Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 and Michelin Pilot Sport 5 appear in 49 tests, 7 of which put both tires on the same track on the same day. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.
How the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 performs. It does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 86/100, based on 30 tests.
How the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 94/100, based on 19 tests.
What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.
Verdict
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
- You prefer the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2's brand, sizing or price
Choose Michelin Pilot Sport 5 if
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise noise / comfort
Test profile
| Metric | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | UHP | UHP |
| Type | Summer | Summer |
| Tests used | 30 | 19 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 8.0 | 5.0 |
| Latest test | 2026 | 2026 |
| Tire Lab Score | 86.1 | 94.2 |
Tire Lab Score
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
Michelin Pilot Sport 5
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 7.7 692 | Avg rank 4.5 8612 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 8.0 27 | Avg rank 3.8 498 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 7.9 33 | Avg rank 5.3 644 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 7.4 11 | Avg rank 6.0 15 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 7.1 3 | Avg rank 6.3 22 | Michelin Pilot Sport 5 |
Tests used in this comparison
Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 7 independent tests:
💧 Wet: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 7.7 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
☀️ Dry: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 wins this category with an average rank of 3.8, compared to 8.0 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 wins this category with an average rank of 5.3, compared to 7.9 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
📏 Mileage: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 7.4 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
🔋 Efficiency: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 5
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 wins this category with an average rank of 6.3, compared to 7.1 for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 or Michelin Pilot Sport 5?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 ranks higher on average than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 ranks better than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 shows better mileage performance than the Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 appears in 30 independent tests, Michelin Pilot Sport 5 in 19, with 7 head-to-head tests where both were measured.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →