Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 90%
Wet Conditions – 90%
Snow – 0%
Comfort – 90%
Noise Reduction – 90%
Durability – 90%
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I often say that there is a tire for every driver, and we have the tire industry to thank for that. With multiple car types available in today’s market, manufacturers need to make tires that can get the most out of them.
In most cases, people go for the touring options because most of the cars on the road today are commuters. Sure, there are various types, but people who use their car just for transport usually go for refined models that last a long time and offer decent performance. On the other hand, some enthusiasts like sportier cars.
It’s not like you cannot fit a set of touring tires on these kinds of cars, but it defeats the purpose. As a result, sportier cars go well with a set of performance tires. There are several sub-categories, and the one I’ve chosen for today is a max performance one. Also, unlike many of the models I review, this is a summer option.
The Pilot Sport 4S has been around since 2017, and even though Michelin released its successor, it’s still a very popular choice. So, is the PS4S still relevant after all these years, or should you look at other models?
Before I begin, I need to clarify a common misconception. The Pilot Sport 4S isn’t the successor to the Pilot Sport 4 despite being tires in the same category. Instead, it’s the upgraded version of the Pilot Super Sport, while the Pilot Sport 5 is the next generation of the Pilot Sport 4. I know it can be confusing, so I had to clear the air before beginning the review.
Pros
- Superb dry performance
- Planted in rainy conditions
- Solid refinement for a max performance tire
- 30,000-mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- The handling isn’t as dynamic as some of its rivals
- Needs just a bit more feedback
The Features of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
We are talking about a max performance tire, so most of the features of the Pilot Sport 4S will revolve around the performance.
Many of the Pilot Sport tires have features derived from Michelin’s racing division. For the PS4S, you’re looking at a hybrid rubber compound and a tread pattern designed to help with dry performance. Namely, I’m talking about the outer shoulders with low voids aimed at improving traction.
There’s also the Variable Contact Patch 3.0, which aims to keep the pressure distributed evenly. As a result, this technology should help the tire with grip, thanks to the tire’s ability to keep the contact patch similar even when you’re cornering aggressively.
The asymmetric tread pattern is a standard feature we see with many tires, but Michelin tweaked a few things here. As part of the pattern, the Pilot Sport 4S features continuous blocks, which should help a lot with stability at higher speeds.
When it comes to wet performance, there are several features that should help the Pilot Sport 4S deliver good performance. Michelin used a special silica-enriched compound on the central ribs, which, combined with the compound, should help the tire remain planted in rainy conditions. Then there are the circumferential grooves, designed to channel water and offer stability in harsh rain.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S in Dry Conditions
The Pilot Sport 4S is a summer performance tire, so it feels at home when you’re driving in dry conditions.
Even though the Pilot Sport 4S isn’t a tire that most people would call a daily driver, you’d still need to drive it normally, and I have no complaints about it. There’s a lot more than what you need to go grocery shopping or pick up the kids from school, so the tire won’t struggle at all.
Getting aggressive shows the true potential of the tire. The Pilot Sport 4S has a lot of traction, so you won’t notice any slip in most cases. Going into a corner, you have the excellent grip that will keep the tire planted to the road. You may notice a bit of understeer, but that’s only in very aggressive scenarios. Going too much overboard and the tire will let go, but the best part is that it does that progressively, so you’ll see it coming. The tire also doesn’t disappoint regarding the braking distances, putting it near the top of its class.
A tire that performs this well probably handles excellently, right? Unfortunately, no, but that’s not the whole story. The Pilot Sport 4S isn’t a “slow” tire and will respond well to your inputs, but when you compare it with something like the SportContact 7, you’ll notice a difference. It’s the same with the feedback, while it is there, I feel like it’s slightly muted and needs just a bit more communication. As a performance tire, there is a bit of flex in the sidewall, which isn’t terrible, but you may notice it in some situations.
One thing I have to mention about the Pilot Sport 4S is that unlike some of its rivals, you won’t need to worry too much about tire temperature. Sure, most tires from this category need some heat to get the most out of them, but this one seems to do a pretty good job even when it’s colder. Naturally, you won’t get the most out of it on a track when it’s cold, but in most other situations, the tire will be fine.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S on Wet or Slippery Roads
Wet roads can be a bit tricky for summer tires, which doesn’t seem to be the case with the Pilot Sport 4S. The tire delivers exceptional performance in these conditions, so you won’t notice it struggling.
Like in the previous section, daily driving this tire is something you won’t have any issues with. The Pilot Sport 4S deals with damp conditions excellently, so the grip and traction levels will be more than enough for this kind of driving. I can say the same about the braking distances, which are very close to the top and only behind the Continental model. To be fair, it’s not a massive difference, so I cannot say that the Michelin tire is poor in this regard.
