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Michelin Pilot Sport 4 - Test Results

Test Statistics

26

Tests Completed

2nd

Average Position

1st

Best Result

7th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 - Official Image

Across 26 summer tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 delivers a consistently top-tier, well-rounded performance with standout wet and dry capability and class-leading aquaplaning resistance. It has frequent overall wins and podiums, with an average overall position of 2, reflecting balanced objective results and strong subjective handling confidence.
Primary weaknesses are price and occasional mid-pack wet handling/braking in a few recent UHP/UUHP comparisons, but these are offset by repeated test victories, top aquaplaning results, and strong rolling resistance showings. Overall, the PS4 remains a benchmark UHP tire for everyday and enthusiastic driving.

Performance Strengths
  • Wet Weather Performance Strong
    • 1st wet handling in 2019 Auto Bild 225/45 R17 test
    • 1st wet braking and 1st wet handling in 2018 AMS test
    • 2nd wet braking in 2022 AutoBild Sportscars
    • 1st wet braking in 2017 EVO
    • 1st wet handling in 2017 Auto Bild 245/40 R18
  • Aquaplaning Resistance Strong
    • 1st straight aquaplaning in 2022 AutoBild 245/40 R19
    • 1st curved aquaplaning in 2022 AutoBild 245/40 R19
    • 1st straight aquaplaning in 2020 Auto Bild 245/45 R18
    • 1st straight aquaplaning in 2019 Auto Bild 225/45 R17
    • 1st straight aquaplaning in 2019 Auto Bild Sports Car 245/45 R18
  • Dry Braking and Overall Dry Capability Strong
    • 1st dry braking in 2020 AMS 225/45 R18
    • 1st dry braking in 2020 Auto Bild 245/45 R18
    • 1st dry braking in 2019 Auto Bild 225/45 R17
    • 1st dry braking in 2018 AMS 225/45 R17
    • 2nd dry handling in 2021 Auto Zeitung 225/40 R18 (+0.3%)
  • Subjective Handling and Balance Strong
    • Clean sweep in subjective ratings, test win in 2017 EVO
    • Best handling tire comment in 2019 Auto Bild 225/45 R17
    • Stable and confidence-inspiring in 2021 Tire Reviews UHP
  • Awards and Consistency Strong
    • Overall wins in 2017 EVO, 2017 Auto Bild, 2017 Sport Auto, 2018 AMS, 2018 Test World, 2018 Auto Review, 2019 Auto Bild 225/45 R17, 2020 ADAC (tie), 2022 AutoBild Sportscars
    • Average overall position: 2 across 26 tests
  • Rolling Resistance/Fuel Efficiency Moderate
    • 2nd rolling resistance in 2022 AutoBild 245/40 R19 (+5.5%)
    • 2nd rolling resistance in 2022 AMS (+10.8%)
    • 2nd rolling resistance in 2022 Sport Auto (+1.2%)
Performance Weaknesses
  • Price/Value Strong
    • Last in price in 2022 AutoBild Sportscars (97% above best)
    • Last in price and worst value in 2020 Auto Bild 245/45 R18 (+121.7%)
    • Bottom-tier price in 2021 Tire Reviews (+91.5%)
    • 10/10 price in 2022 AutoBild 245/40 R19 (+125.4%)
  • Wet Handling Variability (recent UHP/large sizes) Moderate
    • 9/10 wet handling in 2022 AMS (+4.2%)
    • 6/10 wet handling in 2022 AutoBild 245/40 R19 (+3.3%)
    • 6/10 wet handling subjective in 2021 EVO (+9.2%)
  • Noise/Comfort (sporadic) Minor
    • 14/20 noise in 2020 Auto Bild (+2.1%)
    • 7/10 noise in 2021 Auto Zeitung (+2.9%)
  • Curved Aquaplaning (occasional dips) Minor
    • 6/11 curved aquaplaning in 2022 AutoBild Sportscars (+11.4%)
    • 6/10 curved aquaplaning in 2022 Sport Auto (+8.7%)
Performance Over Time

