Bridgestone Potenza Sport vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Across the board, the Potenza Sport consistently stops shorter and laps quicker in both dry and wet, often by meaningful margins in braking and handling. The Pilot Sport 5 counters with class-leading rolling resistance, excellent aquaplaning safety, and standout tread life, delivering a calmer, touring-leaning character at the expense of ultimate sharpness.
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 ten tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgestone Potenza Sport | seven | |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | three |
While it might look like the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is better than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 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.
Key Strengths
- Consistently shortest dry and wet braking (e.g., 32.6 m dry; 27.6-30.0 m wet leaders)
- Top-tier dry/wet handling precision and lap times; strong steering feedback
- Competitive pricing in several tests; strong overall results (7 test wins)
- Improved wear versus past results; robust wet performance even when worn
- Lowest rolling resistance across most tests; better fuel economy
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance (wins in straight/curved tests)
- Class-leading tread life and low abrasion; strong total cost of ownership
- Balanced, stable road manners with good comfort and refinement
Dry Braking
Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during eight dry braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 2.48% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Dry Braking: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four dry handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 1.23% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.42% faster around a lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 6.73% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Fun
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one subj. fun tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport scored 15.79% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Subj. Fun: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Subj. Fun winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during eight wet braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 1.75% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wet Braking: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Cool
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one wet braking - cool tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stopped the vehicle in 2.54% less distance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Wet Braking - Cool: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wet Braking - Cool winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport stopped the vehicle in 1.98% less distance than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four wet handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 1.94% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 1.43% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 1.98% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during four wet circle tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was 0.51% faster around a wet circle than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Wet Circle: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during seven straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 floated at a 1.09% higher speed than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 slipped out at a 6.42% higher speed than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during three subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 scored 3.23% more points than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Subj. Noise
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one subj. noise tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport scored 0.78% more points than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Subj. Noise: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Subj. Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during two noise tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport measured 0.08% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during one noise tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport measured 0.82% quieter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Noise: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during four wear tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is predicted to cover 17.55% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Wear: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during two value tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 proved to have a 2.96% better value based on price/1000km than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Value: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport was better during three price tests. On average the Bridgestone Potenza Sport cost 8.34% less than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5.
Best In Price: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during seven rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 had a 11.88% lower rolling resistance than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 used 3.45% less fuel than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
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 wore 18.18% less per 1000km driven than the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Pilot Sport 5
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Bridgestone Potenza Sport Driver Reviews
Across 115 reviews, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport is praised for exceptional dry and wet grip, sharp steering response, strong braking, and confidence-inspiring handling, often rivaling or beating PS4/PS4S and PZ4. Many note it performs best when warmed and can be superb for spirited road use, with some citing good value. The most common drawbacks are rapid tread wear, higher noise and a firm ride, noticeable grip drop when cold, and poor durability on track abuse; a few also report slightly higher fuel consumption. Overall sentiment is strongly positive for performance-focused drivers, with caveats on longevity and comfort.
Based on 120 reviews with an average rating of 80%
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Driver Reviews
Across 89 reviews, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is widely described as an excellent all-round UHP summer tyre with standout wet performance, strong dry grip, and high driver confidence at speed. Many drivers also praise its comfort/refinement and generally low road noise versus rival sporty tyres, with a large portion reporting very good tread life for the category. The most repeated drawback is a less engaging steering feel (softer sidewalls, mild understeer, and reduced feedback) compared with sharper alternatives like Pilot Sport 4S/Continental SportContact 7, while price is a smaller but recurring complaint.
Based on 97 reviews with an average rating of 85%
Conclusion
For balanced daily use with strong value over the life of the tyre, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 excels in efficiency and wear. It frequently tops straight and curved aquaplaning, has the lowest rolling resistance in multiple tests, and delivers notably longer mileage (often +10-50%). You give up some immediacy and stopping distance versus the Bridgestone, but gain range, refinement, and long-term cost control. In short: Potenza Sport for maximum grip and feel; Pilot Sport 5 for efficiency, longevity, and wet-safety headroom in deep water.
Key Differences
- Braking: Potenza Sport repeatedly stops shorter in dry and wet (often 2-5% advantage).
- Handling: Potenza Sport is faster and more precise; PS5 is composed but less dynamic.
- Aquaplaning: PS5 generally superior in straight/curved tests; Bridgestone can trail in deep water.
- Efficiency: PS5 has notably lower rolling resistance (≈10-17% better in many tests).
- Wear: PS5 delivers longer mileage (typically +10-50% depending on test).
- Ride/Refinement: PS5 more comfortable/touring-like; Potenza Sport firmer but engaging.
Overall Winner: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Bridgestone Potenza Sport 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:
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.