Continental ExtremeContact Sport vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

Continental ExtremeContact Sport vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4S: When you think of a top max performance tire you might recall the Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4S and also Continental’s newly launch Sport Contact 7. These are indeed household names which have been dominating the max performance summer segments. While Pilot Sport 4S is available in the North America market, the Sport Contact 7 is not and it is replaced by the ExtremeContact Sport. Continental’s ExtremeContact Sport was launched in 2016 and it serves the max performance segment which is directly in competition with the Pilot Sport 4S. Hence we would like to pair them head to head to see which tire comes out on top!

Results

Results below were taken from Tire Rack’s Testing Premium Max Performance Summer Tires 2021 Test. A total of 4 tires were tested this time on Tire Rack’s small but highly efficient test track. The graph below shows the comparison between Continental ExtremeContact Sport vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4S based on the relevant performance category. The ExtremeContact Sport was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.

Note that for subjective evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if tire A is graded 7 while tire B is graded 6, A is better than B by 5%. The tire size of interest is 245/40R18 which is a common tire size for Audi A4 & Jaguar Xe. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a rear wheel drive 2020 BMW F36 430i Gran Coupe with a 17×7.5 rim.

Dry

With both tires serving the max performance segment which is the next best thing you can get hold off in place of a semi slick track day tire. This segment of course has a big requirement to perform its ultimate best on dry performances while balancing its wet trade offs. First blood went to ExtremeContact Sport as it managed to out-brake Pilot Sport 4S by 2.2 feet (0.67 m). The stopping distance was calculated from braking the car at 50mph down to 0.

The initiative was handed back over to Pilot Sport 4S as it was better in both objective & subjective evaluation in dry handling. Even though equipped with an inferior dry braking capabilities, Pilot Sport 4S still managed to be 0.48 seconds quicker than ExtremeContact Sport around the track. While in subjective dry handling evaluation, Pilot Sport 4S was rated higher at a 8.34/10 rating compared to 7.88/10 rating of ExtremeContact Sport.

Pilot Sport 4S received the best feedback from the test driver with comments such as ” precise steering allowed our drivers to place the car where intended, and impressive cornering traction held the vehicle through turns. Balanced handling and confidence-inspiring braking feel and capability completed the package. “. Pilot Sport 4S truly has the hallmark of a great handling tire. While for ExtremeContact Sport, it finished last in the standings for subjective dry handling as it was struggling to produce a fast enough lap time.

Overall Pilot Sport 4S was the best tire for dry handling while ExtremeContact Sport was the best in objective dry braking.

Pilot Sport 4S:

• -2.8% in dry braking
• +2.3% in dry handling (subj)
• +1.4% in dry handling (lap time)

Wet

The friction of coefficient of the tire/road dramatically decreases in wet roads compared to dry roads. Hence it is more likely to get into a road accident during wet conditions rather than on a sunny day. It was so important that the EU label has wet braking as one of its three criteria. With regards to our comparison, ExtremeContact Sport was totally blazing when it comes to wet braking, as it managed to out-brake the Pilot Sport 4S by 8.3 feet (2.5m). This truly fits its marketing tagline of “excellent wet braking” by placing 1st out of the test competitors.

Things were a bit closer in the wet handling category as Pilot Sport 4S was 0.32 seconds off the ExtremeContact Sport’s lap time. The subjective evaluation also slightly favors ExtremeContact Sport as it managed a 7.69/10 rating compared to 7.53/10 of Pilot Sport 4S. Below are some of the important feedback from the test drivers on the subjective feeling of both tires :

ExtremeContact Sport:

Our drivers could tell the tire had very strong traction laterally and longitudinally, though it didn’t combine those impressive talents as seamlessly as the test leader

Test driver feedback on ExtremeContact Sport

Pilot Sport 4S:

The steering, braking, and acceleration were all world-class, just like in the dry, though it was plagued by understeer from mid-corner to corner exit that ultimately hurt lap times and its score with our testers

Test driver feedback on Pilot Sport 4S

Overall in the wet category, ExtremeContact Sport has clearly the upper hand with its superior wet braking capabilities.

Pilot Sport 4S:

• -7.2% in wet braking
• -0.8% in wet handling (subj)
• -0.9% in wet handling (lap time)

Noise/Comfort/Ride Quality

Ride comfort, noise & comfort was tested and Pilot Sport 4S was better across all categories. Pilot Sport 4S came out ahead with a 7.75/10 rating compared to the 7.14/10 rating of ExtremeContact Sport.

Pilot Sport 4S:

• +3.1% in average of Noise, Comfort & Ride Quality.

UTQG rating

We have previously shown that UTQG tread wear rating can be a good indication of your expected mileage. Below are the UTQG values of both of the tirelines.

Brand	Tireline	Size	Tread Wear	Traction	Temperature
Continental	ExtremeContact Sport	All	340	AA	A
Michelin	Pilot Sport 4S	All	300	AA	A

The mileage warranty for ExtremeContact Sport is 30,000 miles while Pilot Sport 4S also provides 30,000 miles. However, looking at the UTQG tread wear rating, ExtremeContact Sport has a higher rating (340) compared to Pilot Sport 4S’s 300. Of course it is tempting to say ExtremeContact Sport has a better expected mileage compared to Pilot Sport 4S but as previously mentioned before, it is not wise to compare different brand’s UTQG rating. Hence from our point of view, they seem pretty much the same.

For more in depth information about UTQG, please check out this article here. We even have a free download on the latest UTQG values from the leading tire manufacturers.

Price

Being the undisputed technology leader, we would expect Michelin to command the highest priced tire in the market. This was found to be true as the Pilot Sport 4S will cost 41 dollars more compared to the ExtremeContact Sport.

Tire size: 245/40R18

ExtremeContact Sport: $205

Pilot Sport 4S: $246

Difference: +17% more expensive for Pilot Sport 4S.

Summary

Overall, both tires demonstrated clear strengths on different conditions. Pilot Sport 4S was strong in dry handling and comfort/noise while ExtremeContact Sport excels in wet & dry braking. From our point of view, there is no clear winner in this duel and it really depends which requirements ( Wet vs Dry ) from your side dominates more?

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