Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 Reviews: 2024 Tire Test

Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 is not a new Michelin model but feels like one. It has been the talk of the town among numerous spirited drivers and automobile enthusiasts for years, lauded as the class leader in ultra-high-performance tires.

Given the silica compounds and variable sipes – not to mention Michelin’s decades-long popularity – this rave feedback is nothing surprising. Still, our annual COR Wheels test did discover a few lesser-known facts about the tire’s performance, which this review will disclose in more detail.

Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 Specifications & Features

Michelin Pilot All-Season 4 is specifically tailored for high-end performance sedans, sporty coupes, sporty cars, SUVs, crossovers, or any vehicle seeking the highest all-season limits. The brand aims to combine dry/wet traction with inclement weather confidence and optimal control, even in snow. 

A few highlighted key features include: 

• Full Ring Premium Touch (for select sizes), whose checked sidewalls use lasers for both stability and visual enhancements
• Asymmetric, advanced tread compound with reinforced, robust shoulder block outboards, delivering excellent grip
• Dynamic Response Technology smooth out exerted forces on hard-concerning contact patches to improve tread wear and handling characteristics on regular and mountain roads
• Circumferential channels and big rain grooves, increasing aquaplaning resistance
• Extreme Silica compounds and 360-degree sipes, interlocking to deliver dynamic edges for wintry traction.
• Classic Helio technology (sunflower oil) prevents the tires from stiffening at low temperatures.
• Polyester casings, steel belts, and nylon plies, further strengthening stability at incredible speed ratings.

Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 Review & Performance Test Results

The 245/40R18 tire size version of Michelin PS All Season 4 was used on the 2022 Honda Accord during our annual 2023 COR Wheels Tire Test, lasting in January and June-July.

1. Dry Performance: 9.1/10

Dry Traction: 9.2/10

Pilot Sport All-Season 4 tires were the best contender for dry-condition traction; it was hard to find any lackluster points during our ride.

The grip connected instantly with the road as our Honda Accord started roaring its way out of the garage. Those slight seconds-long delays we often experienced with other Michelin tires (not that they were big of an issue) could not be observed here, delivering a consistent and startlingly firm anchor that carried on very well into straight-line road drivings. 

Slight jostles and hiccups could be faintly felt from the cabin, but their presence seemed distant compared to the very pronounced tire grip; 15 minutes into the test, we could hardly sense them around anymore. 

This self-confident, bold footing was strikingly similar to its sister (Michelin Pilot Sport 4S) we tried last year – which was very impressive considering that Pilot Sport 4S was a dedicated summer performance tire.

Even at turns and corners, Pilot Sport AS4 showed little signs of hesitation; this was a positive cue for us to start playing with our accelerations. Breezing from 25 MPH across 30, 40, and 50 MPH was generally seamless, with only some well-meaning shakes at the edges to tackle debris. 

At 55 MPH, these premium tires did grind down a bit forcefully at sharp corner entries and lost a tiny bit of traction during turn transitions. Still, they were far from a threat, and even less so once we had familiarized ourselves with the Honda’s steering feel.

Corner Stability: 9.1/10

Pilot AS4’s cornering perked proudly on the top of our test and could even be likened to summer tires. This comparison was hardly exaggerated: Honda Accord received huge support from the tire’s continuous center ribs, walking the fine line between adventurous and safe leaning with little drama.

Even at acceleration speeds as high as 75 MPH, struggles were only few and far between and felt very distant; speed changes were as easy for us at corner entries as with mid-way turning and exits. 

And unlike some direct competitors, Pilot Sport AS4 did not face much difficulty handling constant weather fluctuations or cold temperature. Its rotations below 55 degrees carried on almost as well as on dry, hot asphalts, and seemed to perk even better than usual at tighter hairpins. 

The numb on-center feel after dragged, consecutive switchbacks took a few points from the tire’s overall score, however. With more flexes and anti-fatigue buffs, it would have received at least a 9.3 from us. 

Steering Response: 9.1/10

Precise steering response was not something Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 struggled with, once again leading the competition. 

Each response was instant, accurate, and intolerant towards even just the slightest miss; unplanned accelerations and decelerations from 25 to 50 MPH or vice versa could hardly throw it out of line.

On particularly rough road patches or tighter curves, we usually had to steer full-force using gas pedals during performance tests for other tires. Not anymore with Michelin AS4; the predictable handling took care of most of the hard work and left us with very little control to cater to. 

When the traction neared its limit at 80 MPH, our car admittedly started to understeer. Fortunately, by opening the steering slightly wider and easing our gas, we regained control in little to no time. 

2. Wet Performance: 8.9/10

Wet Traction: 8.9/10

The car did not tread forward as confidently as it had been on dry surfaces – but compared to other same-sector tires, it was still top-tier.

Michelin Pilot AS4 owed much of its wet performance to the large, circumferential rain grooves, whose tight grip on the surface was not easy to break off even with strong, consistent flowing water. 

Low speeds below 20 MPH felt sure-footed but lacked the aggressive force that plunged rainwater off the tire sidewalls, so we increased our rates to 30-40 MPH and were generally satisfied. 

Michelin’s corner ribs handled the boosted speed demands well with very few falters, allowing some of our team members to try narrower steering arcs at shorter notice. So far, none of the skids and jitters truly posed a real threat.

On another note, the tire did encounter trouble handling braking and road joints. Again, nothing to be alarmed about, but the delays admittedly delivered a more unsettling feeling compared to the rest of the road trip.

Hydroplaning Resistance: 8.9/10

Top of the class and consistent is what we could say about Michelin AS4’s resistance to hydroplaning. 

Frankly, its assuring and superior performance had already been hinted at the moment we saw the rain grooves; they were much bigger than those from competitors, with well-placed channels that did not allow rainwater to linger for long and our tire. 

