Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Pirelli P Zero PZ5
Across four shared tests in multiple sizes (225/40 R18 through 255/35 R19), the story isn't a simple win/loss tally (they split overall wins 2-2). Instead, it's about where each tyre consistently earns time and safety margins: the Pirelli tends to score more category “wins” in braking/handling metrics, while the Michelin repeatedly stands out for efficiency (rolling resistance) and road-going polish-plus it can look unbeatable in some aquaplaning scenarios depending on the axle and test method.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been four tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | two | |
| Pirelli P Zero PZ5 | two |
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Pirelli P Zero PZ5 have an equal number of test wins. However, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Lower rolling resistance across all shared tests (e.g., 8.5 vs 9.73 kg/t in Autobild; 8.3 vs 9.1 kg/t in EVO), supporting economy/EV range and typically lower energy loss
- Best-in-comparison road manners and steering linearity in EVO's road scoring (22.7 vs 19.0 points), with consistently praised comfort/refinement
- Very strong straight-line aquaplaning results in multiple tests (e.g., 75.13 vs 71.45 km/h in EVO; led Autobild front-axle aquaplaning at 90.2 km/h)
- Proven all-round competitiveness: overall winner in the 2026 ACE test (1/10) with top-tier wet and dry safety point totals
- Consistently shorter dry braking distances in shared measurements (won 3/3), albeit by small margins (often ~0.3-1.5%)
- Wet handling advantage is the clearest repeated performance edge (won 3/3; e.g., Autobild 76.5 vs 71.2 km/h and wet circle 12.7 vs 14.3 s)
- Strong overall performance potential highlighted by winning the 2025 performance-tyre test (1/7) with class-leading blended dry and wet results
- Sporty steering/response credentials in several reports (ACE praised precision in dry disciplines; EVO described strong traction and reassuring agility on track-style routes)
Dry Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 stopped the vehicle in 0.85% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was 1.31% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 1.76% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ5.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 scored 8.36% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Road Score
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one subj. road score tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 16.3% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ5.
Best In Subj. Road Score: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Subj. Road Score winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 stopped the vehicle in 0.69% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was 1.64% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was 6.93% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 scored 3.7% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was 11.19% faster around a wet circle than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S floated at a 1.87% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ5.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S slipped out at a 1.6% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ5.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Pirelli P Zero PZ5 performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during one noise tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 measured 0.89% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Noise: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S had a 8.01% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ5.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S Driver Reviews
Across the reviews, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is most often described as a top-tier UHP summer tyre with standout dry and wet grip, strong braking, and high confidence at speed. Many drivers also report surprisingly good comfort for the category and, in higher-scoring reviews, better-than-expected tread life. The most consistent drawbacks are high price and a recurring complaint of softer sidewalls leading to less sharp turn-in/steering feel for some vehicles and driving styles; several also note higher noise on coarse surfaces or as the tyre ages. As expected for a max-performance summer tyre, multiple reviewers warn it is unsafe in snow/ice.
Based on 156 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Pirelli P Zero PZ5 Driver Reviews
Drivers report the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 as an outstanding UUHP tyre with exceptionally high dry grip and strong confidence in the wet, often comparing it favorably to rivals like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and Continental SportContact 7. Many also praise its comfort and stability, with several noting surprisingly good wear for the performance level. Minority feedback mentions a tradeoff in initial steering sharpness/sidewall firmness versus the sharpest competitors, plus some higher-speed noise and a small fuel-economy penalty.
Based on 14 reviews with an average rating of 95%
In the dry these have loads of grip. Their overall feel is very sporty and firm. There is a nice degree of stiffness that makes turning on winding roads really fun. They feel safe and stable - there is no significant tendency to oversteer or understeer and predictability is good. I like the balance. At the limit, on the border of understeer, these bite-in nicely and tighten the... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
Michelin's Pilot Sport 4 S still makes a very strong case if your priorities extend beyond the stopwatch. It repeatedly leads rolling resistance (e.g., 8.5 vs 9.73 kg/t in Autobild; 8.3 vs 9.1 kg/t in EVO), and professional comments consistently highlight its steering linearity, comfort and “road route” excellence (EVO ranked it best on the road). It also posts standout straight-line aquaplaning in some tests (e.g., 75.13 vs 71.45 km/h in EVO; 90.2 km/h front-axle in Autobild), though Autobild also noted a pronounced front-to-rear aquaplaning imbalance that can matter on powerful rear-driven cars in deep water.
Practical takeaway: choose the PZ5 if you want the more aggressive, grip-led max-performance option and your driving leans sporty (or you simply want the newer tyre that often tops objective grip metrics). Choose the PS4S if you value refinement, efficiency and predictable road manners-and especially if price is competitive in your market, because at least one test flagged the Michelin's cost (~1020€ per set) as hard to justify against newer rivals.
Key Differences
- Wet handling is the defining split: PZ5 repeatedly posts faster wet-course results (e.g., Autobild +7.44% in wet handling speed; wet circle 12.7 s vs 14.3 s), while PS4S is more variable by test and size
- Dry braking favors the PZ5 in every shared measured comparison (e.g., 33.25 m vs 33.74 m; 32.26 m vs 32.36 m; 36.0 m vs 36.3 m), though the gaps are generally small
- Rolling resistance consistently favors the PS4S (3/3 wins), with a meaningful spread in Autobild (8.5 vs 9.73 kg/t) that can translate to real efficiency differences over time
- Aquaplaning behavior is mixed: PS4S often leads straight-line aquaplaning (EVO and Autobild front axle), while PZ5 can lead in other water tests (e.g., 2025 test straight aqua 74.0 vs 73.5 km/h; better curved aquaplaning 3.14 vs 2.96 m/s²)
- Subjective/on-road refinement trends toward Michelin (top road score and noted comfort/linearity), whereas Pirelli is more 'driver's tyre' but can transmit more harshness/boom on imperfect roads (EVO comments)
- Value positioning differs by test: Autobild flagged the PS4S as extremely expensive with poor price-to-performance at ~1020€ per set, while PZ5's performance-led results make it easier to justify when priced similarly
Overall Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
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Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.
Discussion
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