Menu

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 vs Michelin X-Ice Snow

If you've ever wondered how the modern breed of ultra high performance all season tyres compared in the snow when compared to a summer tyre and a winter tyre, this is the test for you!In this video the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, Michelin…

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 vs Michelin X-Ice Snow
245/40 R18 / 2021 View full image
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 vs Michelin X-Ice Snow
Tyres tested
2
Tested size
245/40 R18
Disciplines
3

At a glance

Tyre shortlist

2 Tyres tested

Published finishing positions, with the strengths and considerations from this test. Owner reviews cover other sizes and driving conditions.

How the results are weighted

Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4

+Braking is its strongest snow quality, and it stays safe and predictable on snow.

−Well behind the winter tyre for snow braking, traction and handling.

Read full verdict

Michelin X Ice Snow

+Far ahead on snow for braking, traction and handling, with a balanced, progressive feel at the limit.

Read full verdict

Tyre shortlist

Compare selected tyres

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 vs Michelin X-Ice Snow · 245/40 R18

Explore the complete results →

The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

If you've ever wondered how the modern breed of ultra high performance all season tyres compared in the snow when compared to a summer tyre and a winter tyre, this is the test for you!

In this video the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 and Michelin X-Ice Snow are tested for traction, braking and a timed snow lap, to see all the differences between three of the best tyres in each category!

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 vs Michelin X-Ice Snow

Data

Snow Braking

Snow braking in meters (20 - 5 MPH)

Lower is better ↓
Snow Braking
TyreResultGap to bestResidual speed
9.68 m Best 0 km/h
12.6 m +2.92 m 63 km/h
RefMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S
33.2 m +23.52 m 109 km/h

The difference between best and worst was 243% (23.52 m ≈ 5.2 Car Lengths). From 130 km/h, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 would still be travelling at 63 km/h when the Michelin X Ice Snow had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Snow Traction

Snow acceleration time (5 - 20 MPH)

Lower is better ↓
Snow Traction
TyreResultGap to best
3.53 s Best
5.71 s +2.18 s
RefMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S
23.7 s +20.17 s

The difference between best and worst was 571.4% (20.17 s).

Snow Handling

Snow handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Snow Handling
TyreResultGap to best
83.91 s Best
105.73 s +21.82 s
RefMichelin Pilot Sport 4 S
173.71 s +89.80 s

The difference between best and worst was 107% (89.8 s).

Results

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 vs Michelin X-Ice SnowWatch the full video of this test on YouTube Watch on YouTube

Michelin X Ice Snow

245/40 R18
Michelin X Ice Snow
Unsurprisingly, the Michelin X-Ice Snow extreme winter tyre dominated the snow testing. The most impressive quality of the tyre was just how rounded the performance was on snow, with a near flawless balance between traction, braking and cornering, giving you a huge amount of confidence to push the car to the limits, and past, where the tyre was progressive and easy to drive.
All discipline results (3)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestResult
Snow BrakingLower is better9.68 m
Snow TractionLower is better3.53 s
Snow HandlingLower is better83.91 s

Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4

245/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 might not have matched the extreme winter X-Ice Snow, but it was leagues ahead of the summer tyre in the snow and a really impressive tyre considering its abilities in the dry and wet across the summer. The braking was the star quality, and while it significantly slower than the full winter tyre, it still gave you confidence to drive safely on snow covered roads.
All discipline results (3)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestResult
Snow BrakingLower is better12.6 m
Snow TractionLower is better5.71 s
Snow HandlingLower is better105.73 s
Reference Tyre

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

245/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is one of the best ultra high performance SUMMER tyres on the market, it was never intended to perform in the snow so this was a bit of an unfair test. As expected, the tyre was almost undrivable on snow, struggling at the slightest inclines, sliding at every opportunity and giving you no confidence or ability to control the car. This is an amazing tyre in the dry and wet, but don't try and use this, or any summer tyre in the snow.
All discipline results (3)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

TestResult
Snow BrakingLower is better33.2 m
Snow TractionLower is better23.7 s
Snow HandlingLower is better173.71 s

More tyre tests

Cross-check this test

All tyre tests

Where these tyres were tested again, and how the verdict held up.

Discussion

  1. No comments yet — be the first.
Rate your tyres

My tyres

Saved in this browser on this site. No account needed. Clearing browser data removes your choices.

Vehicle and size

Check the size, load and speed ratings on your vehicle. Saving a size does not confirm fitment.

Saved tyres

Save tyres from a tyre page, test or comparison to keep them here.

Select 2–8 saved tyres. Ranked comparisons require at least two shared tests.