Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 21 + 2 road tests and 12,691 + 335 owner reviews. How we score
Pilot Sport 4 is ahead, 81–75
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Tests 85 · 21 tests Owners 76 · 12,691 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.”
Tests 72 · 2 tests Owners 78 · 335 reviews
Best test result: #2 of 20 in 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test (noise)
“Sportrac 5 didnt realise they did them in that size ive got them on the 206 designed by giugiaro grip like the preverbial to a blanket :thumbs:”
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 | Sportrac 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 20 / 2 tests | 89 | 71 |
| Reviews found online | 85 | 77 |
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 89.1 + 40% × 84.5 = 87
Sportrac 5: 60% × 71.2 + 40% × 77.3 = 74
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 | Sportrac 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 20 / 2 tests | 93 | 73 |
| Reviews found online | 85 | 80 |
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 93.1 + 40% × 84.7 = 90
Sportrac 5: 60% × 73 + 40% × 79.7 = 76
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 | Sportrac 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / – tests | 83 | ≈ 70 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 72 | 75 |
Pilot Sport 4: 40% × 83.4 + 60% × 72.4 = 77
Sportrac 5: 40% × 70.1 (est.) + 60% × 74.5 = 73
No road tests of comfort for Sportrac 5. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 | Sportrac 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / 1 tests | 73 | 75 |
| Reviews found online | ≈ 67 (est.) | ≈ 67 (est.) |
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 73.4 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 71
Sportrac 5: 60% × 75 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 72
No owner ratings of noise for Pilot Sport 4 or Sportrac 5. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 | Sportrac 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 1 tests | 78 | 71 |
| Reviews found online | 60 | 78 |
Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 78.1 + 40% × 59.5 = 71
Sportrac 5: 60% × 71.2 + 40% × 77.5 = 74
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 | Sportrac 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 81 | 77 |
| Source | Pilot Sport 4 | Sportrac 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 14 / 1 tests | 76 | 73 |
| Category | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | Vredestein Sportrac 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 81 | 75 |
| Dry | 87 | 74 |
| Wet | 90 | 76 |
| Comfort | 77 | 73 |
| Noise | 71 | 72 |
| Treadwear | 71 | 74 |
| Handling (owners) | 81 | 77 |
| Efficiency | 76 | 73 |
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.
Pilot Sport 4
Sportrac 5
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 | Sportrac 5 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 80% #3/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | 96% #8/13 · 2019 Swedish Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 80% #3/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | 98% #14/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 90% #2/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | 80% #6/13 · 2019 Swedish Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 80% #2/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | 97% #7/13 · 2019 Swedish Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 70% #8/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | 95% #10/13 · 2019 Swedish Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 70% #4/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | 98% #5/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 78% #7/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | 70% #9/13 · 2019 Swedish Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 99% #6/10 · 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test | 100% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 96% #5/16 · 2020 ADAC 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 83% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 80% #2/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | 85% #4/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 66% #7/10 · 2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick Tyre Test | 90% #5/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #16/20 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | #3/20 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Value | Cost | 59% #20/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 81% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #7/9 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 | #2/16 2019 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
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.
“New tires Pilot Sport 4s got some new Pilot Sport 4s in 245/40/18. way different to my yokohama advan AS+. a lot more grip, obviously. very minimal to no sidewall flex. very good tires. i had pilot sport 3's on my 2013 hatchback wrx back in the day. feels good to get back on some good tires again.”
“I ran the stock 17" Ecopia's on my Ecosport for about 45k km. Luckily didn't face any side wall cuts. Overall it was a average tyre with decent grip levels - good grip without any squealing when driving up a ghat road quite enthusiastically even at the fag end of it's life. Ride quality was pretty bad and the smallest of ruts would result in a thud and being low profile amplified it even more. The tyres developed these cracks along the shoulder around the 35-40k mark which should not have happened due to which I changed them at 45k even though there was probably enough thread for about 5-10k km more. Moved to the Michelin PS4 now and the difference is night and day!”
“Quote: Originally Posted by ua549 In over 55 years of driving I've never gotten more than 20k miles on a set of tires. Michelin Pilot Sport is the worst at 6k miles twice in a row with free factory replacements though I've gotten 18k miles on Michelin AS3 tires once or twice. Dunlop Sport is second at 15k miles. Overall Pirelli Cinturato P7 are the longest wearing tires I've owned over the years at 20k miles consistently. I swap out run flat tires if they come on a new car. I believe that heat is a major cause of tire wear. Even after a 2 mile trip @ 35 mph the tires on my E300 register about 120°F. Cold they are between 80°F and 85°F. In the dead of winter they are 5° colder. The OEM tires on my 5 year old '18 E300 got 12k miles. The car has 20k miles on it now and the P7 tires are about 40% worn. My experience with Summer tires is 15 to 18k max. The only Summer tires that I have owned that lasted more than 20 were the Pilot Sport PS4...which BTW is one of their marketing highlights, longer tread wear...though still shorter than all seasons which normally are rated for 30k or more.”
Based on 246 community posts
Community sentiment toward the Vredestein Sportrac 5 is overwhelmingly positive, particularly among drivers of classic and older European or enthusiast cars. Users praise its strong wet and dry grip, sidewall stability, and compliant ride, frequently recommending it as one of the few high-quality summer performance tires still offered in rare 14-inch and 15-inch sizes.
“Ah yes, it is Dutch, and also produced in the Netherlands(east side of the country).. I am going this afternoon for the new ones, the sportrac 5 is well known here, I will keep you posted..”
“Sportrac 5 didnt realise they did them in that size ive got them on the 206 designed by giugiaro grip like the preverbial to a blanket :thumbs:”
“Wrong car/tire model, but I bought a set of Vredestein Sportrac 5s last year and mounted them on a spare set of wheels for my Alfetta GT . Really like the tires and they're well reviewed. Only took them off because I decided I prefer the look of the Ronal A1 wheels and old Pirelli P400 tires that the car came to me with.”
Based on 26 community posts
| Attribute | A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 | B · Vredestein Sportrac 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 62 | 35 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 20″ | 14″ – 17″ |
| Sizes in common | 2 | 2 |
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Vredestein Sportrac 5
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 — better wet, dry and comfort. Pick the Vredestein Sportrac 5 if treadwear matters most to you.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 90 vs 76 on wet.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 87 vs 74 on dry.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 77 vs 73 on comfort.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 76 vs 73 on efficiency.
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Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 90 vs 76 on our wet score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 87 vs 74 on our dry score.
Neither, by our numbers: 71 vs 72 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 77 vs 73 on our comfort score.
Vredestein Sportrac 5, 74 vs 71 on our treadwear score.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 76 vs 73 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
