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Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 — Compared

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

Pilot Sport 5 is ahead, 82–72

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Tire AMichelin

Pilot Sport 5

Summer

Tests 84 · 23 tests Owners 82 · 6,414 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 2 in Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Energy vs Pilot Sport 5: How Much Do You Really Give Up? (subj. wet handling)

“The Tire Rack no longer has the selection with the major name brands it once did. I can order the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 in 225/45R18 from Costco but the Tire Rack doesn't offer it in that size. I can order the Continental Sport Contact 7 at Discount Tire in 225/45R18 but not at the Tire Rack. When my wife and I had a Corolla Hybrid, it took a 195/65R15. Michelin quit offering the CC2 in that size so the next best all-weather tire at the time that fit was the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 750. The Tire Rack never offered that tire but Discount Tire had it in stock locally. None of the tires I mentioned are exclusive tires for certain retailers. I enjoy the Tire Rack website and the testing they do, but they are no longer the go to merchant when buying tires like they once was.”

Tire BNexen

N Fera Sport SU2

Summer

Tests 78 · 20 tests Owners 65 · 18 reviews

Best test result: #3 of 50 in 2026 Summer Braking Super Tyre Test - How do 52 Tyres Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? (dry braking)

Category by category

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

  1. 88

    Dry

    Pilot Sport 5 +13
    75
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
    Professional tests (TWG score)9180
    Reviews found online8467
    Dry Braking (% of best)97%97%
    Dry Circle Speed (% of best)99%99%
    Dry Handling (% of best)100%96%
  2. 90

    Wet

    Pilot Sport 5 +12
    78
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
    Professional tests (TWG score)9283
    Reviews found online8771
    Wet Braking (% of best)95%91%
    Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best)97%89%
    Wet Circle (% of best)99%97%
    Wet Handling (% of best)98%95%
  3. 75

    Comfort

    N Fera Sport SU2 +4
    79
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
    Professional tests (TWG score)7189
    Reviews found online8063
  4. 45

    Noise

    N Fera Sport SU2 +40
    85
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
    Professional tests (TWG score)3097
  5. 82

    Treadwear

    Pilot Sport 5 +22
    60
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
    Professional tests (TWG score)8763
    Reviews found online7556
  6. 83

    Handling

    Pilot Sport 5 +14
    69
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 5N Fera Sport SU2
    Reviews found online8369
Scores at a glance
CategoryMichelin Pilot Sport 5Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
Relative Score 82 72
Dry 88 75
Wet 90 78
Comfort 75 79
Noise 45 85
Treadwear 82 60
Handling 83 69

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.

Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
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Less important
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Less important
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Important
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score

Pilot Sport 5

N Fera Sport SU2

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 5N Fera Sport SU2ΔBoth?
Curved Aquaplaning Curved 87% #6/7 · 2026 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test 86% #11/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +1.3 Different tests
Dry Braking Dry 97% #3/52 · 2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout 97% #3/50 · 2026 Summer Braking Super Tyre Test - How do 52 Tyres Perform in Wet and Dry Braking? +0.6 Different tests
Dry Circle Speed Dry 99% #3/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test 99% #4/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test +0.1 Same test
Dry Handling Dry 100% #2/6 · 2024 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test 96% #10/10 · 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test +3.5 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 94% #3/9 · 2025 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test 80% #19/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test +13.5 Different tests
Fuel Consumption Fuel 95% #8/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 95% #14/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 0.0 Same test
Abrasion Other 78% #2/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 65% #15/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test +13.0 Different tests
Noise Other 93% #10/10 · 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test 97% #6/11 · 2022 AutoBild Sports Cars UHP Summer Tyre Test −4.1 Different tests
Price Other 90% #2/3 · Michelin Pilot Sport VS EV Specific Performance Tyres 98% #2/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test −7.6 Different tests
Value Other 70% #10/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test 45% #5/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +24.5 Different tests
Wear Other 93% #2/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test 59% #8/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +34.7 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 20% #5/7 · 2026 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test 14% #7/10 · 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test +5.7 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 93% #9/10 · 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test 92% #18/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test +0.4 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 80% #5/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test 91% #17/20 · 2026 Autobild Summer Tyre Test −11.3 Different tests
Subj. Dry Handling Subj 80% #6/8 · 2025 Die Reifentester UHP Summer Tyre Test 91% #4/7 · 2026 AutoView Sport Tyre Test −10.7 Different tests
Subj. Wet Handling Subj 100% #1/2 · Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Energy vs Pilot Sport 5: How Much Do You Really Give Up? 30% #10/10 · 2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP Tyre Test +70.0 Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Total 0% #8/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test 0% #4/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test 0.0 Same test
Wet Braking Wet 95% #3/9 · 2025 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test 91% #8/17 · 2021 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 +4.4 Different tests
Wet Braking - Concrete Wet 97% #3/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 89% #13/18 · 2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test +8.0 Same test
Wet Circle Wet 99% #3/8 · 2024 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test 97% #15/20 · 2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test +2.4 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 98% #3/10 · 2023 AZ UHP Summer Tyre Test 95% #16/20 · 2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tyre Test +2.7 Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Pilot Sport 5

