In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Continental PremiumContact 7 and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.
There are a few basic differences between the two tires. The Continental PremiumContact 7 is an Premium-Touring Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars, and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is an Max-Performance Summer tire designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been five tests which compare both tires directly!
Out of these five tests:
While it might look like the Continental PremiumContact 7 is better than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 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.
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 0.76% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 Summer Tire Market Overview 225/45 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:33.7M | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 34.1M |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:33.7M | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 34.1M |
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:33.41M | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 33.65M |
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:35.5M | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 35.5M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 0.43% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:74.12s | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 74.44s |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 0.62% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:120.3Km/H | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 119.1Km/H |
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:105.3Km/H | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 105.1Km/H |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during zero subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 scored 5% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:95 Points | ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 100 Points |
Best In Subj. Fun:
See how the Subj. Fun winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:8 Points | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8 Points |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 3.79% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 Summer Tire Market Overview 225/45 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:25.3M | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 26M |
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:39.5M | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 40.6M |
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:27.1M | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 29.1M |
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:29.8M | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 30.8M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one wet braking - cool tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 9.12% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wet Braking - Cool: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Braking - Cool winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:27.9M | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 30.7M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet braking - worn tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 1.18% less distance than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Wet Braking - Worn: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Braking - Worn winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:42.2M | ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 41.7M |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 2.76% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:92.06s | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 94.67s |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 0.89% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:76.3Km/H | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 75.5Km/H |
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:80.2Km/H | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 79.6Km/H |
Best In Subj. Wet Handling:
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:98 Points | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 98 Points |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 had 0.11% higher lateral wet grip than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:8.72m/s | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.71m/s |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 floated at a 0.6% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:104Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 105.7Km/H |
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:80.9Km/H | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 80.5Km/H |
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:76.4Km/H | ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 76.7Km/H |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 slipped out at a 3.4% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:3.77m/sec2 | ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 3.83m/sec2 |
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:6.31m/sec2 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 6.31m/sec2 |
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:8.45m/sec2 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 7.76m/sec2 |
Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one noise tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 measured 0.07% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:74dB | ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 73.8dB |
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:71.9dB | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 72.2dB |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one noise tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 measured 1.24% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:71.9dB | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 72.8dB |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during zero wear tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 is predicted to cover 10.2% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:51600KM | ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 55600KM |
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:25802KM | ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 30595KM |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two value tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 proved to have a 3.63% better value based on price/1000km than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Value: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:12.11Price/1000 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 12.5Price/1000 |
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:3.3Price/1000 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 3.5Price/1000 |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two price tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 cost 11.47% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Price: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:625 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 695 |
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:85.2 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 107.2 |
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 had a 0.84% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:8.1kg / t | ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.09kg / t |
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:8.4kg / t | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.6kg / t |
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:8.2kg / t | Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.2kg / t |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 emitted 13.44% less particle wear matter than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18 |
Continental PremiumContact 7:75.9mg/km/t | ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 65.7mg/km/t |
Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental PremiumContact 7 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
In total the Continental PremiumContact 7 has been reviewed 26 times and drivers have given the tire 84% overall.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has been reviewed 67 times and drivers have given the tire 85% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
In conclusion the Continental PremiumContact 7 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], dry handling [km/h], wet braking, wet braking - cool, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], wet circle, curved aquaplaning, noise, noise, value, price and rolling resistance, while the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 performed better in subj. dry handling, wet braking - worn, straight aqua, wear and abrasion.
Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in subj. fun and subj. wet handling, showing that they are closely matched in these areas.
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 Continental PremiumContact 7 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: Continental PremiumContact 7
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental PremiumContact 7 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.Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
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.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.