TJ Talking: Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 2020 | Tire Rack

On this episode of TJ Talking, Tire Rack information and testing manager, TJ Campbell, and Michelin product manager, Steve Calder, discuss the unique design, performance goals and test results of the new Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4.

[chrisnamaste]

For people who live in the USA around route 40 and South and on the West coast the old PS AS 3+ was a better choice because it is more fun tire to drive--like a BMW. The AS 4 because of the sipes for snow is indeed more numb feeling with steering force delay and less response--this seems to be a common trend in the Michelin tires lately and--as a driving enthusiast--I disagree with this Toyotaization of the driving experience. I am unfortunately going to look elsewhere for more interesting performance. I think Michelin needed to create A NEW TIRE that was between the AS 3+ and the Crossclimate for those who wanted a little more snow performance. Sounds like Michelin did exactly what the "real" normal PS AS 4 should have been for the custom Corvette PS AS 4 tire; THIS is the TIRE I wanted for my BMW. Next time listen to the engineers who kept telling you that these are Pilot Sport (steering response and cornering prioritization) tires; not AS Grand Touring tires!! I can hear you say well then buy the PS 4 (pretty numb too) or PS 4S. 1) The PS 4 and 4S do not cover the size needed for many applications and 2) even more crucially I want a tire that can operate a lot under 50f, is acceptable in occasional snow, and is great in the wet all around (not just braking!), BUT has the performance that is like a max performance tire--that is the niche where the AS 3+ excelled--the steering response and cornering of a normal PS tire. The goals you had for this tire SHOULD have gone into the new Primacy type tire! You could have named it the Pilot Sport Primacy All Season... The Corvette team would never have tolerated the standard PS AS 4 on the Corvette. You messed with success and all you have is the label but the real PS AS is dead--long live the PS AS. Tire Rack knows Michelin really messed too much with success on this one for winter performance that only 50% of the population can really utilize; they will never say it Next time if you are surveying soccer moms about what new feature they want and trying to give them the impossible please do not alter an existing tire as successful as the AS3+. I want a performance European tire not a lowest common denominator American influenced tire. For the record I own the PS AS 4 tires and have put over a thousand miles on them aleady. " The Ultra High Performance All-Season Pilot Sport All Season 4 was a small step behind on the road, beginning with a ride that was almost as firm as the Pilot Sport 4S but didn't feel as composed or refined in the way it handled bumps. The tire created multiple, moderately distinctive tones over most surfaces, becoming the most perceptible as the tread interacted with rough roads or concrete. The steering was light and quick to respond to inputs. While it was easy to dial in the desired response from the vehicle, our drivers didn't feel the direct connection to the tire they hope for from a performance-focused product." I completely agree.

[garymathe]

The AS3+ is my all-time favorite, it was the best AS tire I've ever had in dry and surprisingly great in snow, never letting me down (note: I do have a couple of quattro cars). If the 4 is even slightly better, I'm sold.

[josephfogus]

He tire rack what do you think would give me better dry grip overall a uhp dunlop direzza dz102 235 width vs this Micheline in 275 width for a mustang gt 2020. Thanks

[slscamg]

I have about 15, 000 miles left on my A/S3+ tires. Can’t wait to try out these! Yes I’m a tire nerd.

[ernestopatola]

how does the pilot a/s 4 compare to the crossclimate 2 for wet, and dry?

[demetriusjohnson]

I love my AS3+ tires. I've run Pilot Super Sports and Pilot AS4s and find the AS3's to be the most livable, long lasting tire for day to day driving. Many great memories in the Smoky Mountains with those tires. Look forward to the AS4's.

[memememine]

I love these types of videos. Please do these videos for all types of tires. Personally im interested in the extreme performance summer to streetable track tires. Great information

[marygrace]

This was executed incredibly well! Thank you!

[jtome-]

What a word salad from the Michelin guy. What’s with the obsession with the snow performance . After watching this video I’m going to cancel my order .

[ravenstylea]

Sounds like the AS4 evolved to sacrifice a smidge with all out dry handling, but excel in the wet and snow conditions.

[parishsmith]

I have the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 on my 2019 corolla se and I personally love them in the wet they handle very well almost as good as in the dry in the snow there good meaning in light snow they have good traction in deep snow there just okay but overall I will definably be buying them again they handle very well very impressive compared to the firestone FR 780 the car came with its a night and day difference 👍

[tobyray]

I’ve run nothing but Michelin on my Class 8 equipment, pilot’s on 954RR. My Tesla Performance 3 Stealth (Ghost) has Continental’s on it OEM. They’re “ok”, but... sorry, it’s no Pilot Sport. Will be ordering 4 from the rack soon 😁.

[ehren-foley]

I just put these on my 2017 Civic Si. Feels close to a summer tire.

[bbbt]

Have been a Michelin man all my life but please make these in 255/45/20 haha. The 55 series you offer is to tall for my liking.

[stefanczechorskidds]

At approx. 19:00 wet/snow, you expanded on Wet, but seemed to skim over any comments on light Snow? Yes, the wet results were over-delivered, but what about the snow results?

[mikep]

Terrible shame the 3+ is unavailable. This video says all I needed to hear 8 mins and 45 secs in. The new 4s can’t hold a candle to the 3+ in dry handling. Nowhere to turn to for UHP tires!

[ak]

I have the AS4 on my ‘19 Honda Fit, my ‘22 Mercedes E450 All-Terrain and my ‘21 Honda Passport. Very satisfied overall with the product, and the trade-offs that were factored into the design.

[randy]

Agree 100%, and I got these on April 15, 2024 - 255/40 R18 99Y XL BSW for my Lexus ES300h. Great all-around tires and are the best Michelins I have ever owned and I have bought Michelins for decades.

[axogg]

I bought these instead of the ps4 because I'm moving to pa in a few weeks. They are superb in the wet/dry. Cannot wait to try them in winter after hearing this

[dominicsorrentino]

Cross climate 2 or these? 08 G35x, Chicago. Currently have old pilot sport all seasons, thinking about those new climate 2s. What do you recommend?