Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 32 + 21 road tests and 3,519 + 12,714 owner reviews. How we score
Pilot Sport 4 is ahead, 81–73
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Tests 76 · 32 tests Owners 71 · 3,519 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test (comfort (tester's mark))
“Everybody is right. The tyre is available in both a RF and a non-RF versions - so it will simply depend on what you buy. e.g. the rears for my F31 are not RF”
Tests 85 · 21 tests Owners 76 · 12,714 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 | Sport Maxx RT2 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 30 / 20 tests | 79 | 89 |
| Reviews found online | 71 | 84 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) · 11 shared tests · wins 1–10 | 96% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) · 8 shared tests · wins 0–7 | 98% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–3 | 68% | 90% |
Sport Maxx RT2: 60% × 79.2 + 40% × 70.6 = 76
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 89.3 + 40% × 83.9 = 87
| Source | Sport Maxx RT2 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 31 / 20 tests | 84 | 92 |
| Reviews found online | 73 | 84 |
| Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 3–3 | 98% | 98% |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 4 shared tests · wins 1–2 | 81% | 87% |
| Wet Braking (% of best) · 11 shared tests · wins 1–10 | 90% | 97% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) · 9 shared tests · wins 1–7 | 97% | 99% |
Sport Maxx RT2: 60% × 83.7 + 40% × 72.7 = 79
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 92.5 + 40% × 84.4 = 89
| Source | Sport Maxx RT2 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 6 tests | 70 | 82 |
| Reviews found online | 70 | 72 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–2 | 66% | 92% |
Sport Maxx RT2: 40% × 70.4 + 60% × 70.2 = 70
Pilot Sport 4: 40% × 81.6 + 60% × 71.7 = 76
| Source | Sport Maxx RT2 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / 13 tests | 64 | 73 |
| Reviews found online | 73 | ≈ 66 (est.) |
| Noise (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 3–2 | 99% | 99% |
Sport Maxx RT2: 60% × 63.5 + 40% × 73.3 = 67
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 73.2 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 70
No owner ratings of noise for Pilot Sport 4. 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.
| Source | Sport Maxx RT2 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 10 / 3 tests | 70 | 78 |
| Reviews found online | 68 | 60 |
| Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 | 72% | 84% |
Sport Maxx RT2: 60% × 70.1 + 40% × 68.3 = 69
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 78.1 + 40% × 59.5 = 71
| Source | Sport Maxx RT2 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 70 | 81 |
| Source | Sport Maxx RT2 | Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 17 / 14 tests | 64 | 76 |
| Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 6 shared tests · wins 5–1 | 94% | 92% |
| Category | Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 73 | 81 |
| Dry | 76 | 87 |
| Wet | 79 | 89 |
| Comfort | 70 | 76 |
| Noise | 67 | 70 |
| Treadwear | 69 | 71 |
| Handling (owners) | 70 | 81 |
| Efficiency | 64 | 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.
Sport Maxx RT2
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 14 tests that ran both, Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 finished ahead 1 times and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 13 times.
| Discipline | Category | Sport Maxx RT2 | Pilot Sport 4 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% | 100% | −3.9 | 1–10 in 11 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% | 100% | −1.1 | 0–7 in 8 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 68% | 90% | −21.9 | 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 100% #1/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 80% #5/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 98% | 98% | 0.0 | 3–3 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 90% | 97% | −7.0 | 1–10 in 11 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 97% #13/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test | 97% #4/10 · 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% | 99% | −1.8 | 1–7 in 9 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 81% | 87% | −5.4 | 1–2 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 66% | 92% | −25.7 | 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Noise | Noise | 99% | 99% | +0.4 | 3–2 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 72% | 84% | −12.6 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 94% | 92% | +2.4 | 5–1 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 70% | 58% | +12.5 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #7/20 | #16/20 | – | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Value | Cost | 71% | 64% | +6.6 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test · 245/45 R18 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #8/10 | #4/10 | – | 1–13 in 14 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Community opinion portrays the Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 as a solid, quiet, and good-value performance tire that performs well in all weather conditions. While some drivers note it is an older design compared to newer flagship releases and point out its 'B' wet rating in certain sizes, it is generally considered capable and competitively priced. There is also frequent discussion clarifying the availability of both run-flat and non-run-flat variants across different dimensions.
“Everybody is right. The tyre is available in both a RF and a non-RF versions - so it will simply depend on what you buy. e.g. the rears for my F31 are not RF”
“I have Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2's on my Audi A3 2.0TDI (buckets of torques) and they work incredibly well in all weather conditions. Granted a different proposition with FWD Audi, but for the price it was a no brainer to stick with them when I needed the fronts replacing.”
“For what it's worth, I put a full new set of 18inch Sport Maxx RT2's on my E85 a couple of years ago and found them more than adequate/good when your a looking for a value/capability compromise. Like B21 mentions, if you want a really upto date tyre, you pick a newer release from the manufacturer provided that pushing on a couple of hundred quid extra can be justified. (When you don't need to tell the wife) I just put a set of 19inch Continental Conti Sport 7's on my E89 but wouldn't have had an issue fitting 19inch Sport Maxx RT2's.”
Based on 19 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.
“Reminder: Tires are the key to this car Just replaced my Michelin Pilot Sport 4 AS tires with a new set ahead of the rainy season. Lasted 36K miles. It was the best mod to the car and a fresh set reminded just how good a brand new set is. The car is glued to the road, riding wonderfully smooth and quiet. Spend the money, get the best tires for you. The tune can wait. And it will need it.”
“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.”
“Quote: Originally Posted by weston.__ I will be going down the non-rft route, Pilot Sport 4. You're not the only one to say the ride quality with non-rft is a massive improvement and this is the reason why I will change once the time comes. I went from Bridgestone S001 RFT to 'go-flats' and have found the suppleness an obvious difference. Since I put the pressure to the mid point between the low and high load plated pressures I have yet to have any of the heartstopping thumps come through the suspension that the Bridgestone seemed prone to.”
Based on 246 community posts
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 | B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 56 | 62 |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 21″ | 16″ – 20″ |
| Tread depth | 10/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 300 A A | 300 - 320 A - AA A |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
| Sizes in common | 41 | 41 |
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 — better efficiency, dry and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 76 vs 64 on efficiency.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 87 vs 76 on dry.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 81 vs 70 on handling.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 89 vs 79 on wet.
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2 won 5 of 6 shared rolling resistance tests.
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Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 89 vs 79 on our wet score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 87 vs 76 on our dry score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 70 vs 67 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 64 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
