Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Expect clear separation in braking and handling-especially in the wet-where the Michelin builds decisive margins, alongside superior tread life and cost-per-km. The Dunlop counters with class-leading aquaplaning reserves, slightly lower noise, occasionally better rolling resistance, and a lower purchase price, making it a savvy option for rain-prone routes and budget-sensitive buyers.
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 eight tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | eight |
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is better than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 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 aquaplaning reserves (notably strong in curved aquaplaning)
- Lower pass-by noise in multiple tests
- Competitive rolling resistance in some sizes (fuel-saving potential)
- Lower purchase price versus premium peers
- Consistently shortest dry and wet braking distances
- Precise steering and stable handling on both wet and dry
- Outstanding tread life (≈30-35% higher mileage)
- Strong overall value per km despite higher upfront price
Dry Braking
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during eight dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 3.51% less distance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.61% faster around a lap than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 33% more points than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from eight tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during eight wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 6.75% less distance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
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 7.35% less distance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
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 four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.52% faster around a wet lap than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 8.75% more points than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.27% faster around a wet circle than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 floated at a 0.32% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Straight Aqua: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 slipped out at a 4.01% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 scored 5.38% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during five noise tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 measured 1.06% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is predicted to cover 25.08% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four value tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 proved to have a 6.82% better value based on price/1000km than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Value: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during one price tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 cost 17.27% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Price: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 had a 3.82% lower rolling resistance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 performed equally well in fuel consumption tests.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Both tires performed equally well
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 lost 18.3% less particle wear matter than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 Driver Reviews
Most drivers find the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 confidence-inspiring with strong wet and dry grip, low noise, and good comfort, often noting solid aquaplaning resistance and decent wear for the category. However, many report soft sidewalls leading to vague or wobbly handling and reduced precision, and a minority cite rapid performance drop-off as they wear or isolated build issues. Overall sentiment skews positive given the large number of high-scoring reviews.
Based on 92 reviews with an average rating of 77%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Driver Reviews
Across 89 reviews, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is widely described as an excellent all-round UHP summer tire with standout wet performance, strong dry grip, and high driver confidence at speed. Many drivers also praise its comfort/refinement and generally low road noise versus rival sporty tires, with a large portion reporting very good tread life for the category. The most repeated drawback is a less engaging steering feel (softer sidewalls, mild understeer, and reduced feedback) compared with sharper alternatives like Pilot Sport 4S/Continental SportContact 7, while price is a smaller but recurring complaint.
Based on 101 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Conclusion
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 holds meaningful advantages in aquaplaning (straight and curved), tends to run quieter, and can edge Michelin on rolling resistance in some sizes. If your priority is high-speed rain security on standing water, low cabin noise, and a lower initial outlay, the RT2 fits well. For most drivers, however-especially those focused on shortest stopping distances, precise steering, all-round balance, and long life-the PS5 is the safer, more economical long-term choice. The practical takeaway: buy the PS5 for peak grip and longevity; choose the RT2 if aquaplaning headroom and price trump ultimate braking and steering precision.
Key Differences
- Braking performance: PS5 stops 4-12% shorter in dry and wet across tests
- Handling precision: PS5 faster in dry/wet handling and circles
- Aquaplaning: RT2 leads in straight and curved aquaplaning resistance
- Wear: PS5 delivers ~30-35% longer mileage (e.g., 56k vs 41k km)
- Noise: RT2 marginally quieter in several tests
- Value metric: PS5 often better cost/1,000 km despite higher price; RT2 cheaper to buy
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:
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tire.
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 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.