Continental Premium Contact 6 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4
The data shows a clear trend. The Pilot Sport 4 dominates overall wins (15 vs 5) and repeatedly leads in wet and dry braking, wet handling, aquaplaning, and noise. The PremiumContact 6 counters with strong dry handling pace in some sizes, competitive rolling resistance, excellent wear in certain tests, and notably better pricing/value. Buyers choosing between them are essentially picking between all-weather confidence and sportier steering precision (Michelin) versus quieter touring manners and ownership value (Continental).
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 twenty-one tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental Premium Contact 6 | five | |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | fifteen | |
| one draws in one tests | ||
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is better than the Continental Premium Contact 6 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
- Excellent value: frequently lower purchase price and strong price-to-performance
- Low rolling resistance and standout wear in multiple tests (efficient long-term running)
- Competitive dry handling pace with precise steering in some sizes
- Comfort-oriented refinement in many road assessments
- Consistently short braking in dry and wet across most tests
- High wet grip and stability with strong aquaplaning resistance
- Direct, precise steering and balanced dynamics
- Lower external noise versus rivals in many results
Dry Braking
Looking at data from seventeen tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during thirteen dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 stopped the vehicle in 1.8% less distance than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during four dry handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was 0.52% faster around a lap than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during three dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was 0.23% faster around a lap than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scored 4.26% more points than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from seventeen tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during thirteen wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 stopped the vehicle in 1.51% less distance than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during six wet handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was 1.61% faster around a wet lap than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during five wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was 0.66% faster around a wet lap than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during six subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scored 8.16% more points than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was 2.43% faster around a wet circle than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from thirteen tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during ten straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 floated at a 3.27% higher speed than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 slipped out at a 8.18% higher speed than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during three subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scored 6.31% more points than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from eleven tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was better during ten noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 measured 1.9% quieter than the Continental Premium Contact 6.
Best In Noise: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental Premium Contact 6 was better during two wear tests. On average the Continental Premium Contact 6 is predicted to cover 9.11% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
Best In Wear: Continental Premium Contact 6
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental Premium Contact 6 was better during two value tests. On average the Continental Premium Contact 6 proved to have a 28.96% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
Best In Value: Continental Premium Contact 6
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Continental Premium Contact 6 was better during seven price tests. On average the Continental Premium Contact 6 cost 10.18% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
Best In Price: Continental Premium Contact 6
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from twelve tire tests, the Continental Premium Contact 6 was better during six rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental Premium Contact 6 had a 1.74% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental Premium Contact 6
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Continental Premium Contact 6 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Continental Premium Contact 6 for outstanding dry and wet grip, strong braking, and confident, stable handling that inspires trust at speed. Many highlight precise road feedback and enjoyable, sporty dynamics for everyday and spirited driving. The most frequent drawbacks are higher road noise, a firmer ride, and faster-than-hoped wear, with several noting reduced wet performance/aquaplaning resistance as tread wears and slightly soft sidewalls affecting initial turn-in. Overall sentiment is strongly positive given the high share of top scores.
Based on 128 reviews with an average rating of 81%
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Driver Reviews
Drivers largely praise the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 for outstanding wet and dry grip, confident braking, and predictable handling, often noting excellent aquaplaning resistance and strong all-round road manners for daily driving. Many also find the PS4 comfortable (especially versus runflats) while still providing high stability and confidence at speed. A noticeable minority report a softer sidewall feel with reduced steering feedback, faster wear under aggressive/track use, and wet performance dropping off as the tread and temperatures fall. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with many users replacing the PS4 with another set or moving to the PS5.
Based on 338 reviews with an average rating of 82%
I have today (11/01/16) received some of the first available Pilot Sport 4's in the UK. They are to replace my worn out Goodyear Eagle ASY 2's on the rear of my GAD Tuned C250 Cdi.
I will review again in a few weeks when I have had chance to thoroughly try the tire out, however my initial observations are as follows:
Aesthetic appeal: They look good and sit well on the rims, a pleasant development over the PS3, both in tread pattern and sidewall appearance, without being 'over the top'.
Cost: For... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
The Continental PremiumContact 6 is a strong alternative if you value cost of ownership and comfort. It often matches or beats Michelin on dry handling laps in some sizes, shows lower rolling resistance, excellent wear in key tests (e.g., +35% vs PS4 in Auto Bild 2020), and usually costs less. However, its weaker wet braking/aquaplaning performance and higher noise in several tests make it less compelling for drivers prioritizing all-conditions confidence. In short: choose PS4 for dynamic safety and wet grip; choose PC6 for value, refinement, and efficiency without sacrificing too much performance.
Key Differences
- Overall results: PS4 leads decisively (15 wins vs 5, 1 draw)
- Braking: PS4 typically stops shorter in both dry and wet (e.g., +9% wet braking in 2022 AutoBild Sports Cars)
- Wet handling and aquaplaning: PS4 usually ahead; PC6 shows occasional aquaplaning weakness
- Noise: PS4 often quieter; PC6 frequently measures louder
- Efficiency and wear: PC6 tends to lower rolling resistance and often better tread life
- Price/value: PC6 commonly cheaper and wins value metrics despite PS4's performance edge
Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 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 4 Top Comparisons
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.