Tests – · none yet Owners 58 · 195 reviews
Head-to-head
Updated
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S — 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 + 27 road tests and 195 + 6,649 owner reviews. How we score
Pilot Sport 4 S is ahead, 85–65
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Tests 81 · 27 tests Owners 86 · 6,649 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 15 in 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test (dry braking)
“A note about the pilot sport 4 S: in cold weather (below 5 degrees) even if it isn't icy, the tyre compound hardens and has dramatically reduced grip. They are excellent summer tyres though, good in the wet too. These days I run Uniroyal rainsport 5 and they're very good.”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
67
Dry
Pilot Sport 4 S +2693Why this score
Source Sport Maxx RT Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 25 tests ≈ 67 (est.) 95 Reviews found online 67 92 Sport Maxx RT: 60% × 67.4 (est.) + 40% × 66.6 = 67
Pilot Sport 4 S: 60% × 94.6 + 40% × 91.5 = 93
No road tests of dry for Sport Maxx RT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.41).
-
69
Wet
Pilot Sport 4 S +1988Why this score
Source Sport Maxx RT Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 26 tests ≈ 70 (est.) 86 Reviews found online 69 90 Sport Maxx RT: 60% × 69.5 (est.) + 40% × 68.5 = 69
Pilot Sport 4 S: 60% × 85.9 + 40% × 90.4 = 88
No road tests of wet for Sport Maxx RT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).
-
55
Snow
No comparison–Why this score
Source Sport Maxx RT Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 62 (est.) – Reviews found online 45 – Sport Maxx RT: 60% × 62.3 (est.) + 40% × 44.8 = 55
No road tests of snow for Sport Maxx RT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).
-
62
Comfort
Pilot Sport 4 S +1678Why this score
Source Sport Maxx RT Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 6 tests ≈ 67 (est.) 70 Reviews found online 59 83 Sport Maxx RT: 40% × 66.6 (est.) + 60% × 58.5 = 62
Pilot Sport 4 S: 40% × 70.4 + 60% × 83.4 = 78
No road tests of comfort for Sport Maxx RT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).
-
66
Noise
Pilot Sport 4 S +369Why this score
Source Sport Maxx RT Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 20 tests ≈ 66 (est.) 70 Reviews found online 65 ≈ 66 (est.) Sport Maxx RT: 60% × 66.4 (est.) + 40% × 64.5 = 66
Pilot Sport 4 S: 60% × 70.3 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 69
No road tests of noise for Sport Maxx RT. 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 S. 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.
-
53
Treadwear
Pilot Sport 4 S +1972Why this score
Source Sport Maxx RT Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests ≈ 58 (est.) 70 Reviews found online 44 74 Sport Maxx RT: 60% × 58.4 (est.) + 40% × 44.1 = 53
Pilot Sport 4 S: 60% × 70.2 + 40% × 74 = 72
No road tests of treadwear for Sport Maxx RT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).
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66
Handling (owners)
Pilot Sport 4 S +2490Why this score
Source Sport Maxx RT Pilot Sport 4 S Reviews found online 66 90 -
–
Efficiency
No comparison72Why this score
Source Sport Maxx RT Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 23 tests – 72
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Sport Maxx RT | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 65 | 85 |
| Dry | 67 | 93 |
| Wet | 69 | 88 |
| Snow | 55 | – |
| Comfort | 62 | 78 |
| Noise | 66 | 69 |
| Treadwear | 53 | 72 |
| Handling (owners) | 66 | 90 |
| Efficiency | – | 72 |
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
65
/ 100
Sport Maxx RT
85
/ 100
Pilot Sport 4 S
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.
| Discipline | Category | Sport Maxx RT | Pilot Sport 4 S | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #4/14 2015 AZ 225/40 R18 Summer Tyre Test | #1/10 2026 ACE Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Sport Maxx RT
Pros
- Outstanding grip and traction in both dry and wet conditions
- High level of ride comfort and low road noise
- Predictable and progressive handling at limits
Cons
- Fast tread wear leading to short tire lifespan
- Prone to developing cracks in the tread blocks or sidewalls prematurely
- Subpar performance in freezing temperatures, snow, or slush
Tire B Pilot Sport 4 S
Pros
- Exceptional grip and predictable handling in both dry and wet conditions
- Noticeable reduction in road noise and improved ride comfort compared to competitors and run-flats
- Sharper steering response and improved cornering stability
Cons
- High initial purchase price
- Rapid tread wear reported by some aggressive drivers and track users
- Soft sidewalls can cause a slightly vague or laggy initial response during rapid steering transitions
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Positive
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
The community widely regards the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S as a benchmark max-performance summer tire, praising its outstanding dry and wet grip, stability, and daily driving refinement. Common criticisms focus on its premium price, rapid tread wear on high-powered heavy vehicles or hot track sessions, and significantly reduced grip in cold weather. Many enthusiasts consider it an ideal street tire, though some note softer sidewalls compared to predecessors or recommend dedicated track tires for hard circuit driving.
mustang6g.com
·2020-11-15
“I just went 12k on PSS for mixed use weekend and HDPE. 275/35 19x10 front and 305/30 19x11rear stagger. I replaced the PS4s from stock purchased PP1. I immediately noticed the PSS seemed a little louder and the concrete joints were felt and heard. Now after putting on 285/35 and 325/30 MP4S I'm enjoying a better ride. I have a track event this weekend so I'll get to test the 4S in track duty.”
vwvortex.com
·2025-09-26
“My 2023 20th AE Golf R came with Hankook tires , and I've been very pleased with them. I'm a fairly aggressive driver and frequent the twisty roads in the Santa Monica Mountains. I also have a mildly modded Mk VI Golf R shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires on factory 18" rims, and the Hankooks seem to perform almost as well in the dry, but outshine the PS4s in the wet. I will most likely need new tires next year, but I am undecided between the Hankooks and the Michelin PS4AS tires . As for Continental tires ... I use Continental tubular tires on my road bicycle, but have experienced many problems, including massive chunking with them on my 1974 BMW 2002Tii and my 1979 Scirocco Gti , so I am not going to use them on my cars again.”
jaguarforums.com
“I had a similar experience with Discount Tire and brand new Michelin PS4S's. I clipped a large lane marker (not a dot, a turtle) with both driver's side tires and pinch-flatted them both. I had driven them less than 10 miles so Discount Tire replaced them for only $50 without me even asking for a discount. I had purchased them for about $450 each and didn't buy a road hazard warranty, so I was very pleased with Discount Tire.”
Top themes
#Wet and dry grip#Track day durability#High price vs alternatives#Tread life and wear#Cold weather performance#Sidewall stiffness and comfort
Based on 208 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Sport Maxx RT | B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 27 | 110 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 22″ | 17″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | 9/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 240 A A | 300 A - AA A |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
| Sizes in common | 17 | 17 |
Which one should you actually buy?
65
/ 100
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT
85
/ 100
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S — better dry, handling and wet. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 93 vs 67 on dry.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 90 vs 66 on handling.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 88 vs 69 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 72 vs 53 on treadwear.
Tire A · Dunlop Sport Maxx RT
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
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Sport Maxx RT or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Which is better in the wet, Sport Maxx RT or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, 88 vs 69 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Sport Maxx RT or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, 93 vs 67 on our dry score.
Which is quieter, Sport Maxx RT or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, 69 vs 66 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Sport Maxx RT or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, 78 vs 62 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Sport Maxx RT or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, 72 vs 53 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