Maxxis Victra Sport 5 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- TR Score
- 8.8/10
- Owners say
- 78% · 32
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 135
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead 7 times and the Victra Sport 5 not once. The Victra Sport 5 was 1.1 dB quieter; the Pilot Sport 5 lasted 74.3% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Michelin Pilot Sport 5 for wet-road safety, dynamic precision, efficiency and best long-term value; choose Maxxis Victra Sport 5 if upfront price, low cabin noise and comfort matter most for predominantly dry, everyday driving.
Where the Victra Sport 5 is stronger
- Very low pass-by noise and agreeable ride comfort
- Occasional wins in dry braking and straight-line aquaplaning
- Competitive mid-pack handling with good lateral support in some wet tests
Where the Pilot Sport 5 is stronger
- Consistently shorter wet braking and stronger wet handling
- Lower rolling resistance for better efficiency
- Excellent tread life and overall cost performance
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.
Victra Sport 5 vs Pilot Sport 5 at a glance
| Category | Victra Sport 5 | Gap | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 0 | 7 | |
| Dry12 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Sport 5 stopped 0.6% shorter in the dry (7 tests) | 8 |
| Wet24 measurements | 3 | The Pilot Sport 5 stopped 3.9% shorter in the wet (7 tests) | 18 |
| Comfort7 measurements | 6 | The Victra Sport 5 was 1.1 dB quieter (4 tests) | 1 |
| Value7 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Sport 5 lasted 74.3% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 7 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.8/10 | The Pilot Sport 5 by 0.6 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating32 and 135 reviews | 78% | The Pilot Sport 5 by 7 points | 85% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 68% | The Pilot Sport 5 by 15 points | 83% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Sport 5 was dearer in 4 of 4 | +33.6% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 36 | 32 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 7 tests, 2023 to 2025
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 | Victra Sport 5 | Field | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tire Test | P7 of 8 | P5 of 8 | |
| 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test | P12 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout | P10 of 52 | P2 of 52 | |
| 2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test | P4 of 6 | P2 of 6 | |
| 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test | P13 of 20 | P2 of 20 | |
| 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test | P10 of 13 | P3 of 13 | |
| 2023 Summer Tire Market Overview | P9 of 50 | P6 of 50 |
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Victra Sport 5
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 90%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 4 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Victra Sport 5
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
Victra Sport 5
Not ahead in any category
Pilot Sport 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Victra Sport 5 78% from 32 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 | Victra Sport 5 | Gap | Pilot Sport 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113 | 0.6% | 113 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.1 | 1.8% | 71.3 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 113 | 3.9% | 109 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 48.1 | 1.2% | 48.7 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 19.5 | = | 19.5 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13 | 0.1% | 12.98 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 51.8 | 0.6% | 52.1 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 14.2 | 5.1% | 14.6 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.6% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 25% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71.1 | 1.1 dB | 72.15 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 19,290 | 74.3% | 33,483 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9.33 | 8.4% | 8.54 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Victra Sport 5 scores 8.8 and the Pilot Sport 5 9.4 out of 10.
| Victra Sport 5 | Category | Pilot Sport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | Dry | 93 | ||
| 84 | Wet | 96 | ||
| 53 | Comfort | 22 | ||
| 17 | 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
| Victra Sport 5 | Category | Pilot Sport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 8 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.8 | Road Feedback | 8.1 | ||
| 8.2 | Handling | 8.3 | ||
| 6.4 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 7.7 | Comfort | 8.2 | ||
Owners rate the Victra Sport 5 78% from 32 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Maxxis Victra Sport 5
- 78%from 32 reviews
- 68%would buy again
- 327,717 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally report the Maxxis Victra Sport 5 as a strong value-focused UHP tire with very good dry and wet grip, confident handling/braking, and a progressive breakaway that inspires trust. Many high-scoring reviews compare it favorably to premium rivals and also note good comfort for the category. A smaller but meaningful group report faster-than-expected wear and performance falling off as the tire heat-cycles/ages or in colder wet conditions, with some also mentioning the tire being prone to damage.
