Firestone Firehawk Sport vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- TR Score
- 8.6/10
- Owners say
- 79% · 6
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 135
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead 5 times and the Firehawk Sport not once. The Firehawk Sport had 16.5% lower rolling resistance; the Pilot Sport 5 lasted 72.1% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 if you want the most capable and confidence-inspiring summer tyre-especially in the wet-and you care about long tread life and overall cost per kilometre. Choose the Firestone Firehawk Sport if your priority is a lower up-front price with quieter running and better efficiency, and you're willing to give up meaningful wet-performance margin and longevity.
Where the Firehawk Sport is stronger
- Lower rolling resistance / better efficiency (e.g., 7.62 vs 8.94 kg/t in Auto Bild 2025; 7.05 vs 8.62 kg/t in Auto Bild Sportscars 2023)
- Typically quieter in measured noise across tests (wins noise in 3/3 reported comparisons)
- Lower purchase price where measured (e.g., 365 vs 500 in 2023 test)
Where the Pilot Sport 5 is stronger
- Consistently shorter braking distances in dry and especially wet (wins 5/5 in both dry and wet braking)
- Stronger wet handling and higher safety reserves, including aquaplaning performance (wins straight + curved aquaplaning where reported)
- Much better tread life / projected mileage (e.g., +81% in Auto Bild 2025; +63% in ADAC 2025)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Firehawk Sport vs Pilot Sport 5 at a glance
| Category | Firehawk Sport | Gap | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 0 | 5 | |
| Dry7 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Sport 5 stopped 2.5% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 7 |
| Wet16 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Sport 5 stopped 8.5% shorter in the wet (5 tests) | 16 |
| Comfort4 measurements | 3 | The Firehawk Sport was 0.9 dB quieter (3 tests) | 1 |
| Value6 measurements | 3 | Level between the two. | 3 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.6/10 | The Pilot Sport 5 by 0.8 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating6 and 135 reviews | 79% | The Pilot Sport 5 by 6 points | 85% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 67% | The Pilot Sport 5 by 16 points | 83% |
| Pricein the 3 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Sport 5 was dearer in 3 of 3 | +26% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 35 | 22 sizes made in both | 66 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 5 tests, 2023 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Firehawk Sport | Field | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Summer Braking Super Tyre Test - How do 52 Tyres Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? | P23 of 50 | P9 of 50 | |
| 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | P20 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | P7 of 18 | P3 of 18 | |
| 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | P15 of 52 | P2 of 52 | |
| 2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test | P9 of 13 | P3 of 13 |
Performance profile
10 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Firehawk Sport
Pilot Sport 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 85%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 4 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Firehawk Sport
Pilot Sport 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Firehawk Sport
Pilot Sport 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Firehawk Sport 79% from 6 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Firehawk Sport | Gap | Pilot Sport 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35.2 | 2.5% | 34.32 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 115.6 | 1.7% | 117.6 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 36.56 | 8.5% | 33.38 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 38 | 7.1% | 35.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 76.45 | 3.4% | 79.05 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.14 | 1.1% | 12.98 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 77.27 | 2.8% | 79.43 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.78 | 10.9% | 3.07 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 16.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.97 | 0.9 dB | 71.9 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 31,680 | 72.1% | 54,285 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.34 | 16.5% | 8.78 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.5 | 1.8% | 5.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 81.1 | 30.8% | 56.1 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Firehawk Sport scores 8.6 and the Pilot Sport 5 9.4 out of 10.
| Firehawk Sport | Category | Pilot Sport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 | Dry | 93 | ||
| 66 | Wet | 96 | ||
| 54 | Comfort | 22 | ||
| 56 | Value | 59 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Firehawk Sport | Category | Pilot Sport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.5 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.8 | Road Feedback | 8.1 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 8.3 | ||
| 5 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 8 | Comfort | 8.2 | ||
Owners rate the Firehawk Sport 79% from 6 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Firestone Firehawk Sport
- 79%from 6 reviews
- 67%would buy again
- 18,510 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally report the Firestone Firehawk Sport delivers strong wet and dry grip with confident aquaplaning resistance, making it feel secure in heavy rain. Many also highlight low road noise and improved fuel economy/MPG versus prior tyres, with stable handling and reduced tramlining. A smaller share of reviews raise concerns about faster-than-expected wear or durability on rough/potholed roads, though most feedback remains clearly positive.
- Excellent wet grip and rain confidence (including aquaplaning resistance)
- Strong dry grip/traction and stable handling
- Low road noise/quiet ride
- Improved fuel economy/MPG
- Some reports of faster wear or reduced durability on rough/potholed roads
Summarised by AI from 6 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 6 Firehawk Sport reviewsI came from a hankook ventus s1 evo3 . But they had pretty bad dry cracks even before the tire ran out of life . I have 245/35/20 tires . the comfort on the firestones are a little bit worse then the hankooks . i could run the hankooks on 2.5 bar , these on 2.3 for the same comfort . i think the firestones are a bit more fuel efficient , even when they are on a lower tire pressure . Dry grip is very good , never lost any traction , even in the rain . aquaplanning is also very good , never had any feel of losing controle .
So far i ran the tires around 15.000 km and lost 1.5mm out of the 5.5mm tread on the front , and only lost 0.5 on the back . so i think ill get aroud 60.000km out of it if i switch them every year . Found out they have like 0 traction on snow , keep that in mind .
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- 85%from 135 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 1,150,326 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 very highly overall, with most highlighting standout grip in both the dry and wet and plenty of confidence for fast road driving. Comfort and refinement are also frequently praised for a UHP tyre, with many finding it quiet and easy-going day to day. Wear is more divisive: many report strong mileage, but around one in ten complain of quicker wear than expected (and a smaller group mention uneven wear). Around one in eight owners also wish for sharper, more precise steering feel compared with sportier rivals.
