Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Nokian Powerproof 1 — a fierce new summer UHP battle is heating up! On one side, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5, a tire that’s set the benchmark for dry grip and balanced performance. On the other, the all-new Nokian Powerproof 1, stepping into the arena with bold claims of precision, speed, and control. Can the fresh challenger from the north shake up the ultra-high performance hierarchy? This is the summer showdown you don’t want to miss.
Table of Contents
Results: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Nokian Powerproof 1
The results featured here are from the 2025 ADAC Summer Tire Test, with 16 model of the finest tires were tested. Wear bring a extremely priced and expensive test were provided to our delight. The accompanying graph presents a side-by-side comparison of the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Nokian Powerproof 1 across various performance categories, with the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 serving as the benchmark at the 100% mark.
The tire size of interest is the 225/40R18 tire size, a popular choice for vehicles like the BMW 3 series Audi A4. For further insights into various tire sizes, feel free to consult our latest tire size table. The tests were conducted using a standard Volkswagen Golf as the test vehicle.
Wet
In wet braking, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stops in 29.2 meters, while the Nokian Powerproof 1 takes 31.5 meters — that’s a 2.3-meter gap, giving the Michelin a 7% advantage. In straight-line aquaplaning, the Pilot Sport 5 maintains grip up to 79.9 km/h, slightly higher than the Powerproof 1’s 79.1 km/h, a difference of 0.8 km/h or roughly 1% better.
Overall, the Michelin clearly holds the edge in wet conditions, especially in braking, where it stops noticeably shorter.
Powerproof 1:
- -7% in wet braking
- -1% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 stops in 35.5 meters, while the Nokian Powerproof 1 needs 37.8 meters — a difference of 2.3 meters, giving the Michelin a 6% advantage.
Powerproof 1:
- -6% in dry braking
Wear
In wear, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 lasts up to 56,400 km, while the Nokian Powerproof 1 manages 42,500 km — that’s a 13,900 km difference, giving the Michelin a 25% advantage in mileage. In abrasion rate, the Pilot Sport 5 shows lower tread wear at 56.1 mg/km/t compared to Nokian’s 67.7 mg/km/t, meaning Michelin wears 11.6 mg/km/t less, or 17% better.
Overall, the Michelin not only stops shorter but also lasts significantly longer, making it the stronger performer in both durability and efficiency.
Powerproof 1:
- -25% in mileage
- -17% in abrasion
Noise
In terms of exterior noise, the Nokian Powerproof 1 measures 72.4 dB, while the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is slightly louder at 73.1 dB — a 0.7 dB difference, giving the Nokian a 1% advantage in exterior noise levels.
Powerproof 1:
- +1% in exterior noise (-0.7 dB)
Fuel Consumption
In fuel consumption, the Nokian Powerproof 1 records 5.5 l/100 km, just slightly better than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 at 5.6 l/100 km — a 0.1 l/100 km difference, giving Nokian a 2% advantage in fuel efficiency.
Powerproof 1:
- +2% in fuel consumption
Price
For size 225/40 R18, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 costs €123, while the Nokian Powerproof 1 is priced at just €65 — making the Nokian a massive 89% cheaper.
Tire size: 225/40 R18
- Pilot Sport 5 : € 123
- Powerproof 1 : € 65
Difference: -89% more cheaper for Powerproof 1
Summary
From a tire expert’s perspective, the clear winner here is the Michelin Pilot Sport 5. It stops shorter in both wet and dry conditions, lasts 25% longer, and wears more slowly — all critical factors for safety and long-term value. While the Nokian Powerproof 1 is quieter and far cheaper, the Michelin delivers a far more complete ultra-high performance package.
Dr Edwin Pang