The Yokohama ADVAN A052 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4S brings together two very different philosophies in the max-performance segment. One is a race-ready, extreme-grip track weapon built to deliver physics-defying cornering and fast lap times, while the other is a benchmark ultra-high-performance street tire engineered to balance speed, wet safety and real-world usability. This matchup isn’t just about which tire is faster — it’s about track-focused precision versus everyday performance balance, and which approach truly delivers the better driving experience for enthusiasts.
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Results: Yokohama ADVAN A052 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
Results below were taken from the Tire Rack’s “Extreme Performance Summer – 2024 Test” test. A total of 7 tires were tested this time around at Tire Rack’s own proving ground & the road course race track . The graph below shows the comparison between Yokohama ADVAN A052 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4S based on the relevant performance category. The Yokohama ADVAN A052 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for subjective comfort 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 mainly focused on track performances, the dry performance naturally takes dominance over the wet. However as this is a street legal tire, it is also crucial to know how your wet performance is as you never know when you need it. The tire size of interest is a 275/35R19 which is a common size for Jaguar F-type and BMW 5 series. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle of choice was the 2024 BMW M2.
Dry
In dry braking, the Yokohama ADVAN A052 stops in 69.4 feet while the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S needs 73.2 feet, giving the Yokohama a 3.8-foot shorter braking distance, equivalent to a 5% advantage. In subjective dry handling, the Yokohama scores 8.88 versus 8.13 for the Michelin, a 0.75-point higher rating that translates to a 4% stronger handling feel. On dry handling lap time, the Yokohama sets 27.33 seconds while the Michelin records 28.35 seconds, making the Yokohama 1.02 seconds faster, which equals a 4% quicker lap.
Overall, the Yokohama ADVAN A052 clearly leads in outright dry performance with shorter braking, sharper handling feel, and faster lap times, while the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S remains competitive but more balanced rather than track-focused.
Pilot Sport 4S :
- -5% in dry braking
- -4% in dry handling (subj)
- -4% in dry handling (lap time)
Wet
In wet braking, the Yokohama ADVAN A052 stops in 108.10 feet while the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S stops in 101.00 feet, meaning the Michelin brakes 7.10 feet shorter, which is a 7% advantage. In wet handling subjective score, the Yokohama scores 7.94 while the Michelin scores 8.00, so the Michelin is 0.06 points higher, equivalent to a 1% difference. In wet handling lap time, the Yokohama records 32.08 seconds while the Michelin sets 30.88 seconds, making the Michelin 1.20 seconds faster, translating to a 4% quicker lap.
Overall, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S shows a clear edge in wet performance with shorter braking distances and faster lap times, while the Yokohama ADVAN A052 remains close in handling feel but cannot match the Michelin’s wet stability and stopping power.
Pilot Sport 4S :
- +7% in wet braking
- 0% in wet handling (subj)
- +4% in wet handling (lap time)
Noise/Comfort/Ride Quality
In noise, comfort and ride quality, both the Yokohama ADVAN A052 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S score 7.17, so there is no difference between them. This means both tires deliver the same comfort and noise level with a 0% difference.
Pilot Sport 4S :
- 0% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yokohama | ADVAN A052 | All | 200 | A | A |
| Michelin | Pilot Sport 4S | All | 300 | AA | A |
The Yokohama ADVAN A052 has a UTQG treadwear rating of 200, while the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is rated at 300, giving the Michelin a 100-point higher rating, or about 50% longer expected tread life. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S also comes with a 30,000-mile warranty, while the ADVAN A052 has no mileage warranty as it is built primarily as a track-day focused tire where grip takes priority over longevity.
Overall, the Pilot Sport 4S is clearly the better choice for durability and daily use, while the ADVAN A052 trades lifespan for maximum track performance.
Price
For size 275/35R19, the Yokohama ADVAN A052 is priced at $384 while the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S costs $358, making the Michelin $26 cheaper, which equals a 7% lower price.
Tire size: 275/35R19
- ADVAN A052: $ 384
- Pilot Sport 4S: $ 358
Difference: -7% more cheaper for Pilot Sport 4S.
Summary
From my perspective as a tire engineer, the Yokohama ADVAN A052 is the better choice for drivers chasing maximum dry grip and track-day performance with sharper handling and faster lap times, while the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is the smarter all-rounder with stronger wet safety, longer tread life, a 30k-mile warranty and a lower price. If you want ultimate track performance choose the A052, but for the best balance of performance, safety and durability for daily driving, the Pilot Sport 4S is the better overall package.
Dr Edwin Pang