Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 22 + 21 road tests and 1,611 + 12,698 owner reviews. How we score
SportContact 7 leads, 84–81 Narrow edge
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Tests 84 · 22 tests Owners 83 · 1,611 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 18 in 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test (wet braking)
“On my 2nd set. Got decent mileage from them. 15k miles from the first set of rears and i've 11k on the 2nd set with 4.5mm still left on them.”
Tests 85 · 21 tests Owners 76 · 12,698 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 45 in 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout (dry braking)
“Those are Pilot sport 4 (all season). If it had s after the 4 it would be the summer high performance version. I put the pilot sport 4 on wife's GTI autobahn 2016. Great handling tire, stiff side walls, not the smoothest ride but best overall.”
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | SportContact 7 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 21 / 20 tests | 100 | 89 |
| Reviews found online | 92 | 84 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 | 100% | 96% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 | 100% | 97% |
SportContact 7: 60% × 99.9 + 40% × 91.7 = 97
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 89.3 + 40% × 84.1 = 87
| Source | SportContact 7 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 22 / 20 tests | 96 | 93 |
| Reviews found online | 93 | 84 |
| Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–1 | 92% | 96% |
| Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 | 99% | 100% |
| Wet Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 | 97% | 93% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 | 99% | 97% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–0 | 97% | 97% |
SportContact 7: 60% × 95.7 + 40% × 93.4 = 95
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 92.6 + 40% × 84.4 = 89
| Source | SportContact 7 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 6 tests | 56 | 83 |
| Reviews found online | 80 | 72 |
SportContact 7: 40% × 55.9 + 60% × 79.9 = 70
Pilot Sport 4: 40% × 82.5 + 60% × 72.2 = 76
| Source | SportContact 7 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 19 / 13 tests | 59 | 73 |
| Reviews found online | ≈ 67 (est.) | ≈ 67 (est.) |
| Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 | 99% | 99% |
SportContact 7: 60% × 59.1 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 62
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 71
No owner ratings of noise for SportContact 7 or Pilot Sport 4. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
| Source | SportContact 7 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 3 tests | 72 | 78 |
| Reviews found online | 64 | 60 |
SportContact 7: 60% × 72.1 + 40% × 64 = 69
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 78.1 + 40% × 59.8 = 71
| Source | SportContact 7 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 92 | 81 |
| Source | SportContact 7 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 21 / 14 tests | 72 | 76 |
| Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 | 96% | 97% |
| Category | Continental SportContact 7 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 84 | 81 |
| Dry | 97 | 87 |
| Wet | 95 | 89 |
| Comfort | 70 | 76 |
| Noise | 62 | 71 |
| Treadwear | 69 | 71 |
| Handling (owners) | 92 | 81 |
| Efficiency | 72 | 76 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
SportContact 7
Pilot Sport 4
Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.
In the overall rankings of 2 tests that ran both, Continental SportContact 7 finished ahead 2 times and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 0 times.
| Discipline | Category | SportContact 7 | Pilot Sport 4 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 100% | 96% | +3.9 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 100% | 97% | +2.3 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 100% #1/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test | 90% #2/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 92% | 96% | −3.7 | 0–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 99% | 100% | −1.4 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 97% | 93% | +4.3 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 99% | 97% | +2.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% | 97% | +0.2 | 1–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 100% #1/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test | 78% #7/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Lateral Stability | Wet | 80% #2/10 · 2023 AUTO Straßenverkehr 2023 Summer Tire Test R18 | 70% #8/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 92% #2/3 · Top Tire Review 2026 UUHP Tyre Test | 70% #5/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Exterior Noise | Noise | 98% #4/7 · 2025 Autobild Sportcars Summer Tire Test R20 | 90% #3/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 99% | 99% | +0.6 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 58% #9/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 96% #5/16 · 2020 ADAC 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 96% | 97% | −0.6 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 63% | 55% | +7.3 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Value | Cost | 33% #15/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 59% #20/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #1/10 | #4/10 | – | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Community members widely praise the Continental SportContact 7 for outstanding dry and wet grip, sharp steering precision, and strong value compared to key rivals like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S. However, users frequently highlight faster tread wear, reduced initial tread depth, and occasional issues with road noise and comfort as main drawbacks.