Pros

  • Outstanding wet and dry traction with high resistance to aquaplaning
  • Superior tread life and longevity compared to competitors and previous generations
  • Noticeable improvements in ride comfort and a quieter cabin over rough road surfaces

Cons

  • Softer sidewalls can lead to initial steering vagueness or understeer during hard cornering
  • Higher price point compared to some tier-one competitors
  • Performance and grip degrade significantly under intense track heat or heavy circuit use
All owner themes in the Pilot Sport 5 review

Tire B N Fera Sport SU2

Pros

  • Significantly cheaper than premium tier alternatives like Michelin and Continental
  • Impressive dry grip and predictable, controllable handling
  • Strong wet weather performance and high-speed stability

Cons

  • Rapid and uneven tread wear, often requiring replacement prematurely
  • Stiff carcass leading to mediocre ride comfort and harshness over road imperfections
  • Soft rubber compound prone to squirming under hard cornering or experiencing shoulder damage
All owner themes in the N Fera Sport SU2 review

What real owners are saying

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

Tire A

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Positive

Community opinion on the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is overwhelmingly positive for daily street driving, praising its exceptional wet grip, tread longevity, and quiet comfort compared to run-flats and older performance tires. However, several enthusiasts note downsides for aggressive or track use, specifically citing softer sidewalls, muted steering feedback, and poor heat resistance leading to delamination under track conditions. Most drivers consider it an outstanding premium all-rounder for sporty street cars rather than a dedicated track or extreme-performance tire.

r/TeslaUK ·3 upvotes ·2026-03-27

“Pilot sport 5? Hi, after replacement tyres for M3. Just touched 30k miles and all 4 need doing. Michelin 235/45 ZR18 (98Y) XL TL PILOT SPORT 5 I was looking at these 154 pounds from Costco. Only they’re not T rated. Was comparing them with the original 235/45 ZR 18 PILOT SPORT 4 XL TO TESLA these are 204 pounds at Costco. Thoughts on whether the PS5 will be ok please? Visited a couple of independent tyre shops yesterday, 1 quoted budget 100 each through to PS4s at 230 each. The second wouldn’t quote on non Tesla approved, so just quoted the PS4 T0s at 203 each. Cheers”
r/CarsAustralia ·8 upvotes ·2025-09-10

“In my experience they are quite long wearing tires and well worth the cost. I used to get around 40k out of most tyres. My first set of ps4’s lasted 55k and now the ps5’s are trending to beat it. I'm a pretty spirited driver around the roundabouts of Canberra too, though I only have a hatch so experiences may vary. As to performance I've driven them on my i30 n-line and other people’s i30N, BRZ, tesla 3, and stinger and the tyres have more grip than I have guts to push them on public roads. In both wet and dry they are very confidence inspiring and a hell of a lot of fun.”
r/ft86 ·2 upvotes ·2026-07-21

“PS5 is a very good allround, comfortable but grippy tire. PS4S has a stiffer sidewall and is way sportier but harsher. There is to date no successor for the PS4S. I switched from PS4S to PS5 on my mustang and its a way better fit for a daily tire. I would remommend to get PS5 for the rear aswell.”
Top themes
#wet grip performance#tread wear longevity#daily driving comfort#track heat delamination#soft sidewall steering feedback#road noise levels#comparison with ps4s

Based on 174 community posts

Tire B

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Pilot Sport 5 B · Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available66—
Rim diameters16″ – 22″—

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 — better treadwear, handling and dry. Pick the Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 if noise and comfort matter most to you.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Nexen N Fera Sport SU2 scores 85 vs 45 on noise.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scores 82 vs 60 on treadwear.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scores 83 vs 69 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scores 88 vs 75 on dry.

Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
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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.

82

Leads

Pilot Sport 5

Amazon