Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3 vs Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 — the clash of UHP all-season titans!
On one side, the Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3, launched in 2024 to push Pirelli’s performance even further in the UHP all-season world. On the other, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, launched in 2020 and still the benchmark for precision and year-round grip. Two heavyweights. Two philosophies. One epic battle for UHP all-season supremacy! Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Results: Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3 vs Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
Results below were taken from the Tire Rack’s “Ultra High Performance All-Season: The Search for Balance” test. A total of 9 tires were tested this time around in Tire Rack’s own proving ground. The graph below shows the comparison between Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3 vs Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 based on the relevant performance category. The Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3 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%.
As both tires are categorized as all season tires, Tire Rack has included snow & ice in its testing portfolio. The tire size of interest is 225/45R18 which is a common tire size for BMW 3 series & Audi A3. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a 2024 BMW 330i xDrive.
Wet
In wet braking from 60 to 0 mph, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 stops 6 feet shorter than the Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3, giving it a 5% advantage. During wet handling subjective scoring, the P Zero AS Plus 3 scores 0.31 points higher than the Pilot Sport All Season 4, a 2% improvement. On the wet handling lap, the P Zero AS Plus 3 completes the course 0.38 seconds faster than the Pilot Sport All Season 4, translating to a 1% quicker lap.
Overall, the P Zero AS Plus 3 leads in wet handling and lap times, but the Pilot Sport All Season 4 brakes slightly shorter in wet conditions.
Pilot Sport All Season 4 :
- +5% in wet braking
- -2% in wet handling (subj)
- -1% in wet handling (lap time)
Dry
In dry braking from 60 to 0 mph, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 stops 1 foot shorter than the Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3, a 1% advantage. In dry handling subjective scoring, the P Zero AS Plus 3 scores 0.5 points higher than the Pilot Sport All Season 4, a 3% improvement. On the dry handling lap, the P Zero AS Plus 3 finishes 0.33 seconds faster than the Pilot Sport All Season 4, giving it a 1% quicker lap time.
Overall, the P Zero AS Plus 3 edges ahead in handling and lap times, while the Pilot Sport All Season 4 maintains a slight advantage in straight-line braking.
Pilot Sport All Season 4 :
- +1% in dry braking
- -3% in dry handling (subj)
- -1% in dry handling (lap time)
Noise/Comfort/Ride Quality
In noise, comfort, and ride quality, the Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3 scores 8.00 out of 10, while the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 scores 7.17 out of 10, giving the Pirelli a strong 0.83-point or 4% advantage in NVH performance.
Pilot Sport All Season 4 :
- -4% in average of Noise, Comfort & Ride Quality.
Snow
In snow braking from 25 to 0 mph, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 stops 14.3 feet shorter than the Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3, giving it a 17% advantage. During snow acceleration from 0 to 12 mph, the Pilot Sport All Season 4 covers the distance 1 foot quicker than the P Zero AS Plus 3, a 5% edge. In subjective snow handling, the Pilot Sport All Season 4 scores 0.34 points higher than the P Zero AS Plus 3, a 2% advantage. On the snow handling lap, the Pilot Sport All Season 4 finishes 4.2 seconds faster than the P Zero AS Plus 3, translating to a 8% quicker lap time.
Overall, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 clearly outperforms the P Zero AS Plus 3 in snow braking, acceleration, handling, and lap times.
Pilot Sport All Season 4 :
- +17% in Snow braking
- +5% in Snow Acceleration
- +2% in Snow handling (subj)
- +8% in Snow handling(lap time)
Ice
In ice braking from 12 to 0 mph, the Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3 stops 1.3 feet shorter than the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, giving it a 3% advantage.
Pilot Sport All Season 4 :
- -3% in Ice braking
Wear/UTQG rating
The Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3 has a UTQG treadwear rating of 560 compared to 540 for the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, offering a 4% higher rating. In mileage warranty, the P Zero AS Plus 3 is covered for 50,000 miles, which is 5,000 miles or 11% longer than the 45,000-mile warranty of the Pilot Sport All Season 4.
Overall, the P Zero AS Plus 3 promises slightly better durability on paper.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirelli | P Zero AS Plus 3 | All | 560 | AA | A |
| Michelin | Pilot Sport All Season 4 | All | 540 | AA | A |
Price
In 225/45R18 size, the Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3 costs $189, while the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 costs $216, making the Michelin 14% more expensive.
Tire size: 225/45R18
- P Zero AS Plus 3 : $ 189
- Pilot Sport All Season 4 : $ 216
Difference: +14% more expensive for Pilot Sport All Season 4
Summary
From my perspective as a tire expert, the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 remains the stronger choice for snow and wet braking, offering excellent winter capability and precise wet stopping power. Meanwhile, the Pirelli P Zero AS Plus 3 impresses with sharper dry and wet handling, noticeably better noise, comfort, and ride quality, plus longer durability — all while being more affordable. Both are outstanding, but your priorities will decide which fits your drive best.
Dr Edwin Pang