Michelin Pilot Sport 4 vs Pilot Sport 4 S

The Michelin Pilot Sport series has been crucial in not just Michelin’s modern day successes, but also the tyre industry in general.

Michelin embarked on the original Pilot Sport back in 2001, setting the foundations for what was to be Michelin’s most successful summer tyre models to date.

One model that really elevated the Pilot Sport series is the Pilot Sport 4, a premium summer tyre launched by Michelin in 2016.

The Pilot Sport 4 S shortly followed in 2017, giving customers a more performance-oriented version of the PS4.

This article will outline the key features of the Pilot Sport 4 and 4S to compare both tyre models and highlight why both the models are two of the most sought after tyres today.

Pilot Sport 4 Overview

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 has been a flagship tyre model for Michelin since its inception, offering motorists great performance levels on dry roads.

Through Michelin’s Dynamic Response technology, the summer tyre has elevated steering capabilities that makes the tyre more responsive and precise in its handling.

With Michelin’ vast experience within the motorsport industry, the Pilot Sport 4 has heightened longevity with its hybrid aramid and nylon belt on the tread pattern. The tyre tread pattern gives the model more mileage compared to its predecessor.

Many car brands have chosen the PS4 to be an originally equipped (OE) tyre model, with cars such as the BMW 1 Series and Ford Fiesta being initially fitted with the Pilot Sport 4 tyres.

Upon its release in 2016, the Pilot Sport 4 replaced the Pilot Sport 3.

Pilot Sport 4 S Overview

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S is a critically acclaimed high-performance summer tyre.

The main difference between the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and 4 S is that the Pilot Sport 4 S is a more high-performance tyre that targets track use or spirited road driving.

Just like the Pilot Sport 4, the 4 S is equipped with Dynamic Response technology, delivering great longevity and handling responsiveness.

Due to the summer tyre’s Bi-Compound technology, the Pilot Sport 4 S has fantastic grip in both dry and wet conditions. The mix of compound with “functional elastomers” and silica enhances wet grip and braking, with dry grip being improved through a novel hybrid elastomer.

Car models like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Tesla Model 3 have chosen the Pilot Sport 4 as an OE tyre.

When the Pilot Sport 4 S arrived in 2017, it replaced the Michelin Pilot Super Sport.

Tyre Label Ratings

Tyre label ratings are EU regulated rankings of a tyre model’s performance in three main categories. Label ratings may vary between different tyre sizes.

Three main categories for the label ratings are:

Fuel Efficiency – Ranked A to G

Wet Grip – Ranked A to G

Tyre Noise – Ranked with numbers and A to C/Decibels (dB)

Pilot Sport 4 Label Ratings

Pilot Sport 4 fuel efficiency label ratings vary between A and D, with a C rating being the average across tyre sizes.

Wet grip ratings are mostly A across sizes, with some sizes being rated B in wet grip.

Tyre label ratings for the noise ratings are between 70B and 73B.

Pilot Sport 4 S Label Ratings

Fuel efficiency label ratings are either B, C, or D for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, with common ratings being C or D.

Wet grip ratings are predominantly A or B for the Pilot Sport 4 S, as well as tyre noise level ratings between 71B and 74B.

Pilot Sport 4 Awards

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 has gathered various awards, accolades, and successful tyre tests since its release in 2016.

In 2020, the ADAC held a comparative tyre test, naming the Pilot Sport 4 the best in ‘Overall Performance.

The Pilot Sport 4 has also shared success with the Pilot Sport 4 S, with both models being named ‘Best Tyres for Hot Hatches’ by DriverReviews in their 2022 annual awards.

Tyre tests have also outlined the model’s capabilities, with the Pilot Sport 4 finishing 1st out of 11 tyre models in the 2022 AutoBild tyre tests, claiming the top prize in the Sports Cars UHP Summer Tyre category.

Pilot Sport 4 S Awards

The Pilot Sport 4 S has also seen many successes in gathering awards and recognitions since 2017.

Highlighting the outstanding performance capabilities of the Michelin model, the Pilot Sport 4 S scooped up back-to-back awards in the 2022 and 2023 DriverReviews Customer Choice Awards. This seen the Pilot Sport 4 S being named ‘Best Tyres for High Performance Cars’, cementing the tyre model as a fantastic option for performance vehicles.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S also triumphed at the 2020 Evo Tyre Test, being presented with the ‘Overall Tyre’ test award.

Both models are heralded by tyre experts, further leading to much success within the tyre industry.

Customer Reviews

Our customer reviews system is powered by DriverReviews, allowing our customers at Blackcircles.com to review their previously purchased tyre.

The four main categories our customers review are:

• Overall Ratings
• Would the customer buy the tyres again
• Does the car feel better to drive
• Were the tyres value for money

Pilot Sport 4 Customer Reviews

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.7/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.7/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.5/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.3/5

Pilot Sport 4 S Customer Reviews

• Overall rating of my tyres – 4.8/5
• I would buy the same tyres again – 4.8/5
• The car feels better to drive – 4.6/5
• The tyres were value for money – 4.2/5

Pilot Sport 4 Common Tyre Sizes

• 225/40 R18
• 225/45 R17
• 235/40 R18

Pilot Sport 4 S Common Tyre Sizes

• 235/35 R19
• 255/35 R19
• 285/30 R20

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Common Car Models

• Volkswagen Golf
• Volkswagen Golf GTI
• Audi S3

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S Common Car Models

• Volkswagen Golf R
• BMW 3 Series
• BMW M4

Price Ranges

Prices for both the Pilot Sport 4 and 4 S will vary depending on the size of the tyres.

Fully fitted prices for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 ranges from £105.90 to £335.50.*

Fully fitted prices for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S ranges from £161.95 to £493.25.*

*Please note, fully fitted prices for tyres may fluctuate in time, with prices mentioned in this article being from today’s date (19/02/2024).