Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Nankang AR 1

    2026 test data · 30 independent tests

    → See full Michelin vs Nankang brand comparison

    Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Nankang AR 1: the full picture

    This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S and Nankang AR 1 appear in 30 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. 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 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S performs. It takes the win in wet, snow, noise / comfort. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 88/100, based on 29 tests.

    How the Nankang AR 1 performs. It takes the win in dry, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 80/100, based on 1 test.

    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 4 S is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Nankang AR 1 still wins on dry, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise snow
    • You prioritise noise / comfort
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise efficiency

    Test profile

    MetricMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SNankang AR 1
    SegmentUUHP/TrackUUHP/Track
    TypeSummerSummer
    Tests used291
    Best rank#1#1
    Avg rank3.96.3
    Latest test20262022
    Tire Lab Score87.880.1

    Tire Lab Score

    87.8
    Very Good · Summer
    80.1
    Very Good · Summer

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SNankang AR 1Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 4.2
    111011
    Avg rank 10.0
    Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 3.1
    141910
    Avg rank 2.0
    2
    Nankang AR 1
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 1.7
    21
    No data
    Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 4.1
    101110
    Avg rank 5.5
    1
    Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 5.7
    31
    Avg rank 2.0
    1
    Nankang AR 1

    💧 Wet: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Nankang AR 1

    The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S wins this category with an average rank of 4.2, compared to 10.0 for the Nankang AR 1.

    ☀️ Dry: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Nankang AR 1

    The Nankang AR 1 wins this category with an average rank of 2.0, compared to 3.1 for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

    ❄️ Snow: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Nankang AR 1

    The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S wins this category with an average rank of 1.7, compared to no data for the Nankang AR 1.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Nankang AR 1

    The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S wins this category with an average rank of 4.1, compared to 5.5 for the Nankang AR 1.

    🔋 Efficiency: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S vs Nankang AR 1

    The Nankang AR 1 wins this category with an average rank of 2.0, compared to 5.7 for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S or Nankang AR 1?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S ranks higher on average than the Nankang AR 1.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Nankang AR 1 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S across the tests where both appeared.

    Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?

    On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S ranks better than the Nankang AR 1.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S appears in 29 independent tests, Nankang AR 1 in 1.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →