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Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Test Results

Tire Reviews tests: 3 Tested 2022 to 2026 12 publications

Tested 25 times by independent publications, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has taken 4 test wins with an average finish of 3rd. Its strongest discipline is Wear, beating 95% of the field across 6 tests; its weakest is Noise, at 23% across 14 tests.

  • 25Independent tests
  • 4Test wins
  • 15Podium finishes
  • 3rdAverage finish
  • 74%Field beaten on average
  • 12Publications
Michelin Pilot Sport 5

25 tests, 2022 to 2026

0%50%100%20222023202420252026Average 74%2022/23 Tire Reviews 17 Inch Summer Tire Test (2022): P1 of 9, Beat 88% of the field2023 Summer Tire Market Overview (2023): P6 of 50, Beat 89% of the field2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test (2023): P3 of 13, Beat 67% of the field2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test (2023): P5 of 10, Beat 56% of the field2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test (2023): P2 of 20, Beat 95% of the fieldMichelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tires (2023): P2 of 3, Beat 50% of the fieldThe BEST Performance Tires Tested (2023): P2 of 6, Beat 80% of the field2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test (2024): P2 of 6, Beat 80% of the field2024 Auto Express Summer Tire Test (2024): P4 of 8, Beat 57% of the field2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tires for Asia Test (2024): P3 of 6, Beat 60% of the field2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout (2025): P2 of 52, Beat 98% of the field2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test (2025): P3 of 18, Beat 88% of the field2025 AZ Summer Tire Test (2025): P4 of 10, Beat 67% of the field2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test (2025): P1 of 20, Beat 95% of the field2025 Auto Express Summer Tire Test (2025): P4 of 9, Beat 63% of the field2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tire Test (2025): P5 of 8, Beat 43% of the fieldMichelin CrossClimate 3 & 3 Sport vs Pilot Sport 5 vs Primacy 5 (2025): P1 of 4, Beat 100% of the field2026 Summer Braking Super Tire Test - How do 52 Tires Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? (2026): P9 of 50, Beat 84% of the field2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test (2026): P3 of 20, Beat 89% of the field2026 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test (2026): P5 of 7, Beat 33% of the field2026 AutoView Value Sport Tire Test (2026): P3 of 4, Beat 33% of the fieldTop Tire Review 2026 UHP Tire Test: Big Brands vs Challengers (2026): P1 of 7, Beat 100% of the field2026 AutoView Sport Tire Test (2026): P2 of 7, Beat 83% 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 74%
The latest test

2026 AutoView Sport Tire Test P2 of 7

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished second and remains the reference this class is measured against. It is the most rounded tire in the test, strong in the wet, close to the best in the dry and comfortable with it. What holds it back is the combination of the highest price, the worst rolling resistance of the seven, and the shoulder damage found on this particular set, which the testers were careful not to generalise from a single sample.

Strong: Dry Braking, Wet Braking, Subj. Comfort Winner: Continental MaxContact MC7

Record by discipline

Where the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 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 23 P4.2 of 15 67% 2
Dry Handling 17 P3.9 of 9.5 60% 3
Dry Circle Speed 2 P3 of 5.5 50% -
Subj. Dry Handling 9 P2.3 of 8.2 80% 5
Subj. Fun 1 P4 of 6 40% -
Wet
Wet Braking 23 P4 of 15 72% 4
Wet Braking - Cool 1 P3 of 6 60% -
Wet Braking - Worn 1 P3 of 6 60% -
Wet Braking - Concrete 1 P3 of 18 88% -
Wet Handling 16 P3.5 of 9.9 67% 1
Subj. Wet Handling 7 P3 of 9 72% 2
Wet Circle 9 P4.8 of 11.3 62% -
Straight Aqua 17 P3.9 of 10.5 67% 4
Curved Aquaplaning 11 P3.5 of 11.9 75% 4
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 11 P3.1 of 9.5 66% 2
Subj. Noise 2 P5 of 8.5 48% -
Noise Weak 14 P9.5 of 11.2 23% -
Value
Wear Strong 6 P1.8 of 15.7 95% 1
Value 6 P8.2 of 15.7 52% -
Rolling Resistance 16 P4.4 of 10.1 63% 1
Fuel Consumption 1 P8 of 18 59% -
Abrasion 4 P2.3 of 13.5 93% 2

