Both tires are well-known sport summer tires specialized to give an excellent on-road performance. Both offer the same inflation pressure, load range, diameter and section width.
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is an on-road tire designed for passenger cars. It highlights a asymmetrical tread design having closed shoulder grooves.
Its shoulder and central channels are comparatively broader and deeper. Having 3D rectilinear sipes it is excellent on wet surfaces as well.
Moreover, it offers sleek aesthetics which not only enhance its look but also promote its traction on highways.
On the other side, the Continental SportContact 7 is also made for on-road use. It fits on the passenger car just like its competitor.
It also features a symmetrical tread design having three central ribs. Its tread is comparatively shallower and leaner. Also, its shoulder grooves are comparatively shallower.
Moreover, its tread is flat and has 3D active rectilinear sipes for strong traction on wet paths.
Table of Contents
Comparing Both Tires
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Continental SportContact 7
Following are the specs of tires we reviewed.
| Specifications | Pilot Sport 5 | Sportcontact 7 |
| 3PMSFR | No | No |
| Tested Size | 265/35ZR19 98Y XL | 265/35ZR19 98Y XL |
| Tread Depth | 10/32” | 9/32” |
| Section Width | 10.7” | 10.7” |
| Diameter | 26.3” | 26.3” |
| Rim Range | 9 – 10.5” | 9 – 11” |
| Max. Inflation Pressure | 50 psi | 50 psi |
| Max. Load | 1653 lbs | 1653 lbs |
| Tire Weight | 26 lbs | 28 lbs |
| Revs / Mile | 790 | 790 |
| Sidewall | Black | Black |
| Max. Speed | 186 mph | 186 mph |
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is a summer tire having excellent on-road capabilities. Its tread design is symmetrical having three patented central ribs and open shoulders. Its Premium Touch Sidewall Design highlights a smooth, matte-black texture.
It offers maximized grip on wet and dry surfaces as its Dual Sport Tread design features broad longitudinal grooves on the inside for impressive traction on wet surfaces and its exterior has tough tread blocks for strong grip on dry paths. Its 3D rectilinear sipes and shoulder channels also assist its traction on wet surfaces.
Moreover, its Wear2Check indicator allows you easily examine and regulate the wear of the tire. Furthermore, it is also equipped with Michelin Dynamic Response Technology for excellent steering response.
Continental Sportcontact 7 is also a sports summer tire giving its best on highways. It also offers a symmetrical open shoulder tread design having three central ribs.
It has comparatively shallower grooves which reduce its traction on rough surfaces but its 3D active rectilinear sipes promote its traction on wet roads. Its adaptive tread pattern enables it to undergo extreme on-road challenges.
Moreover, it is provided with an extremely soft BlackChili compound which promotes its durability and driving pleasure. Also, its tailor-made construction grants you a specific SportContact feeling whenever you initiate the engine.
Road Grip Comparison
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 comes with a comparatively deeper tread and wider grooves which reduce its contact patch with the ground. So, its road grip is weaker on dry paved paths.
Its higher void ratio and less effective siping reduce its traction on wet roads also.
Its wider and deeper tread lowers its grip on icy paths as well, placing it second to its competitor. However, on rough surfaces, it is a better choice as it has deeper and broader grooves which efficiently bite to strengthen its grip.
Continental Sportcontact 7 offers comparatively greater tread contact and lower braking distance which grants it a stronger grip on dry roads.
However, its greater contact patch with highly efficient sipe distribution promotes its traction on wet surfaces. Its lower void ratio also grants it a stronger grip on smoother surfaces.
However, on not so smooth roads, its shallower and thinner tread channels are not much efficient in promoting its traction.
Handling Comparison
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 allows a comparatively smaller portion of its shoulder tread to make contact with the road, so it lags behind its competitor in providing better handling on dry roads.
However, on wet surfaces, its wisely distributed sipes promote its handling but the lower tread contact of its shoulders makes it more slippery, thus reducing its stability.
Also on icy paths, its steering response is not as effective as its peer. However, it allows better handling on rough paths as its deeper shoulders are highly efficient in biting, they ensure better navigation.
