Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Michelin Primacy 5
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 71
- TR Score
- 8.8/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 62
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 8 times and the Primacy 5 twice, with one level. The PremiumContact 7 stopped 5.8% shorter in the wet; the Primacy 5 lasted 25.5% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental PremiumContact 7 if your priority is maximum safety margin and confidence-especially wet braking and wet handling-with consistently top-tier results across tests. Choose the Michelin Primacy 5 if your priority is minimizing running costs (fuel/EV range + longer wear life) and you prefer a comfortable, predictable touring feel over sharp, high-grip handling.
Where the PremiumContact 7 is stronger
- Consistently shorter braking distances on wet and dry roads (e.g., wet braking often ~6-11% shorter; dry braking wins 9/9)
- Stronger wet handling and wet cornering grip across tests (regular wins on wet handling and wet circle; notably large gap in Motor wet circle: 0.801 vs 0.692)
- More precise, confidence-inspiring steering/neutral balance in most professional feedback (crisp turn-in, predictable at the limit)
Where the Primacy 5 is stronger
- Lower rolling resistance and better efficiency/range in most tests (typically ~15-17% advantage in rolling resistance measurements)
- Longer predicted mileage and lower wear/abrasion where measured (ADAC 56,000 km vs 44,700 km; Auto Zeitung 50,000 km vs 44,250 km; lower abrasion)
- Often strong straight-line aquaplaning resistance (wins straight aquaplaning 7/9 shared tests, even when grip-based wet metrics are mid-pack)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
PremiumContact 7 vs Primacy 5 at a glance
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Primacy 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won11 shared tests | 8 | 1 level | 2 |
| Dry20 measurements | 17 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 4.9% shorter in the dry (10 tests) | 1 |
| Wet41 measurements | 30 | The PremiumContact 7 stopped 5.8% shorter in the wet (10 tests) | 10 |
| Comfort14 measurements | 4 | The Primacy 5 was 0.9 dB quieter (5 tests) | 8 |
| Value17 measurements | 0 | The Primacy 5 lasted 25.5% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) | 16 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.5/10 | The PremiumContact 7 by 0.7 | 8.8/10 |
| Owner rating71 and 62 reviews | 82% | Too close to call | 82% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 74% | The Primacy 5 by 4 points | 78% |
| Pricein the 6 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Primacy 5 was dearer in 6 of 6 | +6.5% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 56 | 38 sizes made in both | 88 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 11 tests, 2024 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | PremiumContact 7 | Field | Primacy 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Express Summer Tire Test | P2 of 8 | P6 of 8 | |
| 2026 Motor Summer Tire Test | P1 of 9 | P5 of 9 | |
| 2026 Vi Bilagare Summer Tire Test | P1 of 10 | P6 of 10 | |
| The BEST Summer Tires for 2026 Tested and Rated | P1 of 12 | P6 of 12 | |
| 2026 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P1 of 16 | P7 of 16 | |
| 2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tire Test | P1 of 10 | P6 of 10 | |
| 2025 DEKRA Wear Test of Michelin Primacy 5 Energy vs Rivals | P5 of 8 | P1 of 8 | |
| 2025 Die ReifenTester Summer Touring Tire Test | P4 of 7 | P5 of 7 | |
| 2025 Al Volante Summer Tire Test | P3 of 7 | P4 of 7 | |
| 2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tire Test | P2 of 14 | P1 of 14 | |
| 2024 TUV and DEKRA Test of Michelin Primacy 5 vs Rivals | P1 of 5 | P1 of 5 |
Performance profile
16 measurements from the 11 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
PremiumContact 7
Primacy 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 85%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 5 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
PremiumContact 7
Primacy 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
PremiumContact 7
Primacy 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Primacy 5 82% from 62. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | PremiumContact 7 | Gap | Primacy 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 118 | 4.9% | 124 | 10-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 65.6 | 1.7% | 66.78 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 8% | scored | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 107 | 5.8% | 114 | 9-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 115 | 10.1% | 127 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 79.19 | 3.1% | 81.63 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 19% | scored | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1.8 | 15.8% | 1.5 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.15 | 5.1% | 12.83 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49 | 0.9% | 49.5 | 2-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 67.5 | 3.2% | 67.3 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 12.7% | scored | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 15.6% | scored | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69.92 | 0.9 dB | 68.98 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.8 | 1.2 dB | 74 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 22,268 | 25.5% | 27,635 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.14 | 12.6% | 6.27 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.45 | 2.7% | 5.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 82.05 | 26.7% | 59.5 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,812 | 31.4% | 1,243 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0.08 | 7.3% | 0.08 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Primacy 5 8.8 out of 10.