“Continental SportContact 7 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 I have a 2022 Mk 8.5 with the stock 18" wheels. The original Michelin PS4 need to be replaced. Unfortunately, I am not able to source new Michelins as they are not in stock anywhere convenient. I am able to get Conti SC7s in 205/40 R18. Never used a set. Always had Michelins on all my cars. Reviews tell me that they are at least as good and probably better than the Michelins (and perhaps better even than the Michelin PS4S I run on my other car), but has anyone tried them? My other options for decent tyres in the correct size are Bridgestone Potenza Sports. I can get Pirelli P Zeros but they are the previous generation and I don't like them (having had them on another car as OEM and replaced them with Michelins after 2000kms). I am in Australia so don't need all season tyres. Thanks in advance. Read more”
“Not a C7 but Continental SportContact 7, similar or better than PilotSport 4S in most aspect but a bit noisier, wears faster too”
“Can’t look past the sport contact 7s for me, both in terms of price and performance. I prefer them to the PS4S. The ride is better, they aren’t as loud, they are cheaper and wet grip is noticeable better. I’ve only used them on fairly big RWD stuff so can’t comment on how they’d be on something lighter and FWD. They are awesome on the 5 series and M3”
Based on 114 community posts
The community widely regards the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 line as a premium upgrade offering exceptional dry and wet grip, precise handling, and superior ride comfort compared to OEM or run-flat tires. While celebrated for performance, users frequently discuss its high price tag, faster treadwear, and noticeable drop in EV efficiency. Some drivers also note increased road noise and reduced traction when temperatures drop near freezing.
“Switched from the garbage stock Potenza's to Continental DWS06 a week after grabbing my Z. Absolutely fucking worth it. I got Swift R lowering springs installed and that also made a great improvement. Z feels much more confidant and way more composed on my twisty roads and roundabouts My ND Miata also came with the same Potenza's and I went with the Michelin PS4's. Transformed the handling as well”
“Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires are noisy (a followup) I have been asked on this sub if the PS4 tires on my wife’s Bolt are noisy, and I wasn’t sure how to answer. Well, we made two 60-mile round trips this past weekend, mostly on highways with 55 and 70 mph speed limits, and I have to say that the tires are kind of noisy. Certainly not as quiet as EV-oriented tires are. The grip is fantastic, so we really like them. If you are sensitive to noise, though, these Max Performance class tires are probably not for you.”
“First time post for me on Bitog. I just installed the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 AS tires on my 2017 Mazda GT. Noise doesn't seem to be an issue I'm experiencing. Prior to the new Pilot Sports 4's all seasons I had the Michelin Pilot Sport AS 3+ and the 4's are much quieter on the Mazda. The 4's feel a tad bit softer in ride, quieter and handle just as nice. However, they are new rubber and the tread pattern is completely different from the Michelin Pilot Sports AS 3+ . I've only put about 500 miles on them, but so far, I really like them for their ride comfort, noise, stability and wet/dry grip levels. They feel like a more mature AS3+ if you have them now”
Based on 246 community posts
| Attribute | A · Continental SportContact 7 | B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 123 | 62 |
| Rim diameters | 18″ – 24″ | 16″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | 8 - 9/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 240 AA A | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi | — |
| Sizes in common | 32 | 32 |
Continental SportContact 7
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Narrow edge: Continental SportContact 7 — better handling, dry and wet. Pick the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 if noise, comfort and efficiency matter most to you.
Continental SportContact 7 scores 92 vs 81 on handling.
Continental SportContact 7 scores 97 vs 87 on dry.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 71 vs 62 on noise.
Continental SportContact 7 scores 95 vs 89 on wet.
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Continental SportContact 7, 95 vs 89 on our wet score.
Continental SportContact 7, 97 vs 87 on our dry score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 71 vs 62 on our noise score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 76 vs 70 on our comfort score.
Neither, by our numbers: 69 vs 71 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 76 vs 72 on our efficiency score.
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology
