Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5

In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 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 six tests which compare both tires directly!

Out of these six tests:

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead of the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 in six of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is better than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 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 six tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during six dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 3.81% less distance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

35.73M

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

34.37M

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	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:34.8M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 34.1M
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:34.8M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 34.1M
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:37.1M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 35.5M
2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:35.2M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 33.5M
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:37.3M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 35.5M
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:35.2M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 33.5M

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.63% faster around a lap than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

113.03Km/H

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

114.9Km/H

Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:117.2Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 119.1Km/H
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:103.7Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 105.1Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:118.2Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 120.5Km/H

Wet Braking

Looking at data from six tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during six wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 7.4% less distance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

35.55M

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

32.92M

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	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:27M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 26M
2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:42.2M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 40.6M
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:32M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 30.8M
2025 Summer Tire Test Shootout 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:31.5M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 27.7M
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:31.5M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 29.2M
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:49.1M	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 43.2M

Wet Braking - Concrete

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 7.35% less distance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

38.1M

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

35.3M

Wet braking on Concrete in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:38.1M

✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 35.3M

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.84% faster around a wet lap than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

74.73Km/H

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

76.13Km/H

Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:74.4Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 75.5Km/H
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:78.1Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 79.6Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:71.7Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 73.3Km/H

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1% faster around a wet circle than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

14.98s

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

14.83s

Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>

2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:14.98s

✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 14.83s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 floated at a 0.06% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

85.75Km/H

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

85.7Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:103.9Km/H	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 105.7Km/H
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:76.8Km/H	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 76.7Km/H
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:81.2Km/H	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 79.9Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:81.1Km/H	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 80.5Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 slipped out at a 5.91% higher speed than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

4.74m/sec2

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

4.46m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:3.87m/sec2	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 3.83m/sec2
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:8.15m/sec2	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 7.76m/sec2
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:3.5m/sec2	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 3m/sec2
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:3.45m/sec2	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 3.25m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

5 Points

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

5 Points

Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tires performed equally well

See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>

2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test
225/40 R18

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:5 Points

Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 5 Points

Noise

Looking at data from four tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during four noise tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 measured 0.68% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

72.85dB

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

73.35dB

External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

See how the Noise winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:73.6dB	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 73.8dB
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:71.4dB	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 72.2dB
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:72.8dB	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 73.1dB
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:73.6dB	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 74.3dB

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 25.14% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

40963.33KM

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

54723.33KM

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	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:41600KM	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 55600KM
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:41700KM	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 56400KM
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:39590KM	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 52170KM

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 8.75% better value based on price/1000km than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

11.54Price/1000

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

10.53Price/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	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:13.82Price/1000	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 12.5Price/1000
2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:11.7Price/1000	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 10.35Price/1000
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:9.09Price/1000	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.74Price/1000

Price

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 was better during one price tests. On average the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 cost 17.27% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

575

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

695

Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

See how the Price winner was calculated >>

2023 AutoBild UHP Summer Tire Test
225/45 R18

✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:575

Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 695

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from three tire tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 had a 2.1% lower rolling resistance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

8.59kg / t

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

8.41kg / 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 UHP Summer Tire Test 225/45 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:8.45kg / t	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.09kg / t
2024 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test 215/40 R18	✓ Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:7.9kg / t	Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.2kg / t
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tire Test 225/40 R18	Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:9.41kg / t	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.94kg / t

Fuel Consumption

Looking at data from one tire tests, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 performed equally well in fuel consumption tests.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

5.6l/100km

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

5.6l/100km

Fuel consumption in Litres per 100 km, lower is better

Best In Fuel Consumption: Both tires performed equally well

See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:5.6l/100km

Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 5.6l/100km

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 38.35% less particle wear matter than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

91mg/km/t

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

56.1mg/km/t

Weight of Tire Wear Particles Lost (mg/km/t), lower is better

Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>

2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test
225/40 R18

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2:91mg/km/t

✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 56.1mg/km/t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

In total the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 has been reviewed 92 times and drivers have given the tire 77% overall.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has been reviewed 74 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 Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

Given 93% 235/35 R19 W on a combination of roads for 3,000 spirited miles

I have changed my ContiSportContact 5Ps with these. Quite happy so far. The car feels like more responsive and quiter. I have preferred these over SportContact6s purely because of the price advantage but it doesnt feel like a wrong choice so far. The rim protectors, which dont exist on 5Ps, are also nice. I have just painted my rims before installing these and these protectors have already save me from scratching the rims couple of times.

Helpful 320 - tire reviewed on April 30, 2016

View all Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 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 528 - tire reviewed on January 12, 2022

View all Michelin Pilot Sport 5 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 performed better in straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, noise and price, while the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [km/h], wet braking, wet braking - concrete, wet handling [km/h], wet circle, wear, value, rolling resistance and abrasion.

Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in subj. comfort and fuel consumption, 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 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

Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 VS Kumho Ecsta PS71

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 VS Yokohama Advan Sport V107

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

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Continental SportContact 7 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

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.

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Test Results

Dry Braking

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Wet Braking

Wet Braking - Concrete

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Wet Circle

Straight Aqua

Curved Aquaplaning

Subj. Comfort

Noise

Wear

Value

Price

Rolling Resistance

Fuel Consumption

Abrasion

Real World Driver Reviews

Conclusion

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

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