Continental Sportcontact 7, having a comparatively lower shoulder void ratio, is more stable on dry paths. Similarly, its highly efficient 3D active sipes along with tractive shoulders give it better steering management on wet surfaces.
Hydroplaning Resistance
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is less tractive and offers comparatively rough handling on wet surfaces. Its sipes are however functional in promoting its navigation over water but are less fruitful than that of its counterpart.
Moreover, its lower tread and shoulder contact reduces its grip and lowers its hydroplaning resistance.
Continental Sportcontact 7 provides a stronger grip and better handling over wet roads. Its sipes are highly profitable in wiping away water to promote its traction on wet surfaces.
Moreover, the comparatively lower void ratio of its central tread and shoulders award it a better traction and hydroplaning resistance.
Noise and Comfort
Comparatively higher void ratio and deeper grooves of Pilot Sport 5 make it noisier and less comfortable. However, it is much more comfortable than many other sports tires but lags behind its competitor.
Its deeper and broader grooves catch more air particles into them which oscillate with the groove walls violently and produce more noise as the tire rolls.
Whereas, Continental Sportcontact 7 having a lower void ratio is comparatively quieter and more comfortable. Its grooves are a bit shallower and leaner which traps comparatively fewer air particles into them, producing lesser noise as the tire moves. So, this tire is slightly more comfortable and quieter.
Rolling Resistance
Having a bit higher void ratio, Michelin Pilot Sport 5 allows a limited part of its tread to make contact with the road.
As a result, a comparatively smaller portion of its tread rolls over the road, so it offers lower rolling resistance. Moreover, lesser energy will be required to roll it which heightens its fuel efficiency.
Sportcontact 7 comes with a lower void ratio, allowing a greater portion of its tread to come in contact with the ground.
So, a greater portion of its tread rolls over the surface, offering higher rolling resistance. Also, more energy will be consumed in rolling it, resulting in more fuel consumption.
Tread Compound and Structure Comparison
Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is provided with Michelin MaxTouch Construction. Its Dual Sport Tread Design promotes its traction and its Premium Touch Sidewall Design intensifies its outlook. Its tread design is symmetric, having three central tread layers.
It has 3D active rectilinear sipes and its tread is comparatively deeper. Its grooves are slightly broader whereas shoulder channels are profound as compared to its peer.
Continental Sportcontact 7 features a BlackChili compound in its composition for enhanced durability. It is provided with an adaptive tread pattern and tailor-made construction which allows you to undergo extreme challenging conditions with a specific SportContact impression.
It also has a symmetric tread design with three central ribs, having 3D active rectilinear sipes. Its tread is comparatively shallower and grooves are a bit leaner. Moreover, its shoulder spaces are also shallower as compared to its contestant.
| Composition and Structure | Pilot Sport 5 | Sportcontact 7 |
| Tread Composition | MaxTouch Composition | BlackChili Compound |
| Tread Design | Symmetric | Symmetric |
| Central Ribs | Three | Three |
| Sipes | 3D Rectilinear | 3D Rectilinear |
| Central Grooves | Deeper | Shallower |
| Shoulder Channels | Closed / Deeper | Closed/ Shallower |
Treadwear and Durability
Both tires are almost equally durable but Michelin Pilot Sport 5 offers lower treadwear as compared to its counterpart. Its comparatively deeper grooves allow slower consumption of the tread which improves its tread life.
Whereas, Continental Sportcontact 7 offers a higher treadwear due to its comparatively shallower tread channels. Its tread will get leveled with the groove depth in a lower time, resulting in its shorter tread life.
| Durability | Pilot Sport 5 | Sportcontact 7 |
| Treadwear Warranty | 30,000 miles | 30,000 miles |
| Uniformity Warranty | 1 year first 2/32” | 1 year first 2/32” |
| Workmanship Warranty | 3 – 4 years | 3 – 4 years |
In the end:
Both high performing summer tires provide you with jaw braking grip and handling, and even out of them, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 offers a stronger traction values, with a lower rolling resistance and longer tread life.
On the other side, the the steering management on the Continental Sportcontact 7 is superior and the tire is more comfortable on smooth pavements.
