Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5

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

In This Article
Introduction Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion
PremiumContact-7 VS Pilot-Sport-5

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 five tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these five tests:

  • Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead of the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 in four of the tests
  • Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead of the Continental PremiumContact 7 in one of the 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.

Dry Braking

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
34.08M
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
34.34M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7

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

Dry Handling [s]

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
74.12s
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
74.44s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7

2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:74.12s Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 74.44s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
112.8Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
112.1Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental PremiumContact 7

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

Subj. Dry Handling

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
95 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
100 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Continental PremiumContact 7:95 Points ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 100 Points

Subj. Fun

Continental PremiumContact 7
8 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
8 Points
Subjective Fun Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Fun:

2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Continental PremiumContact 7:8 Points Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8 Points

Wet Braking

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
30.43M
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
31.63M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7

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

Wet Braking - Cool

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
27.9M
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
30.7M
Wet braking at cooler temperature in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking - Cool: Continental PremiumContact 7

2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:27.9M Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 30.7M

Wet Braking - Worn

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
42.2M
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
41.7M
Wet braking at Low Tread Depth, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking - Worn: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Continental PremiumContact 7:42.2M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 41.7M

Wet Handling [s]

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
92.06s
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
94.67s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7

2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:92.06s Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 94.67s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
78.25Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
77.55Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental PremiumContact 7

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

Subj. Wet Handling

Continental PremiumContact 7
98 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
98 Points
Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling:

2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Continental PremiumContact 7:98 Points Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 98 Points

Wet Circle

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
8.72m/s
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
8.71m/s
Lateral wet grip in m/s squared, higher is better

Best In Wet Circle: Continental PremiumContact 7

2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test
215/40 R18		 ✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:8.72m/s Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.71m/s

Straight Aqua

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
87.1Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
87.63Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

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

Curved Aquaplaning

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
6.18m/sec2
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
5.97m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental PremiumContact 7

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

Subj. Comfort

Continental PremiumContact 7
100 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
98 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental PremiumContact 7

Noise

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
72.95dB
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
73dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Continental PremiumContact 7

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

Noise

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
71.9dB
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
72.8dB
Internal noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Continental PremiumContact 7

2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Continental PremiumContact 7:71.9dB Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 72.8dB

Wear

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
38701KM
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
43097.5KM
Predicted tread life in KM, higher is better

Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

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

Value

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
7.71Price/1000
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
8Price/1000
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear, lower is better

Best In Value: Continental PremiumContact 7

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

Price

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
355.1
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
401.1
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Continental PremiumContact 7

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

Rolling Resistance

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
8.23kg / t
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
8.3kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental PremiumContact 7

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

Abrasion

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.

Continental PremiumContact 7
75.9mg/km/t
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
65.7mg/km/t
Weight of Tire Wear Particles Lost (mg/km/t), lower is better

Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2023 Tire Reviews Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18		 Continental PremiumContact 7:75.9mg/km/t ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 65.7mg/km/t

Real World Driver Reviews

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.

Best Review for the Continental PremiumContact 7
Given 99% 205/55 R16 on a combination of roads for 600 spirited miles
Fantastic tires. Previous tires were Michelin ps4. These 7s are possibly better in every department. Highly recommend them. Very impressed.
Helpful 252 - tire reviewed on February 21, 2023
View all Continental PremiumContact 7 driver reviews >>
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 445 - tire reviewed on January 12, 2022
View all Michelin Pilot Sport 5 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

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

Overall Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

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.

Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.