Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV vs Pirelli Scorpion SUV: Introducing the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV vs. Pirelli Scorpion SUV! Launched in 2019, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV has established itself as a top performer in the SUV summer tire market. Now, it faces a formidable contender: the Pirelli Scorpion SUV, introduced in 2022. This epic showdown in the SUV summer segment promises to be a thrilling battle of innovation, performance, and engineering excellence. Which tire will reign supreme? Stay tuned to find out!
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Results: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV vs Pirelli Scorpion SUV
Results below were taken from 2024 Auto Bild Summer SUV Tire Test with a total of 11 tires tested, The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV vs Pirelli Scorpion SUV based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for both wet & dry handling evaluation, the average lap speed was used instead of the standard lap time & subjective rating. The tire size of interest is 235/35 R19 which is a common tire size for Audi R8 & Volkswagen Golf R. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is an SUV in the form of Audi Q5.
Wet
In wet braking, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV stops in 49.3 meters, outperforming the Pirelli Scorpion SUV, which takes 51.7 meters, showing a 2.4-meter difference. For wet handling, the Pilot Sport 4 SUV achieves an average speed of 82.1 km/h, slightly faster than the Scorpion SUV’s 81.1 km/h. When it comes to straight aquaplaning, the Pilot Sport 4 SUV slips at a higher speed of 93.3 km/h, compared to the Scorpion SUV’s 88.7 km/h, highlighting its superior resistance to aquaplaning.
Scorpion SUV :
- -5% in wet braking
- -1% in wet handling (average speed)
- -5% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV stops in 34.2 meters, just edging out the Pirelli Scorpion SUV, which takes 34.3 meters. For dry handling, the Pilot Sport 4 SUV reaches an average speed of 107.3 km/h, slightly faster than the Scorpion SUV’s 106.3 km/h. This demonstrates the Michelin tire’s slight advantage in both braking and handling on dry surfaces.
Scorpion SUV :
- ~0% in dry braking
- -1% in dry handling (average speed)
Noise
In terms of exterior noise, the Pirelli Scorpion SUV performs better, producing 68.6 dB compared to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV’s 70.4 dB. This makes the Pirelli tire quieter by 1.8 dB.
Scorpion SUV :
- +3% in exterior noise (-1.8 dB)
Rolling Resistance
When comparing rolling resistance, the Pirelli Scorpion SUV has a lower value of 7.2 N/kN, making it more efficient than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, which has a higher rolling resistance of 8.25 N/kN. This indicates that the Pirelli tire offers less resistance and potentially better fuel efficiency.
Scorpion SUV :
- +15% in rolling resistance
Price
In terms of price, the Pirelli Scorpion SUV is significantly cheaper at €162 compared to the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, which costs €209. This makes the Scorpion SUV 29% less expensive than the Pilot Sport 4 SUV.
Tire size: 235/35 R19
Difference: -29% more cheaper for Scorpion SUV.
Summary
As a tire expert, I can conclude that both the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV and the Pirelli Scorpion SUV have their distinct advantages. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV excels in wet and dry handling, braking, and aquaplaning resistance, making it a top performer in various conditions. On the other hand, the Pirelli Scorpion SUV stands out with its quieter ride, lower rolling resistance, and significantly lower price, offering excellent value for money. Choosing between these two depends on whether you prioritize performance or cost efficiency.
Dr Edwin Pang