Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Linglong Sport Master: The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is the proven benchmark for everyday performance tires — but the Linglong Sport Master is coming in with one big question: has China finally built a tire good enough to take on Michelin, or is the Pilot Sport 5 still in a league of its own?
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Results: Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Linglong Sport Master
The results presented here are from the Autobild 2026 Summer Tire Test, where 20 of the best summer tire models were selected. The accompanying graph provides a side-by-side comparison of the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 vs Linglong Sport Master across various performance categories, with the Michelin Primacy 5 serving as the benchmark at 100%.
The tire size of interest is the 245/45R19 tire size, a popular choice for vehicles like the BMW 5 series & Audi A6. For further insights into various tire sizes, feel free to consult our latest tire size table. The tests were conducted using a BMW 5 Series (G60) as the test vehicle.
Wet
In wet braking, the Linglong Sport Master stops at 39.3 meters, which is 4.0 meters shorter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 at 43.3 meters, giving Linglong a clear 10% advantage. In wet handling, Michelin is only slightly faster at 82.7 km/h compared to Linglong’s 82.4 km/h, but based on the percentage comparison, both are effectively equal at 0% difference.
Subjective wet handling is also equal, with both tires scoring 8 points and 0% difference. In straight aquaplaning, Linglong is slightly better at 92.8 km/h versus Michelin’s 92.0 km/h, a 0.8 km/h difference and a 1% advantage. Overall, Linglong looks genuinely strong in the wet, especially in braking, while Michelin still stays very close in handling and feel.
Sport Master :
- +10% in Wet Braking
- 0% in Wet Handling
- 0% in Wet Handling (subj)
- +1% in Aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Linglong Sport Master stops at 33.9 meters, which is 0.5 meters shorter than the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 at 34.4 meters, giving Linglong a small 1% advantage. In dry handling, Michelin is faster at 101.3 km/h compared to Linglong’s 99.3 km/h, a 2.0 km/h difference and a 2% advantage for Michelin.
The biggest gap is in subjective dry handling, where Michelin scores 10 points while Linglong scores 6 points, showing a clear 20% advantage for Michelin based on the comparison table. Overall, Linglong is slightly better in dry braking, but Michelin clearly feels sharper and more confident when pushed hard in dry handling.
Sport Master :
- +1% in Dry Braking
- -2% in Dry Handling
- -20% in Dry Handling (subj)
Wear
In wear, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 lasts 59,670 km, while the Linglong Sport Master lasts 35,570 km, meaning Michelin delivers 24,100 km more mileage and a clear 40% advantage. In abrasion, Michelin loses 1,353 g of rubber compared to Linglong at 2,022 g, so Linglong wears away 669 g more material, giving Michelin a strong 33% advantage. Overall, Linglong may look competitive in some performance areas, but when it comes to long-term wear and rubber durability, Michelin is still far ahead.
Sport Master :
- -40% in Mileage
- -33% in Abrasion
Comfort & Noise
In subjective comfort, both the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Linglong Sport Master score 7.3 points, so they are exactly equal with 0% difference. In noise, Linglong is quieter at 72.4 dB compared to Michelin at 74.3 dB, making it 1.9 dB quieter and giving Linglong a 3% advantage. Overall, comfort is a draw, but Linglong has the edge in cabin quietness.
Sport Master :
- 0% in Comfort (subj)
- +3% in Exterior Noise
Rolling Resistance
In rolling resistance, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is lower at 7.97 N/kN, while the Linglong Sport Master is higher at 9.15 N/kN. That means Linglong has 1.18 N/kN more rolling resistance, giving Michelin a clear 13% advantage in efficiency. Overall, Linglong is not as strong here, while Michelin should be the better tire for fuel economy and lower energy loss.
Sport Master :
- -13% in Rolling Resistance
Price
In size 245/45 R19, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 costs €218, while the Linglong Sport Master costs €109. That makes Linglong €109 cheaper, or exactly 50% lower in price than the Michelin. In simple terms, you can buy two Linglong Sport Masters for the price of one Pilot Sport 5, which gives Linglong a massive price advantage.
Tire size: 245/45 R19
- Pilot Sport 5 : € 218
- Sport Master : € 109
Difference: -100% cheaper for Sport Master
Summary
From a tire expert point of view, the Linglong Sport Master is seriously impressive for the price. It beats the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 in wet braking, matches it closely in wet handling, is quieter, and costs only half as much. But the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 still shows why it is the premium benchmark: it has much stronger dry handling feel, far better wear, lower abrasion, and better rolling resistance. So if you want maximum value and wet braking performance, the Linglong is a real surprise. But if you want the more complete, durable, and confidence-inspiring tire, I would still trust the Pilot Sport 5.
Dr Edwin Pang