Michelin Pilot Sport 4 vs Bridgestone Potenza Sport
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 finished ahead 3 times and the Potenza Sport twice. The Pilot Sport 4 was stronger in comfort and value, the Potenza Sport in dry and wet.
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Pilot Sport 4
Potenza Sport
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 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 3 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Pilot Sport 4
Potenza Sport
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
Pilot Sport 4
Potenza Sport
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Pilot Sport 4 82% from 357 reviews and the Potenza Sport 80% from 139. 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. Wins count the tests in which each tyre did better.
| Measurement | Pilot Sport 4 | Gap | Potenza Sport | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Potenza Sport ahead | ||||
| Dry Braking m | 35.05 | 0.4% | 34.92 | 2-3 |
| Dry Handling (s) | 80.84 | 0.1% | 80.67 | 1-1 |
| Dry Handling (km/h) | 117.2 | 0.4% | 117.8 | 1-2 |
| Subj. Dry Handling pts | scored | = | scored | 0-0 |
| Wet Potenza Sport ahead | ||||
| Wet Braking m | 39 | 0.1% | 39.1 | 2-3 |
| Wet Handling (s) | 66.28 | 1% | 65.57 | 1-1 |
| Wet Handling (km/h) | 82.37 | 2% | 84.03 | 0-3 |
| Subj. Wet Handling pts | scored | 4.6% | scored | 0-1 |
| Wet Circle (m/s) | 7.12 | 3.1% | 7.34 | 0-1 |
| Wet Circle (s) | 12.98 | 3% | 12.61 | 0-3 |
| Straight Aqua km/h | 81.36 | 1.4% | 80.08 | 4-1 |
| Curved Aquaplaning m/sec2 | 5.65 | 3.2% | 5.74 | 3-2 |
| Comfort Pilot Sport 4 ahead | ||||
| Noise dB | 70.95 | 1.5 dB | 72.45 | 4-0 |
| Value Pilot Sport 4 ahead | ||||
| Rolling Resistance kg / t | 8.45 | 11.2% | 9.52 | 5-0 |
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.
Head to head in 5 tests, 2021 to 2022
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 | Pilot Sport 4 | Field | Potenza Sport |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test | P4 of 10 | P6 of 10 | |
| 2022 AutoBild Sports Cars UHP Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 11 | P5 of 11 | |
| 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test | P2 of 10 | P1 of 10 | |
| 2021 EVO Summer Tyre Test | P5 of 9 | P3 of 9 | |
| 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 14 | P2 of 14 |
Pilot Sport 4 vs Potenza Sport: your questions
Is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 or the Bridgestone Potenza Sport the better tyre?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 finished ahead 3 times and the Potenza Sport twice. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Pilot Sport 4 scores 9.3 and the Potenza Sport 9.3 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Pilot Sport 4 or the Potenza Sport?
The Potenza Sport led 15 of the 25 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it lapped the wet circle 3% faster across 3 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Potenza Sport led 6 of the 11 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Sport 4 had 11.2% lower rolling resistance (5 tests). Owners rate wear 7.4/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 and 6.1/10 for the Potenza Sport.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Pilot Sport 4 was 1.5 dB quieter (4 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.8/10 for the Pilot Sport 4 and 7/10 for the Potenza Sport.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Pilot Sport 4 82% from 357 reviews and the Potenza Sport 80% from 139. 79% of Pilot Sport 4 owners would buy it again, against 67% for the Potenza Sport.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Sport 4 was the dearer tyre in 4 of them, by 12.4% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Pilot Sport 4 is made in 62 sizes (16 to 20 inch) and the Potenza Sport in 129 (16 to 24 inch). 52 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Pilot Sport 4 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Potenza Sport A and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Potenza Sport is the newer design: it reached the market in 2021, the Pilot Sport 4 in 2015. The Pilot Sport 4 replaced the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 PS3. The Potenza Sport replaced the Bridgestone Potenza S001.
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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.