Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 are Max Performance Summer tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.

Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.

In This Article

Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion Similar Comparisons

Test Results

Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been seven tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these seven tests:

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead of the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 in four of the tests
Pirelli P Zero PZ4 finished ahead of the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 in two of the tests
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 drew in one of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is better than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.

Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 1% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

33.7M

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

34.04M

Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>

2023 Summer Tire Market Overview 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:34.1M	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34M
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:34.7M	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.5M
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:32.5M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 32.7M
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:34.1M	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34M
2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:33.5M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.6M
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:33.5M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.9M
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:33.5M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.6M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.06% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

84.85s

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

84.8s

Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:100.1s	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 100.1s
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:69.6s	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 69.5s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.67% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

118.07Km/H

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

118.87Km/H

Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:114.6Km/H	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 115.1Km/H
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:119.1Km/H	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 121.3Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:120.5Km/H	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 120.2Km/H

Wet Braking

Looking at data from seven tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 4.34% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

37.27M

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

38.96M

Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>

2023 Summer Tire Market Overview 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:26M	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 24.9M
2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:39.1M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 41.3M
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:39.9M	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 39.6M
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:40.6M	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 38.9M
2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:27.7M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 32.3M
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:44.4M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 45.2M
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:43.2M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 50.5M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 1.3% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

69.35s

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

68.45s

Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:67.9s	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 66.7s
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:70.8s	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 70.2s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.59% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

77.87Km/H

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

78.33Km/H

Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:84.8Km/H	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 85.2Km/H
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:75.5Km/H	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 77.2Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:73.3Km/H	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.6Km/H

Wet Circle

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during three wet circle tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.24% faster around a wet circle than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

12.67s

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

12.64s

Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:11.13s	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 11.05s
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:13.52s	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 13.41s
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:11.2s	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 11.18s
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:14.83s	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 14.91s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 floated at a 0.67% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

83.38Km/H

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

82.82Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:77.9Km/H	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 77.5Km/H
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:77.1Km/H	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 79.3Km/H
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:105.7Km/H	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 104.4Km/H
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:75.7Km/H	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 73Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:80.5Km/H	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 79.9Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 slipped out at a 5.07% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

3.35m/sec2

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

3.18m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:2.96m/sec2	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2.75m/sec2
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:3.83m/sec2	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 3.8m/sec2
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:3.25m/sec2	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2.99m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from two tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 8.33% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

6 Points

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

5.5 Points

Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>

2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:7 Points	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 6 Points
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:5 Points	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 5 Points

Noise

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during five noise tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 measured 1.61% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

71.88dB

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

70.72dB

External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Noise winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:68.3dB	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 66.9dB
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:72dB	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 70dB
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:73.8dB	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 73.7dB
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:71dB	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 69dB
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:74.3dB	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 74dB

Wear

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is predicted to cover 38.85% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

50923.33KM

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

31140KM

Predicted tread life in KM, higher is better

Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Wear winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:55600KM	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 32800KM
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:45000KM	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 32500KM
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:52170KM	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 28120KM

Value

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three value tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 proved to have a 33.26% better value based on price/1000km than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

12.64Price/1000

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

18.94Price/1000

Euros/1000km based on cost/wear, lower is better

Best In Value: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Value winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:12.5Price/1000	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 19.51Price/1000
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:16.67Price/1000	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 21.38Price/1000
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:8.74Price/1000	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 15.93Price/1000

Price

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during three price tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 cost 9.9% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

673.33

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

606.67

Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Price winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:500	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 435
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:825	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 745
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:695	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 640

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from five tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 had a 4.99% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

8.57kg / t

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

9.02kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:8.62kg / t	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.83kg / t
2023 AZ UHP Summer Tire Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:8.37kg / t	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.46kg / t
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5:8.09kg / t	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 8.33kg / t
2025 AZ Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:8.85kg / t	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 8.6kg / t
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 5:8.94kg / t	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 8.88kg / t

Abrasion

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

0.09mm/1000km

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

0.15mm/1000km

Millimetre of tread lost per 1000km driven, higher is better

Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

In total the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has been reviewed 74 times and drivers have given the tire 85% overall.

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 has been reviewed 74 times and drivers have given the tire 74% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Best Review for the Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Given 89% 225/40 R18 on mostly country roads for 2,000 spirited miles

I've bought the new Michelin Pilot Sport 5 for my Golf R as I previously had the Pilot Sport 4 tires. What a fantastic difference these new tire are. Theres far less noise, the grip in the wet is better and the dry grip is almost the same if not better as well. I would definitely be buying these again.

Helpful 528 - tire reviewed on January 12, 2022

View all Michelin Pilot Sport 5 driver reviews >>

Best Review for the Pirelli P Zero PZ4

225/40 R18 W on for 0 miles

Really good !
Replace very very good Yokohama V105 one year old.
To try them out.
First-class comfort (top) + rolling silence
A little above the Yoko on the dry,
In the rain, they are incredible ! Well above all that I have tried :
Dunlop RT, PS3, Yoko V105, Hankook V12 K110.
No idea about wear again ... The +:
- Braking (this is a big highlight)
- Motricity
- Handling
They are equipped with protections of the rims although the option is not specified (in France).
The sides are stiffer than the PS3 for... Continue reading this review using the link below

Helpful 364 - tire reviewed on June 27, 2017

View all Pirelli P Zero PZ4 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 performed better in dry braking, wet braking, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, subj. comfort, wear, value and rolling resistance, while the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 performed better in dry handling [s], dry handling [km/h], wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], wet circle, noise and price.

Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Michelin Pilot Sport 5 seems to be the best tire overall.

However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.

Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.

Similar Comparisons

Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 VS Nexen N Fera Sport SU2

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Pirelli P Zero PZ4 VS Vredestein Ultrac Pro

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 VS Vredestein Ultrac Pro

Firestone Firehawk Sport VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 VS Yokohama Advan Sport V107

Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Continental SportContact 7 VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Continental SportContact 7 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Falken Azenis FK520 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Continental PremiumContact 7 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Footnote

This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.

Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Test Results

Dry Braking

Dry Handling [s]

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Wet Braking

Wet Handling [s]

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Wet Circle

Straight Aqua

Curved Aquaplaning

Subj. Comfort

Noise

Wear

Value

Price

Rolling Resistance

Abrasion

Real World Driver Reviews

Conclusion

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Similar Comparisons

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