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Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Test Results

Tire Reviews tests: 5 Tested 2013 to 2026 5 publications

Tested 12 times by independent publications, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 has taken 5 test wins with an average finish of 2nd. Its strongest discipline is Dry Handling, beating 75% of the field across 10 tests; its weakest is Wet Handling, at 31% across 9 tests.

  • 12Independent tests
  • 5Test wins
  • 9Podium finishes
  • 2ndAverage finish
  • 77%Field beaten on average
  • 5Publications
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2

12 tests, 2013 to 2026

0%50%100%20132015201720182020202120242026Average 77%Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 - Launched (2013): P1 of 2, Beat 100% of the field2015 Australian Motor 235/35 R19 Tire Test (2015): P2 of 8, Beat 86% of the field2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test (2017): P3 of 10, Beat 44% of the field2017 Track Day Tire Test (2017): P1 of 5, Beat 100% of the field2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tire Test (2018): P1 of 9, Beat 88% of the field2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tire Test (2020): P2 of 10, Beat 78% of the field2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tire Test (2020): P1 of 10, Beat 78% of the fieldMichelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Cup 2 vs Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3 vs 3R vs Toyo R888R (2021): P2 of 5, Beat 75% of the fieldThe BEST Track Day Tires for 2024 (2024): P1 of 6, Beat 80% of the fieldThe BEST Performance Summer Tires for 2026 Tested! (2026): P4 of 8, Beat 43% 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 77%
The latest test

Michelin Range Test - CrossClimate 3, 3 Sport, Primacy 5, Pilot Sport 5 and Cup 2 Not rankedSummer

The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is a track focused semi slick, and judged on that brief it is excellent. For a hot hatch that sees regular circuit use it is arguably the sweet spot of this range, delivering most of the pace of the more extreme option without demanding as much from the car. As an everyday tire in changeable weather it is the wrong tool, and the wet data in this test makes that clear.

Strong: Dry Braking, Dry Handling Weak: Wet Braking, Wet Handling, Straight Aqua, Curved Aquaplaning, Rolling Resistance

Record by discipline

Where the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 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 9 P2.6 of 7.8 73% 3
Dry Handling Strong 10 P2.3 of 7.5 75% 3
Dry Handling Long Run 2 P4 of 6.5 43% -
Subj. Dry Handling 3 P1.7 of 7.7 83% 2
Wet
Wet Braking 9 P5.8 of 7.7 33% 2
Wet Handling Weak 9 P5.9 of 7.7 31% -
Subj. Wet Handling 2 P5.5 of 9 42% -
Wet Circle 1 P9 of 10 11% -
Straight Aqua 6 P6 of 7.8 33% 1
Curved Aquaplaning 1 P4 of 5 25% -
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 2 P9 of 9 0% -
Noise 4 P4.8 of 9.3 56% 1
Tire Weight 1 P7 of 10 33% -
Value
Rolling Resistance 5 P5.6 of 8.4 38% -

Head-to-head record

Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 5 shared: 1 ahead, 1 behind 5 1 1 3 50%
Toyo Proxes Sport 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport 3 shared: 2 ahead, 0 behind 3 2 0 1 100%
Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Toyo R888 R 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R 3 shared: 1 ahead, 0 behind Compare with Pilot Sport Cup 2 R 3 1 0 2 100%
Continental Sport Contact 6 3 shared: 1 ahead, 1 behind 3 1 1 1 50%

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 Cup+ Predecessor 2 0 3rd 25%
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 This tire 12 5 2nd 77%
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect Successor 3 0 5th 25%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 13 tests. Updated September 29, 2026.

Across 13 independent summer tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 repeatedly shows itself as a dry-road and track-day specialist, typically finishing at or near the top of its class (average overall position 1.9) and collecting strong verdicts for precision and driver confidence. It won outright in mixed UHP/track-day group tests (1st of 10 in Sport Auto 2020; 1st of 9 in Sport Auto 2018; 1st of 5 in Auto Bild 2017 track-day) and in a direct Cup 2 vs Cup 2 R comparison (1st of 2, 2020). Testers consistently highlight “outstanding steering”, “exemplary feedback”, and controllability at the limit, with objective backing such as 1st of 10 in dry braking and 1st of 10 in dry handling (Sport Auto 2020), and 1st of 10 in dry handling again (Sport Auto 2017). It also showed strong pace/consistency on long runs in some track-focused contexts, with “very high endurance during long runs” noted in the 2024 track-day test.

The recurring trade-off is wet and cold performance and efficiency: in several mixed road-tire fields it falls well behind the best on wet braking/handling and aquaplaning, with large deficits (e.g. wet braking 8th of 10 at +27.8% in Sport Auto 2020; 9th of 10 at +22.3% in Auto Bild 2020; wet handling 9th of 10 at +14.1% in Sport Auto 2017). The 2026 Michelin range back-to-back test reinforced the pattern in-class: wet braking 4th of 5 summer tires (+23.8%) and wet handling 4th of 5 (+8.1%), alongside high rolling resistance (4th of 5, +30.4%) and poorer ride/noise versus road tires. There are exceptions where water clearance helps (e.g. 1st of 7 in wet braking in the 2026 Auto Bild track-day baseline run, and 1st of 5 in wet braking plus 1st of 5 in straight aquaplaning in Auto Bild 2017), but the dominant trend across broader, road-relevant testing is that wet grip and cold sensitivity limit it as a year-round UK choice despite a single “Recommended” award in a 2026 performance-tire comparison (4th of 8 overall).

