Continental SportContact 7 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
- TR Score
- 9.7/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 134
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 179
In the 12 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental SportContact 7 finished ahead 9 times and the Pilot Sport 4 S twice, with one level. The SportContact 7 stopped 5% shorter in the wet; the Pilot Sport 4 S had 2% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental SportContact 7 if you want the most consistent outright performance and the biggest safety margins-particularly in wet braking and wet handling-and you occasionally drive hard or do track-style runs. Choose the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S if your priority is a premium fast-road feel with strong consistency, better efficiency (rolling resistance), and generally higher refinement/comfort-especially if you're matching an OE-style setup and can justify the typically higher purchase price.
Where the SportContact 7 is stronger
- Consistently shorter braking distances, especially in the wet (e.g., 42.4 m vs 47.3 m in Autobild 2026; 21.91 m vs 24.64 m in AutoView 2025)
- Wet handling benchmark in many tests (e.g., Autobild 2026: 78.9 km/h vs 71.2 km/h), translating to clearer safety and control margins on soaked roads
- Very strong overall dynamic performance with sharp steering response and high dry grip; often at or near the top for dry handling too
Where the Pilot Sport 4 S is stronger
- More refined, comfort-oriented road behavior in multiple reports (often higher comfort/road-route impressions and very consistent lap-to-lap behavior in OE contexts)
- Lower rolling resistance in most shared datasets (category wins 8-2), benefiting efficiency and longer-distance use
- Strong dry handling capability with excellent balance and linear steering feel; frequently trades tenths with the Continental on dry lap metrics
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.
SportContact 7 vs Pilot Sport 4 S at a glance
| Category | SportContact 7 | Gap | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won12 shared tests | 9 | 1 level | 2 |
| Dry27 measurements | 18 | The SportContact 7 stopped 3% shorter in the dry (11 tests) | 8 |
| Wet46 measurements | 32 | The SportContact 7 stopped 5% shorter in the wet (11 tests) | 14 |
| Comfort15 measurements | 5 | 7 | |
| Value10 measurements | 2 | The Pilot Sport 4 S had 2% lower rolling resistance (10 tests) | 8 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.7/10 | The SportContact 7 by 0.3 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating134 and 179 reviews | 84% | Too close to call | 85% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 80% | Too close to call | 80% |
| Pricein the 6 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Sport 4 S was dearer in 6 of 6 | +20% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 123 | 79 sizes made in both | 105 |
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 12 tests, 2022 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 | SportContact 7 | Field | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Autobild Sports Cars Summer Tire Test | P1 of 8 | P5 of 8 | |
| 2026 ACE Summer Tire Test | P2 of 10 | P1 of 10 | |
| 2025 EVO Summer Tire Test | P3 of 9 | P5 of 9 | |
| 2025 AutoView Sports Tire Test | P2 of 5 | P1 of 5 | |
| 2025 Autobild Sports Cars UUHP Tire Test | P1 of 7 | P2 of 7 | |
| Best Performance Tires For 2025 | P2 of 7 | P2 of 7 | |
| 2025 Sports Cars Tire Test | P1 of 8 | P4 of 8 | |
| 2025 Sport Auto UUHP Tire Test | P1 of 4 | P2 of 4 | |
| 2024 EVO Summer Tire Test | P1 of 7 | P2 of 7 | |
| 2024 Sports Car Tire Test | P1 of 7 | P2 of 7 | |
| 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tire Test | P1 of 11 | P3 of 11 | |
| 2022 Tire Reviews UUHP Summer Tire Test | P1 of 10 | P2 of 10 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 12 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
SportContact 7
Pilot Sport 4 S
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. 3 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
SportContact 7
Pilot Sport 4 S
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
SportContact 7
Pilot Sport 4 S
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the SportContact 7 84% from 134 reviews and the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179. 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 | SportContact 7 | Gap | Pilot Sport 4 S | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | 3% | 113 | 10-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 77.82 | 0.4% | 78.09 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 68.6 | 0.2% | 68.5 | 3-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4% | scored | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 10.7% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 115 | 5% | 122 | 9-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 83.42 | 2.5% | 85.77 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 50.6 | 4.4% | 48.5 | 6-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.2% | scored | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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| 19.2 | 1.4% | 18.9 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.4 | 5.5% | 12.14 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 52.2 | 0.7% | 51.8 | 5-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 40.2 | 0.8% | 40 | 4-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.5% | scored | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 2.1% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.31 | 0.4 dB | 71.9 | 3-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.79 | 2% | 8.61 | 2-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 SportContact 7 scores 9.7 and the Pilot Sport 4 S 9.4 out of 10.
