Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
Across 8 shared professional tests (Auto Bild, ADAC, AZ and others, in 18-19 inch sizes), the pattern is consistent: Michelin wins the comparison on overall ranking in 7 of 8 tests, often by combining strong wet performance with better steering precision and much higher wear life. Nexen's counterpunch is real, though-especially in certain braking tests where it beats the Michelin by small margins, while also being notably quieter and cheaper to buy.
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 eight tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | seven | |
| Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 | one |
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is better than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 purely based on the higher number of test wins, 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
- Consistently higher overall test rankings (wins overall in 7/8 shared tests, often top-3/top-5)
- Stronger and more confidence-inspiring handling/steering precision (e.g., Autobild 2026 subjective dry handling 10.0 vs 6.7; dry handling 101.3 vs 99.4 km/h)
- More robust wet performance and aquaplaning safety margins in most tests (e.g., Auto Bild 2025 wet braking 43.2 vs 48.3 m; curved aquaplaning advantages up to ~20%)
- Significantly better wear mileage and lower abrasion in multiple tests (often +25-60% wear life; e.g., 59,670 vs 47,810 km; 55,600 vs 34,400 km)
- Very competitive (sometimes class-leading) straight-line braking in certain tests (e.g., Autobild 2026 dry 33.9 vs 34.4 m; wet 42.3 vs 43.3 m)
- Lower pass-by/road noise across most shared results (wins noise in 5/5 where reported; often ~2-6 dB quieter)
- Lower purchase price and frequently better price-per-tyre value metrics (e.g., AutoBild 2023 price 410 vs 695; Autobild 2026 value 12.13 vs 15.42)
- Decent all-round safety margins for a mid-range UHP tyre, with good braking and acceptable wet security despite some handling softness
Dry Braking
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during six dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 1.9% less distance than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 0.89% faster around a lap than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 2.93% faster around a lap than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 33% more points than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during six wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 5.29% less distance than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 8.31% less distance than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.88% faster around a wet lap than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.87% faster around a wet lap than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 8.75% more points than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.71% faster around a wet circle than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 floated at a 0.25% higher speed than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 slipped out at a 9.28% higher speed than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 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 five tyre tests, the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 was better during five noise tests. On average the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 measured 3.59% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is predicted to cover 28.21% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 was better during three value tests. On average the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 proved to have a 9.96% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Value: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 was better during two price tests. On average the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 cost 35.86% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Price: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 had a 2.23% lower rolling resistance than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 performed equally well in fuel consumption tests.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 lost 21.29% less particle wear matter than the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Driver Reviews
Across 95 reviews, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is widely viewed as an outstanding all-round UHP summer tyre, praised for exceptional wet grip (including strong aquaplaning resistance), very high dry grip, and a confidence-inspiring, stable feel at speed. Many drivers also report a refined ride with good comfort and generally low road noise, alongside strong tread life for the category. Minority concerns focus on a softer/less immediate steering response with reduced road feedback and a tendency toward understeer, especially when pushed hard or in track/heat conditions.
Based on 103 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 Driver Reviews
For the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2, most high-scoring reviews praise strong dry and wet grip, predictable handling, acceptable comfort for some, and excellent value. However, a significant portion of mid/low-scoring reviews report fast shoulder wear, durability/quality issues, and higher noise/harshness, especially over time. Overall sentiment is mixed but leans slightly positive due to several very high-rated performance-focused reviews, while longevity and refinement remain common concerns.
Based on 17 reviews with an average rating of 70%
Conclusion
The Nexen N'Fera Sport SU2 makes sense when budget and comfort/refinement are high priorities and you still want credible safety margins. It's frequently quieter (often 2-6 dB lower in these tests) and regularly cheaper on purchase price (e.g., AutoBild 2023: 410 vs 695). It can also post excellent straight-line braking-enough to beat the PS5 in specific datasets (e.g., Autobild 2026 dry braking 33.9 vs 34.4 m; and the 2026 52-tyre braking test where Nexen placed 3rd vs Michelin 9th). The trade-off is that it tends to give away steering precision/turn-in and overall handling consistency, which is why its overall placings are usually mid-pack while the Michelin repeatedly finishes near the front.
Practical takeaway: PS5 is the “spend more, worry less” choice-especially if you drive hard, see lots of rain, or keep tyres on for many miles. The SU2 is the “smart value” pick if you want quietness and strong braking for the money and can accept less incisive handling and typically shorter tread life.
Key Differences
- Overall performance: Michelin typically finishes near the top (e.g., 1st/21 in Auto Bild 2025; 3rd/18 in ADAC 2025; 3rd/20 in Autobild 2026), while Nexen usually places mid-pack (e.g., 14th/21, 10th/18, 9th/20).
- Handling/steering: Michelin is repeatedly more precise and faster in dry and wet handling; Nexen is often described as having delayed turn-in/understeer tendencies, which costs time and confidence.
- Wet braking spread is usually meaningful in Michelin's favour (often ~4-11% shorter), even though Nexen occasionally edges Michelin by ~2% in specific 245/45 R19 braking datasets.
- Aquaplaning: Michelin more consistently strong-especially curved aquaplaning (e.g., +10% to +20% advantages), whereas Nexen's straight aquaplaning can be competitive or occasionally better.
- Noise/refinement: Nexen is consistently quieter (e.g., Autobild 2026: 70.6 vs 74.3 dB; AZ 2023: 68 vs 72 dB), while Michelin is more average-to-louder among premium peers.
- Ownership economics: Michelin costs more upfront but typically lasts far longer (often +25-60% wear), which can offset its price; Nexen is cheaper to buy and can look strong on “value” metrics, but its shorter mileage can erode the savings for high-mileage drivers.
Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 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
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
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.
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