Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
The big story in the data is consistency: Pilot Sport 5 wins every shared head-to-head overall result (8/8) and does so by combining small but repeatable advantages in dry performance with more decisive gains in wet braking and long-term running costs. SportMaxx RT 2's counterpunch is hydroplaning resistance and day-to-day refinement (notably noise), which can matter a lot depending on your climate and priorities.
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 | eight |
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is better than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 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
- Strong aquaplaning resistance (straight and often curved), frequently leading the pair in hydroplaning metrics
- Typically lower pass-by noise than Pilot Sport 5 across multiple tests
- Generally comfortable/forgiving ride impression in some test notes (e.g., comfort win in Auto Bild 2026)
- Competitive purchase price in some sizes/markets (e.g., lower listed price in AutoBild 2023: 575 vs 695)
- Consistently shorter dry braking across all shared tests (wins 8/8)
- Clear advantage in wet braking with several meaningful gaps (e.g., ~12% in Auto Bild 2025)
- Higher dry and wet handling performance with strong subjective steering/controllability feedback
- Much better wear/mileage and lower abrasion, delivering stronger cost-per-km despite higher upfront price
Dry Braking
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during eight dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 3.51% less distance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.61% faster around a lap than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
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 Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
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 eight wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 6.75% less distance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
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 7.35% less distance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.52% faster around a wet lap than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
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 Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.27% faster around a wet circle than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
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 Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 floated at a 0.32% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Straight Aqua: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 slipped out at a 4.01% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 scored 5.38% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during five noise tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 measured 1.06% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
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 25.08% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four value tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 proved to have a 6.82% better value based on price/1000km than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Value: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during one price tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 cost 17.27% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Price: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
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 3.82% lower rolling resistance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
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 Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 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 18.3% less particle wear matter than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 Driver Reviews
Most drivers find the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 confidence-inspiring with strong wet and dry grip, low noise, and good comfort, often noting solid aquaplaning resistance and decent wear for the category. However, many report soft sidewalls leading to vague or wobbly handling and reduced precision, and a minority cite rapid performance drop-off as they wear or isolated build issues. Overall sentiment skews positive given the large number of high-scoring reviews.
Based on 92 reviews with an average rating of 77%
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%
Conclusion
Where the Michelin really separates itself is ownership cost over time. Wear/mileage is consistently much stronger for Pilot Sport 5 (commonly ~32-35% higher projected life: e.g., 59,670 km vs 44,820 km in Auto Bild 2026; 56,400 km vs 41,700 km in ADAC 2025), and it also shows lower abrasion where measured. Even when Michelin's purchase price is higher, its better cost-per-km (“value”) wins repeatedly in these tests.
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is not a bad tyre-it's frequently described as safe and competent, with very strong aquaplaning reserves (often winning straight and curved aquaplaning metrics) and generally lower measured noise. But it gives away too much in wet braking and overall longevity to beat the Pilot Sport 5 as a default recommendation. Practical takeaway: if you want the most complete mix of grip, braking and long life, choose the Michelin; if you regularly face standing water and prioritize aquaplaning resistance and quieter running, the Dunlop can still make sense-especially if priced aggressively.
Key Differences
- Overall ranking trend: Michelin places near the top (e.g., 1/21 Auto Bild 2025; 3/18 ADAC 2025; 3/20 Auto Bild 2026) while Dunlop is usually mid-pack (e.g., 9/21, 9/18, 13/20).
- Wet braking is the biggest safety separator: Michelin is consistently shorter, including large gaps (e.g., 43.2 m vs 49.1 m in Auto Bild 2025, ~12% advantage).
- Dry performance is a smaller but consistent Michelin edge: typically ~2-5% shorter braking and ~1-2% higher handling speeds.
- Aquaplaning: Dunlop more often wins straight aquaplaning (4 vs 1) and curved aquaplaning (4 vs 1), indicating stronger water-clearance reserves in deep water scenarios.
- Longevity/environmental metrics: Michelin repeatedly delivers ~32-35% more mileage and lower abrasion (e.g., ADAC 2025 abrasion 56.1 vs 91 mg/km/t).
- Refinement trade-off: Dunlop is usually quieter on measured noise, while Michelin can be slightly louder in some tests despite strong overall dynamics and efficiency.
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.
Discussion
- No comments yet — be the first.