Linglong Sport Master vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 75% · 14
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 135
In the 8 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead 7 times and the Sport Master once. The Sport Master stopped 2.2% shorter in the wet; the Pilot Sport 5 lasted 100.1% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 if you want the best all-round sporty summer tire: sharper steering, higher dry limits, better overall control, and vastly better wear and efficiency (better long-term value despite the higher price). Choose the Linglong Sport Master primarily if budget is tight and your priority is maximum wet braking performance per euro-and you can accept shorter tread life and less predictable handling at the limit.
Where the Sport Master is stronger
- Outstanding wet braking performance across tests (wins 7/8; as low as 25.2 m vs 27.7 m in a 245/45 R19 braking test)
- Lower purchase price and often strong upfront value positioning (e.g., cheaper price points in Auto Bild tests)
- Consistently lower measured pass-by noise than Michelin in shared results (wins noise in 5/5 reported comparisons)
Where the Pilot Sport 5 is stronger
- Superior dry handling speed and markedly better steering precision/subjective dynamics (wins dry handling 5/5; e.g., 112.9 vs 112 km/h and 10 vs 6 subjective points in Sport Auto)
- Stronger overall balance and higher confidence near the limit in most test narratives (more predictable, agile, stable)
- Much longer wear life (e.g., 59,670 vs 35,570 km; 52,170 vs 22,570 km; 55,600 vs 27,600 km)
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.
Sport Master vs Pilot Sport 5 at a glance
| Category | Sport Master | Gap | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won8 shared tests | 1 | 7 | |
| Dry15 measurements | 2 | The Pilot Sport 5 stopped 1% shorter in the dry (8 tests) | 13 |
| Wet29 measurements | 12 | The Pilot Sport 5 held 11.9% more grip in curved aquaplaning (5 tests) | 15 |
| Comfort8 measurements | 6 | The Sport Master was 1.6 dB quieter (5 tests) | 1 |
| Value9 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Sport 5 lasted 100.1% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 9 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.9/10 | The Pilot Sport 5 by 0.5 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating14 and 135 reviews | 75% | The Pilot Sport 5 by 10 points | 85% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 79% | The Pilot Sport 5 by 4 points | 83% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Sport 5 was dearer in 5 of 5 | +44.8% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 62 | 38 sizes made in both | 66 |
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 8 tests, 2023 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 | Sport Master | Field | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test | P6 of 7 | P5 of 7 | |
| 2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test | P16 of 20 | P3 of 20 | |
| 2026 Summer Braking Super Tire Test - How do 52 Tires Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? | P1 of 50 | P9 of 50 | |
| 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test | P11 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout | P5 of 52 | P2 of 52 | |
| 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test | P16 of 20 | P2 of 20 | |
| 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test | P12 of 13 | P3 of 13 | |
| 2023 Summer Tire Market Overview | P7 of 50 | P6 of 50 |
Performance profile
13 measurements from the 8 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Sport Master
Pilot Sport 5
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 85%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 2 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Sport Master
Pilot Sport 5
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
Sport Master
Not ahead in any category
Pilot Sport 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Sport Master 75% from 14 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. 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 | Sport Master | Gap | Pilot Sport 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | 1% | 112 | 2-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69.5 | 1.7% | 70.6 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 66.7% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 113 | 2.2% | 116 | 7-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 45.1 | 2.2% | 46.2 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 8.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 18.6 | 0.4% | 18.7 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.66 | 0.9% | 13.57 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 53.7 | 1.3% | 54.3 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9.4 | 11.9% | 10.4 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.3% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.74 | 1.6 dB | 72.36 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 17,759 | 100.1% | 34,681 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9.15 | 7.8% | 8.42 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2,022 | 33.1% | 1,353 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Sport Master scores 8.9 and the Pilot Sport 5 9.4 out of 10.
| Sport Master | Category | Pilot Sport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 | Dry | 93 | ||
| 94 | Wet | 96 | ||
| 70 | Comfort | 22 | ||
| 3 | Value | 59 | ||
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
| Sport Master | Category | Pilot Sport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.7 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.9 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 6.6 | Road Feedback | 8.1 | ||
| 7.4 | Handling | 8.3 | ||
| 7.1 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 8.1 | Comfort | 8.2 | ||
Owners rate the Sport Master 75% from 14 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Linglong Sport Master
- 75%from 14 reviews
- 79%would buy again
- 130,544 milesdriven by reviewers
Most owners find the Linglong Sport Master offers strong dry and wet grip for the money, with several calling its braking particularly impressive for a budget tire. Value for money is a clear highlight, though overall sentiment is mixed-to-positive (7/10 positive reviews). The most common criticisms are a lack of progressive behavior at the limit and vague steering feel (raised by around one in three and around one in five owners respectively), with some also reporting higher road noise. Tread life feedback is split, with as many owners criticising wear as praising durability.
- Strong dry grip
- Good wet grip for a budget tire
- Very good dry braking
- Excellent value for money
- Not progressive at the limit; can understeer when pushed
- Vague or slow steering response
- Can be noisy
Summarised by AI from 10 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 14 Sport Master reviewsI literally dont have anything to complain about. For the price, I don't think you can get more value for your money.
Good grip, never had a slip, not in dry nor wet circumstances.
I've had tires that cost 3x more money that dont feel nowhere near as premium.