| SportContact 7 | Category | Pilot Sport 4 S | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | Dry | 97 | ||
| 98 | Wet | 89 | ||
| 29 | Comfort | 44 | ||
| 39 | Value | 32 | ||
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
| SportContact 7 | Category | Pilot Sport 4 S | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | Dry Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 9.1 | Wet Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 8.7 | Road Feedback | 8.4 | ||
| 9 | Handling | 8.6 | ||
| 6.7 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 7.7 | Comfort | 8.4 | ||
Owners rate the SportContact 7 84% from 134 reviews and the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental SportContact 7
- 84%from 134 reviews
- 80%would buy again
- 1,308,502 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Continental SportContact 7 very highly overall (average 83%), with the strongest agreement around outstanding dry and wet grip, backed up by confident handling and strong steering response. Comfort and noise are often described as better than expected for a UHP summer tire, though experiences vary by car and set-up. The main recurring drawback is wear: around a third of owners who mention tread life report rapid wear, meaning running costs can be high if you drive hard or run a heavier, high-torque car.
- Exceptional dry grip and traction
- Very strong wet grip and confidence in rain
- Sharp, secure dry handling
- Good steering feel and feedback
- Rapid tread wear and short life for many drivers
- Ride can feel harsh or uncomfortable on some set-ups
- Road noise can be intrusive on rough surfaces
Summarised by AI from 117 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 134 SportContact 7 reviewsIn comparison with non sport tires like the Continental PremiumContact 6 the grip in dry conditions is outstanding and better like other tires I have driven (e.g. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymetric). The Wet-Grip is surprisingly good and did not fade with lower tread depth (yet). No disturbing noise while driving.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
- 85%from 179 reviews
- 80%would buy again
- 2,104,714 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners broadly agree the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S delivers standout dry and wet grip, with over half mentioning strong dry traction and nearly half praising its wet confidence. Comfort is also a common plus for a max-performance tire, though noise is more mixed, with a noticeable minority finding it loud. Longevity gets a more divided reception: many report solid tread life, but around one in eight complain about faster wear or uneven wear, and a smaller group say performance drops off as it wears. A further recurring criticism is a soft sidewall feel, with around one in ten owners reporting less support or precision than expected.
- Excellent dry grip and traction
- Very strong wet grip and confidence in the rain
- Comfortable ride for a performance tire
- Stable, confidence-inspiring dry handling
- Noticeable road noise at certain speeds or on coarse surfaces
- Soft sidewalls can feel less supportive or precise
- Tread life can be shorter than expected for some drivers
Summarised by AI from 154 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 179 Pilot Sport 4 S reviewsThe wet and dry grip has been exceptional with low road noise and moderate harshness. Handling precision and responsiveness have been good, not exceptional. The tires have held inflation pressure very well with minimal leakage. This is my second set and unless Michelin comes out with a better max performance summer tire, I'll buy them again.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 123 sizes of the SportContact 7 and 105 of the Pilot Sport 4 S, 79 of them made in both.