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Michelin Pilot Sport 5. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 16 shared: 5 ahead, 8 behind Compare with Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 16 5 8 3 38%
Bridgestone Potenza Sport 11 shared: 4 ahead, 7 behind Compare with Potenza Sport 11 4 7 - 36%
Continental PremiumContact 7 11 shared: 4 ahead, 7 behind Compare with PremiumContact 7 11 4 7 - 36%
Yokohama Advan Sport V107 10 shared: 9 ahead, 1 behind Compare with Advan Sport V107 10 9 1 - 90%
Falken Azenis FK520 9 shared: 8 ahead, 1 behind Compare with Azenis FK520 9 8 1 - 89%
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 9 shared: 8 ahead, 1 behind Compare with N Fera Sport SU2 9 8 1 - 89%
Giti GitiSportS2 8 shared: 8 ahead, 0 behind 8 8 0 - 100%
Toyo Proxes Sport 2 8 shared: 8 ahead, 0 behind Compare with Proxes Sport 2 8 8 0 - 100%
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 8 shared: 8 ahead, 0 behind Compare with SportMaxx RT 2 8 8 0 - 100%
Linglong Sport Master 8 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind Compare with Sport Master 8 7 1 - 88%
Vredestein Ultrac Pro 7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind Compare with Ultrac Pro 7 7 0 - 100%
Maxxis Victra Sport 5 7 shared: 7 ahead, 0 behind Compare with Victra Sport 5 7 7 0 - 100%
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 7 shared: 6 ahead, 1 behind Compare with Ventus S1 evo 3 7 6 1 - 86%
Pirelli P Zero PZ4 7 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind Compare with P Zero PZ4 7 4 2 1 67%
Hankook Ventus Evo 7 shared: 4 ahead, 3 behind Compare with Ventus Evo 7 4 3 - 57%
Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72 6 shared: 3 ahead, 3 behind Compare with Ecsta Sport PS72 6 3 3 - 50%
Kumho Ecsta PS71 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind Compare with Ecsta PS71 5 5 0 - 100%
Firestone Firehawk Sport 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind Compare with Firehawk Sport 5 5 0 - 100%
Sava Intensa UHP 2 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%
Ceat SportDrive 5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind 5 5 0 - 100%

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 Sport 4 Predecessor 26 14 2nd 84%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 This tire 25 4 3rd 74%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 25 tests. Updated September 29, 2026.

Across 25 independent tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 repeatedly comes through as a top-tier, safety-led UHP summer tire with a strong average overall placing (average position 3) and headline results including two overall wins (Tire Reviews 2022/23 17" test winner; Top Tire Review 2026 UHP test winner) plus a “Highly recommended” award (Tire Reviews 2023). The clearest pattern is its wet security: it very often sits at or near the top for wet braking and wet handling, for example 1st of 7 in wet braking in the 2026 AutoView Sport test, 1st of 7 in wet braking in the 2026 Top Tire Review UHP test, and 1st of 4 across both wet braking and wet handling in the 2025 auto motor und sport comparison. Testers regularly underline this with comments such as it being the “wet braking benchmark”, “one of the best tires in wet conditions”, and having “balanced and very safe” manners. It also tends to score highly for steering feel (often described as natural/precise) and frequently delivers strong durability, with repeated top-two wear outcomes (e.g. 2nd of 20 wear in 2026 Auto Bild; 2nd of 18 wear in 2025 ADAC; longest life 1st of 6 in Tire Reviews 2023), which helps its lifetime cost case despite high purchase prices.

