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Michelin Pilot Sport 4 vs Pilot Sport 5
Michelin have been a leading
tyre manufacturer for a number of years now, paving the way for tyre technology and innovation.
The French tyre brand has various recognisable tyre models, with their Pilot Sport series being at the forefront of their successes in recent times.
For Pilot Sport tyres, the
Pilot Sport 4 and
Pilot Sport 5 have boosted the tyre series’ reputation for being one of the most efficient and popular summer tyres today.
But how does the predecessor compare to its successor? That’s what we’ll find out today when comparing both the Pilot Sport models.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 vs Pilot Sport 5: What’s the Difference?
The biggest difference between the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is that the Pilot Sport 5 builds on the strengths of its predecessor with improvements in wet braking, tread life and steering precision.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is a premium summer performance tyre designed to deliver excellent grip, responsive handling and confident everyday driving for performance cars.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is the latest generation of Michelin’s flagship performance road tyre. It introduces Michelin’s Dual Sport Tread Design, Dynamic Response Technology and MaxTouch Construction, helping deliver improved wet grip, longer tyre life and more precise steering while maintaining exceptional dry road performance.
In simple terms:
- Choose the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 if you’re replacing an existing set or looking for a proven performance tyre at a competitive price.
- Choose the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 if you want Michelin’s latest performance tyre with improvements in wet braking, longevity and everyday driving performance. Blackcircles would recommend the Michelin PS5.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Overview
The Pilot Sport 4 is a
summer tyre produced by Michelin that was launched in 2016.
The summer tyre has been a very valuable tyre model in Michelin’s model line-up, having specialty features to tackle both dry and wet conditions.
Michelin developed the Pilot Sport 4 with Dynamic Response Technology, giving the car more responsive and precise steering.
Longevity of the tyre is also a strength for the model, as the hybrid aramid and nylon belt enhances the tread pattern. This gives the tyre improved longevity, offering more mileage for the model.
The Pilot Sport 4 has been chosen as an OE tyre for many car models over the years, such as the
Mercedes-Benz A-Class and
Tesla Model 3. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 replaced the
Pilot Sport 3.
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Overview
The Pilot Sport 5 is a
premium tyre model released globally in 2022 that acted as a direct replacement for the Pilot Sport 4.
Michelin’s flagship summer tyre model is also equipped with Dynamic Response Technology for maximum levels of steering reactivity and driving precision.
The summer tyre features Dual Sport Tread Design with an inner tread that contains large longitudinal grooves. This gives the tyre enhanced levels of performance in both wet and dry braking.
Along with the tread design, Michelin has equipped the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 with their Premium Velvet Touch Sidewall design, giving the tyre model a sleek tyre sidewall design.
The Pilot Sport model has been chosen as an OE tyre for various car models, including the
Volkswagen Polo.
Tyre Label Ratings
Tyre label ratings are the EU regulated ranking of tyre performance based on three main categories. Label ratings may vary between tyre sizes for every tyre model.
The three main categories for performance are:
Fuel Efficiency – Ranked A to E
Wet Grip – Ranked A to E
Tyre Noise – Ranked with numbers and A to C/Decibels (dB)
| Label rating | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Efficiency | C | C |
| Wet Grip | A | A |
| Tyre Noise | 71B | 72B |
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Label Ratings
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 has fuel efficiency label ratings range from A to D, averaging a C rating across all sizes.
The wet grip ratings are mostly A, with some sizes having a rating of B.
Tyre noise ratings vary between the sizes, with the lowest being 70B and the highest being 73B.
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Label Ratings
Michelin Pilot Sport 5’s fuel efficiency ratings are C across all tyre sizes apart from
275/45 R20 tyres that have a fuel efficiency rating of B.
Wet grip ratings for the Pilot Sport 5 is A across all tyre sizes.
The tyre noise rating for the model is 72B across all tyre sizes, apart from
285/40 R19 sized tyres that have a noise rating of 75B.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Awards
The Pilot Sport 4 has been critically acclaimed by many, naturally leading to various awards and tyre test wins.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 claimed the best in ‘Overall Performance’ from ADAC’s comparative test in 2020, still years after the products first release in 2016.
Along with the Pilot Sport 4S (the sport version of the Pilot Sport 4), the Pilot Sport 4 was awarded with ‘Best Tyres for Hot Hatches’ at the 2022 DriverReviews Awards.
