Summer tire Updated November 2026

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 review

± 4

Relative score 60% tests + 40% owners

Better than 98% of the summer tires we score.

Owners 76 · 12,714 reviews analysed Road tests 85 · 21 tests

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Michelin Pilot Sport 4 has a Relative Score of 81 out of 100 among summer tires. In 27 road tests with an overall ranking it finished first 12 times and in the top three 20 times. Testers rate it best for wet (93) and weakest for noise (73). 12,714 owner reviews rate it 76 out of 100. 79% would buy it again.

Projected tread life in 3 wear tests: about 41,000 km (25,000 miles) on average, newest 2020.

  • Strength: Wet 93 — 1st of 10 (2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP tire Test), 1st of 10 (2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick tire Test)
  • Strength: Dry 89 — 1st of 11 (2022 AutoBild Sports Cars UHP Summer tire Test), 1st of 10 (2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19)
Community sentiment Positive Read the buzz
#Wet and dry grip#Run-flat replacement upgrade#Treadwear and longevity#Cold weather performance#Road noise and comfort

Owners rate it 9 points lower than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Two scoring systems, side by side

Owner scores come from reviews found online; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.

How scores work
Relative score
0–100. Blends road tests (60%) and owner reviews (40%) category by category, the same way on every TireWheelGuide page. With only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from it, so the score stays closer to average. It needs at least one road test or five owner reviews.
Road tests
0–100 per score, from published tests, newer tests counting more. Each result is compared with every other tire in the same test, so a win against a strong field counts for more. The average tested tire gets 70, the best 100; with only one or two tests a tire stays nearer 70. The discipline rows show % of the best tire in that test.
Owner reviews
0–100 from the owner reviews we found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates and scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70. With only a few reviews a tire stays near the average.

Full methodology

By owner reviews

76/100

From 12,714 owner reviews analysed, scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70.

Would buy again 79%
Dry
Overall dry
84
Wet
Overall wet
84
Comfort
Overall comfort
72
Treadwear
Overall treadwear
60
Handling
Overall handling
81

Own these tires? Write a review →

By road tests

85/100

Scaled across every tested tire: the average gets 70, the best 100.

Dry
89
Wet
93
Comfort
82
Noise
73
Treadwear
78
Efficiency
76
By discipline (% of best in test)
Dry Braking
88%
Dry Handling
84%
Subj. Dry Handling
89%
Wet Braking
84%
Subj. Wet Handling
93%
Wet Handling
84%
Straight Aquaplaning
93%
Curved Aquaplaning
88%
Side G-Force on Wet surface
88%
Inside Noise level
70%
Subjective Comfort
92%
Rolling Resistance
55%
Price
8%
Wear
92%

What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 12,714 owner reviews found online.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 is widely praised as an exceptional high-performance summer tire that drastically improves vehicle handling, wet-weather confidence, and overall ride comfort compared to OEM or budget alternatives. While most users celebrate its elite dry and wet grip, a minority of enthusiasts note that its softer sidewalls can slightly dull initial steering feedback and responsiveness when compared to track-focused alternatives like the Pilot Super Sport.

Pros

  • Exceptional wet and dry traction with outstanding resistance to aquaplaning
  • Noticeable improvement in ride comfort and a reduction in cabin noise compared to standard run-flat tires
  • Progressive and predictable breakaway limits during spirited driving
  • Strong braking response across various weather conditions

Cons

  • Faster-than-average treadwear, particularly under aggressive driving or on rear-wheel-drive performance cars
  • Softer sidewalls can lead to a slight lack of initial steering precision and a vague feel at the limit for hardcore enthusiasts
  • Performance drops off significantly in cold, freezing, or snowy winter conditions
  • High initial purchase price compared to competing mid-range options

Worth knowing

  • Users switching from harsh OEM run-flat tires on luxury and sports sedans (such as BMW and Audi models) reported a massive transformation in ride quality and a significant drop in road noise.
  • EV owners, particularly driving Teslas, noted that the tires handle instant torque exceptionally well, though aggressive instant power delivery can accelerate treadwear on rear-wheel-drive setups.
  • Lightweight sports cars like the Toyota GR86 and Mazda MX-5 benefit from improved grip and compliance, though some track-focused drivers found the sidewalls slightly too soft for hard circuit use.

27 published test appearances (21 in the score)

Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.

