Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
- TR Score
- 8.4/10
- Owners say
- 77% · 94
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 135
In the 8 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead 8 times and the SportMaxx RT 2 not once. The SportMaxx RT 2 held 4.4% more grip in curved aquaplaning; the Pilot Sport 5 lasted 33.5% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 for the best all-round max-performance summer tyre: consistently stronger wet/dry braking, sharper handling, and substantially better wear/cost-per-km. Choose the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 if your priority is aquaplaning resistance and lower external noise (and especially if you can buy it at a significant discount), but accept weaker wet braking and shorter service life.
Where the SportMaxx RT 2 is stronger
- Strong aquaplaning resistance (straight and often curved), frequently leading the pair in hydroplaning metrics
- Typically lower pass-by noise than Pilot Sport 5 across multiple tests
- Generally comfortable/forgiving ride impression in some test notes (e.g., comfort win in Auto Bild 2026)
Where the Pilot Sport 5 is stronger
- Consistently shorter dry braking across all shared tests (wins 8/8)
- Clear advantage in wet braking with several meaningful gaps (e.g., ~12% in Auto Bild 2025)
- Higher dry and wet handling performance with strong subjective steering/controllability feedback
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.
SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pilot Sport 5 at a glance
| Category | SportMaxx RT 2 | Gap | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won8 shared tests | 0 | 8 | |
| Dry13 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Sport 5 stopped 3.5% shorter in the dry (8 tests) | 13 |
| Wet27 measurements | 8 | The Pilot Sport 5 stopped 6.5% shorter in the wet (8 tests) | 19 |
| Comfort7 measurements | 6 | The SportMaxx RT 2 was 0.8 dB quieter (5 tests) | 0 |
| Value11 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Sport 5 lasted 33.5% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) | 9 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.4/10 | The Pilot Sport 5 by 1.0 | 9.4/10 |
| Owner rating94 and 135 reviews | 77% | The Pilot Sport 5 by 8 points | 85% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 63% | The Pilot Sport 5 by 20 points | 83% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Sport 5 was dearer in 4 of 4 | +19.4% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 61 | 41 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 8 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 | SportMaxx RT 2 | Field | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test | P13 of 20 | P3 of 20 | |
| 2026 Summer Braking Super Tyre Test - How do 52 Tyres Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? | P17 of 50 | P9 of 50 | |
| 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | P9 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | P9 of 18 | P3 of 18 | |
| 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout | P19 of 52 | P2 of 52 | |
| 2024 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test | P5 of 6 | P2 of 6 | |
| 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test | P5 of 20 | P2 of 20 | |
| 2023 Summer Tyre Market Overview | P13 of 50 | P6 of 50 |
Performance profile
11 measurements from the 8 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
SportMaxx RT 2
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 94%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 7 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
SportMaxx RT 2
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
SportMaxx RT 2
Not ahead in any category
Pilot Sport 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 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 | SportMaxx RT 2 | Gap | Pilot Sport 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35.63 | 3.5% | 34.38 | 0-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 109.7 | 1.6% | 111.5 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 49.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 35.99 | 6.5% | 33.56 | 0-8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 38.1 | 7.3% | 35.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 76.6 | 1.6% | 77.78 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 9.6% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.54 | 2% | 8.71 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 14.98 | 1.3% | 14.79 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 87.24 | 0.4% | 86.96 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 4.49 | 4.4% | 4.31 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 4.8% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.76 | 0.8 dB | 73.54 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 41,928 | 33.5% | 55,960 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.63 | 3.6% | 8.3 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | = | 5.6 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 91 | 38.4% | 56.1 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,656 | 18.3% | 1,353 | 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 SportMaxx RT 2 scores 8.4 and the Pilot Sport 5 9.4 out of 10.
| SportMaxx RT 2 | Category | Pilot Sport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 76 | Dry | 93 | ||
| 83 | Wet | 96 | ||
| 33 | Comfort | 22 | ||
| 37 | 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
| SportMaxx RT 2 | Category | Pilot Sport 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.8 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.7 | Road Feedback | 8.1 | ||
| 7.6 | Handling | 8.3 | ||
| 7.5 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 7.9 | Comfort | 8.2 | ||
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
- 77%from 94 reviews
- 63%would buy again
- 788,854 milesdriven by reviewers
Across reviews, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is most often described as a quiet, comfortable UHP tyre with strong all-round grip-especially in the wet-and good aquaplaning resistance, giving many drivers high confidence in everyday and motorway use. Wear is frequently reported as good to very good versus several competing premium tyres, and many consider it strong value for money. A notable minority, however, report overly soft or inconsistent sidewalls leading to vague/“wobbly” steering and reduced precision when cornering hard, and some users say grip (particularly in wet conditions) can fall off as the tyre wears.