The recurring exceptions are refinement/efficiency trade-offs and some inconsistency at the limit depending on fitment and test focus. Noise is regularly only mid-pack or worse (e.g. 19th of 20 noise in 2026 Auto Bild; 18th of 21 noise in 2023 Auto Bild UHP; 10th of 10 noise in 2025 Auto Zeitung), and rolling resistance varies from very good in some programmes to poor in others (e.g. 1st of 8 lowest rolling resistance in 2025 Die Reifentester, but +19.5% from best in 2026 Auto Bild and +26.1% from best in the Tire Reviews 2022/23 test). Aquaplaning is usually a strength (multiple wins including Auto Express 2025 and several 1st places in straight/curved aquaplaning), but it can drop back sharply in specific tests (6th of 7 straight aquaplaning in Top Tire Review 2026; 9th of 10 straight aquaplaning in Auto Zeitung 2023). Finally, several testers note earlier understeer and less “sharp” dynamics than the most track-focused rivals, and there are isolated concerns such as abnormal shoulder block damage after repeated limit running in AutoView 2026 (reported as a single-sample observation).

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (21 tests) and 120 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.

Where owners and testers agree

  • Dry grip strength in 4 of 21 tests 73 praise, 6 criticise of 120 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Wet grip strength in 5 of 21 tests 63 praise, 2 criticise of 120 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry handling strength in 9 of 21 tests 26 praise, 5 criticise of 120 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Tread life strength in 4 of 21 tests 28 praise, 13 criticise of 120 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Aquaplaning resistance strength in 10 of 21 tests 9 praise, 1 criticise of 120 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry braking strength in 11 of 21 tests 6 praise, 2 criticise of 120 reviews · Read those reviews

Where they disagree

  • Road noise weakness in 6 of 21 tests 24 praise, 9 criticise of 120 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Cold-weather grip weakness in 1 of 21 tests 8 praise, 3 criticise of 120 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Heat resistance strength in 1 of 21 tests 1 praise, 6 criticise of 120 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire

  • Appearance no test mentions it 12 praise, 2 criticise of 120 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 25

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

2026 8 tests
P2 of 7 Beat 83% of the field

2026 AutoView Sport Tire Test

AutoView 225/45 R18

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished second and remains the reference this class is measured against. It is the most rounded tire in the test, strong in the wet, close to the best in the dry and comfortable with it. What holds it back is the combination of the highest price, the worst rolling resistance of the seven, and the shoulder damage found on this particular set, which the testers were careful not to generalise from a single sample.

StrongDry BrakingWet BrakingSubj. Comfort WinnerContinental MaxContact MC7

Not ranked Summer

Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2

Tire Reviews 225/40 R18 Tested by Tire Reviews

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is the ultra high performance summer tire in this range and it is the wet braking benchmark of the whole test. It sits in a genuinely useful place, with almost all of the max performance tire's ability, better efficiency, and the most satisfying road steering feel here. For a fast road car that rarely sees a circuit, it is very hard to argue with.

StrongWet BrakingWet HandlingStraight AquaCurved AquaplaningRolling Resistance WeakDry BrakingDry Handling

P1 of 7 Beat 100% of the field

Top Tire Review 2026 UHP Tire Test: Big Brands vs Challengers

TopTireReview 225/45 R18

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is the overall winner and the benchmark of this test. It has no real weakness beyond aquaplaning and leads the areas that carry the most weight, which makes it the safest all-round choice in the UHP class.

StrongDry HandlingSubj. Dry HandlingWet BrakingSubj. Wet HandlingSubj. Comfort WeakStraight Aqua

P3 of 4 Beat 33% of the field

2026 AutoView Value Sport Tire Test

AutoView 235/40 R18

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is a balanced and confidence-inspiring all-rounder that does almost everything well, with class-leading efficiency and the most natural handling feel of the group. Its weakness here is value rather than ability: strong on the road but priced above its rivals, it slips behind the cheaper tires once cost is taken into account.

StrongDry BrakingSubj. Dry HandlingWet BrakingNoise WeakDry HandlingDry Circle SpeedSubj. Comfort WinnerContinental MaxContact MC7

P5 of 7 Beat 33% of the field

2026 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test

Sport Auto 205/45 R17 gut (Good)

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is at its best on dry roads, where it delivers impressive steering precision, high agility, and clear, trustworthy vehicle balance. It posts the best subjective dry handling scores alongside the Bridgestone. However, wet grip is its weak point - lateral grip drops noticeably on damp surfaces, and the car reacts abruptly to weight transfer in wet corners with a sudden step-out at the rear. It also shows small deficits in longitudinal aquaplaning and produces slightly more pass-by noise.

