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Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 Test Results

Tested 2010 to 2023 10 publications

Tested 22 times by independent publications, the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 averages a finish of 5th.

  • 22Independent tests
  • 0Test wins
  • 8Podium finishes
  • 5thAverage finish
  • 60%Field beaten on average
  • 10Publications
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3

22 tests, 2010 to 2023

0%50%100%20102011201220132014201520162023Average 60%2010 Auto Zeitung Ultra High Performance Summer Tire Test (2010): P6 of 9, Beat 38% of the field2010 AMS Premium Brand Tire Test (2010): P7 of 10, Beat 33% of the field2010 European Summer Tire Test (2010): P4 of 17, Beat 80% of the field2010 Autocar Tire Test - RWD (2010): P2 of 6, Beat 60% of the field2010 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tire Test (2010): P2 of 11, Beat 90% of the field2011 Auto Zeitung Max Performance Tire Test (2011): P5 of 14, Beat 69% of the field2011 Autobild Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2011): P8 of 10, Beat 22% of the field2011 AMS Ultra High Performance Tire Test (2011): P4 of 11, Beat 70% of the field2011 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tire Test (2011): P2 of 10, Beat 89% of the field2012 EVO Max Performance Tire Test (2012): P4 of 10, Beat 67% of the field2012 Autoreview Touring Tire Test (2012): P5 of 9, Beat 50% of the field2012 EVO Summer Tire Test (2012): P3 of 10, Beat 78% of the field2013 European Summer Sports Tire Test (2013): P4 of 19, Beat 82% of the field2013 Sport Auto Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2013): P2 of 10, Beat 89% of the field2013 Auto Express Summer Tire Test (2013): P2 of 10, Beat 89% of the field2014 EVO Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2014): P5 of 10, Beat 56% of the field2015 AZ 225/40 R18 Summer Tire Test (2015): P6 of 14, Beat 62% of the field2015 Auto Express Tire Test (2015): P3 of 11, Beat 80% of the field2015 EVO Magazine Performance Tire Test (2015): P8 of 10, Beat 22% of the field2016 ADAC Tire Test - 225/45 R17 (2016): P10 of 16, Beat 40% of the field2016 Test World Performance Tire Test (2016): P7 of 13, Beat 50% of the fieldMichelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tires (2023): P3 of 3, Beat 0% of the field
Share of the field beaten in each test, oldest to newest. Hover or tap a point for the test.
  • Test win
  • Second
  • Third
  • Average 60%
The latest test

Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tires P3 of 3

Ok.

Strong: Straight Aqua Weak: Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling, Rolling Resistance Winner: Hankook iON Evo

Record by discipline

Where the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.

Discipline Tests Avg finish Field beaten Firsts
Dry
Dry Braking 1 P3 of 3 0% -
Dry Handling 1 P3 of 3 0% -
Wet
Wet Braking 1 P3 of 3 0% -
Wet Handling 1 P3 of 3 0% -
Straight Aqua 1 P1 of 3 100% 1
Value
Rolling Resistance 1 P3 of 3 0% -

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Pirelli P Zero 16 shared: 7 ahead, 9 behind 16 7 9 - 44%
Bridgestone Potenza S001 11 shared: 8 ahead, 3 behind 11 8 3 - 73%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 11 shared: 3 ahead, 8 behind 11 3 8 - 27%
Continental Sport Contact 3 10 shared: 2 ahead, 8 behind 10 2 8 - 20%
Continental Sport Contact 5 10 shared: 2 ahead, 8 behind 10 2 8 - 20%
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 9 shared: 6 ahead, 3 behind 9 6 3 - 67%
Vredestein Ultrac Vorti 8 shared: 6 ahead, 2 behind 8 6 2 - 75%
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT 8 shared: 3 ahead, 4 behind 8 3 4 1 43%
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 8 shared: 3 ahead, 5 behind 8 3 5 - 38%
Vredestein Ultrac Cento 7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind 7 7 0 - 100%
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 7 shared: 3 ahead, 4 behind 7 3 4 - 43%
Toyo Proxes T1 Sport 6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind 6 6 0 - 100%
Kumho Ecsta KU39 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Uniroyal RainSport 2 5 shared: 4 ahead, 1 behind 5 4 1 - 80%
Yokohama Advan Sport V105 5 shared: 3 ahead, 2 behind 5 3 2 - 60%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 shared: 3 ahead, 2 behind 5 3 2 - 60%
Falken FK453 4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind 4 4 0 - 100%
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A 4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind 4 4 0 - 100%
Fulda SportControl 4 shared: 4 ahead, 0 behind 4 4 0 - 100%
Nokian Z G2 4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind 4 3 1 - 75%

Against its own line

The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.