| Category | SportContact 7 | Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 123 sizes, 18 to 24 inch | 105 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 79 sizes 215/40 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18235/40 R18245/40 R18245/45 R18265/40 R18285/30 R18225/35 R19225/40 R19235/35 R19and 67 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A85%B15% | A84%B11%C2%D2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C61%D16%A14%B9% | C55%D45% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B98%A2% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| On the market since | - | 2016 |
| Replaced | Continental Sport Contact 6 (2015) | Michelin Pilot Super Sport (2010) |
| Replaced by | - | Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 |
| Awards | Highly Recommended: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Highly Recommended: Best Tires for Hot Hatches (Compact Sports Cars) (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Commended: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Highly Recommended: Best Tires for Hot Hatches (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Best Tires for Large Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Supersports Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2024) Winner: Supersports Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2023) Winner: Supersports Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2022) Winner: Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2022) | Winner: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Best Tires for High Performance Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Sport 4 S was the dearer tire in 6 of the 6 tests that listed prices, by 20% 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.
Continental's SportContact 7 and Michelin's Pilot Sport 4 S sit right at the sharp end of the max-performance summer segment, but they achieve speed in noticeably different ways. Across 12 shared professional tests in multiple sizes (18-20"), the data shows a consistent split: the Continental is typically the outright “grip and stop” weapon, while the Michelin leans toward polished road manners, efficiency and a very OEM-like calibration.
The headline is that SportContact 7 converts its sporty intent into measurable safety margins-especially in wet braking and wet handling-whereas Pilot Sport 4 S more often shines with steering linearity, comfort/refinement, and lower rolling resistance. Depending on whether your priority is maximum braking/track-style performance or a premium fast-road all-rounder, the “best” choice can flip even when both tires are excellent.
Conclusion
Looking across the shared results, the Continental SportContact 7 is the more frequent outright winner (9 wins vs 2, with 1 draw) and it earns that advantage with repeatable, objective performance: it dominates dry braking (10 wins vs 1) and is especially strong in wet safety (wet braking wins 9-2; wet handling wins 8-2). The size-to-size story is also persuasive: in tests like Autobild 2026 (255/35 R19) the Continental's wet performance gap is decisive (wet braking 42.4 m vs 47.3 m; wet handling 78.9 km/h vs 71.2 km/h), and it commonly pairs that with class-leading dry stopping distances.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S remains a top-tier tire, but its wins come from a different place: it often feels exceptionally “sorted” on the road (notably strong subjective road scores and comfort in several reports), it frequently posts lower rolling resistance (8 category wins vs 2), and it can be extremely consistent and confidence-inspiring-especially in OE-tuned applications (e.g., AutoView's BMW M3 context). The practical takeaway: if you value maximum grip and braking margins-particularly in the wet-the SportContact 7 is the more compelling choice. If your priority is refined fast-road driving, efficiency, and a premium OEM-style balance (and you can justify the price), the Pilot Sport 4 S still makes a strong case.
SportContact 7 vs Pilot Sport 4 S: your questions
Is the Continental SportContact 7 or the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S the better tire?
In the 12 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental SportContact 7 finished ahead 9 times and the Pilot Sport 4 S twice, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportContact 7 scores 9.7 and the Pilot Sport 4 S 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the SportContact 7 or the Pilot Sport 4 S?
The SportContact 7 led 32 of the 46 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5% shorter in the wet across 11 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The SportContact 7 led 18 of the 27 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3% shorter in the dry across 11 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Sport 4 S had 2% lower rolling resistance (10 tests). Owners rate wear 6.7/10 for the SportContact 7 and 8/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 7.7/10 for the SportContact 7 and 8.4/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the SportContact 7 84% from 134 reviews and the Pilot Sport 4 S 85% from 179. 80% of SportContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 80% for the Pilot Sport 4 S.
Which is more expensive?
In the 6 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Sport 4 S was the dearer tire in 6 of them, by 20% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The SportContact 7 is made in 123 sizes (18 to 24 inch) and the Pilot Sport 4 S in 105 (17 to 22 inch). 79 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the SportContact 7 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Sport 4 S A and C.
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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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