Skip advert
Advertisement

Michelin Pilot Sport 5 review

The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is ​​a good tyre, but it needs to deliver a little more across the board to be outstanding in this popular size

Given the success of the Pilot Sport 4, we expected a little more from this new Michelin. The PS4 was a winner on its first outing in 2016 and remained competitive, finishing on the podium twice in subsequent tests. But while the new Pilot Sport 5 scored solid results across the board, they weren’t quite enough to get it onto the podium here. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Both its outright wins came in deep water, where it cut through better than any rival, and it backed these results up with equal third in wet cornering. However, it could manage only fourth best in wet braking, a metre off the pace, and was fourth in wet handling too. It was tricky to get the best from the PS5 on the wet circuit, because it delivered decent cornering grip that dropped away a little abruptly, and the tail of our Volkswagen Golf test car was also quick to slip wide if you backed off at the limit, which was somewhat at odds with the Michelin’s aquaplaning results.  

It did better in the dry, feeling strong and precise, which gave great confidence, and its lap time was good enough for third. Completing its fine showing, the Michelin delivered decent refinement, being quiet over most surfaces and taking the sting out of lateral ridges and sharp bumps, while its economy was sixth out of eight, but mid-range.  

Blackcircles.com says…

“This tyre is noted for its brilliant performance in all weathers, and good grip in wet and dry conditions.”

Results

Michelin Pilot Sport 5  
Overall99.4% 
Price£120.03 
Wet braking97.00%4th
Wet handling98.80%4th
Wet cornering99.10%=3rd
Curved aquaplaning100.00%1st
Straight aquaplaning100.00%1st
Dry braking97.90%3rd
Dry handling98.80%3rd
Cabin noise95.4%=3rd
Rolling resistance90.20%6th

Buy the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 from Blackcircles.com…

Skip advert
Advertisement
Products editor

Kim has worked for Auto Express for more than three decades and all but a year of that time in the Products section. His current role as products editor involves managing the section’s content and team of testers plus doing some of the tests himself. 

New & used car deals

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £1,824 off RRP*Used from £24,000
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,155Avg. savings £2,019 off RRP*Used from £15,299
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £27,795Avg. savings £2,400 off RRP*Used from £18,203
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,540Avg. savings £3,974 off RRP*Used from £15,633
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month
Mazda CX-5

Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month

The Mazda CX-5 is fun to drive, features a driver-focused, premium interior and is our Deal of the Day for 9 February
News
9 Feb 2025
New Renault Trafic unveiled alongside Goelette and Estafette commercials
Renault Trafic - front

New Renault Trafic unveiled alongside Goelette and Estafette commercials

All three Renault vans will be all-electric - sitting on a new architecture developed by Ampere
News
10 Feb 2025