Tire Tests Wins Avg finish Field beaten
Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 Predecessor 0 - - -
Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 This tire 22 0 5th 60%
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Successor 26 14 2nd 84%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 22 tests. Updated September 15, 2025.

Michelin Pilot Sport 3 (PS3) delivers balanced, often top-tier wet and dry performance in earlier and mid-2010s tests, with multiple podiums and strong showings in ADAC/Auto Express/EVO. Its consistency slips in later years and larger sizes, and it lags versus newer generations and EV-focused tires, evidenced by a last place in the 2023 EV comparison. Aquaplaning performance is a recurring highlight, while rolling resistance, price, and wear (in at least one ADAC) can undercut overall value. Overall, PS3 remains a competent UHP tire for its era but is outclassed by newer designs.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 (17 tests) and 248 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Wet grip strength in 7 of 17 tests 114 praise, 12 criticise of 248 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry grip strength in 5 of 17 tests 125 praise, 9 criticise of 248 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Road noise strength in 1 of 17 tests 54 praise, 26 criticise of 248 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry handling strength in 5 of 17 tests 48 praise, 7 criticise of 248 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Aquaplaning resistance strength in 8 of 17 tests 11 praise, 2 criticise of 248 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Wet handling strength in 5 of 17 tests 10 praise, 3 criticise of 248 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Dry braking weakness in 3 of 17 tests 8 praise, 2 criticise of 248 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Behavior at the limit weakness in 1 of 17 tests 11 praise, 2 criticise of 248 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 22

Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.

2023 1 test
2016 2 tests
2015 3 tests
P8 of 10 Beat 22% of the field

2015 EVO Magazine Performance Tire Test

EVO 225/40 R18

While Michelin had a relatively strong showing in the wet, the Pilot Sport 3 failed in the dry both subjectively and objectively, finishing ninth in both tests. It won the curved aquaplaning test.

WinnerContinental Sport Contact 5

P3 of 11 Beat 80% of the field

2015 Auto Express Tire Test

Auto Express 225/45 R17

While the Michelin Primacy 3 is a few years old, it still managed a great performance, excelling particularly in the aquaplaning tests where it won both the straight and curved aquaplaning.

WinnerContinental Sport Contact 5

2014 1 test
P5 of 10 Beat 56% of the field

2014 EVO Max Performance Summer Tire Test

EVO 225/45 R17

Winning both aquaplaning tests and the road route, there was plenty to like about the Michelin and its weighty steering feel

WinnerContinental Sport Contact 5

2013 3 tests
P2 of 10 Beat 89% of the field

2013 Auto Express Summer Tire Test

Auto Express 225/45 R17

Another old pattern on test, the Michelin seems to have fared better than the Pirelli and matched its 2010 and 2011 results, placing second overall. Winning both the aquaplaning tests the Michelin was extremely strong in all wet tests, fast during wet handling with the only criticism aimed towards the front end bite. The PS3 struggled a little in the dry where it lacked sharpness, but it held on well enough for a fifth place. A quiet tire, the Pilot Sport 3 struggled a little in rolling resistance but overall placed extremely well. A good tire.

WinnerContinental Sport Contact 5

P2 of 10 Beat 89% of the field

2013 Sport Auto Max Performance Summer Tire Test

Sport Auto 225/40 R18

The Michelin Pilot Sport 3 is one of the best in the dry, with a high level of grip and good high speed stability. When wet, the steering feel is still excellent but it lacks some of the ultimate grip of the top wet runners.

WinnerDunlop SportMaxx RT

2012 3 tests
P3 of 10 Beat 78% of the field

2012 EVO Summer Tire Test

EVO 225/45 R17

Another tire strong which is strong in the wet, only slightly disappointing with an average dry performance

WinnerPirelli P Zero

P4 of 10 Beat 67% of the field

2012 EVO Max Performance Tire Test

EVO 235/40 R18

The new Pilot Sport 3 scored well objectively in all tests. Slightly let down by its subjective feel, EVO still recommend it as a great all round tire, having the best blend of comfort and precision on the road.

WinnerContinental Sport Contact 3

2011 4 tests
P2 of 10 Beat 89% of the field

2011 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tire Test

Auto Express 225/45 R17

The new Michelin Pilot Sport 3 scored well, matching last years second place with a strong performance. Perhaps indicating the scoring weighting was a little bit too towards aquaplaning (where it finished 1st and 2nd) the Michelin scored 9th in wet corning and 10th in dry braking but pulled back some points with a 3rd in wet handling and 4th in wet braking.

WinnerGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

2010 5 tests

Back to the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3 overview

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