Tests 79 · 9 tests Owners 75 · 1,371 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”
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV vs Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews. Based on 9 + 1 road tests and 1,371 + 39 owner reviews. How we score
Pilot Sport 4 SUV is ahead, 79–65
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Tests 76 · 1 test Owners 54 · 39 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 8 in 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test (dry braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
84
Dry
Pilot Sport 4 SUV +1371Why this score
Source Pilot Sport 4 SUV ContiSportContact 5 SUV Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 1 tests 85 78 Reviews found online 81 60 Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 85.4 + 40% × 81.1 = 84
ContiSportContact 5 SUV: 60% × 78.2 + 40% × 60.2 = 71
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88
Wet
Pilot Sport 4 SUV +1771Why this score
Source Pilot Sport 4 SUV ContiSportContact 5 SUV Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 1 tests 92 75 Reviews found online 81 65 Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 92.3 + 40% × 81.1 = 88
ContiSportContact 5 SUV: 60% × 75.3 + 40% × 64.7 = 71
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60
Comfort
Level60Why this score
Source Pilot Sport 4 SUV ContiSportContact 5 SUV Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / – tests 54 ≈ 66 (est.) Reviews found online 70 51 Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 54.2 + 40% × 69.8 = 60
ContiSportContact 5 SUV: 60% × 66 (est.) + 40% × 51.2 = 60
No road tests of comfort for ContiSportContact 5 SUV. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
-
61
Noise
ContiSportContact 5 SUV +566Why this score
Source Pilot Sport 4 SUV ContiSportContact 5 SUV Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 1 tests 53 71 Reviews found online 74 59 Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 52.5 + 40% × 74.2 = 61
ContiSportContact 5 SUV: 60% × 70.9 + 40% × 59.1 = 66
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71
Treadwear
Pilot Sport 4 SUV +2348Why this score
Source Pilot Sport 4 SUV ContiSportContact 5 SUV Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests 76 ≈ 57 (est.) Reviews found online 65 36 Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 75.5 + 40% × 64.8 = 71
ContiSportContact 5 SUV: 60% × 56.5 (est.) + 40% × 36 = 48
No road tests of treadwear for ContiSportContact 5 SUV. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.31).
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78
Handling (owners)
Pilot Sport 4 SUV +1761Why this score
Source Pilot Sport 4 SUV ContiSportContact 5 SUV Reviews found online 78 61
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 79 | 65 |
| Dry | 84 | 71 |
| Wet | 88 | 71 |
| Comfort | 60 | 60 |
| Noise | 61 | 66 |
| Treadwear | 71 | 48 |
| Handling (owners) | 78 | 61 |
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
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
79
/ 100
Pilot Sport 4 SUV
65
/ 100
ContiSportContact 5 SUV
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 | Pilot Sport 4 SUV | ContiSportContact 5 SUV | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 95% #6/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #5/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 100% #1/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | 96% #6/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% #5/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | 99% #2/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% #5/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 93% #6/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | 98% #4/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 49% #11/12 · 2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested | 51% #7/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 86% #6/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | 98% #2/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Grass Traction | Off-road | 71% #4/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | 89% #6/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Gravel Handling | Off-road | 99% #5/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | 100% #2/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Gravel Traction | Off-road | 95% #2/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | 96% #3/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Mud Traction | Off-road | 90% #8/11 · 2024 Summer SUV Tyre Test | 82% #7/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #5/9 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test | #1/8 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A 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
Tire B ContiSportContact 5 SUV
Pros
- Impressive wet and dry grip with responsive handling
- Exceptional braking performance in various conditions
- Quiet operation and smooth, comfortable ride quality
Cons
- Rapid and premature tread wear, with many users needing replacements under 15,000 miles
- High price point relative to the mileage longevity received
- Some complaints regarding road noise as the tires age
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Positive
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
Community sentiment toward the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV is generally very positive, with owners highlighting its strong grip, handling precision, and suitability for heavy performance SUVs. Users frequently compare it favorably to older Latitude Sport 3 and standard passenger tires, though they emphasize its summer-only limitation below 40°F and note trade-offs in price and tread life.
r/CX5
·103 upvotes ·2021-05-15
“Loving my new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires and Enkei Raijin wheels”
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.”
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.”
Top themes
#Summer temperature limitations#Grip and handling performance#Tread life and wear#Comparison with Latitude Sport 3#Ride comfort and firmness#SUV-specific load design
Based on 37 community posts
Tire B
Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | B · Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | SUV and 4x4 |
| Sizes available | 65 | — |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 23″ | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
79
/ 100
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
65
/ 100
Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV — better treadwear, wet and handling. Pick the Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV if noise matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 71 vs 48 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 88 vs 71 on wet.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 78 vs 61 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 84 vs 71 on dry.
Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
Tire B · Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV
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Pilot Sport 4 SUV or ContiSportContact 5 SUV?
Which is better in the wet, Pilot Sport 4 SUV or ContiSportContact 5 SUV?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, 88 vs 71 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Pilot Sport 4 SUV or ContiSportContact 5 SUV?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, 84 vs 71 on our dry score.
Which is quieter, Pilot Sport 4 SUV or ContiSportContact 5 SUV?
Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV, 66 vs 61 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Pilot Sport 4 SUV or ContiSportContact 5 SUV?
Neither, by our numbers: 60 vs 60 on the comfort score, within 3 points.
Which lasts longer, Pilot Sport 4 SUV or ContiSportContact 5 SUV?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, 71 vs 48 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