As a result, our car dealt pretty well with varied speeds and cornering arcs; and unlike other tires that stuttered from 5 inches of water onward, the Michelin All Season 4 remained poised and confident even under heavy rain.

Still, we would love some more improvements at the high wall angles, which were a bit too high than we would have liked and might still invite water when the steering neared its limit. 

3. Winter/Snow Performance: 7.2/10

Light Snow Traction: 7.8/10

Light snow traction was good enough, but quite a disheartening downgrade from the tire’s absolute levels of performance on dry and wet terrains.

The 360-degree sipes clearly took most of the credit here; their interlocking tread patterns fostered a strong, dynamic biting edge that embraced snow patches without much stutter. 

Our car coped pretty well at 30-45 MPH and only experienced minor skidding at the edges when we applied too much force on the steering wheel spin. And as mentioned above, corner stabilities did not seem to faze much by cold range of temperatures; hence, while stutters still lurked around, they were not really jittery or uncontrollable.

However, anything beyond 50 MPH posed more trouble. Michelin AS4’s low risks of hydroplaning did not translate to light snow of 4 inches or less as well as we had hoped, forcing us to bind snow chains onto the front sets and treat corners more cautiously. 

Deep Snow Traction: 7.1/10

We had mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, AS4’s deeper snow traction was still better than most other tires and even ranked second in our test. However, the significant decrease from its previously decent light-snow traction was too abrupt for our team to get used to. 

Strong hiccups started to emerge when the snow density neared 6 inches. Snow took much longer to be redirected off the tread and, at times, even went as deep as to sit between the groove patterns. 

Driving fast at 40 to 45 MPH seemed like a great idea for the first 15 minutes, but then the stuck snow built up at a neck-breaking speed within the grooves and ended up pulling the car down. Hence, we had to reduce the speeds to 30-35 MPH to give the channels more time to process road hazards and snow packs. 

With snow chains, these numbers could rise a little higher but not much – grazing at 37-41 MPH at best. 

Ice Traction: 6.7/10

It was horrid, to be frank – but not bad compared to other tires in its class.

Except for very sharp corners that might have whipped us out even on dry tarmac, Michelin Pilot All-Season 4 could still tread surely but very slowly (25 to 30 MPH) with firm and planted steering control. 

Skidding accidents were more of a threat during the first 30 minutes of the ride, but fortunately got more toned down the more we established our footings on the terrains.

However, this sentiment mostly applied to straightforward, clear paths with few twisties. Hairpin bends of blind curves would be better off with winter tires.

4. Ride Comfort: 8.6/10

Ride Quality: 8.7/10

It was one of the most comfortable tires we have tried. 

There was no 100% guarantee that vibrations and stutters did not happen; what mattered more was how they were dealt with, and Michelin did that job pretty well. 

Gradual speed changes from extreme low to extreme high (75 MPH) were delightfully uneventful, only suffering from occasional skids when the steering’s sharpness faltered at narrow entries. 

Some larger road irregularities sent the tires into spins more often than not. But in Michelin’s defense, most tires would react the same without extra buffs or aftermarket upgrades.

Levels of Road Noise: 8.5/10

Tread growl was tolerable in regular driving ranges (30 to 55 MPH). However, it worsened as we accelerated further from 55 MPH and downright roared when peaking at 80 MPH. 

Overall, it was still a very quiet and comfortable ride. But had more attention been paid to spirited driving, the tire’s noise level ratings would be much higher.

5. Treadwear and Durability: 8.3/10

This model did not have exceptional treadwear, but decent for an ultra-high-performance all-season tire. 

Despite being subjected to tons of abuse during ten consecutive summer days (not to mention winter), the tire held itself well across a wide range of weather conditions and only caved slightly at the top of the tread. Translated to longer rides, it meant a lifespan of at least 45,000 miles for the tire if well-maintained – pretty good when compared to the market’s average. 

6. Pilot Sport All Season 4 Test Result Highlights

• 2023 Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires Test: Ranked 4th out of 10 tires
• 2023 Michelin All Season Tires Test: Ranked 7th out of 7 tires
• 2023 Tires For Rain (Wet) Test: Ranked 9th out of 10 tires

Pilot Sport All Season 4 Pros and Cons

Pilot Sport All Season 4 Competitors & Alternative

Even when pitched against Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus, Goodyear Eagle Exhilarate, and Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus, our Michelin AS4 shined through: 

• Michelin PS All-Season 4 took the crown (within this group of tire selection) as the best overall performance tire. Most of its metrics either ranked first or second, and none was put at the bottom of the competition. However, a few more refinements during on-road conditions would be appreciated.
• Continental ExtremeContact delivered good consistent longitudinal traction on most terrains we have tested, snow included. However, its steering returned an artificial, rigid feel that did not seem like a good choice for drivers preferring spirited style. 
• Goodyear Eagle took the lead in terms of sturdy wet grip and footholds on waterlogged surfaces. Unfortunately, it did not palm over road-surface imperfections as smoothly as we expected, and the light snow grip demanded a huge increase.
• Pirelli P Zero offered an impressive, athletic feel that would suit daily drivers of sporty cars and coupes. Nevertheless, both its light snow and wet-surface traction lagged dramatically behind the other three.

Conclusion

From our Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tire review, we still wish for more refinements, especially in snow performance. But when compared with its competitors, these metrics were considered beyond average to excellent, making it one of the best deals available for ultra-high performances in a combination of roads and terrains.

This all-season tire could be your trusted ally on dry roads, wet roads, and light snow surfaces. Tread more carefully if you dive into snow blankets deeper than  inches, though, and do not forget snow chains.