Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

In this article we will be looking at independent tyre test data, and real world driver reviews of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 to find out which tyre is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 are Max Performance Summer tyres designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tyres is relatively simple.

Both tyres are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tyre tests.

Pilot-Sport-4-S VS P-Zero-PZ4

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 five tests which compare both tyres directly!

Out of these five tests:

  • Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S finished ahead of the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 in five of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is better than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 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.

Lets look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during five dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S stopped the vehicle in 1.4% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
31.64M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
32.09M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tyre Test
245/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 24M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 24.4M
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.6M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.5M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.5M
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.18M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.34M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 33.9M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during three dry handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 0.71% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
58.69s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
59.11s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tyre Test
245/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 29.5s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 30s
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 52.15s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 52.15s
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 94.42s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 95.17s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.14% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
109.5Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
109.65Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 118.4Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 118.8Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 100.6Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 100.5Km/H

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 9.52% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
63 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
57 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 63 Points Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 57 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S stopped the vehicle in 5.31% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
32.46M
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
34.28M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tyre Test
245/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 30.8M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.2M
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 26M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 28.7M
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 45.5M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 48.6M
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 35.52M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.29M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 24.5M Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 26.6M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.15% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
48.08s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
48.01s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tyre Test
245/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 32.2s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.2s
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 46.8s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 46s
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 65.23s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 64.84s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 3.23% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
79.3Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
81.95Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 74Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 77.2Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 84.6Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 86.7Km/H

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 scored 12.1% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
54.5 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
62 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 54.5 Points Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 62 Points

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 had 1.28% higher lateral wet grip than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
8.46m/s
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
8.57m/s
Lateral wet grip in m/s squared, higher is better

Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 8.46m/s Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 8.57m/s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S floated at a 2.86% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
76.18Km/H
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
74Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 72Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.2Km/H
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 73.6Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 71.6Km/H
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 78.5Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.3Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 80.6Km/H Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 79.9Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S slipped out at a 4.04% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
2.72m/sec2
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
2.61m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 2.34m/sec2 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2.43m/sec2
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 2.18m/sec2 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2m/sec2
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 3.63m/sec2 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 3.4m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 10% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
25 Points
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
22.5 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 25 Points Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 22.5 Points

Noise

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during three noise tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 measured 1.57% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
71.4dB
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
70.28dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tyre Test
245/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 69dB Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 67dB
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 72.3dB Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.5dB
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 72.2dB Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 70.5dB
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 72.1dB Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 71.1dB

Price

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during four price tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 cost 20.85% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
284.63
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
225.28
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 142 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 124
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 720 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 585
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 95.5 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 81.1
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 181 Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 111

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S had a 3.2% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
7.25kg / t
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
7.49kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 0.873kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 1.017kg / t
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 8.87kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.9kg / t
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 9.67kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.44kg / t
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S: 9.6kg / t Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.6kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

In total the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S has been reviewed 131 times and drivers have given the tyre 86% overall.

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 has been reviewed 56 times and drivers have given the tyre 77% overall.

This means drivers in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Best Review for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Given 100% 275/35 R19 on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles
Replaced the Pilot Super Sports on my F80 M3 and it's better in every way. The wet grip is insane, it's like you're driving in the dry. Best tyre on the market.
Helpful 519 - tyre reviewed on March 9, 2017
View all Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Pirelli P Zero PZ4
225/40 R18 W on for 0 miles
Really good !
Replace very very good Yokohama V105 one year old.
To try them out.
First-class comfort (top) + rolling silence
A little above the Yoko on the dry,
In the rain, they are incredible ! Well above all that I have tried :
Dunlop RT, PS3, Yoko V105, Hankook V12 K110.
No idea about wear again ... The +:
- Braking (this is a big highlight)
- Motricity
- Handling
They are equipped with protections of the rims although the option is not specified (in France).
The sides are stiffer than the PS3 for... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 251 - tyre reviewed on June 28, 2017
View all Pirelli P Zero PZ4 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better in dry braking, dry handling [s], subj. dry handling, wet braking, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, subj. comfort and rolling resistance tests, whereas the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better in dry handling [km/h], wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], subj. wet handling, wet circle, noise and price tests.

Which tyre is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tyre, but comparing all the data in the tyre reviews database, on balance the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S seems to be the best tyre overall.

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

 Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

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 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Pirelli P Zero PZ4, 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.