Continental SportContact 7 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
In broad terms, the SportContact 7 tends to win on outright stopping power and wet-track pace, while the Pilot Sport 4 S frequently answers back with a calmer road demeanor (comfort/noise) and stronger efficiency metrics (rolling resistance), plus a reputation for very balanced steering. The closest direct illustration is the 2026 ACE test in 225/40 R18, where Michelin won overall by just 1 point (141 vs 140) despite Continental posting the best wet braking distance (24.51 m) but being penalized heavily by a weak curve aquaplaning result (loss of grip at 68.3 km/h).
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 ten tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental SportContact 7 | eight | |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S | one | |
| one draws in one tests | ||
While it might look like the Continental SportContact 7 is better than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 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
- Consistently shorter braking distances, especially in the wet (e.g., 24.51 m wet braking highlight in ACE 2026; frequent multi-metre wet braking gaps in other tests)
- Very strong wet handling and wet-circle grip, often delivering the quickest, most confidence-inspiring wet-lap performance (7 wet-handling category wins; 3 wet-circle wins)
- Sharp, precise, “track-leaning” steering/turn-in with high dry grip; frequently among the best subjective dry handling ratings
- Often strong value proposition when priced (e.g., Sport Auto 2023: 112 vs 181) while still topping performance tables
- Best overall efficiency trend: consistently lower rolling resistance across the dataset (7 wins), often aiding fuel/EV range and heat management on long drives
- Refined road manners: commonly praised for steering connection/linearity on the road route, plus strong comfort and low noise in multiple tests
- Very balanced, predictable handling character near the limit (often safe mild understeer), making it approachable for mixed road use
- Competitive dry performance with occasional outright pace advantages (e.g., marginal dry-handling wins in some 20” fitments)
Dry Braking
Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during eight dry braking tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 2.57% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during three dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 was 0.6% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 was 0.18% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 scored 7.61% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental SportContact 7
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 9.69% more points than the Continental SportContact 7.
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 nine tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during seven wet braking tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 4.65% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 was 2.74% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during five wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 was 2.98% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 scored 3.54% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 was 2.35% faster around a wet circle than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during five straight aqua tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 floated at a 1.22% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 slipped out at a 0.33% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 5.66% more points than the Continental SportContact 7.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 scored 2.04% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Subj. Noise: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during four noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S measured 0.84% quieter than the Continental SportContact 7.
Best In Noise: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental SportContact 7 was better during one price tests. On average the Continental SportContact 7 cost 38.12% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.
Best In Price: Continental SportContact 7
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during seven rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S had a 0.92% lower rolling resistance than the Continental SportContact 7.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Continental SportContact 7 Driver Reviews
Drivers rate the Continental SportContact 7 very highly overall, most often praising outstanding wet grip (often described as nearly dry-like), very strong dry traction, and excellent braking/handling that boosts confidence on both road and occasional track use. Many also feel it offers strong value versus Michelin/Pirelli rivals, with good feedback and stability once up to temperature. The most consistent downside is rapid wear/short lifespan-especially on heavy, high-torque cars or with spirited/track driving-with a secondary theme of higher noise and a firmer ride or slightly less sharp steering feel than some competitors.
Based on 93 reviews with an average rating of 84%
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%
Conclusion
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, however, remains the better “everyday high-performance” companion for many drivers. It repeatedly scores best or near-best on road comfort/steering naturalness and is the clear leader on rolling resistance overall (7 category wins), which can translate into better efficiency and often a more refined cruising experience. Several tests also highlight its balanced, confidence-inspiring behavior-sometimes described as the “winner of hearts”-and it can match Continental closely in dry handling pace in some sizes.
The practical takeaway: if your priority is maximum grip, shortest braking, and wet-track confidence, the SportContact 7 is usually the more convincing choice-just be mindful that in certain fitments/tests it can show a real vulnerability in curve aquaplaning (notably the ACE 2026 result). If you want a tyre that still performs at the top level but leans more toward refinement, efficiency, and a smooth, linear road feel, the Pilot Sport 4 S is the safer bet for daily-driven performance cars-especially where long-distance comfort and running costs matter as much as lap-time potential.
Key Differences
- Outright performance bias: SportContact 7 more often wins overall and leads objective grip/braking categories (8 overall wins vs 1), while Pilot Sport 4 S more often wins efficiency/refinement categories (rolling resistance 7 wins, plus frequent noise/comfort advantages).
- Wet braking safety margin: Continental repeatedly posts shorter wet stops (e.g., 43.7 m vs 47.6 m in Autobild 295/30 R20; 40.1 m vs 43.7 m in a 245/35 R19 test), which is a meaningful real-world safety gap.
- Aquaplaning nuance: results are mixed overall, but Continental shows a notable outlier weakness in curve aquaplaning in ACE 2026 (68.3 km/h; 4/10 points), whereas Michelin is less prone to that specific extreme low score.
- Dry feel vs road feel: Continental tends to feel sharper and more “ruthless” on a circuit; Michelin is often described as more harmonious and confidence-building for everyday driving, even if it can feel a touch less immediate on turn-in.
- Running costs/efficiency: Michelin more consistently delivers lower rolling resistance (e.g., 7.8 vs 9.5 kg/t in one test is a large spread), while Continental varies by test and is sometimes higher-though it can also lead in certain comparisons (e.g., Sport Auto UUHP 2025).
- Comfort/noise trade: Michelin more frequently wins noise/comfort metrics, while Continental can be slightly louder over coarse surfaces in some tests despite being competitive in measured dB figures depending on fitment.
Overall Winner: Continental SportContact 7
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental SportContact 7 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
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
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.