- Outstanding wet grip and confidence in the rain
- Very strong dry grip with big reserves
- Comfortable, compliant ride for a performance tyre
- Refined, relatively quiet motorway manners (especially when new)
- Steering feel can be a bit vague or slower to respond than rivals
- Can wear quicker than expected for some drivers
- Not happy when pushed hard on track; can overheat and lose grip
Summarised by AI from 121 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 135 Pilot Sport 5 reviewsI have driven on PS5 for the first season in my 150HP car (Cupra Leon ST).
The grip both in dry and in the wet is excellent - I tried to push them to the limit many times and have never been able to lose the grip so far.
Although I have to mention that they feel very soft close at the limit - even though the grip always delivers in the end, the tyre often „floats” when turning that you may start wondering if the tyre will make it out of the corner.
Due to their softness, I find them comfortable as for the summer tyre on small bumps.
Summing up - the grip is excellent, very safe and stable, breaking is sharp and… the tyre itself looks amazing.
Something worth mentioning is that the rim protector doesn’t exist in this tyre - if that’s something you care about, the PS5 is not for you.
Although I can’t find any cons in terms of safety in PS5, as a tyre geek, I think about replacing them for the next season for something with more sharp/sporty steering (I would appreciate any recommendations).
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 35 sizes of the Firehawk Sport and 66 of the Pilot Sport 5, 22 of them made in both.
| Category | Firehawk Sport | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 35 sizes, 18 to 20 inch | 66 sizes, 16 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 22 sizes 225/40 R18225/45 R18235/40 R18245/40 R18245/45 R18255/35 R18255/40 R18265/35 R18225/45 R19235/35 R19235/40 R19245/35 R19and 10 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A89%B11% |
| EU label rolling resistance | B77%C20%A3% | C82%B10%A9% |
| EU label noise | 70 dB B54%A46% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| On the market since | 2023 | 2022 |
| Replaced | Firestone Firehawk SZ90 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (2015) |
| Awards | - | Winner: Best Tyres for Hot Hatches (Compact Sports Cars) (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Best Tyres for Hot Hatches (DriverReviews, 2024/25) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Sport 5 was the dearer tyre in 3 of the 3 tests that listed prices, by 26% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This comparison puts the Firestone Firehawk Sport (an ultra-high-performance summer tyre pitched at value and efficiency) up against the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (a more premium, max-performance summer tyre aimed at drivers who prioritise outright grip and all-round refinement). Both target sporty passenger cars, but the test data shows they deliver that “sport” brief in very different ways.
Across five shared professional tests (Auto Bild, Auto Bild Sportscars, ADAC and two large braking/shootout datasets), the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is consistently the higher-performing tyre overall-often by meaningful margins in wet safety metrics-while the Firestone tends to trade some wet precision and longevity for lower noise, lower rolling resistance and a lower up-front purchase price.
Conclusion
If you're choosing on performance and safety first, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is the clear winner. It won all 5 shared tests overall and beat the Firestone in every shared dry- and wet-braking result. The wet gaps are especially significant: for example Auto Bild 2025 wet braking was 43.2 m (PS5) vs 48.7 m (Firestone), an 11.3% advantage, and the 2026 braking test showed 27.7 m vs 29.9 m (7.4% advantage). In real terms, that's several metres saved in an emergency stop, backed up by better wet handling and stronger aquaplaning results in multiple tests.
The Michelin also makes a strong long-term value case despite its higher price. Wear/mileage projections are dramatically better (e.g., 52,170 km vs 28,860 km in Auto Bild 2025; 56,400 km vs 34,500 km in ADAC 2025), and its cost-per-distance “value” scores beat the Firestone in the tests that measured it. The Firestone Firehawk Sport still has a role: it's typically quieter and clearly more energy-efficient (lower rolling resistance and slightly better fuel consumption), and it undercuts Michelin on purchase price. The practical takeaway: if you want the best blend of grip, wet safety, and lifespan, buy the Pilot Sport 5; if you're cost-sensitive up front and prioritise efficiency/quietness over ultimate wet performance and tread life, the Firehawk Sport is the compromise.
Firehawk Sport vs Pilot Sport 5: your questions
Is the Firestone Firehawk Sport or the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 the better tyre?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead 5 times and the Firehawk Sport not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Firehawk Sport scores 8.6 and the Pilot Sport 5 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Firehawk Sport or the Pilot Sport 5?
The Pilot Sport 5 led 16 of the 16 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 8.5% shorter in the wet across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Sport 5 led 7 of the 7 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.5% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Firehawk Sport had 16.5% lower rolling resistance (2 tests); the Pilot Sport 5 lasted 72.1% longer in the wear tests (2 tests). Owners rate wear 5/10 for the Firehawk Sport and 8/10 for the Pilot Sport 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Firehawk Sport was 0.9 dB quieter (3 tests). Owners rate comfort 8/10 for the Firehawk Sport and 8.2/10 for the Pilot Sport 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Firehawk Sport 79% from 6 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. 67% of Firehawk Sport owners would buy it again, against 83% for the Pilot Sport 5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 3 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Sport 5 was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 26% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Firehawk Sport is made in 35 sizes (18 to 20 inch) and the Pilot Sport 5 in 66 (16 to 22 inch). 22 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Firehawk Sport is graded A for wet grip and B for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Sport 5 A and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Firehawk Sport is the newer design: it reached the market in 2023, the Pilot Sport 5 in 2022. The Firehawk Sport replaced the Firestone Firehawk SZ90. The Pilot Sport 5 replaced the Michelin Pilot Sport 4.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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