StrongSubj. Dry Handling WeakWet BrakingStraight AquaCurved Aquaplaning WinnerBridgestone Potenza Sport Evo

P3 of 20 Beat 89% of the field

2026 Autobild Summer Tire Test

Auto Bild 245/45 R19 vorbildlich (Exemplary)

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 takes third place with a strong dry handling score, equal to the Hankook. Wet performance is solid across braking and handling. Mileage is the second highest in the test, which helps offset the high purchase price over the tire's life. Pass-by noise is slightly elevated compared to the top finishers, and the purchase price is among the higher end of the field.

StrongDry HandlingSubj. Dry HandlingWear WeakNoise WinnerHankook Ventus Evo

2025 7 tests
P1 of 4 Beat 100% of the field

Michelin CrossClimate 3 & 3 Sport vs Pilot Sport 5 vs Primacy 5

Auto Motor Und Sport 225/40 R18

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 established itself as the clear performance benchmark, finishing first in all four dynamic tests. In the dry, it delivered the fastest handling lap and shortest braking distance. Subjectively, it was praised for its precise steering and high levels of grip, though it was noted to require a careful driver at its limit. This superiority continued in the wet, where it again set the fastest lap and shortest braking distance, demonstrating its capabilities as the definitive ultra-high-performance summer tire in this group.

StrongDry BrakingDry HandlingWet BrakingWet Handling

P5 of 8 Beat 43% of the field

2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tire Test

Die Reifentester 225/40 R18

Michelin’s entrant leads the midfield. Outside the aquaplaning tests it rarely shines, but it provides a pleasant, touring‑like driving feel. The Pilot Sport 5 achieves the lowest rolling‑resistance figure in the test, yet it doesn’t display the dynamic sharpness expected of a sport tire.

StrongStraight AquaRolling Resistance WinnerKumho Ecsta Sport PS72

P4 of 9 Beat 63% of the field

2025 Auto Express Summer Tire Test

Auto Express 225/40 R18

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 repeats its fourth-place finish from last year, again showing standout aquaplaning ability with wins in both tests. It took third in wet cornering and wet braking—within a meter of the leader—but was only joint-fifth in wet handling despite feeling composed, grippy, and stable. Dry results were more modest, with seventh in both braking and handling, around 9ft and several tenths off the best respectively, though it delivered a smooth, high-quality driving feel. While rather noisy in the cabin, it offered excellent fuel economy and a performance that felt stronger than the raw times suggested.

StrongStraight AquaCurved Aquaplaning WinnerPirelli P Zero PZ5

P1 of 20 Beat 95% of the field

2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test

Auto Bild 225/40 R18

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 offered excellent dynamic handling characteristics and consistently short braking distances on both wet and dry surfaces. Despite being the most expensive tire in the test at €456, it justified its premium price with very good mileage of over 32,311 miles and excellent overall cost performance. The Michelin delivered balanced performance across all test categories with particularly strong results in wet performance tests. Its precise steering feedback and stable cornering behavior added to driver confidence in all conditions, earning it an "exemplary" rating.

StrongSubj. ComfortWear

P4 of 10 Beat 67% of the field

2025 AZ Summer Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 225/45 R18

On dry pavement, the Michelin feels secure and stable but not as dynamic as the top performers. It delivers good grip in fast corners but understeers earlier than the sportiest contenders. Wet performance is characterized by balanced, predictable behavior and strong resistance to aquaplaning, though braking distances are merely good rather than exceptional. The Michelin follows brand tradition with minimal wear and excellent longevity, but its higher noise levels and average efficiency hold it back slightly. It prioritizes consistent performance throughout a long service life over maximum initial grip, appealing to high-mileage drivers seeking reliability and durability.

StrongWearAbrasion WeakNoise WinnerGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6

P3 of 18 Beat 88% of the field

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test

ADAC 225/40 R18

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 achieves a "good" overall rating, earning "good" scores for both driving safety and environmental performance. On dry roads, while providing adequate feedback, it can be somewhat sensitive to temperature increases. However, it maintains stability during emergency maneuvers and achieves "very good" braking performance. Similar to other tires tested, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 also achieves top marks in wet conditions, demonstrating excellent braking and handling, making it one of the best tires in wet conditions. Its environmental impact is positive, thanks to its excellent projected mileage, low abrasion, and efficient performance.

