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Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Pilot Super Sport: Buy This One
June 8, 2026
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S vs Pilot Super Sport: Which One Should You Actually Buy?
Updated June 2026 · Originally published May 2021For most drivers buying today, get the Pilot Sport 4S. It grips harder, brakes shorter in the wet, rides on newer compound technology, and comes in a full range of sizes that Michelin is still producing. The Pilot Super Sport is a legend, but Michelin is phasing it out and the size list shrinks every year. Buy a PSS if it's your car's original fitment, you need a specific ZP run-flat size, or you find a deal in your size. Otherwise the 4S is the answer, and both carry the same 30,000 mile warranty.
Few names in tires carry the weight of Michelin's Pilot Sport family, and few cause as much confusion. The Super Sport ruled the ultra-high-performance world for a decade. The 4S took its crown. Now there's a Pilot Sport 5 and a Pilot Sport S 5 floating around too, and half the forum posts about them contradict the other half. Let's sort the whole family out, then settle the question you came here for.
What's In This Comparison
- The Pilot Sport Family Tree
- Side-by-Side Specs
- The Real Differences
- The ZP Run-Flat Question
- Which One to Buy
- FAQ
First, the Family Tree (Because the Names Are a Mess)
Michelin's naming makes this harder than it should be, so here's the whole lineup in one table:
| Tire | What It Is | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot Super Sport (PSS) | The former flagship, born from Le Mans racing | Being phased out, sizes shrinking |
| Pilot Sport 4S (PS4S) | The PSS's successor and current aftermarket flagship | In production, full size range |
| Pilot Sport 5 (PS5) | Replaces the regular Pilot Sport 4 (not the 4S) | Current, leans touring with longer wear |
| Pilot Sport S 5 | The newest top-tier tire, OE on Corvette, Porsche, AMG, Ferrari | Current, mostly OE sizes so far |
The trap people fall into: assuming the Pilot Sport 5 replaces the 4S because five comes after four. It doesn't. The PS5 replaces the softer, non-S Pilot Sport 4. The 4S remains Michelin's do-everything performance flagship for the aftermarket, with the S 5 sitting above it in exotic OE fitments.
Side-by-Side: PS4S vs PSS
| Spec | Pilot Sport 4S | Pilot Super Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Max performance summer | Max performance summer |
| UTQG | 300 AA A | 300 AA A |
| Treadwear warranty | 30,000 miles | 30,000 miles |
| Compound | Multi-compound hybrid tread | Bi-Compound, Le Mans derived |
| Signature construction | Dynamic Response tech, velvet sidewall | Twaron-wrapped belts, Variable Contact Patch 2.0 |
| Wet performance | Class-leading braking and lap times | Very good, a step behind the 4S |
| Availability | Full and current | Shrinking, legacy sizes only |
Load and speed ratings vary by size on both tires, so check your exact fitment on the product page rather than trusting a single number.
The Real Differences, Honestly
Grip and braking
The 4S was developed as the PSS's replacement and it shows most in the wet, where it posts shorter braking distances and faster lap times against the field the PSS used to own. In the dry, both are phenomenal. The 4S is sharper on turn-in and more progressive at the limit, which you notice on a back road long before a stopwatch does.
Comfort and noise
Here's the PSS's quiet advantage: many drivers find it slightly more comfortable and composed on rough pavement, while the 4S transmits a bit more road texture as the price of its sharper responses. Neither is harsh. This is the difference between two very good seats in the same theater.
Age of the design
The PSS launched in the early 2010s and carried Michelin's banner for years. The 4S benefits from everything Michelin learned since, which is why it wins the measurable categories. A great tire from 2011 is still a great tire. It's just not a fair fight anymore.
Are Michelin Pilot Super Sports Run-Flats? The ZP Question
Two practical notes if you're replacing ZP tires. First, mixing run-flats and standard tires on the same car is a bad idea, so replace in sets or stick with one type. Second, if your car has no spare because it shipped on run-flats, switching to standard tires means adding a repair kit or roadside plan. The 4S also comes in ZP for select sizes, so run-flat drivers can make the upgrade without giving up the safety net.
Which One Should You Buy?
Get the Pilot Sport 4S if…
- You're buying a fresh set today and want the best all-around performer
- Wet grip matters to you (it should)
- You want a full size range that will still exist at replacement time
- You split time between daily driving and the occasional spirited weekend
Get the Pilot Super Sport if…
- It's your car's original fitment and you want to keep it factory
- You need a specific ZP run-flat size the 4S doesn't cover
- You find a strong deal on a set in your size before stock dries up
- You slightly prefer its softer ride and don't chase the last tenth
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Michelin Pilot Super Sport discontinued?
It's on its way out. Michelin has been phasing the PSS down since the 4S took over as flagship, and the available size list shrinks each year. It hasn't vanished entirely, and some OE and ZP sizes remain in production, but if you're committed to the PSS, don't wait years to buy your next set.
Which is better, the Pilot Super Sport or the Pilot Sport 4S?
The 4S, by a measurable margin in wet braking and overall grip, since it was engineered as the PSS's replacement. The PSS answers back with a slightly softer ride and its legendary track record. Same 30,000 mile warranty and same 300 AA A UTQG on both, so the tiebreakers are performance and availability, and both favor the 4S.
Are these tires run-flats?
Only the versions marked ZP (Zero Pressure) on the sidewall. Both the PSS and 4S come in ZP form for select sizes, largely because BMW and other manufacturers spec them that way from the factory. A ZP tire runs about 50 miles at 50 mph after losing all pressure. No ZP marking means it's a standard tire.
Does the Pilot Sport 5 replace the 4S?
No, and this trips everyone up. The Pilot Sport 5 replaces the regular Pilot Sport 4 and leans slightly toward touring, with longer wear. The 4S continues as Michelin's aftermarket performance flagship, and the new Pilot Sport S 5 sits above it, mostly in OE fitments for cars like the Corvette and Porsche.
How long do Pilot Sport 4S tires last?
Michelin warranties them for 30,000 miles, which is honest for a maximum-performance summer tire. Real-world life depends heavily on your right foot, alignment, and rotation habits. Daily-driven sets commonly reach the warranty number, while track days and hard launches spend tread much faster.
Lineup status and specs verified June 2026 against Michelin's current catalog. Availability shifts fast on phase-out tires, so check the product page for live sizes and pricing.
