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Head-to-head Updated

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 0 + 9 road tests and 1,564 + 1,383 owner reviews. How we score

Pilot Sport 4 SUV is ahead, 81–64

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Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
Tire BMichelin

Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Summer

± 5

Tests 80 · 9 tests Owners 79 · 1,383 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 12 in 2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested (wet braking)

“Loving my new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires and Enkei Raijin wheels”

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 68

    Dry

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +18
    86
    Why this score
    SourceSP Sport Maxx GTPilot Sport 4 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 9 tests≈ 68 (est.)86
    Reviews found online6886

    SP Sport Maxx GT: 60% × 68.1 (est.) + 40% × 68.4 = 68

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 86.1 + 40% × 86 = 86

    No road tests of dry for SP Sport Maxx GT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).

  2. 66

    Wet

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +25
    91
    Why this score
    SourceSP Sport Maxx GTPilot Sport 4 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 9 tests≈ 67 (est.)93
    Reviews found online6587

    SP Sport Maxx GT: 60% × 67.3 (est.) + 40% × 64.5 = 66

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 93.4 + 40% × 86.5 = 91

    No road tests of wet for SP Sport Maxx GT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).

  3. 55

    Snow

    No comparison
    –
    Why this score
    SourceSP Sport Maxx GTPilot Sport 4 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 62 (est.)–
    Reviews found online44–

    SP Sport Maxx GT: 60% × 62.2 (est.) + 40% × 44.2 = 55

    No road tests of snow for SP Sport Maxx GT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).

  4. 61

    Comfort

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +3
    64
    Why this score
    SourceSP Sport Maxx GTPilot Sport 4 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 2 tests≈ 67 (est.)54
    Reviews found online5871

    SP Sport Maxx GT: 40% × 66.6 (est.) + 60% × 58.1 = 61

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 40% × 54 + 60% × 70.6 = 64

    No road tests of comfort for SP Sport Maxx GT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 67

    Noise

    SP Sport Maxx GT +9
    58
    Why this score
    SourceSP Sport Maxx GTPilot Sport 4 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 9 tests≈ 66 (est.)53
    Reviews found online68≈ 66 (est.)

    SP Sport Maxx GT: 60% × 66.3 (est.) + 40% × 67.6 = 67

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 52.5 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 58

    No road tests of noise for SP Sport Maxx GT. The test half is the tested tires’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.

    No owner ratings of noise for Pilot Sport 4 SUV. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  6. 54

    Treadwear

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +18
    72
    Why this score
    SourceSP Sport Maxx GTPilot Sport 4 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 59 (est.)77
    Reviews found online4665

    SP Sport Maxx GT: 60% × 59.3 (est.) + 40% × 46.3 = 54

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 77 + 40% × 65.3 = 72

    No road tests of treadwear for SP Sport Maxx GT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 62

    Handling (owners)

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +21
    83
    Why this score
    SourceSP Sport Maxx GTPilot Sport 4 SUV
    Reviews found online6283
  8. –

    Efficiency

    No comparison
    64
    Why this score
    SourceSP Sport Maxx GTPilot Sport 4 SUV
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 9 tests–64
Scores at a glance
CategoryDunlop SP Sport Maxx GTMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
Relative Score 64 81
Dry 68 86
Wet 66 91
Snow 55 –
Comfort 61 64
Noise 67 58
Treadwear 54 72
Handling (owners) 62 83
Efficiency – 64

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Recomputed
Headline score
± 7

SP Sport Maxx GT

± 5

Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

The professional test results behind the scores

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.

