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Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV vs Continental Sport Contact 5 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.

Pilot Sport 4 SUV is ahead, 77–66

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Tire AMichelin

Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Summer

Tests 79 · 9 tests Owners 76 · 1,369 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 12 in 2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested (straight aqua)

“Quote: Originally Posted by robtr8 I like to use the tire size calculator on 1010Tires.com. Shows 285/40's as being almost 3% bigger than the OE size. Generally speaking you want no more than a 1% different. The PS 4 SUV's are available in a 295/35. Rocketcar - if you had P-Zero's then yup. They suck. Took them off the F Type immediately if not sooner. Quote: Originally Posted by RAudi Driver That's why they are called P-Zeros. If they were good Pirelli would have named them P-10's. Quote: Originally Posted by BrettIsAwesomer Not a fan of the LS3 on my Cayenne. They came on the car when I bought it but will replace with Pilot Sport 4 SUV later this year. There are some stretches of road where the surface conditions change and I get a terrible droning noise in the cabin with the LS3. However, in my Cayman with PS4S in the same areas you can barely tell the road surface changed. The wear on both sets is about the same. 2016 Cayenne S e-Hybrid with 21" Latitude Sport 3 (295/35) 2014 Cayman with 20" Pilot Sport 4S (235-265/35) I am putting an OPC warranty on the Cayenne, so for me the LS3 is is best N rated tyre available...”

Tire BContinental

Sport Contact 5

Summer

Tests 73 · 3 tests Owners 62 · 3,146 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 12 in 2014 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test (overall ranking)

“In the end I went with Bridgestone Potenza RE 050's Very happy. Grips as well as the Conti Sport5's without disintegrating after a few hard mountain passes. On a light car sport contact5's, For a heavier car RE 050's are fantastic completely sold. Pilot Sports are far too soft these cars.”

Category by category

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

  1. 83

    Dry

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +10
    73
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVSport Contact 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)8576
    Reviews found online8169
    Dry Braking (% of best)95%94%
    Dry Handling (% of best)98%98%
  2. 88

    Wet

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +15
    73
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVSport Contact 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)9274
    Reviews found online8172
    Wet Braking (% of best)100%92%
    Wet Circle (% of best)98%97%
    Wet Handling (% of best)100%93%
  3. 60

    Comfort

    Sport Contact 5 +2
    62
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVSport Contact 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)5462
    Reviews found online7062
  4. 60

    Noise

    Sport Contact 5 +7
    67
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVSport Contact 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)5067
    Reviews found online74–
  5. 71

    Treadwear

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +19
    52
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVSport Contact 5
    Professional tests (TWG score)76–
    Reviews found online6542
  6. 78

    Handling

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +12
    66
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVSport Contact 5
    Reviews found online7866
Scores at a glance
CategoryMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUVContinental Sport Contact 5
Relative Score 77 66
Dry 83 73
Wet 88 73
Comfort 60 62
Noise 60 67
Treadwear 71 52
Handling 78 66

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

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

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Recomputed
Headline score

Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Sport Contact 5

The professional test results behind the scores

Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.

DisciplineCategoryPilot Sport 4 SUVSport Contact 5ΔBoth?
Dry Braking Dry 95% #6/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 94% #6/10 · 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test +1.3 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 98% #5/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 98% #4/10 · 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test −0.4 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 86% #4/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 96% #3/9 · 2017 Auto Bild UHP Tyre Test −10.2 Different tests
Noise Other 98% #3/12 · 2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested 99% #5/9 · 2017 Auto Bild UHP Tyre Test −1.5 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 50% #2/11 · 2024 Summer SUV Tyre Test 100% #1/12 · 2014 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test −50.0 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 100% #1/12 · 2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested 98% #3/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test +1.5 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 75% #6/8 · 2020 ViBilagare SUV Tyre Test 67% #4/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test +8.3 Different tests
Subj. Dry Handling Subj 100% #1/6 · 2025 Vi Bilagare Summer EV Tyre Test 100% #1/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test 0.0 Different tests
Subj. Noise Subj 50% #8/8 · 2020 ViBilagare SUV Tyre Test 67% #5/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test −16.7 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 100% #1/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 92% #6/10 · 2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test +8.0 Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 98% #3/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 97% #3/8 · 2020 Gute Fahrt SUV Summer Tyre Test +0.1 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 100% #1/6 · 2025 Vi Bilagare Summer EV Tyre Test 93% #8/9 · 2017 Auto Bild UHP Tyre Test +6.8 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
All owner themes in the Pilot Sport 4 SUV review

