Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 - Test Results
Test Statistics
11
Tests Completed2nd
Average Position1st
Best Result4th
Worst ResultPerformance Analysis
Across 12 summer-focused tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 shows a clear, repeatable pattern: it is a dry-grip/track-day-biased tyre that regularly delivers front-running lap-time and objective dry performance, often winning or placing top-2 in dry handling and dry braking. This explains its very strong average overall position (avg. 2nd), and multiple outright wins in mixed UHP/track comparisons where dry pace carries significant weighting.
Performance Strengths
-
Dry Track Pace & Handling
Strong
Details
• 1st place overall in 2020 Sport Auto UHP/UUHP/Track test (245/35 R19) with 1st dry handling and 1st subjective dry handling (dry handling position 1/10; subj. dry handling 1/10)
• 1st place dry handling in 2020 Auto Bild UHP test (265/35 R19) (dry handling position 1/10)
• 2nd place dry handling in 2017 Auto Bild Track Day test (235/35 R19), just +0.3% from best (position 2/5, +0.3%)
• 2nd place dry handling in 2018 Sport Auto 19" test, only +0.8% from best (position 2/9, +0.8%)
• 2026 performance summer tyre test: 2nd dry handling, only +0.4% from best, and 1st subjective dry handling (dry handling 2/8, +0.4%; subj. dry handling 1/8)
-
Dry Braking
Strong
Details
• 1st place dry braking in 2020 Sport Auto UHP/UUHP/Track test (245/35 R19) (position 1/10)
• 1st place dry braking in 2020 Auto Bild UHP test (265/35 R19) (position 1/10)
• Consistent near-top results in other mixed tests: 2nd dry braking in 2018 Sport Auto 19" (+1.5% from best; position 2/9) and 2nd dry braking in 2017 Auto Bild Track Day (+2.9% from best; position 2/5)
-
NVH (Noise) in Some Fitments
Minor
Details
• 1st place noise in 2026 performance summer tyre test at 71.3 dB (position 1/8)
• 2nd place noise in 2020 Auto Bild UHP test at 73 dB (position 2/10, +0.1% from best)
Performance Weaknesses
-
Wet Braking & Wet Grip (Wet Handling / Wet Circle)
Strong
Details
• 2020 Sport Auto UHP/UUHP/Track test: 8th wet braking (+27.8% from best) and 8th wet handling (+8.2% from best) plus 9th wet circle (+11.9%) (wet braking 8/10; wet handling 8/10; wet circle 9/10)
• 2020 Auto Bild UHP test: 9th wet braking (+22.3%) and 9th wet handling (+6.7%) (wet braking 9/10; wet handling 9/10)
• 2017 Sport Auto UHP/Track test: 9th wet braking (+22.5%) and 9th wet handling (+14.1%) (wet braking 9/10; wet handling 9/10)
• 2018 Sport Auto 19" test: 8th wet braking (+30.2%) (wet braking 8/9)
• 2026 performance summer tyre test: 7th wet braking (+14.3%) and 6th wet handling (+7.8%) (wet braking 7/8; wet handling 6/8)
-
Aquaplaning Resistance (Straight-Line)
Strong
Details
• 2020 Auto Bild UHP test: 10th straight aquaplaning (+11.9% from best) (straight aqua 10/10)
• 2020 Sport Auto UHP/UUHP/Track test: 8th straight aquaplaning (+9.0%) (straight aqua 8/10)
• 2018 Sport Auto 19" test: 7th straight aquaplaning (+12.7%) (straight aqua 7/9)
• 2026 performance summer tyre test: straight aquaplaning ranked 6/8 (+2.7% from best), still mid-pack despite strong dry pace (straight aqua 6/8)
-
Comfort / Ride Compliance
Moderate
Details
• 2020 Sport Auto UHP/UUHP/Track test: last place subjective comfort, 10/10 (+40% from best) (subj. comfort 10/10)
• 2026 performance summer tyre test: last place subjective comfort, 8/8 (+13.8% from best) (subj. comfort 8/8)
-
Value (Purchase Price) and Efficiency
Moderate
Details
• 2020 Auto Bild UHP test: 10th price, +158.3% from best (price 10/10, +158.3%)
• 2018 Sport Auto 19" test: 9th price, +177.6% from best (price 9/9, +177.6%)
• Rolling resistance trends are typically mid-to-lower tier: 8th rolling resistance (+12.6%) in 2020 Sport Auto (245/35 R19) and 7th (+13.2%) in 2020 Auto Bild (265/35 R19) (rolling resistance 8/10; 7/10)
Performance Over Time
Test History
4
of 8
The BEST Performance Summer Tyres for 2026 Tested! Recommended
2026
Winner: Pirelli P Zero R
I think the result for the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is going to surprise a lot of people; it certainly surprised me. It wasn't fastest in the dry and I'm a little bit surprised that the King Boss...
Strong:
Noise, Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Subj. Dry Handling
Noise, Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Subj. Dry Handling
Weak:
Subj. Comfort, Wet Braking
Subj. Comfort, Wet Braking
1
of 6
The BEST Track Day Tyres for 2024
2024
The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (N0) impressed drivers with its predictable and confidence-inspiring handling characteristics. The tyre provided a neutral balance, allowing for precise turn-in and a...
Weak:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling Long Run, Wet Braking
Dry Braking, Dry Handling Long Run, Wet Braking
2
of 5
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Cup 2 vs Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3 vs 3R vs Toyo R888R
2021
Winner: Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3R
The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 performs as expected from the Cup 2, it offers high levels of grip and is very easy to drive for a track tyre, however it breaks into understeer earlier than the Supe...
Strong:
Dry Handling
Dry Handling
1
of 10
Strong:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Subj. Dry Handling
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Subj. Dry Handling
Weak:
Noise, Subj. Comfort, Wet Circle
Noise, Subj. Comfort, Wet Circle
2
of 10
2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test
2020
Winner: Continental Sport Contact 6
Conditionally Recommended.
Strong:
Noise, Dry Braking, Dry Handling
Noise, Dry Braking, Dry Handling
Weak:
Price, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Price, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
1
of 9
Strong:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling
Dry Braking, Dry Handling
Weak:
Price, Wet Braking
Price, Wet Braking
1
of 5
Strong:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Straight Aqua, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
3
of 10
Strong:
Dry Handling
Dry Handling
Weak:
Wet Braking, Wet Handling
Wet Braking, Wet Handling
1
of 2
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 - Launched
2013
When compared directly to the Cup+, initial impressions of the Cup 2 were actually negative - it’s a slightly slower steering tyre in low speed corners. While it's only a fraction, it was no...