StrongWearAbrasion WinnerContinental SportContact 7

2024 3 tests
P3 of 6 Beat 60% of the field

2024 TopTireReview Best UHP Tires for Asia Test

TopTireReview 235/45 R18

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 secured third place with balanced performance. It excelled in aquaplaning tests, leading both longitudinal (48.5 mph) and lateral (3.31 m/s²) measurements. The tire also performed well in wet handling with an 80.93s lap time. However, its rolling resistance was high at 8.54 N/kN, and comfort scores were average at 6.5 points, falling short of premium expectations.

StrongDry BrakingWet HandlingSubj. Wet HandlingStraight AquaCurved Aquaplaning WeakRolling Resistance WinnerContinental MaxContact MC7

P4 of 8 Beat 57% of the field

2024 Auto Express Summer Tire Test

Auto Express 225/45 R17

Summary The Michelin Pilot Sport 5, despite high expectations, delivered solid but not podium-placing performance. It excelled in deep water conditions, winning both curved and straight aquaplaning tests. The tire showed good results in dry conditions, ranking third in both dry braking and handling. However, its wet performance was mixed, with strong results in wet cornering but only fourth-best in wet braking and handling. The tire's behavior in wet conditions was noted as somewhat inconsistent, with good cornering grip that dropped off abruptly. Refinement was decent, offering quiet performance over most surfaces and good bump absorption. Its fuel economy was mid-range, ranking sixth out of eight. Results The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 achieved an overall score of 99.4%, priced at £120.03. It dominated aquaplaning tests, ranking 1st in both curved and straight aquaplaning (100% each). In wet conditions, it tied for 3rd in wet cornering (99.10%), but ranked 4th in both wet braking (97.00%) and wet handling (98.80%). Dry performance was strong, with 3rd place rankings in both dry braking (97.90%) and dry handling (98.80%). The tire tied for 3rd in cabin noise (95.4%) and ranked 6th in rolling resistance (90.20%). .

WinnerVredestein Ultrac

P2 of 6 Beat 80% of the field

2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test

Sport Auto 215/40 R18

Balanced and very safe to drive on both wet and dry roads.

StrongDry BrakingDry HandlingWet HandlingWet Circle WeakCurved AquaplaningNoise WinnerContinental PremiumContact 7

2023 6 tests
P2 of 6 Beat 80% of the field

The BEST Performance Tires Tested

Tire Reviews 225/40 R18 Tested by Tire Reviews Highly Rec.

As you would expect from the Michelin brand, the Pilot Sport 5 stood out for it's impressive longevity, boasting the longest tread life among all the tires tested. It offered a great driving experience with good steering and a progressive understeer balance. The Michelin was also the kindest to the environment, producing the least amount of rubber particulate matter. This isn't a tire we'd rush to take on track, but on the road it is an excellent all round tire.

StrongSubj. Dry HandlingSubj. Wet HandlingStraight AquaCurved AquaplaningWearRolling ResistanceAbrasion WeakDry BrakingDry HandlingWet BrakingWet HandlingNoise WinnerContinental PremiumContact 7

P5 of 10 Beat 56% of the field

2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test

Auto Zeitung 235/35 R19

In the end, the new Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is only missing a single point for second place. He only performs worse in aquaplaning than the tire before him. Low rolling resistance, but high price level.

StrongDry Braking WeakStraight AquaNoise WinnerContinental SportContact 7

2022 1 test
P1 of 9 Beat 88% of the field

2022/23 Tire Reviews 17 Inch Summer Tire Test

Tire Reviews 225/45 R17 Tested by Tire Reviews Winner

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 picks up where the Pilot Sport 4 left off, by being a tire that does almost everything well! It's only slight weakness across all the tests was an average passby noise, but it offered excellent grip during braking and handling and had the highest aquaplaning resistance of the group. Unfortunately, like the Pilot Sport 4, the PS5 sporty dynamics were midpack, with less direct steering and high levels of understeer than the best on test.

StrongWet HandlingSubj. Wet HandlingStraight AquaSubj. Comfort

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