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Primacy 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 62 | ||
| 97 | Wet | 77 | ||
| 36 | Comfort | 76 | ||
| 67 | Value | 92 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| PremiumContact 7 | Category | Primacy 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 8.5 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 8.3 | Road Feedback | 7.6 | ||
| 8.4 | Handling | 7.8 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 9.1 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 8.4 | ||
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Primacy 5 82% from 62. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental PremiumContact 7
- 82%from 71 reviews
- 74%would buy again
- 704,882 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners are largely impressed with the Continental PremiumContact 7, rating it 82.9% on average with no outright negative reviews, and the standout theme is strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both dry and wet conditions. Nearly half of owners mention excellent dry and wet grip, often backed up by praise for secure handling and stability. The main drawback is refinement: around a quarter to a third of owners report notable road noise, and a similar share are disappointed by tread life, with wear sometimes described as quicker than expected. Comfort is generally viewed positively overall, though opinions vary, and steering feel is more mixed than the outright grip levels suggest.
- Strong dry grip and traction
- Very confident wet grip
- Secure, planted handling in the dry
- Comfortable ride over bumps and on longer runs
- Noticeable road noise, especially on coarse surfaces
- Tread life can be disappointing for a premium tire
- Steering feel/precision can be inconsistent (some find it vague)
Summarised by AI from 58 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 71 PremiumContact 7 reviewsThe PremiumContact 7 offers a great balance of touring longevity, comfort, and sufficiently precise handling to keep you safe at higher speeds and in unexpected situations. These tires provide near-perfect grip across various conditions, performing exceptionally well on both dry and wet roads. On the other hand, they can get a bit noisy on rough surfaces.
Michelin Primacy 5
- 82%from 62 reviews
- 78%would buy again
- 378,963 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the Michelin Primacy 5 highly (82% average), most often praising its notably comfortable, refined ride and strong wet-weather confidence. Around three quarters of reviewers mention noise, and while many find it very quiet, a sizeable minority report intrusive droning on certain road surfaces. Grip and efficiency are commonly highlighted as strengths (especially in the wet and for rolling resistance), but around one in five owners feel it sacrifices dry handling and steering precision compared with sportier alternatives.
- Very comfortable, smooth ride quality
- Low road noise for a touring tire (especially at speed)
- Strong wet grip and reassuring wet traction
- Low rolling resistance / good efficiency
- Can be noisy or drone on rougher road surfaces
- Soft, less confident dry handling in corners
- Less direct steering feel / reduced precision
Summarised by AI from 62 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 62 Primacy 5 reviewsThe tires are very silent and comfortable. Despite this they are very grippy in the dry and wet and give a good feedback. Driven in 40+ degrees in summer until now in rainy 5 degrees autumn and they make the drive 100% secure.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 56 sizes of the PremiumContact 7 and 88 of the Primacy 5, 38 of them made in both.
| Category | PremiumContact 7 | Primacy 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 56 sizes, 16 to 21 inch | 88 sizes, 16 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 38 sizes 205/55 R16205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/55 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17and 26 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%B26% | B88%C12% |
| EU label noise | 71-73 dB B100% | 70-72 dB B95%A5% |
| On the market since | 2022 | 2025 |
| Replaced | Continental Premium Contact 6 | Michelin Primacy 4+ (2022) |
| Awards | Recommended: Best Tires for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Summer Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2024) | Highly Recommended: Best Tires for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Best Tires for Large Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Primacy 5 was the dearer tire in 6 of the 6 tests that listed prices, by 6.5% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Previous generation: Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Michelin Primacy 4+ (10 shared tests)
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Continental's PremiumContact 7 and Michelin's Primacy 5 sit in the same premium-touring summer category, but the shared tests show they're tuned for very different priorities. Across nine head-to-head comparisons in mainstream sizes (205/55 R16 through 235/45 R18), the Continental repeatedly targets safety margins and dynamic grip, while the Michelin leans heavily into low running costs, comfort and long life.