2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP tire Test · 245/40 R19

4th of 10
Best: Straight Aquaplaning · 1st Weakest: Wet Handling · 6th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking4th of 10
Wet Handling6th of 10
Dry Braking4th of 10
Dry Handling4th of 10
Rolling Resistance2nd of 10
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 10
Curved Aquaplaning1st of 10
Noise5th of 10
Price10th of 10

Source: Auto Bild Sportscars

2022 AutoBild Sports Cars UHP Summer tire Test · 225/45 R18

1st of 11
Best: Dry Handling · 1st Weakest: Dry Braking · 6th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking2nd of 11
Wet Handling5th of 11
Dry Braking6th of 11
Dry Handling1st of 11
Rolling Resistance2nd of 11
Straight Aquaplaning3rd of 11
Curved Aquaplaning6th of 11
Noise4th of 11
Price11th of 11

Source: Auto Bild Sportscars

2022 AMS Performance Summer tire Test · 245/45 R19

7th of 10
Best: Rolling Resistance · 2nd Weakest: Wet Circle · 10th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking8th of 10
Wet Handling9th of 10
Wet Circle10th of 10
Dry Braking5th of 10
Dry Handling5th of 10
Rolling Resistance2nd of 10
Straight Aquaplaning3rd of 10
Curved Aquaplaning5th of 10
Noise3rd of 10
Price9th of 10

Source: Auto Motor und Sport

2022 Sport Auto UHP, UUHP and Semi Slick tire Test · 235/35 R19

4th of 10
Best: Straight Aquaplaning · 1st Weakest: Dry Handling · 9th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking2nd of 10
Wet Handling6th of 10
Wet Circle4th of 10
Dry Braking4th of 10
Dry Handling9th of 10
Rolling Resistance2nd of 10
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 10
Curved Aquaplaning6th of 10
Noise6th of 10
Price7th of 10

Source: Sport Auto

2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 · 245/45R19

7th of 10
Best: Steering Response · 1st Weakest: Wet Braking · 8th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking8th of 10
Wet Handling4th of 10
Dry Braking3rd of 10
Dry Handling3rd of 10
Exterior Noise3rd of 10
Rolling Resistance2nd of 10
Straight Aquaplaning2nd of 10
Curved Aquaplaning5th of 10
Dry Handling (tester's mark)2nd of 10
Comfort (tester's mark)5th of 10
Wet Handling (tester's mark)7th of 10
Wet Lateral Stability8th of 10
Steering Response1st of 10
Safety2nd of 10

Source: AUTO Straßenverkehr

2021 EVO Summer tire Test · 225/40 R18

5th of 9
Best: Dry Handling · 2nd Weakest: Wet Handling · 6th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking3rd of 9
Wet Handling6th of 9
Dry Braking3rd of 9
Dry Handling2nd of 9
Rolling Resistance2nd of 9
Straight Aquaplaning5th of 9
Dry Handling (tester's mark)4th of 9
Wet Handling (tester's mark)6th of 9

Source: evo

2021 Auto Express Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17

2nd of 10

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

2021 Auto Zeitung Summer UHP tire Test · 225/40 R18

4th of 10
Best: Dry Braking · 1st Weakest: Noise · 7th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking4th of 10
Wet Handling3rd of 10
Dry Braking1st of 10
Dry Handling2nd of 10
Rolling Resistance4th of 10
Straight Aquaplaning5th of 10
Dry Handling (tester's mark)2nd of 10
Comfort (tester's mark)5th of 10
Wet Handling (tester's mark)6th of 10
Noise7th of 10
Price10th of 10

Source: Auto Zeitung

2020 AMS 18 Inch Summer tire Test · 225/45 R18

2nd of 11
Best: Wet Handling · 1st Weakest: Noise · 5th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking2nd of 11
Wet Handling1st of 11
Dry Braking1st of 11
Dry Handling2nd of 11
Rolling Resistance4th of 11
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 11
Dry Handling (tester's mark)1st of 11
Comfort (tester's mark)3rd of 11
Wet Handling (tester's mark)1st of 11
Noise5th of 11
Price11th of 11

Source: Auto Motor und Sport

2020 Auto Bild Summer tire Test · 245/45 R18

3rd of 20
Best: Dry Braking · 1st Weakest: Noise · 14th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking4th of 20
Wet Handling9th of 20
Dry Braking1st of 20
Dry Handling3rd of 20
Rolling Resistance12th of 20
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 20
Noise14th of 20
Value20th of 20
Price20th of 20
Wear5th of 20
Total Cost of Ownership16th of 20

Source: Auto Bild

2020 ADAC 18 Inch Summer tire Test · 225/40 R18

2nd of 16
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wear5th of 16

Source: ADAC

2020 tire Market Overview Braking Test · 245/45 R18

1st of 49
Best: Dry Braking · 1st Weakest: Wet Braking · 4th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking4th of 49
Dry Braking1st of 49

