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Michelin Pilot Super Sport Test Results

Tire Reviews tests: 2 Tested 2011 to 2020 6 publications

Tested 12 times by independent publications, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport has taken 4 test wins with an average finish of 3rd.

  • 12Independent tests
  • 4Test wins
  • 9Podium finishes
  • 3rdAverage finish
  • 75%Field beaten on average
  • 6Publications
Michelin Pilot Super Sport

12 tests, 2011 to 2020

0%50%100%2011201220142015201620172020Average 75%2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2011): P6 of 9, Beat 38% of the field2011 Sport Auto Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2011): P1 of 7, Beat 100% of the field2011 Tirerack Max Performance Summer Tire Test (2011): P1 of 4, Beat 100% of the field2012 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test (2012): P4 of 9, Beat 63% of the field2014 Auto Review Max Performance Tire Test (2014): P2 of 7, Beat 83% of the field2015 Auto Bild Performance Tire Test (2015): P2 of 7, Beat 83% of the field2015 Top 5 Summer Performance Tires (2015): P1 of 5, Beat 100% of the field2016 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test (2016): P3 of 6, Beat 60% of the field2016 EVO Summer Performance Tire Test (2016): P6 of 9, Beat 38% of the fieldMichelin Pilot Super Sport VS Continental Sport Contact 6 (2016): P1 of 2, Beat 100% of the field2017 Motor Mag UHP Tire Test (2017): P2 of 9, Beat 88% of the fieldOE vs Aftermarket - Is the tire your vehicle came with always the best tire? (2020): P2 of 3, Beat 50% 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 75%
The latest test

OE vs Aftermarket - Is the tire your vehicle came with always the best tire? P2 of 3

Strong: Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling, Subj. Comfort Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Record by discipline

Where the Michelin Pilot Super Sport 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 2 P1.5 of 6 94% 1
Dry Handling 2 P1.5 of 6 75% 1
Wet
Wet Braking 2 P3.5 of 6 50% -
Wet Handling 1 P2 of 3 50% -
Comfort
Subj. Comfort 1 P2 of 3 50% -

Head-to-head record

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

Rival Shared tests Ahead Behind Level Finished ahead
Pirelli P Zero 6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind 6 4 2 - 67%
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2 6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind 6 4 2 - 67%
Continental ContiSportContact 5 P 5 shared: 2 ahead, 3 behind 5 2 3 - 40%
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 4 shared: 3 ahead, 1 behind 4 3 1 - 75%
Bridgestone Potenza S001 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 3 shared: 3 ahead, 0 behind 3 3 0 - 100%
Toyo Proxes T1 Sport 3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind 3 2 1 - 67%
Continental Sport Contact 6 3 shared: 1 ahead, 2 behind 3 1 2 - 33%

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 PS2 Predecessor 3 0 5th 41%
Michelin Pilot Super Sport This tire 12 4 3rd 75%
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S Successor 31 13 2nd 78%

Performance Analysis

Drawn from 11 tests. Updated August 26, 2025.

Across 11 summer tests, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport consistently delivers top-tier dry performance with engaging handling and precision, averaging a strong 2.7 overall. It secured multiple wins and frequent podiums early in its lifecycle, and even in later comparisons remained competitive. The main trade-off is wet performance variability, where it occasionally trails newer rivals, especially in wet braking and standing-water conditions.

Performance Strengths

Performance Weaknesses

Do owners agree with the tests?

Every tester write-up on the Michelin Pilot Super Sport (9 tests) and 127 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 6 of 9 tests 77 praise, 3 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Tread life strength in 1 of 9 tests 38 praise, 9 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Steering feel strength in 5 of 9 tests 19 praise, 9 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Dry handling strength in 7 of 9 tests 20 praise, 0 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Aquaplaning resistance weakness in 3 of 9 tests 2 praise, 5 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews

Raised by owners, not by any test of this tire

  • Cold-weather grip no test mentions it 3 praise, 19 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
  • Sidewall stiffness no test mentions it 3 praise, 8 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews

Every test, newest first 12

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

2020 1 test
2017 1 test
P2 of 9 Beat 88% of the field

2017 Motor Mag UHP Tire Test

235/35 R19

StrongDry BrakingDry Handling WinnerContinental ContiSportContact 5 P

2016 3 tests
P6 of 9 Beat 38% of the field

2016 EVO Summer Performance Tire Test

EVO 235/35 R19

The Michelin ruled the dry testing, both in outright performance and subjective steering feel, but it struggled in the wet running, one of the slowest on test. Excellent if you prioritize dry running and steering feel.

WinnerContinental Sport Contact 6

2015 2 tests
2014 1 test
P2 of 7 Beat 83% of the field

2014 Auto Review Max Performance Tire Test

Auto Review 255/40 R19

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport has been created using technology from the 24 hour race at Le Mans, and you can tell on the track! It’s one of the best tires on the track and road in the dry, and even after drifting the tread shows very little sign of wear. In the wet, the tires prove slightly worse. Resistance to aquaplaning raises no objections, but on the road the driver is forced to work harder than with other tires once on the limit. Perfect for those who want to enjoy the fast ride.

WinnerContinental ContiSportContact 5 P

2012 1 test
P4 of 9 Beat 63% of the field

2012 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test

Sport Auto 235/35 R19

In the dry, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is the benchmark, characterised by a quick, very precise turn in and excellent lateral grip. Unsurprisingly for a dry optimized tire, the Super Sport only manages an average wet performance with a particular weakness in the aquaplaning tests.

WinnerPirelli P Zero

2011 3 tests
P1 of 7 Beat 100% of the field

2011 Sport Auto Max Performance Summer Tire Test

Sport Auto 245/40 R18

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport left the most sporty impression, characterised by extremely precise steering and agile handling. Over 10 dry handling laps the Pilot Super Sport shows no degradation of lap time unlike the competitors. On a wet track the quick load change required an experience driver.

P6 of 9 Beat 38% of the field

2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tire Test

Auto Review 235/35 R19

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a good example of how it's extremely difficult to achieve excellent in all areas. Michelin have prioritized dry grip and steering feedback with the Pilot Super Sport, giving the tire the best dry lap time and handling, at the expense of wet performance and comfort.

WinnerContinental ContiSportContact 5 P

Back to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport overview

Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Michelin tires

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