Firestone Firehawk Sport vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5

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

There are a few basic differences between the two tyres. The Firestone Firehawk Sport is an Ultra-High-Performance Summer tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars, and the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is an Max-Performance Summer tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger-Cars

In This Article
Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion Similar Comparisons
Firehawk-Sport VS Pilot-Sport-5

Test Results

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

Out of these four tests:

  • Michelin Pilot Sport 5 finished ahead of the Firestone Firehawk Sport in four of the tests

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

Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 2.14% less distance than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
35.05M
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
34.3M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:35.1M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 34.7M
2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:34.6M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 33.5M
2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:35.9M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 35.5M
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:34.6M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 33.5M

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.66% faster around a lap than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
115.6Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
117.55Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

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

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:114.3Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 114.6Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:116.9Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 120.5Km/H

Wet Braking

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 8.97% less distance than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
38.23M
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
34.8M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:42.2M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 39.1M
2025 Summer Tyre Test Shootout
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:31.1M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 27.7M
2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:30.9M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 29.2M
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:48.7M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 43.2M

Wet Braking - Concrete

Looking at data from one tyre 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 7.11% less distance than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
38M
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
35.3M
Wet braking on Concrete in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:38M ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 35.3M

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 3.29% faster around a wet lap than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
76.45Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
79.05Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

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

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:81.6Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 84.8Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:71.3Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 73.3Km/H

Wet Circle

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was 1.22% faster around a wet circle than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
13.14s
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
12.98s
Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:11.19s ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 11.13s
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:15.08s ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 14.83s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 floated at a 2.72% higher speed than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
77.27Km/H
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
79.43Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:74.6Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 77.9Km/H
2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:77.5Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 79.9Km/H
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:79.7Km/H ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 80.5Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 slipped out at a 9.45% higher speed than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
2.78m/sec2
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
3.07m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:2.45m/sec2 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 2.96m/sec2
2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:2.8m/sec2 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 3m/sec2
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:3.1m/sec2 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 3.25m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 14% more points than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
4.3 Points
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
5 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:4.3 Points ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 5 Points

Noise

Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Firestone Firehawk Sport was better during three noise tests. On average the Firestone Firehawk Sport measured 1.29% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
70.97dB
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
71.9dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Firestone Firehawk Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Firestone Firehawk Sport:67dB Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 68.3dB
2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Firestone Firehawk Sport:72.3dB Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 73.1dB
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Firestone Firehawk Sport:73.6dB Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 74.3dB

Wear

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is predicted to cover 41.64% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
31680KM
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
54285KM
Predicted tread life in KM, higher is better

Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:34500KM ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 56400KM
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:28860KM ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 52170KM

Value

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two value tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 proved to have a 21.72% better value based on price/1000km than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
12.2Price/1000
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
9.55Price/1000
Euros/1000km based on cost/wear, lower is better

Best In Value: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:12.75Price/1000 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 10.35Price/1000
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:11.64Price/1000 ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.74Price/1000

Price

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Firestone Firehawk Sport was better during one price tests. On average the Firestone Firehawk Sport cost 27% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
365
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
500
Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Firestone Firehawk Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Firestone Firehawk Sport:365 Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 500

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Firestone Firehawk Sport was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Firestone Firehawk Sport had a 16.4% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
7.34kg / t
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
8.78kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Firestone Firehawk Sport

2023 AutoBild Sports Car Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Firestone Firehawk Sport:7.05kg / t Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.62kg / t
2025 Auto Bild Summer Performance Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Firestone Firehawk Sport:7.62kg / t Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 8.94kg / t

Fuel Consumption

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Firestone Firehawk Sport was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Firestone Firehawk Sport used 1.79% less fuel than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
5.5l/100km
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
5.6l/100km
Fuel consumption in Litres per 100 km, lower is better

Best In Fuel Consumption: Firestone Firehawk Sport

2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 ✓ Firestone Firehawk Sport:5.5l/100km Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 5.6l/100km

Abrasion

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 emitted 30.83% less particle wear matter than the Firestone Firehawk Sport.

Firestone Firehawk Sport
81.1mg/km/t
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
56.1mg/km/t
Weight of Tyre Wear Particles Lost (mg/km/t), lower is better

Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

2025 ADAC Summer Tyre Test
225/40 R18		 Firestone Firehawk Sport:81.1mg/km/t ✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 5: 56.1mg/km/t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Firestone Firehawk Sport and Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

In total the Firestone Firehawk Sport has been reviewed 4 times and drivers have given the tyre 81% overall.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 has been reviewed 73 times and drivers have given the tyre 85% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

Best Review for the Firestone Firehawk Sport
Given 90% 265/30 R20 on a combination of roads for 1,500 average miles
Excellent tyres for wet roads - no slipping when accelerating / overtaking / cornering, or when hitting unseen standing water, or more generally, bouncing around on poorly-surfaced potholed roads - so well-suited to driving in England this Summer... Also grip well in the dry, and they're quiet at lower speeds - very important for a convertible which came with large, wide alloys and rubber-band tyres. Am also achieving more miles per gallon - never seen 33 mpg previously (30 was the best) - so as nothing else has changed, the new tyres' construction/composition must be responsible. Plus, they... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 26 - tyre reviewed on July 12, 2024
View all Firestone Firehawk Sport 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 tyres. What a fantastic difference these new tyre 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 488 - tyre reviewed on January 12, 2022
View all Michelin Pilot Sport 5 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Firestone Firehawk Sport performed better in noise, price, rolling resistance and fuel consumption, 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, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, subj. comfort, wear, value and abrasion.

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

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

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

Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Overall Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Based on the tyre 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 tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.

Similar Comparisons

Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:

Michelin Pilot Sport 5
VS
Vredestein Ultrac Pro
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 VS Vredestein Ultrac Pro
Firestone Firehawk Sport
VS
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Firestone Firehawk Sport VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
VS
Yokohama Advan Sport V107
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 VS Yokohama Advan Sport V107
Bridgestone Potenza Sport
VS
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
VS
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Continental SportContact 7
VS
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Continental SportContact 7 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Falken Azenis FK520
VS
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Falken Azenis FK520 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6
VS
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Continental PremiumContact 7
VS
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Continental PremiumContact 7 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Footnote

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

Why is this important? Tyre 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 tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.

As a result you will see other tests on Tyre 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 tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.