Source: Auto Bild

2020 TCS Summer Tire Test R18 · 225/40R18

2nd of 15

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: TCS

2019 EVO Summer tire Test · 225/40 R18

2nd of 7
Best: Wet Handling · 2nd Weakest: Rolling Resistance · 5th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking3rd of 7
Wet Handling2nd of 7
Dry Braking2nd of 7
Dry Handling2nd of 7
Rolling Resistance5th of 7
Straight Aquaplaning3rd of 7
Dry Handling (tester's mark)2nd of 7
Comfort (tester's mark)2nd of 7
Wet Handling (tester's mark)2nd of 7

Source: evo

2019 Auto Bild Sports Car tire Test · 245/45 R18

4th of 11
Best: Straight Aquaplaning · 1st Weakest: Dry Braking · 9th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking4th of 11
Wet Handling4th of 11
Dry Braking9th of 11
Dry Handling5th of 11
Rolling Resistance6th of 11
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 11
Comfort (tester's mark)2nd of 11
Noise4th of 11
Price11th of 11

Source: Auto Bild Sportscars

2019 Auto Bild Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17

1st of 20
Best: Wet Handling · 1st Weakest: Rolling Resistance · 15th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking5th of 20
Wet Handling1st of 20
Dry Braking1st of 20
Dry Handling2nd of 20
Rolling Resistance15th of 20
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 20
Comfort (tester's mark)1st of 20
Noise4th of 20
Value10th of 20
Price19th of 20
Wear2nd of 20
Total Cost of Ownership13th of 20

Source: Auto Bild

2019 Summer 53 tire Braking Shootout · 225/45 R17

2nd of 45
Best: Dry Braking · 1st Weakest: Wet Braking · 5th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking5th of 45
Dry Braking1st of 45

Source: Auto Bild

2018 Auto Express Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17

2nd of 10

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

2018 Auto Review 225/45 R17 tire Test · 225/45 R17

1st of 11

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Autoreview

2018 AMS Summer UHP tire Test · 225/45 R17

1st of 11
Best: Wet Braking · 1st Weakest: Dry Handling · 5th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking1st of 11
Wet Handling1st of 11
Dry Braking1st of 11
Dry Handling5th of 11
Rolling Resistance4th of 11
Straight Aquaplaning3rd of 11
Dry Handling (tester's mark)4th of 11
Wet Handling (tester's mark)1st of 11
Noise5th of 11

Source: Auto Motor und Sport

2018 Test World Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17

1st of 16
Best: Wet Braking · 1st Weakest: Noise · 13th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking1st of 16
Wet Handling4th of 16
Dry Braking3rd of 16
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 16
Dry Handling (tester's mark)2nd of 16
Wet Handling (tester's mark)1st of 16
Noise13th of 16

Source: Test World

2018 AZ Summer AND All Season tire Test · 225/45 R17

1st of 9
Best: Wet Handling · 1st Weakest: Rolling Resistance · 9th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking3rd of 9
Wet Handling1st of 9
Dry Braking1st of 9
Dry Handling1st of 9
Rolling Resistance9th of 9
Straight Aquaplaning1st of 9
Noise4th of 9
Price5th of 9

2017 EVO Summer tire Test · 225/40 R18

1st of 9
Best: Wet Braking · 1st Weakest: Wet Handling · 2nd
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking1st of 9
Wet Handling2nd of 9
Dry Braking2nd of 9
Dry Handling2nd of 9

Source: evo

2017 Auto Bild UHP tire Test · 245/40 R18

1st of 9
Best: Wet Handling · 1st Weakest: Wet Braking · 6th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking6th of 9
Wet Handling1st of 9
Dry Braking6th of 9
Dry Handling1st of 9
Rolling Resistance5th of 9
Noise3rd of 9

Source: Auto Bild

2017 Sport Auto UHP and Track Day Test · 225/40 R18

1st of 10
Best: Wet Handling · 1st Weakest: Dry Handling · 6th
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking2nd of 10
Wet Handling1st of 10
Dry Braking4th of 10
Dry Handling6th of 10

Source: Sport Auto

2017 AMS Summer UHP tire Test · 245/45 R18

1st of 10
Best: Wet Braking · 1st Weakest: Dry Handling · 3rd
DisciplinePlacementField position
Wet Braking1st of 10
Wet Handling1st of 10
Dry Braking1st of 10
Dry Handling3rd of 10

Source: Auto Motor und Sport

2016 Auto Express Summer tire Test · 225/40 R18

1st of 9

Only the final ranking was published for this test, not the results per discipline.

Source: Auto Express

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 specs & sizes

Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.

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What owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of the scores above.

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.

Sentiment breakdown
Positive49%
Mixed14%
Negative11%
Neutral26%
Top themes
#Wet and dry grip#Run-flat replacement upgrade#Treadwear and longevity#Cold weather performance#Road noise and comfort#EV range and efficiency#Comparison to Continental tires

From 246 threads and comments.

Reviews from our readers

Drivers who have these tires on their car, in their own words. We check every review before it goes live.

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