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- 85%from 135 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 1,150,326 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 very highly overall, with most highlighting standout grip in both the dry and wet and plenty of confidence for fast road driving. Comfort and refinement are also frequently praised for a UHP tire, with many finding it quiet and easy-going day to day. Wear is more divisive: many report strong mileage, but around one in ten complain of quicker wear than expected (and a smaller group mention uneven wear). Around one in eight owners also wish for sharper, more precise steering feel compared with sportier rivals.
- Outstanding wet grip and confidence in the rain
- Very strong dry grip with big reserves
- Comfortable, compliant ride for a performance tire
- Refined, relatively quiet motorway manners (especially when new)
- Steering feel can be a bit vague or slower to respond than rivals
- Can wear quicker than expected for some drivers
- Not happy when pushed hard on track; can overheat and lose grip
Summarised by AI from 121 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 135 Pilot Sport 5 reviewsI have driven on PS5 for the first season in my 150HP car (Cupra Leon ST).
The grip both in dry and in the wet is excellent - I tried to push them to the limit many times and have never been able to lose the grip so far.
Although I have to mention that they feel very soft close at the limit - even though the grip always delivers in the end, the tire often „floats” when turning that you may start wondering if the tire will make it out of the corner.
Due to their softness, I find them comfortable as for the summer tire on small bumps.
Summing up - the grip is excellent, very safe and stable, breaking is sharp and… the tire itself looks amazing.
Something worth mentioning is that the rim protector doesn’t exist in this tire - if that’s something you care about, the PS5 is not for you.
Although I can’t find any cons in terms of safety in PS5, as a tire geek, I think about replacing them for the next season for something with more sharp/sporty steering (I would appreciate any recommendations).
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 62 sizes of the Sport Master and 66 of the Pilot Sport 5, 38 of them made in both.
| Category | Sport Master | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 62 sizes, 16 to 22 inch | 66 sizes, 16 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 38 sizes 195/45 R16205/45 R16205/50 R16225/50 R16205/40 R17205/45 R17215/40 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17and 26 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A90%B4%C3%D3% | A89%B11% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C79%D13%B6%A3% | C82%B10%A9% |
| EU label noise | 68-72 dB A91%B9% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| On the market since | 2020 | 2022 |
| Replaced | - | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (2015) |
| Awards | - | Winner: Best Tires for Hot Hatches (Compact Sports Cars) (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Best Tires for Hot Hatches (DriverReviews, 2024/25) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Sport 5 was the dearer tire in 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 44.8% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
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.
This is a revealing head-to-head because the Linglong Sport Master and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 can both post eye-catching grip numbers, yet they're built for very different buyers. The Linglong is a budget high-performance summer tire that repeatedly shines in wet braking and often runs quieter, while the Michelin is a premium max-performance option designed to deliver high driver confidence, sharper steering and stronger all-round capability.
Across 8 shared professional tests, the pattern is consistent: Linglong can win specific “headline” metrics (especially wet braking), but Michelin wins the comparison overall far more often thanks to higher limits, better balance at and beyond the edge, and dramatically better wear/efficiency. If you want a tire that feels predictable and sporty every day-and still makes financial sense over its lifespan-these tests show why the PS5 is usually rated near the top of the field while the Linglong tends to land in the lower half despite a few standout results.
Conclusion
On pure stopping power in the wet, the Linglong Sport Master is the surprise: it wins wet braking in 7 of the shared tests and even led a large braking-only shootout (25.2 m vs 27.7 m for the PS5 in 245/45 R19). It's also consistently quieter in measured pass-by noise (often ~1.5-2.5 dB lower) and undercuts Michelin heavily on purchase price. If your driving is mostly urban/suburban with a strong emphasis on wet emergency stopping and low upfront cost, the Linglong's best results are genuinely impressive.
But the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is the better tire in the way that matters most for everyday enthusiastic driving: controllable, repeatable performance. Michelin dominates dry handling and subjective steering/feel (e.g., Sport Auto subjective dry: 10 vs 6 points), generally brakes shorter in the dry, and-crucially-lasts roughly about twice as long in the major wear tests (e.g., 59,670 km vs 35,570 km and 52,170 km vs 22,570 km). It also tends to roll more efficiently (lower rolling resistance in every shared test where reported), which helps running costs. The practical takeaway is simple: Linglong can deliver “one great number,” but Michelin delivers the broader safety margin, consistency and total-life value that most drivers will appreciate long after the initial purchase.
Sport Master vs Pilot Sport 5: your questions
Is the Linglong Sport Master or the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 the better tire?
In the 8 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead 7 times and the Sport Master once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Sport Master scores 8.9 and the Pilot Sport 5 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Sport Master or the Pilot Sport 5?
The Pilot Sport 5 led 15 of the 29 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 11.9% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Sport 5 led 13 of the 15 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1% shorter in the dry across 8 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Sport 5 lasted 100.1% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and had 7.8% lower rolling resistance (5 tests). Owners rate wear 7.1/10 for the Sport Master and 8/10 for the Pilot Sport 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Sport Master was 1.6 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.1/10 for the Sport Master and 8.2/10 for the Pilot Sport 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Sport Master 75% from 14 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. 79% of Sport Master owners would buy it again, against 83% for the Pilot Sport 5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Sport 5 was the dearer tire in 5 of them, by 44.8% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Sport Master is made in 62 sizes (16 to 22 inch) and the Pilot Sport 5 in 66 (16 to 22 inch). 38 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Sport Master is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Sport 5 A and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Pilot Sport 5 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2022, the Sport Master in 2020. The Pilot Sport 5 replaced the Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
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Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
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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