In 2022, the Pilot Sport 4 finished 1st out of 11 tyres in the AutoBild Sports Cars UHP Summer Tyre Test, showing how well equipped the Michelin model is on high-performance vehicles.
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Awards
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 also has many awards and tyre test wins since its release in 2022.
At the 2023 DriverReviews Customer Choice Awards, the Pilot Sport 5 were “Highly Recommended” in the ‘Best Tyres for Hot Hatches’ category, as well as “Commended” in the ‘Best Tyres for Large Family Cars’ category.
The Michelin model also won the ‘Contemporary Good Design Award’ from the Red Dot Awards in 2021 ahead of its global launch.
As the Pilot Sport 5 is a relatively new tyre model, there is still a lot of time for the tyre to gain many more awards in the coming years.
Customer Reviews Comparing Michelin PS5 vs PS4
Powered by
DriverReviews, our customer review process for our customers is broken down into the following categories:
- Overall ratings
- Would the customer buy the tyres again
- Does the car feel better to drive
- Were the tyres value for money
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Pilot Sport 4 as follows:
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Customer Reviews
customers have reviewed the Pilot Sport 5 as follows:
Why Are Michelin Performance Tyres Trusted Around The World?
Michelin develops performance tyres using technology refined through decades of motorsport and extensive road testing. The company’s focus on grip, steering precision, durability and long-lasting safety has made the Pilot Sport range one of the most respected performance tyre families available today.
Michelin tyres are trusted as
original equipment by leading manufacturers including Porsche, Ferrari,
BMW,
Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG,
Audi,
Tesla, McLaren, Aston Martin and Bentley, reflecting the brand’s reputation for engineering excellence and innovation.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Common Tyre Sizes
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Common Tyre Sizes
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Common Car Models
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Common Car Models
What Is The Price Difference Between Pilot Sport 4 vs Pilot Sport 5?
Prices for both these Pilot Sport models will vary between tyre sizes.
Fully fitted prices for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 range from £ to £ .
Fully fitted prices for the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 range from £ to £ .
Where Can I Buy Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Or Michelin Pilot Sport 5?
You can buy both the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 directly from Blackcircles.com. Simply enter your vehicle registration or tyre size to compare available options, view fully fitted prices and book fitting at one of thousands of trusted local garages across the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 better than the Pilot Sport 4?
Yes. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 builds on the strengths of the Pilot Sport 4 with improvements in wet grip, steering precision and tread life, making it the recommended choice for most drivers.
Is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 still worth buying?
Yes. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 remains an excellent performance tyre. However, as it has been replaced by the Pilot Sport 5, drivers purchasing new tyres today should consider the latest model if it is available in the correct size for their vehicle.
Which tyre offers better wet weather performance?
Both tyres deliver excellent wet grip, but the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has been engineered to improve wet braking and traction compared with its predecessor.
Which tyre lasts longer?
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has been designed with enhanced tread durability, helping provide longer tyre life while maintaining strong performance throughout its lifespan.
Which tyre is quieter?
Both tyres provide a refined driving experience. Noise levels vary depending on tyre size and vehicle fitment, so it’s worth checking the EU tyre label for your chosen specification.
Can I use Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres every day?
Yes. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is designed as a high-performance road tyre, making it suitable for everyday driving while still delivering responsive handling and excellent grip.
Are Michelin Pilot Sport tyres suitable for electric vehicles?
Yes. Both the Pilot Sport 4 and Pilot Sport 5 are available in sizes suitable for many electric vehicles, offering the steering precision and durability required by modern EVs.
Should I upgrade from Pilot Sport 4 to Pilot Sport 5?
If your vehicle is compatible, upgrading to the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is worthwhile. It offers improvements in wet performance, longevity and driving precision while retaining the responsive handling expected from the Pilot Sport range.
Should I consider the Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 instead?
If you own a high-performance sports car or want Michelin’s highest-performing road tyre, the Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 is worth considering. It sits above the Pilot Sport 5 in Michelin’s performance range and is designed for drivers seeking even greater grip and steering precision.
Which Michelin Pilot Sport tyre should I choose?
Choose the Pilot Sport 4 if you’re replacing an existing set or looking for excellent performance at a competitive price. Choose the Pilot Sport 5 if you want Michelin’s latest performance road tyre with improvements in wet grip, longevity and everyday driving precision. If you drive a powerful sports car and want Michelin’s flagship ultra-high-performance tyre, it’s also worth comparing the Pilot Sport S 5, where available for your vehicle.