Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

In this article we will be looking at independent tyre test data, and real world driver reviews of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 to find out which tyre is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 are Max Performance Summer tyres designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tyres is relatively simple.

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

In This Article

Test Results Driver Reviews Conclusion Similar Comparisons

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 six tests which compare both tyres directly!

Out of these six tests:

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S finished ahead of the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 in six of the tests

While it might look like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is better than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 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 six tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during six dry braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S stopped the vehicle in 1.42% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

31.88M

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

32.34M

Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tyre Test 245/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:24M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 24.4M
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:33.6M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:33.5M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.5M
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:33.18M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.34M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:33.9M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:33.1M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.6M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during three dry handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 0.46% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

69.32s

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

69.64s

Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tyre Test 245/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:29.5s	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 30s
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:52.15s	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 52.15s
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:94.42s	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 95.17s
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:101.21s	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 101.23s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 0.14% faster around a lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

109.5Km/H

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

109.65Km/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 >>

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:118.4Km/H	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 118.8Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:100.6Km/H	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 100.5Km/H

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 7% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

60.75 Points

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

56.5 Points

Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:63 Points	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 57 Points
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:58.5 Points	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 56 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during five wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S stopped the vehicle in 5.72% less distance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

32.29M

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

34.25M

Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tyre Test 245/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:30.8M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.2M
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:26M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 28.7M
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:45.5M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 48.6M
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:35.52M	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.29M
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:24.5M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 26.6M
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:31.4M	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 34.1M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during three wet handling [s] tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was 0.47% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

53.35s

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

53.1s

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 >>

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tyre Test 245/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:32.2s	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 33.2s
2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:46.8s	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 46s
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:65.23s	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 64.84s
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:69.17s	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 68.36s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during zero wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was 3.23% faster around a wet lap than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

79.3Km/H

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

81.95Km/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 >>

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:74Km/H	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 77.2Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:84.6Km/H	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 86.7Km/H

Subj. Wet Handling

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during zero subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 6.67% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

56 Points

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

60 Points

Subjective Wet Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:54.5 Points	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 62 Points
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:57.5 Points	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 58 Points

Wet Circle

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during zero wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S had 1.28% higher lateral wet grip than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

8.46m/s

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

8.57m/s

Lateral wet grip in m/s squared, higher is better

Best In Wet Circle: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>

2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test
225/40 R18

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:8.46m/s

✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 8.57m/s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during four straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S floated at a 2.52% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

75.06Km/H

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

73.17Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:72Km/H	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.2Km/H
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:73.6Km/H	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 71.6Km/H
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:78.5Km/H	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.3Km/H
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:80.6Km/H	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 79.9Km/H
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:70.61Km/H	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 69.85Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S slipped out at a 2.17% higher speed than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

18.49m/sec2

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

18.9m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>

2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:2.34m/sec2	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2.43m/sec2
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:2.18m/sec2	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 2m/sec2
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:3.63m/sec2	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 3.4m/sec2
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:65.82m/sec2	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 67.78m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

25 Points

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

22.5 Points

Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>

Subj. Noise

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scored 2.08% more points than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

24 Points

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

23.5 Points

Subjective in car noise levels, higher is better

Best In Subj. Noise: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>

2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test
235/35 R19

✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:24 Points

Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 23.5 Points

Noise

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during three noise tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 measured 1.57% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

71.4dB

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

70.28dB

External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Noise winner was calculated >>

2017 Car and Driver UHP Tyre Test 245/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:69dB	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 67dB
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:72.3dB	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 72.5dB
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:72.2dB	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 70.5dB
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:72.1dB	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 71.1dB

Price

Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 was better during four price tests. On average the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 cost 20.85% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

284.63

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

225.28

Price in local currency, lower is better

Best In Price: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

See how the Price winner was calculated >>

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:142	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 124
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:720	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 585
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:95.5	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 81.1
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:181	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 111

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S was better during three rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S had a 4.21% lower rolling resistance than the Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

7.5kg / t

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

7.83kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>

2020 EVO UHP Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:0.873kg / t	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 1.017kg / t
2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:8.87kg / t	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.9kg / t
2021 Tyre Reviews UHP Summer Tyre Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:9.67kg / t	✓ Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.44kg / t
2023 Sport Auto UHP Tyre Test 225/40 R18	Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:9.6kg / t	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.6kg / t
2024 EVO Summer Tyre Test 235/35 R19	✓ Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S:8.5kg / t	Pirelli P Zero PZ4: 9.17kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Pirelli P Zero PZ4.

In total the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S has been reviewed 138 times and drivers have given the tyre 86% overall.

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 has been reviewed 69 times and drivers have given the tyre 75% overall.

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

Best Review for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Given 100% 275/35 R19 on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles

Replaced the Pilot Super Sports on my F80 M3 and it's better in every way. The wet grip is insane, it's like you're driving in the dry. Best tyre on the market.

Helpful 611 - tyre reviewed on March 9, 2017

View all Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 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 287 - tyre reviewed on June 27, 2017

View all Pirelli P Zero PZ4 driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], subj. dry handling, wet braking, straight aqua, subj. noise and rolling resistance, while the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 performed better in dry handling [km/h], wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], subj. wet handling, wet circle, curved aquaplaning, noise and price.

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 Pirelli P Zero PZ4 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.

Overall Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Pirelli P Zero PZ4 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:

Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport VS Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Continental SportContact 7 VS Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Bridgestone Potenza Sport VS Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S

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.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Test Results

Dry Braking

Dry Handling [s]

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Subj. Dry Handling

Wet Braking

Wet Handling [s]

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Subj. Wet Handling

Wet Circle

Straight Aqua

Curved Aquaplaning

Subj. Comfort

Subj. Noise

Noise

Price

Rolling Resistance

Real World Driver Reviews

Conclusion

Overall Winner: Pirelli P Zero PZ4

Similar Comparisons

Footnote

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