Tire B Sport Contact 5

Pros

  • Outstanding dry and wet grip with excellent aquaplaning resistance
  • Precise steering response and sharp handling
  • Short braking distances in various weather conditions

Cons

  • Rapid and uneven tread wear, resulting in a short overall lifespan
  • High price point combined with poor mileage value
  • Increased road noise as the tires wear down past halfway
All owner themes in the Sport Contact 5 review

What real owners are saying

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

Tire A

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Positive

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/Howsmytire ·1 upvote ·2026-07-15

“Used Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV I am looking to buy these used Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires. They have 7+ mm thread left, DOT 0923. I am wondering why the two tires on the right are so rough / full of small holes, while the ones on the left are so smooth. Probably the right ones were on the front, but still what could this condition be indicating? I still haven't been to the shop to see them and feel how is the rubber, wanted to hear an advice first.”
r/CX5 ·103 upvotes ·2021-05-15

“Loving my new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires and Enkei Raijin wheels”
bobistheoilguy.com ·2022-02-01

“From 3 model you mention, only Alenza is designed for heavy vehicle/SUV, so longevity is better than other 2 for your Envoy even though the traction may not be the best. If you can find Pilot Sport 4 SUV, then it may be the best to replace Latitude Sport 3. I like Latitude Sport 3, the best in wet weather and great in dry, but it is true it is only 25000 miles lifetime.”
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 Sport Contact 5

Mixed

Community feedback on the Continental Sport Contact 5 highlights strong grip and effective braking in both wet and dry conditions, along with good cornering feel. However, opinions are mixed regarding treadwear and durability, with multiple users raising concerns over rapid tire wear and degradation under heavy loads or spirited driving. While some drivers prefer them over competing models, others view them as inferior to subsequent Continental generations or rival brands.

torquecars.com ·2013-04-15

“I've just had a set of these Continental Sport Contact 5 fitted to my car and I'm quite impressed with them. They seem to be really good in the wet, stopping distances were notable shorter, more so than I'd expect with the extra tread depth. They are also really good in the dry and give a nice "feel" on tight corners. They have replaced the Eagle F1's in my mind as the best day to day tyre. Anyone else had them fitted?”
vwt4forum.co.uk ·2016-07-04

“I run Accelera PHI2's on my 20's and have done for the last 3-4 years with absolutely no problems. I'm a biker and like to press on in all my vehicles. Never had a scary moment in the van in any weather and drive just as fast in that as I do the car (conti sport contact 5's on that). Only cover about 6K in the van per year so don't want anything that lasts too long as it would deteriorate before it was anywhere near worn out. Mike likes banging on about Michelins but they can have problems as well as anything else. Michelin Agilis 51's had problems with bulges and tyre failures in the past. Other michelin tyre problems (I know how much Mike likes Yankee sites!) And Michelin have tyre factories all over the world including India and Asia. Not all cheaper tyres are bad tyres. Pirelli P6000 were notoriously bad for example, and Pirelli are not classed as a budget tyre. Mike will still bang on like a broken record though about VW and 16 and 17 inch tyres though. Its probably an old age thing”
mbworld.org

“Quote: Originally Posted by bret In the end I went with Bridgestone Potenza RE 050's Very happy. Grips as well as the Conti Sport5's without disintegrating after a few hard mountain passes. On a light car sport contact5's, For a heavier car RE 050's are fantastic completely sold. Pilot Sports are far too soft these cars. Back in the day I had numerous sets of Potenza's on a Saab 900 Turbo...that's been a good tire for a long long time. Check out the Cooper Zeon when you get a chance, heckuva tire at any price.”
Top themes
#wet and dry grip#rapid treadwear concerns#braking distance performance#cornering feel and handling#comparison with 5P and SC6#heavy vehicle suitability

Based on 14 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV B · Continental Sport Contact 5
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4Passenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available6584
Rim diameters17″ – 23″17″ – 22″

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Continental Sport Contact 5

Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV — better treadwear, wet and handling. Pick the Continental Sport Contact 5 if noise matters most to you.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 71 vs 52 on treadwear.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 88 vs 73 on wet.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 78 vs 66 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 83 vs 73 on dry.

Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
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Tire B · Continental Sport Contact 5
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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.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.

77

Leads

Pilot Sport 4 SUV

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