Michelin Pilot Super Sport Test Results
Tested 12 times by independent publications, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport has taken 4 test wins with an average finish of 3rd.
- 12Independent tests
- 4Test wins
- 9Podium finishes
- 3rdAverage finish
- 75%Field beaten on average
- 6Publications
12 tests, 2011 to 2020
- Test win
- Second
- Third
- Average 75%
OE vs Aftermarket - Is the tyre your vehicle came with always the best tyre? P2 of 3
Record by discipline
Where the Michelin Pilot Super Sport finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tyres. Field beaten is the share of the other tyres it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 2 | P1.5 of 6 | 94% | 1 |
| Dry Handling | 2 | P1.5 of 6 | 75% | 1 |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 2 | P3.5 of 6 | 50% | - |
| Wet Handling | 1 | P2 of 3 | 50% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 1 | P2 of 3 | 50% | - |
Head-to-head record
Overall finishing position against the tyres that have most often shared a test with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Only tyres tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 | 2 | - | 67% | |
| 6 | 4 | 2 | - | 67% | |
| 5 | 2 | 3 | - | 40% | |
| 4 | 3 | 1 | - | 75% | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | - | 100% | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% | |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | - | 33% |
Against its own line
The same record for the tyre it replaced and the tyre that replaced it.
| Tyre | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Predecessor | 3 | 0 | 5th | 41% |
| Michelin Pilot Super Sport This tyre | 12 | 4 | 3rd | 75% |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S Successor | 31 | 13 | 2nd | 78% |
Performance Analysis
Drawn from 11 tests. Updated August 26, 2025.
Across 11 summer tests, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport consistently delivers top-tier dry performance with engaging handling and precision, averaging a strong 2.7 overall. It secured multiple wins and frequent podiums early in its lifecycle, and even in later comparisons remained competitive. The main trade-off is wet performance variability, where it occasionally trails newer rivals, especially in wet braking and standing-water conditions.
Performance Strengths
-
Dry Performance and Handling
Strong
Details
- 1/7 overall with fastest dry lap in 2011 Sport Auto test ('razor sharp turn-in')
- 1/4 overall in 2011 TireRack Max Performance Summer test
- 1/2 overall in 2016 head-to-head vs Continental SC6, praised for feel/feedback
- 2/9 overall with 1/9 dry handling in 2017 Motor Mag test
- Dry braking 1/3 in 2020 OE vs Aftermarket test; Dry handling 2/3 (+3%)
-
Steering Precision and Driver Feedback
Strong
Details
- 2011 Sport Auto: 'highest level of grip' and 'razor sharp turn in'
- 2015 Auto Bild: 'outstanding turn-in and great feel'
- 2016 H2H vs SC6: 'more feel and feedback through the Michelin'
-
Overall Competitiveness/Awards
Strong
Details
- Average overall position 2.7 across 11 tests
- Overall wins: 1/7 (2011 Sport Auto), 1/4 (2011 TireRack), 1/2 (2016 H2H)
- Podiums: 2/7 (2014 Auto Review), 2/7 (2015 Auto Bild), 2/9 (2017 Motor Mag), 2/3 (2020 OE vs Aftermarket)
-
Dry handling
Strong
in 7 of 9 tests
Details
high lateral stability
- 2016 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test (2016)The real sports tyres with excellent handling
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Tyre Test (2015)Handling in the dry
- 2014 Auto Review Max Performance Tyre Test (2014)characterised by a quick, very precise turn in and excellent lateral grip
- 2012 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test (2012)Best dry handling, fastest dry lap time, best steering feel
- 2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tyre Test (2011)
-
Dry grip
Strong
in 6 of 9 tests
Details
Excellent dry grip
- OE vs Aftermarket - Is the tyre your vehicle came with always the best tyre? (2020)The Michelin ruled the dry testing
- 2016 EVO Summer Performance Tyre Test (2016)excellent results on dry
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Tyre Test (2015)characterised by a quick, very precise turn in and excellent lateral grip
- 2012 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test (2012)Wow" handling and ultimate traction
- 2011 Tirerack Max Performance Summer Tyre Test (2011)
-
Steering feel
Strong
in 5 of 9 tests
Details
subjective steering feel
- 2016 EVO Summer Performance Tyre Test (2016)Fast accurate steering response
- 2016 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test (2016)precise and rapid steering response
- 2015 Auto Bild Performance Tyre Test (2015)best steering feel
- 2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tyre Test (2011)extremely precise steering
- 2011 Sport Auto Max Performance Summer Tyre Test (2011)
-
Wet grip
Minor
in 1 of 9 tests
Details
Performance Weaknesses
-