The tire also deals well with aggressiveness in these conditions. It remains planted and easily controllable at the limit. There are plenty of ways in which you can overwhelm it and get it to slip, but unless you’re on a track or driving extremely aggressive, you won’t see that happening too often.
Despite being a performance tire, the Pilot Sport 4S does an excellent job evacuating water in harsh rain. The result is that the tire won’t be bothered too much in these conditions, and you can drive at higher speeds without worrying about aquaplaning.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S in Snow
The Pilot Sport 4S is a summer tire, meaning it won’t perform well under a certain temperature. This means that snow and ice are out of the question, so I’d recommend getting winter or at least all-season tires if you plan on driving in these conditions.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Off-Roading
The Pilot Sport 4S is designed for sporty driving, meaning it’s a poor option for off-roading. Even on a dirt road, you risk damaging it, so I’d advise you against it.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S for Sporty Driving
As I said in the previous section, the Pilot Sport 4S is designed for sporty driving, and it delivers on that front with only one slight complaint – the handling.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s terrible, but it could use a bit more responsiveness and feedback to make it as fun as some of its rivals. It’s dynamic enough, as long as you don’t compare it back-to-back with some models from this category.
On the other hand, you have the performance, which is among the best in the max performance segment. The tire’s grip and traction levels are phenomenal for any kind of driving on the road. While it’s not a track-ready tire, that doesn’t mean you won’t have fun driving it on a circuit, as long as you’re aware of its limitations.
Does the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Ride Comfortably?
I often say that with performance tires, you’ll need to make some compromises in terms of refinement. With the Pilot Sport 4S, that’s not exactly the case.
Some sizes of the Pilot Sport 4S come with Michelin’s Acoustic Technology, which is special foam on the inside of the tire. It’s there to absorb the noise and seems to be doing a good job. The tire is far from a touring one, but as far as performance models are concerned, it’s pretty good. Sure, the hum is there even at slower speeds, so you will hear it. Fortunately, it’s not too intrusive, and even at highway speeds, as long as you’re driving a relatively modern car with decent insulation, it won’t be obnoxious.
The Pilot Sport 4S isn’t the most responsive model of the bunch, and that’s something that helps it in terms of comfort. It provides a relatively smooth ride and deals with smaller imperfections and bumps decently well. You won’t feel like you’re floating over cracks or potholes, but they won’t feel as harsh as with some other tires in this category.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Warranty
I often criticize Michelin for the average warranty, but today, it takes the crown. The Pilot Sport 4S comes with a 30,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is a 30,000-mile longer warranty than all of its rivals. In other words, it’s one of the rare tires in this category with a treadwear warranty.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
Price-wise, things are a bit complicated in this category of tires. The Pilot Sport 4S is far from an affordable option, but you get a lot of performance for the money. Things change depending on the size, so for some tire sizes, it’s more expensive than the Asymmetric 5, while for others, it’s more affordable. The closest competitor in terms of price is the P Zero PZ4.
Should I Buy the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S?
If you’ve been paying attention, you may have noticed that I critiqued a few aspects of the Pilot Sport 4S, so does that mean I won’t recommend it? Absolutely not.
The Pilot Sport 4S is an excellent tire that delivers some of the best performance in its class. Despite its age, it can still compete with some newer models, and in some areas, it still does an excellent job. Sure, it’s not the most dynamic one you’ll find, but it makes up for that with refinement.
Looking at the Pilot Sport 4S as a package, I can recommend it for people looking for a max performance tire that won’t be horrible to daily. This is thanks to the excellent refinement level, considering the category. With that said, it’s important to note that you will need to make some compromises and the biggest one is in terms of the handling.
As long as you’re okay with this, the Pilot Sport 4S can be an excellent tire for you.
