Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S - Test Results

Test Statistics

28

Tests Completed

2^nd

Average Position

1^st

Best Result

5^th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S - Official Image

Across 28 tests the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S delivers consistently front-running results (average overall position 2.1), driven by elite dry-road capability and strong braking performance in both dry and wet. It repeatedly posts top-three dry braking results and is frequently among the very quickest in dry handling, often combining high outright grip with excellent stability and driver confidence. Several tests also highlight class-leading road manners/comfort, making it an unusually refined option for an ultra-ultra-high-performance tyre.

Its recurring trade-offs are not in outright lap-time pace but in specific wet-limit behaviours and ownership-focused metrics: aquaplaning performance is often mid-pack to poor (especially curved aquaplaning), wet handling can be inconsistent versus the very best, and noise is regularly below average. Price is consistently among the highest in group tests, and while rolling resistance is sometimes excellent, it can also be notably weak in certain tests. As expected for a max-performance summer tyre, it is completely unsuitable for snow.

Performance Strengths

Dry Grip, Braking & Handling Strong Details
• 1st place dry braking in 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test (33.18 m, 1/14) and 1st place dry braking in 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test (33.5 m, 1/15)
• 1st place dry handling in 2025 Autobild Sports Cars UUHP Tyre Test (104.3 km/h, 1/7) and 1st place dry handling in 2024 Sports Car Tyre Test (109.9 km/h, 1/7)
Wet Braking (Stopping Power in the Wet) Strong Details
• 1st place wet braking in 2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test (31.4 m, 1/7) and 1st place wet braking in 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test (45.5 m, 1/15)
• Wins wet braking in multiple major group tests, including 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test (56.0 m, 1/10) and 2019 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test (46.3 m, 1/8)
Ride Comfort, Refinement & Road Manners Moderate Details
• Best subjective road score in 2025 EVO Summer Tyre Test (22.7 points, 1/9) with article note: "best road manners" and standout steering feel/refinement
• 1st place subjective comfort in 2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test (25 points, 1/7) and 1st place subjective comfort in 'Best Performance Tyres For 2025' test (10 points, 1/7)
Rolling Resistance / Efficiency Potential Moderate Details
• 1st place rolling resistance in 2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test (8.5 kg/t, 1/7) and 1st place rolling resistance in 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test (9.2 kg/t, 1/9)
• Near-top efficiency results also appear in newer tests (e.g., 2nd place rolling resistance in 2025 EVO Summer Tyre Test, 8.3 kg/t, 2/9; and 2nd in 'Best Performance Tyres For 2025', 8.7 kg/t, 2/7)

Performance Weaknesses

Aquaplaning Resistance (Straight & Curved) Strong Details
• Bottom-tier curved aquaplaning in 2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test (65.82 m/sec2, 7/7) and last in 2025 Sport Auto UUHP Tyre Test (1.95 m/sec2, 4/4, +22.3% from best)
• Often weak in straight aquaplaning too: 7/8 in 2025 Sports Cars Tyre Test (73.4 km/h, +7.7% from best) and 6/7 in 2024 Sports Car Tyre Test (94.4 km/h, +5.9% from best)
Wet Handling Consistency at the Limit (vs. Class Leaders) Moderate Details
• Wet handling places near the bottom in key comparative tests: 7/8 in 2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tyre Test (69.7 km/h, +4.3% from best) and 8/11 in 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test (84.6 km/h, +4.6% from best)
• Mixed wet subjective feedback: 8/10 subjective wet handling in 2025 Tire Rack UUHP test (+16.2% from best) and 7/7 subjective wet handling in 2020 EVO UHP test (+12.1% from best)
Noise / Acoustic Comfort Strong Details
• Near-bottom noise placements in multiple group tests: 12/14 noise in 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test (72.2 dB) and 10/11 in 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test (72.1 dB)
• Also last/near-last elsewhere: 8/8 noise in 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test (74.5 dB) and 7/8 noise in 2025 Sports Cars Tyre Test (75 dB)
Value (Price) and Occasional Efficiency Variability Moderate Details
• Consistently the most expensive option: 11/11 price in 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test (+115.5% vs best) and 15/15 price in 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test (+111.8% vs best)
• Rolling resistance is not uniformly strong: 13/14 in 2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test (9.67 kg/t, +37.2% from best) and 9/11 in 2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test (9.6 kg/t, +35.2% from best)
Winter / Snow Capability (Summer Tyre Limitation) Strong Details
• Snow braking 33.2 m (3/3, +243% from best) in 2021 comparison vs all-season and winter tyres
• Snow traction 23.7 s (3/3, +571.4% from best) and snow handling 173.71 s (3/3, +107% from best) in the same 2021 test

Performance Over Time

Test History

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2026 ACE Summer Tyre Test

2026

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S claimed the overall test victory with 141 out of 170 points and a "very recommended" rating. It scored 68 out of 80 in wet safety — joint second-best alongside Linglong �...

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