As two of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers,
Michelin and
Continental have built strong reputations for producing high-quality
tyres across a wide range of categories.
Designed to deliver exceptional performance, both tyres have been widely praised for their handling, comfort, and durability.
In this article, we’ll be comparing the Pilot Sport 4 and the PremiumContact 6, exploring their key features, performance attributes, and what customers have to say about them.
Pilot Sport 4 Overview
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is a premium summer tyre that made its global debut in 2016, delivering a high level of performance inspired by Michelin’s expertise in motorsport.
Designed for precision and control, the Pilot Sport 4 features Michelin’s advanced Dynamic Response technology, ensuring outstanding traction on a variety of road surfaces.
Its carefully engineered tread compound, a sophisticated blend of elastomers and hydrophobic silica, enhances braking performance and wet grip, significantly reducing the risk of aquaplaning.
The result is a tyre that provides superior road contact, improved cornering stability, and confident performance in both dry and wet conditions.
The Pilot Sport 4 was introduced as the successor to the
Michelin Pilot Sport 3, refining its predecessor’s strengths to deliver an even more dynamic driving experience.
Released in 2017, the Continental PremiumContact 6 is a premium summer tyre designed to offer a balance of performance, comfort, and durability.
Equipped with Continental’s “Safety Silica Compound,” the PremiumContact 6 delivers outstanding handling in various driving conditions while providing a 15% improvement in mileage over its predecessors, the SportContact 5 and PremiumContact 5.
The tyre also benefits from reduced noise levels, with a decrease of up to 10% compared to earlier models.
Thanks to its enhanced contact surface and optimised tread stiffness, the PremiumContact 6 not only reduces interior noise but also improves mileage and ride comfort. This ensures a smoother, quieter drive so you can enjoy your journey for longer.
Over the years, the PremiumContact 6 has been fitted as original equipment on several popular car models, including the
Kia EV6 and
Audi A6.
Every car tyre must display its EU-regulated tyre label ratings, which provide key performance insights across several important categories.
These ratings can vary depending on the tyre size or specific manufacturer fitments, ensuring that each tyre is assessed according to its exact specifications.
The key categories included in the EU tyre label are:
Fuel Efficiency – Rated from A to E
Wet Grip – Ranked from A to E
Tyre Noise – Expressed in decibels (dB) and classified from A to C
Pilot Sport 4 Label Ratings
Fuel Efficiency: A – D
Wet Grip: A or B
Tyre Noise: 70B – 73B
PremiumContact 6 Label Ratings
Fuel Efficiency: A – C
Wet Grip: A or B
Tyre noise: 71B – 75B
Pilot Sport 4 Awards
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 has earned widespread recognition and numerous awards since its release, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier summer tyre.
In 2022, the Pilot Sport 4 claimed 1st place out of 11 tyres in AutoBild’s UHP summer tyre test (225/45 R18). Following the test, AutoBild praised the PS4 as a “premium summer tyre with the best dynamic driving characteristics in the dry,” highlighting its precise steering, excellent wet and dry braking performance, and low rolling resistance.
A year earlier, in 2021, the PS4 finished joint 1st out of 13 tyres in a Tyre Reviews UHP summer tyre test, sharing the top spot with the
Pilot Sport 4 S and
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport.
The tyre’s success extends beyond performance tests. At the DriverReviews Customer Choice Awards in 2022, the Pilot Sport 4 was named ‘Best Tyres for Hot Hatches,’ further cementing its status as a favourite among driving enthusiasts.
With nearly a decade of outstanding results in both tyre tests and industry awards, the Pilot Sport 4 continues to be a standout performer in Michelin’s premium summer tyre range.
PremiumContact 6 Awards
Since its release in 2016, the Continental PremiumContact 6 has earned numerous awards and tyre test wins, solidifying its reputation as a top-performing summer tyre.
In 2019, Auto Express named the PremiumContact 6 ‘Product of the Year’ in the summer tyre category, praising its exceptional performance, highlighting that it was “the best tyre to drive in both wet and dry” and noted its responsive handling, stating that “there was a liveliness to its handling that no rival could match, and few could get close to.”
At the DriverReviews Customer Choice Awards in 2022, the PremiumContact 6 was awarded ‘Best Tyres for Large Family Cars,’ demonstrating its strong suitability for larger vehicles, including SUVs and 4x4s.
The tyre has also excelled in independent tests across different sizes and categories. A standout achievement came in ADAC’s Summer Tyre Test in 2021, where the PremiumContact 6 secured 1st place out of 15 summer tyres, outperforming its competitors in key performance areas.
With nearly a decade of success in awards and tyre tests, the PremiumContact 6 continues to be recognised as a leading choice in the premium summer tyre segment.
Customer Reviews
Our review system is powered by DriverReviews, offering genuine insights from real customers to help both existing and potential Blackcircles.com customers make informed tyre choices.
Customers rate their tyres based on four key categories
Overall Ratings
Would the customer buy the tyres again
Does the car feel better to drive
Were the tyres value for money
Pilot Sport 4 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Pilot Sport 4 as follows:
PremiumContact 6 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Premium Contact 6 as follows:
Prices may vary depending on tyre sizes and/or special car manufacturer fitments.
Fully fitted prices for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 range from £ to £.
Fully fitted prices for the Continental PremiumContact 6 range from £ to £.
FAQs:
Are these tyres suitable for SUVs?
Yes - both are available in SUV sizes. PremiumContact 6 is commonly chosen for SUVs and family cars due to comfort and load handling; Pilot Sport 4 suits performance-oriented SUVs where handling is a priority.
How do I choose the correct size?
Check your vehicle handbook or the tyre placard on your vehicle for the manufacturer-recommended tyre sizes, load index and speed rating. If you want a different size, consult a tyre fitter to ensure circumference and load rating compatibility.
Can I replace my tyres with a different size?
You can change tyre size only within the manufacturer’s approved tolerances. Always check the vehicle handbook or consult a tyre fitter. If changing sizes, ensure correct load index, speed rating and that the overall rolling circumference remains within safe limits.
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