- Strong wet grip and reassuring stability in heavy rain
- Good resistance to aquaplaning
- Good dry grip/traction for normal to spirited road driving
- Low road noise and generally comfortable ride
- Soft sidewalls causing vague steering, squirm, or reduced precision under hard cornering/load changes
- Some reports of poor wet grip or reduced confidence (often as the tyre wears)
- Noise can increase as the tyre wears or on rough road surfaces
Summarised by AI from 81 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 94 SportMaxx RT 2 reviewsI've had several sets of these on my car now as they have proven to be reliable and confidence inspiring in the wet. They've survived pot holes, debris, and the odd curb. I've never found myself wishing for more grip in the dry. The response is perhaps slightly muted compared to more expensive tyres, but personally don't have an issue as my driving is 90% motorway/major A roads.
In the wet the car feels stable in the rain at motorway speeds up until about 3mm tread depth, at which point the front started to feel nervous. Braking has been fine in the wet but pulling away briskly in anything other than a straight line will set off the traction control. Hard to say if this would be reduced with a more expensive tyre.
Front tyres have lasted about 11k miles before reaching the wear line after. Rears are over 20k and still have a while to go.
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: 61 sizes of the SportMaxx RT 2 and 66 of the Pilot Sport 5, 41 of them made in both.
| Category | SportMaxx RT 2 | Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 61 sizes, 17 to 21 inch | 66 sizes, 16 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 41 sizes 205/40 R17205/45 R17215/40 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17225/55 R17235/45 R17245/40 R17245/45 R17and 29 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A85%B15% | A89%B11% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C79%D19%B3% | C82%B10%A9% |
| EU label noise | 69-73 dB B93%A7% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2022 |
| Replaced | Dunlop SportMaxx RT (2014) | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (2015) |
| Awards | Winner: Ultra High Performance Tyre of the Year (WhatTyre, 2021) | 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 4 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 19.4% 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.
Dunlop's SportMaxx RT 2 and Michelin's Pilot Sport 5 sit in the same “max-performance summer” bracket, but the shared test record shows they aim at slightly different priorities. Across 8 overlapping professional tests (spanning UHP group tests and big multi-tyre shootouts), the Michelin repeatedly lands near the very top of the field, while the Dunlop tends to place mid-pack despite a few standout traits.
The big story in the data is consistency: Pilot Sport 5 wins every shared head-to-head overall result (8/8) and does so by combining small but repeatable advantages in dry performance with more decisive gains in wet braking and long-term running costs. SportMaxx RT 2's counterpunch is hydroplaning resistance and day-to-day refinement (notably noise), which can matter a lot depending on your climate and priorities.
Conclusion
On objective performance, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is the clearer all-rounder and the safer performance pick. It is consistently shorter in braking on both dry and wet roads (e.g., in Auto Bild 2025: 33.5 m vs 35.2 m dry; 43.2 m vs 49.1 m wet), and it repeatedly posts higher handling speeds in both conditions (typically ~1-2% quicker). Those margins look small on paper in the dry, but the wet-braking gaps are often meaningful and translate directly into more safety buffer and higher confidence.
Where the Michelin really separates itself is ownership cost over time. Wear/mileage is consistently much stronger for Pilot Sport 5 (commonly ~32-35% higher projected life: e.g., 59,670 km vs 44,820 km in Auto Bild 2026; 56,400 km vs 41,700 km in ADAC 2025), and it also shows lower abrasion where measured. Even when Michelin's purchase price is higher, its better cost-per-km (“value”) wins repeatedly in these tests.
The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 is not a bad tyre-it's frequently described as safe and competent, with very strong aquaplaning reserves (often winning straight and curved aquaplaning metrics) and generally lower measured noise. But it gives away too much in wet braking and overall longevity to beat the Pilot Sport 5 as a default recommendation. Practical takeaway: if you want the most complete mix of grip, braking and long life, choose the Michelin; if you regularly face standing water and prioritize aquaplaning resistance and quieter running, the Dunlop can still make sense-especially if priced aggressively.
SportMaxx RT 2 vs Pilot Sport 5: your questions
Is the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 or the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 the better tyre?
In the 8 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead 8 times and the SportMaxx RT 2 not once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the SportMaxx RT 2 scores 8.4 and the Pilot Sport 5 9.4 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the SportMaxx RT 2 or the Pilot Sport 5?
The Pilot Sport 5 led 19 of the 27 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 6.5% shorter in the wet across 8 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Sport 5 led 13 of the 13 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.5% shorter in the dry across 8 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Sport 5 lasted 33.5% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) and had 3.6% lower rolling resistance (4 tests). Owners rate wear 7.5/10 for the SportMaxx RT 2 and 8/10 for the Pilot Sport 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The SportMaxx RT 2 was 0.8 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.9/10 for the SportMaxx RT 2 and 8.2/10 for the Pilot Sport 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the SportMaxx RT 2 77% from 94 reviews and the Pilot Sport 5 85% from 135. 63% of SportMaxx RT 2 owners would buy it again, against 83% for the Pilot Sport 5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Sport 5 was the dearer tyre in 4 of them, by 19.4% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The SportMaxx RT 2 is made in 61 sizes (17 to 21 inch) and the Pilot Sport 5 in 66 (16 to 22 inch). 41 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the SportMaxx RT 2 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Sport 5 A and C.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Pilot Sport 5 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2022, the SportMaxx RT 2 in 2021. The SportMaxx RT 2 replaced the Dunlop SportMaxx RT. 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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