Wet Weather Performance
Moderate
Details
- 2017 Motor Mag: Wet braking 5/9 (+5.3%)
- 2016 EVO: Struggled with standing water; overall 6/9
- 2020 OE vs Aftermarket: Wet braking 2/3 (+6%), Wet handling 2/3 (+1.9%)
- 2016 AutoBild Sports Cars: Article notes SC6 better in wet and steering
-
Aging vs New Rivals
Moderate
Details
- 2016 AutoBild Sports Cars: SC6 'better dry grip and steering feel' per article
- 2012-2016 tests show mixed podiums with mid-pack results: 4/9 (2012 Sport Auto), 6/9 (2016 EVO), 3/6 (2016 AutoBild)
-
Aquaplaning resistance
Strong
in 3 of 9 tests
Details
Poor resistance to aquaplaning
- 2016 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test (2016)with a particular weakness in the aquaplaning tests
- 2012 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test (2012)Poor resistance to aquaplaning
- 2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tyre Test (2011)
-
Wet handling
Strong
in 3 of 9 tests
Details
in the wet the car can oversteer quickly
- 2016 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test (2016)In the wet, the tyres prove slightly worse
- 2014 Auto Review Max Performance Tyre Test (2014)On a wet track the quick load change required an experience driver
- 2011 Sport Auto Max Performance Summer Tyre Test (2011)
-
Ride comfort
Moderate
in 2 of 9 tests
Details
low level of comfort
- 2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tyre Test (2011)We'd soften the ride just a little on big bumps to make everyday commuting more civilized
- 2011 Tirerack Max Performance Summer Tyre Test (2011)
-
Behaviour at the limit
Minor
in 1 of 9 tests
Details
Higher levels of understeer in the dry and wet
- OE vs Aftermarket - Is the tyre your vehicle came with always the best tyre? (2020)
Do owners agree with the tests?
Every tester write-up on the Michelin Pilot Super Sport (9 tests) and 127 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Where owners and testers agree
- Dry grip strength in 6 of 9 tests 77 praise, 3 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
- Tread life strength in 1 of 9 tests 38 praise, 9 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
- Steering feel strength in 5 of 9 tests 19 praise, 9 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
- Dry handling strength in 7 of 9 tests 20 praise, 0 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
- Aquaplaning resistance weakness in 3 of 9 tests 2 praise, 5 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
Raised by owners, not by any test of this tyre
- Cold-weather grip no test mentions it 3 praise, 19 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
- Sidewall stiffness no test mentions it 3 praise, 8 criticise of 127 reviews · Read those reviews
Every test, newest first 12
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
2016 EVO Summer Performance Tyre Test
The Michelin ruled the dry testing, both in outright performance and subjective steering feel, but it struggled in the wet running, one of the slowest on test. Excellent if you prioritise dry running and steering feel.
2014 Auto Review Max Performance Tyre Test
The Michelin Pilot Super Sport has been created using technology from the 24 hour race at Le Mans, and you can tell on the track! It’s one of the best tyres on the track and road in the dry, and even after drifting the tread shows very little sign of wear. In the wet, the tyres prove slightly worse. Resistance to aquaplaning raises no objections, but on the road the driver is forced to work harder than with other tyres once on the limit. Perfect for those who want to enjoy the fast ride.
2012 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test
In the dry, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport is the benchmark, characterised by a quick, very precise turn in and excellent lateral grip. Unsurprisingly for a dry optimised tyre, the Super Sport only manages an average wet performance with a particular weakness in the aquaplaning tests.
2011 Tirerack Max Performance Summer Tyre Test
This is the new super star in the Max Performance Summer category
2011 Sport Auto Max Performance Summer Tyre Test
The Michelin Pilot Super Sport left the most sporty impression, characterised by extremely precise steering and agile handling. Over 10 dry handling laps the Pilot Super Sport shows no degradation of lap time unlike the competitors. On a wet track the quick load change required an experience driver.
2011 Autoreview Max Performance Summer Tyre Test
The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a good example of how it's extremely difficult to achieve excellent in all areas. Michelin have prioritised dry grip and steering feedback with the Pilot Super Sport, giving the tyre the best dry lap time and handling, at the expense of wet performance and comfort.
Back to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport overview
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tyre Reviews score. All Michelin tyres