The pattern is unusually consistent: PremiumContact 7 dominates the “grip-based” disciplines (especially wet braking and wet handling), whereas Primacy 5 most often leads in efficiency (rolling resistance), straight-line aquaplaning, and longevity/wear. If your buying decision is shaped by how the car feels and stops in the wet, these two tires separate quickly; if your priority is fuel/EV range and kilometers per set, the Michelin makes a compelling counter-argument.
Conclusion
On outright performance, Continental PremiumContact 7 is the clearer all-rounder and the safer choice at the limit. It wins 8 of the 9 shared tests overall, and it is consistently better where it matters most in everyday risk terms: braking, particularly in the wet. The gaps are not trivial-wet braking advantages are commonly ~6-11% (e.g., Auto Zeitung: 53.2 m vs 59.6 m; ADAC: 30.1 m vs 32.7 m), with similarly repeatable leads in wet handling and wet circle. Dry braking is also a near-clean sweep for Continental (9/9), typically 3-7% shorter.
Michelin Primacy 5, however, is a deliberate specialist for cost-per-kilometer and refinement. It repeatedly delivers materially lower rolling resistance (often ~15-17% better, e.g., Auto Express 7.0 vs 8.43 kg/t; Motor 0.7 vs 0.833), and it's the more durable tire in the tests that measured wear (ADAC: 56,000 km vs 44,700 km; Auto Zeitung: 50,000 km vs 44,250 km). It also tends to be calmer and more comfort-oriented, but the trade-off is clear in multiple reports: softer/less positive steering response and mid-pack wet/dry handling pace.
Practical takeaway: if you want premium-touring comfort without giving up top-tier safety margins-especially wet stopping and confident wet cornering-PremiumContact 7 is the better buy. If your priority is maximizing range/fuel economy and extending replacement intervals (high mileage, low abrasion) and you're happy with “safe but not sharp” dynamics, Primacy 5 is the smarter long-term running-cost choice.
PremiumContact 7 vs Primacy 5: your questions
Is the Continental PremiumContact 7 or the Michelin Primacy 5 the better tire?
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 finished ahead 8 times and the Primacy 5 twice, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the PremiumContact 7 scores 9.5 and the Primacy 5 8.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the PremiumContact 7 or the Primacy 5?
The PremiumContact 7 led 30 of the 41 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.8% shorter in the wet across 10 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The PremiumContact 7 led 17 of the 20 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 4.9% shorter in the dry across 10 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Primacy 5 lasted 25.5% longer in the wear tests (4 tests), had 12.6% lower rolling resistance (7 tests), used 2.7% less fuel (2 tests) and shed 26.7% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 9.1/10 for the Primacy 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Primacy 5 was 0.9 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the PremiumContact 7 and 8.4/10 for the Primacy 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the PremiumContact 7 82% from 71 reviews and the Primacy 5 82% from 62. 74% of PremiumContact 7 owners would buy it again, against 78% for the Primacy 5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 6 tests that listed prices, the Primacy 5 was the dearer tire in 6 of them, by 6.5% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The PremiumContact 7 is made in 56 sizes (16 to 21 inch) and the Primacy 5 in 88 (16 to 22 inch). 38 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the PremiumContact 7 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Primacy 5 A and B.
Which is the newer tire?
The Primacy 5 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2025, the PremiumContact 7 in 2022. The PremiumContact 7 replaced the Continental Premium Contact 6. The Primacy 5 replaced the Michelin Primacy 4+.
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Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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