Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Pirelli P Zero PZ5
The PZ5 repeatedly edged the Michelin for outright pace in both dry and wet handling and braking, while the PS4 S countered with superior aquaplaning resistance, lower rolling resistance, and class-leading road refinement. If you're choosing between them, it comes down to whether you prioritise razor-sharp lap pace or everyday polish and efficiency.
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 three tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | two | |
| Pirelli P Zero PZ5 | one |
While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is better than the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 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
- Outstanding road refinement and steering linearity (top road score in EVO, 22.7 vs 19)
- Best aquaplaning resistance (e.g., +5.15% straight-line in 19-inch test)
- Lowest rolling resistance in both tests (efficiency advantage)
- Stable, safe wet and dry balance with strong wet braking in the 19-inch test
- Faster in dry and wet handling across both tests (e.g., −1.2% dry lap, −2.73% wet lap in 18-inch)
- Stronger braking in the 18-inch test (dry −1.45%, wet −2.6%)
- Agile turn-in with high subjective wet scores; rewarding driver feel
- Slightly lower noise in 18-inch size (72.2 dB vs 73.5 dB)
Dry Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during two dry braking tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 stopped the vehicle in 0.88% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Dry Braking: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was 1.31% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 scored 8.36% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Road Score
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one subj. road score tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 16.3% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ5.
Best In Subj. Road Score: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Subj. Road Score winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during one wet braking tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 stopped the vehicle in 0.15% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Wet Braking: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was 1.64% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 scored 3.7% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S floated at a 2.14% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ5.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S slipped out at a 1.6% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ5.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Pirelli P Zero PZ5 performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 was better during one noise tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 measured 1.77% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Noise: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S had a 5.56% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ5.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S Driver Reviews
Across 130 reviews, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is widely praised for outstanding dry and wet grip, short braking distances, and high confidence on both spirited road use and occasional track days. Many drivers report improved ride comfort and reduced noise versus runflats, along with predictable behavior at the limit and generally good longevity for a UHP tyre. A minority note softer sidewalls leading to less precise steering/turn-in, higher price, and some noise on coarse surfaces. Overall sentiment skews strongly positive given the high proportion of top scores.
Based on 148 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Pirelli P Zero PZ5 Driver Reviews
Drivers reviewing the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 overwhelmingly praise its ultra-high-performance character, citing outstanding dry and wet grip, precise handling, and excellent high-speed stability. Many also note good comfort and promising wear even under spirited use. A minority report slightly softer initial steering/sidewall feel, and several mention reduced fuel economy due to higher rolling resistance. Overall, the PZ5 is viewed as a top-tier UHP tyre that often outperforms rivals like PS4S and SC7.
Based on 12 reviews with an average rating of 96%
In the dry these have loads of grip. Their overall feel is very sporty and firm. There is a nice degree of stiffness that makes turning on winding roads really fun. They feel safe and stable - there is no significant tendency to oversteer or understeer and predictability is good. I like the balance. At the limit, on the border of understeer, these bite-in nicely and tighten the... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S remains the benchmark for everyday liveability without sacrificing performance. It led the road route for steering connection, feel and comfort in the 19-inch test, delivered lower rolling resistance in both tests, and posted the stronger aquaplaning results-useful in real-world heavy rain. Performance gaps on track were generally small (often 1-3%), while its efficiency and refinement benefits are felt every mile.
In short: choose the PZ5 if your priority is maximum pace and an engaging, agile feel; choose the PS4 S if you want superb road manners, wet-security in standing water, and better efficiency-while still being very fast.
Key Differences
- Performance focus: PZ5 consistently quicker on dry and wet laps; PS4 S excels in real-world road refinement.
- Aquaplaning: PS4 S leads both straight and curved aquaplaning (e.g., +5.15% straight in 19-inch), giving more security in deep water.
- Efficiency: PS4 S has notably lower rolling resistance in both tests (8.3-8.7 kg/t vs 8.9-9.1 kg/t).
- Noise and comfort: PZ5 measured slightly quieter in 18-inch; PS4 S scored higher for overall road feel and comfort in 19-inch.
- Steering character: PZ5 feels lighter and more agile at the limit; PS4 S more linear and connected but a touch less 'sharp'.
- Test-size trend: 18-inch favoured PZ5 (test winner); 19-inch was extremely tight with PS4 S ahead on road manners and aquaplaning.
Overall Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ5
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli P Zero PZ5 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
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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.