What Vehicles Will the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S will fit:
- Audi RS3
- BMW M3, M5
- Ford Mustang
- Honda Civic Type R
- Hyundai Veloster N
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
- Nissan GT-R
- Subaru Impreza
- Toyota GR Yaris, GR86
- Volkswagen Golf R
Tire Sizes of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
17″
- 215/45ZR17 91Y XL
- 225/45ZR17 94Y XL
- 225/50ZR17 98Y XL
- 235/45ZR17 97Y XL
- 245/40ZR17 95Y XL
- 245/45ZR17 99Y XL
- 265/40ZR17 100Y XL
18″
- 215/35ZR18 84Y XL
- 225/40ZR18 92Y XL
- 225/45ZR18 95Y XL
- 225/50ZR18 99Y XL
- 235/40ZR18 95Y XL
- 235/45ZR18 98Y XL
- 235/50ZR18 101Y XL
- 245/35ZR18 92Y XL
- 245/40ZR18 97Y XL
- 245/45ZR18 100Y XL
- 255/35ZR18 94Y XL
- 255/40ZR18 99Y XL
- 255/45ZR18 103Y XL
- 265/35ZR18 97Y XL
- 265/40ZR18 101Y XL
- 275/35ZR18 99Y XL
- 285/30ZR18 97Y XL
- 285/35ZR18 101Y XL
- 285/40ZR18 105Y XL
- 295/30ZR18 98Y XL
- 295/45ZR18 112Y XL
19″
- 225/35ZR19 88Y XL
- 225/40ZR19 93Y XL
- 225/45ZR19 96Y XL
- 235/35ZR19 91Y XL
- 235/40ZR19 96Y XL
- 245/30ZR19 89Y XL
- 245/35ZR19 93Y XL
- 245/40ZR19 94Y
- 245/40ZR19 98Y XL
- 245/45R19 102Y XL
- 255/30ZR19 91Y XL
- 255/35ZR19 96Y XL
- 255/35ZR19 92Y
- 255/40ZR19 100Y XL
- 265/30ZR19 93Y XL
- 265/35ZR19 98Y XL
- 265/40ZR19 102Y XL
- 275/30ZR19 96Y XL
- 275/35ZR19 100Y XL
- 275/35ZR19 96Y
- 275/40ZR19 105Y XL
- 285/30ZR19 98Y XL
- 285/35ZR19 103Y XL
- 295/25ZR19 94Y XL
- 295/30ZR19 100Y XL
- 295/35ZR19 104Y XL
- 305/30ZR19 102Y XL
- 315/30ZR19 104Y XL
- 325/30ZR19 105Y XL
- 355/30ZR19 110Y XL
20″
- 215/45ZR20 95Y XL
- 225/35ZR20 90Y XL
- 235/30ZR20 88Y XL
- 235/35ZR20 92Y XL
- 235/40ZR20 96Y XL
- 235/45ZR20 100Y XL
- 245/30ZR20 90Y XL
- 245/35ZR20 95Y XL
- 245/40ZR20 99Y XL
- 245/45ZR20 103Y XL
- 255/30ZR20 92Y XL
- 255/35ZR20 97Y XL
- 255/40ZR20 101Y XL
- 255/45ZR20 105Y XL
- 265/30ZR20 94Y XL
- 265/35ZR20 99Y XL
- 265/40ZR20 104Y XL
- 275/30ZR20 97Y XL
- 275/35ZR20 102Y XL
- 275/40ZR20 106Y XL
- 285/25ZR20 93Y XL
- 285/30ZR20 99Y XL
- 285/35ZR20 104Y XL
- 295/25ZR20 95Y XL
- 295/30ZR20 101Y XL
- 295/35ZR20 105Y XL
- 305/25ZR20 97Y XL
- 305/30ZR20 103Y XL
- 305/30ZR20 99Y
- 305/35ZR20 107Y XL
- 305/35ZR20 104Y
- 315/30ZR20 104Y XL
- 315/35ZR20 110Y XL
- 325/25ZR20 101Y XL
- 345/30ZR20 106Y
21″
- 235/45R21 101Y XL
- 245/30ZR21 91Y XL
- 245/35ZR21 96Y XL
- 245/40ZR21 100Y XL
- 255/30ZR21 93Y XL
- 255/35ZR21 98Y XL
- 255/40ZR21 102Y XL
- HL255/40ZR21 105Y HL
- 265/30ZR21 96Y XL
- 265/35ZR21 101Y XL
- 265/40ZR21 105Y XL
- 275/25ZR21 92Y XL
- 275/30ZR21 98Y XL
- 275/35ZR21 103Y XL
- 285/30ZR21 100Y XL
- HL285/35ZR21 108Y HL
- 295/25ZR21 96Y XL
- 295/30ZR21 102Y XL
- 295/35ZR21 107Y XL
- 305/25ZR21 98Y XL
- 305/30ZR21 104Y XL
- 315/30ZR21 105Y XL
- 325/25ZR21 102Y XL
- 325/30ZR21 108Y XL
- 355/25ZR21 107Y XL
22″
- 255/30ZR22 95Y XL
- 265/35R22 102Y XL
- 265/40ZR22 106Y XL
- 275/35ZR22 104Y XL
- 275/40ZR22 108Y XL
- 285/25ZR22 95Y XL
- 285/30ZR22 101Y XL
- 285/35ZR22 106Y XL
- 285/40ZR22 110Y XL
- 295/25ZR22 97Y XL
- 295/35ZR22 108Y XL
- 315/30ZR22 107Y XL
- 325/35ZR22 114Y XL
- 335/25ZR22 105Y XL
23″
- 285/40ZR23 111Y XL
- 325/35ZR23 115Y XL