Test History

4
of 10
2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tire Test

2022
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Strong:
Rolling Resistance, Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Price
View Test
1
of 11
2022 AutoBild Sports Cars UHP Summer Tire Test

2022

Strong:
Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance, Wet Braking
Weak:
Price
View Test
7
of 10
2022 AMS Performance Summer Tire Test

2022
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

Impressively precise and direct in the dry, showing its age in the wet.
Strong:
Rolling Resistance
Weak:
Price, Wet Circle, Wet Handling
View Test
2
of 10
2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tire Test

2022
Winner: Continental SportContact 7

Strong:
Rolling Resistance, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking
Weak:
Dry Handling
View Test
5
of 9
2021 EVO Summer Tire Test

2021
Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

The PS4 had direct steering and a good balance, but the detail sometimes lacked. A solid performer but not inspiring.
Strong:
Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance
View Test
2
of 10
2021 Auto Express Summer Tire Test

2021
Winner: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3

The PS4 continues to be impressive in the wet and dry.
View Test
1
of 14
2021 Tire Reviews UHP Summer Tire Test Winner

2021

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is a tire with almost no weaknesses, it has excellent grip in all conditions, good aquaplaning resistance, and a low noise. The only negative is that it's not the most re...
Strong:
Wet Handling
Weak:
Price
View Test
4
of 10
2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tire Test

2021
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

Strong:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Subj. Dry Handling
Weak:
Price
View Test
2
of 11
2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer Tire Test

2020
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

Very good - Strong braking in the dry and wet.
Strong:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Subj. Dry Handling, Straight Aqua, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Weak:
Price
View Test
3
of 20
2020 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test

2020
Winner: Continental Premium Contact 6

Exemplary.
Strong:
Dry Braking, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Price, Value
View Test
1
of 16
2020 ADAC 18 Inch Summer Tire Test

2020

Highly Recommended
View Test
1
of 49
2020 Tire Market Overview Braking Test

2020

Strong:
Dry Braking
View Test
2
of 7
2019 EVO Summer Tire Test

2019
Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

While the Pilot Sport 4 didn't win any test, it was almost always in the top three, having a very rounded balance of performances, and great steering feel in the wet and dry.
Strong:
Subj. Comfort, Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Subj. Dry Handling, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Handling
View Test
4
of 11
2019 Auto Bild Sports Car Tire Test

2019
Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Exemplary.
Strong:
Subj. Comfort, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Price
View Test
1
of 20
2019 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test

2019

Highly recommended.
Strong:
Subj. Comfort, Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Wear, Straight Aqua, Wet Handling
Weak:
Price
View Test
2
of 45
2019 Summer 53 Tire Braking Shootout

2019
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5

Strong:
Dry Braking
View Test
2
of 10
2018 Auto Express Summer Tire Test

2018
Winner: Continental Premium Contact 6

View Test
1
of 11
2018 Auto Review 225/45 R17 Tire Test

2018

View Test
1
of 11
2018 AMS Summer UHP Tire Test

2018

Highly recommended.
Strong:
Dry Braking, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
View Test
1
of 16
2018 Test World Summer Tire Test

2018

Strong:
Dry Braking, Subj. Dry Handling, Straight Aqua, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Braking
View Test
1
of 9
2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tire Test

2018

A leading performance in both the dry and wet ensured the Pilot Sport 4 wins the test convincingly, despite having a right rolling resistance.
Strong:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Straight Aqua, Wet Handling
Weak:
Rolling Resistance
View Test
1
of 9
2017 EVO Summer Tire Test

2017

Strong:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
View Test
1
of 9
2017 Auto Bild UHP Tire Test

2017

Exemplary / Test Winner
Strong:
Dry Handling, Wet Handling
View Test
1
of 10
2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test

2017

Particularly recommended
Strong:
Wet Braking, Wet Handling
View Test
1
of 10
2017 AMS Summer UHP Tire Test

2017

Highly recommended
Strong:
Dry Braking, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
View Test
1
of 9
2016 Auto Express Summer Tire Test

2016

View Test