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.
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 | ||
| Overall | 99.4% | |
| Price | £120.03 | |
| Wet braking | 97.00% | 4th |
| Wet handling | 98.80% | 4th |
| Wet cornering | 99.10% | =3rd |
| Curved aquaplaning | 100.00% | 1st |
| Straight aquaplaning | 100.00% | 1st |
| Dry braking | 97.90% | 3rd |
| Dry handling | 98.80% | 3rd |
| Cabin noise | 95.4% | =3rd |
| Rolling resistance | 90.20% | 6th |