- Strong dry grip and cornering stability
- Very good wet grip, braking confidence and aquaplaning resistance
- Predictable/progressive handling at the limit
- Excellent price-to-performance/value versus premium brands
- Faster-than-expected treadwear/shoulder wear for some vehicles and driving styles
- Grip/performance can drop as the tire ages/heat-cycles or in colder wet conditions
- Some reports of being relatively easy to damage (punctures/sidewall or tread issues)
Summarised by AI from 27 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 32 Victra Sport 5 reviewsThese tires were nice, fun and safe to drive. First two seasons were a blast. Third one rubber got a bit harder and I noticed it on wet road. Will buy them again for new e-tron. Best price / performance ratio. Highly reccomend these tires!
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: 36 sizes of the Victra Sport 5 and 66 of the Pilot Sport 5, 32 of them made in both.
| Category | Victra Sport 5 | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 36 sizes, 17 to 20 inch | 66 sizes, 16 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 32 sizes 205/45 R17225/45 R17235/45 R17245/40 R17245/45 R17215/40 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18235/40 R18235/45 R18245/35 R18and 20 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A86%B14% | A89%B11% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C52%D38%A7%B2% | C82%B10%A9% |
| EU label noise | 70-72 dB B100% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| On the market since | 2020 | 2022 |
| Replaced | Maxxis Victra Sport VS01 (2020) | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (2015) |
| Replaced by | Maxxis Victra Sport 6 | - |
| 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 4 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 33.6% 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 head-to-head puts the value-driven Maxxis Victra Sport 5 against the benchmark Michelin Pilot Sport 5 across seven independent summer tire tests in popular 18-inch sizes. Both target enthusiastic road drivers, but with different priorities: Maxxis leans on price, quietness and comfort, while Michelin pursues all-round performance, efficiency and longevity.
Across the dataset, Michelin consistently finishes near the top (including 1/21 and 2/52 overall placings), while Maxxis typically sits mid-pack. The gaps are modest in dry braking, but widen in wet performance, rolling resistance and wear-areas that have clear safety and cost implications. Yet Maxxis lands meaningful wins in cabin noise and often rides more pliantly, with occasional aquaplaning and dry-braking highlights.
Conclusion
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is the stronger all-rounder. It outperforms the Victra Sport 5 in every wet discipline across shared tests (notably 5-8% shorter wet braking in several trials), has lower rolling resistance, and delivers outstanding tread life-roughly 65-83% higher mileage in the Auto Bild datasets. Dynamic handling and precise steering are consistent strengths, translating into greater confidence in changeable conditions.
The Maxxis Victra Sport 5 offers credible dry grip with occasional dry-braking wins and very competitive aquaplaning reserves in some tests, while standing out for quiet operation and a softer, more comfortable ride. It's also far cheaper at purchase. However, its higher rolling resistance and notably shorter wear life blunt its long-term value, and the persistent wet-performance deficit is material for safety-focused buyers.
If you prioritize wet safety, sharp handling, efficiency and total cost over time, choose the Pilot Sport 5. If you want the quietest, comfiest, budget-friendly option for mostly fair-weather driving and accept shorter life and higher fuel/energy use, the Victra Sport 5 can make sense.
Victra Sport 5 vs Pilot Sport 5: your questions
Is the Maxxis Victra Sport 5 or the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 the better tire?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead 7 times and the Victra Sport 5 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Victra Sport 5 scores 8.8 and the Pilot Sport 5 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Victra Sport 5 or the Pilot Sport 5?
The Pilot Sport 5 led 18 of the 24 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.9% shorter in the wet across 7 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Sport 5 led 8 of the 12 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 0.6% shorter in the dry across 7 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Sport 5 lasted 74.3% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and had 8.4% lower rolling resistance (5 tests). Owners rate wear 6.4/10 for the Victra Sport 5 and 8/10 for the Pilot Sport 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Victra Sport 5 was 1.1 dB quieter (4 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.7/10 for the Victra Sport 5 and 8.2/10 for the Pilot Sport 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Victra Sport 5 78% from 32 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. 68% of Victra Sport 5 owners would buy it again, against 83% for the Pilot Sport 5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Sport 5 was the dearer tire in 4 of them, by 33.6% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Victra Sport 5 is made in 36 sizes (17 to 20 inch) and the Pilot Sport 5 in 66 (16 to 22 inch). 32 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Victra Sport 5 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 Victra Sport 5 in 2020. The Victra Sport 5 replaced the Maxxis Victra Sport VS01. The Pilot Sport 5 replaced the Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
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Run either of these?
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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