DisciplineCategorySP Sport Maxx GTPilot Sport 4 SUVΔHead-to-head
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Overall Ranking Overall #6/6 2016 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test #5/9 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A SP Sport Maxx GT

Pros

  • Outstanding dry grip and precise cornering handling
  • Quiet and refined ride comfort, especially for a high-performance tire
  • Strong initial steering response and predictable road feedback

Cons

  • Rapid and often uneven tread wear resulting in short lifespan
  • Poor traction and confidence in cold temperatures, snow, and ice
  • Susceptibility to aquaplaning or slipping in heavy wet conditions
All owner themes in the SP Sport Maxx GT review

Tire B Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Pros

  • Outstanding grip and safety in both wet and dry conditions
  • Precise steering response and enhanced cornering stability for heavy SUVs
  • Noticeable improvement in ride comfort and overall handling

Cons

  • Higher-than-average purchase price
  • Increased road noise reported by some users as the tread wears down
  • Faster tread wear and shorter mileage lifespan under aggressive driving or heavy vehicle loads
All owner themes in the Pilot Sport 4 SUV review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Tire B

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Positive

Community members generally praise the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV for its strong grip, handling performance, and SUV-specific design. Users frequently consider it an upgrade over OEM options like the Latitude Sport 3, though some discuss its premium price, summer temperature limitations, and expected tread longevity.

rennlist.com

“Have a 2014 CTTS with 21" wheels. Just had Michelin PilotSport4 SUV All-season put on. Before that had Michelin PilotSport4S. Have about 1K miles on the new tires, and no experience with it in winter weather yet, but prefer the ride quality over the PS4S. The PS4SUV are a softer ride, yet still have plenty of grip when I hit the "Sport" button. IMO, the PS4S is overkill for the Cayenne. Obviously, subjective and YMMV. Does your wife engage in "spirited" driving? As background, I have PS4S tires on my 2016 Spyder and love them.”
bobistheoilguy.com ·2022-04-22

“Figured I would update this thread. Ended up buying a set of four brand new 18" Saab 9-7X wheels that were shipped over, and went with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires in 255/55R18 109Y XL flavor. This is the first set of French made Michelins I've purchased, and they all were manufactured in December 2021. Also got some chrome McGard spline drive lug nuts. The ride is definitely firmer than it was compared to the 255/60R17 106V tires on there previously, but that's a good thing in my book. Only put 18 miles on them so far, so I can't say all that much. However, I definitely like them so far.”
subaruoutback.org ·1 upvote ·2021-10-17

“The CrossClimate2 is supposed to be better in every way compared to the prior generations, including less rolling resistance (better fuel economy). Most Tire Rack reviews are from people who have only driven on tires for a short time so when there are tread life ratings from consumers I don't know how accurate it is. My Michelin Pilot Sport4SUV summer tires have 1500 miles on them and started at 9/32nds and are still 9/32nds (all 4 corners) with some very aggressive driving (testing rear sway bars) and only have 200 treadwear rating.”
Top themes
#grip and handling#SUV-specific performance#tread life longevity#Latitude Sport 3 comparison#summer tire limitations#premium pricing

Based on 25 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverSUV and 4x4
Sizes available2265
Rim diameters18″ – 22″17″ – 23″
Tread depth10/32″—
UTQG240 A A220 - 320 A - AA A
SidewallBlackwall—
Max pressure51 psi—
Sizes in common66

Which one should you actually buy?

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV — better wet, handling and dry. Pick the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT if noise matters most to you.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 91 vs 66 on wet.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 83 vs 62 on handling.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 86 vs 68 on dry.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 72 vs 54 on treadwear.

Tire A · Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT
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Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
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SP Sport Maxx GT or Pilot Sport 4 SUV?

Which is better in the wet, SP Sport Maxx GT or Pilot Sport 4 SUV?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, 91 vs 66 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, SP Sport Maxx GT or Pilot Sport 4 SUV?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, 86 vs 68 on our dry score.

Which is quieter, SP Sport Maxx GT or Pilot Sport 4 SUV?

Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT, 67 vs 58 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, SP Sport Maxx GT or Pilot Sport 4 SUV?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, 64 vs 61 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, SP Sport Maxx GT or Pilot Sport 4 SUV?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, 72 vs 54 on our treadwear score.

How do we compare tires?

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