.11kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

In total the Bridgestone Potenza Sport has been reviewed 89 times and drivers have given the tire 83% overall.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S has been reviewed 132 times and drivers have given the tire 86% overall.

This means drivers in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Best Review for the Bridgestone Potenza Sport
Given 81% 225/45 R17 on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles
I have had these on the rear of my XFR for a few months now, it has the optional "R-S" size of 295/30/20. They get a hard life on a heavy >500bhp RWD car with quite relaxed electronics, and these are by far the best tires I have used on the rear of an XFR - various models of which have been my daily driver for 6.5 years now (about 90k miles covered in that time). Traction is superb in wet and dry conditions, and resistance to aquaplaning has been good as well. It is slightly concerning they come with
Helpful 1003 - tire reviewed on November 22, 2021
View all Bridgestone Potenza Sport driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Given 100% 275/35 R19 on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles
Replaced the Pilot Super Sports on my F80 M3 and it's better in every way. The wet grip is insane, it's like you're driving in the dry. Best tire on the market.
Helpful 537 - tire reviewed on March 9, 2017
View all Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better in dry handling [s], wet braking, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], subj. wet handling, wet circle and price tests, whereas the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better in dry braking, dry handling [km/h], subj. dry handling, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, subj. comfort, noise and rolling resistance tests.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire, but comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S seems to be the best tire overall.

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

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 Bridgestone Potenza Sport and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 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.