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (11 tests) and 20 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 7 of 11 tests 14 praise, 1 criticise of 20 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Steering feel strength in 6 of 11 tests 6 praise, 0 criticise of 20 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry handling strength in 4 of 11 tests 4 praise, 0 criticise of 20 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Cold-weather grip weakness in 2 of 11 tests 0 praise, 4 criticise of 20 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 12

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

2026 2 tests
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 Cup 2 is a track focused semi slick, and judged on that brief it is excellent. For a hot hatch that sees regular circuit use it is arguably the sweet spot of this range, delivering most of the pace of the more extreme option without demanding as much from the car. As an everyday tire in changeable weather it is the wrong tool, and the wet data in this test makes that clear.

StrongDry BrakingDry Handling WeakWet BrakingWet HandlingStraight AquaCurved AquaplaningRolling Resistance

P4 of 8 Beat 43% of the field

The BEST Performance Summer Tires for 2026 Tested!

Tire Reviews 235/35 R19 Tested by Tire Reviews Recommended

I think the result for the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is going to surprise a lot of people; it certainly surprised me. It wasn't fastest in the dry and I'm a little bit surprised that the King Boss was thoroughly beaten by the Cup 2 in the wet, given its shallow tread depth.I think people give the cup 2 too much credit as a fully focused track tire, probably because Michelin officially say it's an 80:20 track-to-road tire. A lot of the time it doesn't even feel that focused, especially compared to the North American 200 treadwear category. I really enjoyed this tire; however, I wouldn't rush to recommend it for a UK-based person for year-round use, I have a video demonstrating its cold, wet weather performance and it really does harden up. That's something to keep in mind. Though maybe similar tires around it will suffer similar consequences, your reviews will tell me that once you've used them.

StrongDry BrakingDry HandlingSubj. Dry HandlingNoise WeakWet BrakingSubj. Comfort WinnerPirelli P Zero R

2024 1 test
P1 of 6 Beat 80% of the field

The BEST Track Day Tires for 2024

Auto Bild Sportscars 335/30 R21

The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (N0) impressed drivers with its predictable and confidence-inspiring handling characteristics. The tire provided a neutral balance, allowing for precise turn-in and a stable rear end. Drivers praised the Cup 2's progressive breakaway characteristics, which made it easy to approach the limit without sudden surprises. The tire's compound, while focused on longevity, still delivered impressive levels of grip and a comfortable ride on the street. However, some drivers noted that the Cup 2 could be more prone to understeer than its competitors, particularly in wet conditions.

WeakDry BrakingDry Handling Long RunWet Braking

2021 1 test
P2 of 5 Beat 75% of the field

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Cup 2 vs Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3 vs 3R vs Toyo R888R

Tire Reviews 305/30 R19 Tested by Tire Reviews

The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 performs as expected from the Cup 2, it offers high levels of grip and is very easy to drive for a track tire, however it breaks into understeer earlier than the SuperCar 3.

StrongDry Handling WinnerGoodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3R

2020 3 tests
P1 of 10 Beat 78% of the field

2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tire Test

Sport Auto 245/35 R19

Best dry grip of all the tires.

StrongDry BrakingDry HandlingSubj. Dry Handling WeakWet CircleSubj. ComfortNoise

P2 of 10 Beat 78% of the field

2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tire Test

Auto Bild 265/35 R19

Conditionally Recommended.

StrongDry BrakingDry HandlingNoise WeakWet BrakingWet HandlingStraight Aqua WinnerContinental Sport Contact 6

2018 1 test
2017 2 tests
P1 of 5 Beat 100% of the field

2017 Track Day Tire Test

Auto Bild Sportscars 235/35 R19

StrongDry BrakingDry HandlingWet BrakingWet HandlingStraight Aqua

2015 1 test
2013 1 test
P1 of 2 Beat 100% of the field

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 - Launched

Tire Reviews 305/35 R19 Tested by Tire Reviews

When compared directly to the Cup+, initial impressions of the Cup 2 were actually negative - it’s a slightly slower steering tire in low speed corners. While it's only a fraction, it was noticeable while testing back to back, however the payoff was clear the first time a high speed corner was taken - stability. So much more stability, to the point it felt like the 911 had uprated dampers. Where the Cup+ needed two inputs for each corner, the first to turn the car and the second to catch the car as it settled into the turn, the Cup 2 was in another league. A single turn placed the car exactly where you wanted it to be, and mid corner you weren't fighting the grip as you were on the Cup+. On the subject of grip, the Cup 2 had noticeably more dry grip than the Cup+, and while the turn two understeer hadn't been eliminated, the car had a much better balance mid corner. While these were big steps forward, there were more subtle steps too. The Cup 2 offered more braking stability at the end of the long straight, curbs upset the car less, and powerslides, if your thing, were easier with the new tire as it provided more communication past the limit. Ultimate lap time: 2.09.7, 2.4 seconds faster than the Cup+ with no signs of overheating. When you combine all this with 50% better wear on all tires of vehicles, the Cup 2 is a real winner.

Back to the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 overview

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