Hankook Ventus Prime 4 vs Michelin Primacy 4+
- TR Score
- 8.8/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 97
- TR Score
- 8.8/10
- Owners say
- 79% · 40
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Primacy 4+ finished ahead 5 times and the Ventus Prime 4 once, with one level. The Ventus Prime 4 lapped the dry handling course 1.2% faster; the Primacy 4+ lasted 38.2% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Michelin Primacy 4 Plus for wet-focused safety, quiet touring and high-mileage value; choose Hankook Ventus Prime 4 if you prioritize lower upfront cost with strong dry performance and acceptable all-round manners in mixed conditions.
Where the Ventus Prime 4 is stronger
- Consistently strong dry braking and confident dry handling
- Lower purchase price with very good value proposition
- Competitive rolling resistance and fuel consumption in several tests
Where the Primacy 4+ is stronger
- Wet 18/27 Held 10.2% more grip in curved aquaplaning (5 tests)
- Comfort 6/8 Was 0.8 dB quieter (6 tests)
- Value 7/11 Lasted 38.2% longer in the wear tests (3 tests)
The measured tallies (wins out of measurements in the shared tests) come straight from the tables below. The written verdict and bullet points are analysis of those tests and of owner reviews; where they and the figures disagree, the figures are right.
Ventus Prime 4 vs Primacy 4+ at a glance
| Category | Ventus Prime 4 | Gap | Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 1 | 1 level | 5 |
| Dry12 measurements | 9 | The Ventus Prime 4 lapped the dry handling course 1.2% faster (2 tests) | 3 |
| Wet27 measurements | 5 | The Primacy 4+ held 10.2% more grip in curved aquaplaning (5 tests) | 18 |
| Comfort8 measurements | 1 | The Primacy 4+ was 0.8 dB quieter (6 tests) | 6 |
| Value11 measurements | 3 | The Primacy 4+ lasted 38.2% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) | 7 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.8/10 | Level | 8.8/10 |
| Owner rating97 and 40 reviews | 82% | The Ventus Prime 4 by 3 points | 79% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 73% | The Ventus Prime 4 by 5 points | 68% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Primacy 4+ was dearer in 5 of 5 | +20.4% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 66 | 49 sizes made in both | 66 |
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 7 tests, 2023 to 2024
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 | Ventus Prime 4 | Field | Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Motorhome Summer Tire Test | P3 of 10 | P3 of 10 | |
| 2024 AutoBild Summer Tire Test | P7 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2024 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P8 of 16 | P2 of 16 | |
| 2024 Summer Tire Market Overview | P4 of 55 | P5 of 55 | |
| 2023 Motor Summer Tire Test | P7 of 8 | P2 of 8 | |
| 2023 ADAC Summer Tire Test | P9 of 50 | P3 of 50 | |
| Tire Reviews Best Summer Touring Tires | P7 of 13 | P5 of 13 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Ventus Prime 4
Primacy 4+
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 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Ventus Prime 4
Primacy 4+
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
Ventus Prime 4
Primacy 4+
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Ventus Prime 4 82% from 97 reviews and the Primacy 4+ 79% from 40. 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 | Ventus Prime 4 | Gap | Primacy 4+ | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 121 | 0.3% | 121 | 5-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 53.99 | 1.2% | 54.65 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 60.1 | 0.3% | 60.2 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 5.9% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 127 | 1.2% | 126 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 122 | 0.4% | 123 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 87.04 | 1.6% | 85.66 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44.2 | 0.4% | 44.3 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.6 | 3% | 14 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.71 | 1.5% | 11.89 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49.1 | 4.1% | 51 | 1-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 16.9 | 10.2% | 17.9 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.88 | 0.8 dB | 70.05 | 1-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 20.1 | 5.5% | 19 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 24,513 | 38.2% | 33,254 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6.3 | 0.5% | 6.4 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.75 | 0.9% | 5.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 63.15 | 19.3% | 50.9 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Ventus Prime 4 scores 8.8 and the Primacy 4+ 8.8 out of 10.
| Ventus Prime 4 | Category | Primacy 4+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | Dry | 77 | ||
| 71 | Wet | 74 | ||
| 27 | Comfort | 81 | ||
| 80 | Value | 84 | ||
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
| Ventus Prime 4 | Category | Primacy 4+ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Dry Grip | 8.5 | ||
| 8.3 | Wet Grip | 8.1 | ||
| 8.1 | Road Feedback | 7.3 | ||
| 8.2 | Handling | 7.2 | ||
| 7.8 | Wear | 8 | ||
| 8 | Comfort | 8.1 | ||
Owners rate the Ventus Prime 4 82% from 97 reviews and the Primacy 4+ 79% from 40. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Hankook Ventus Prime 4
- 82%from 97 reviews
- 73%would buy again
- 1,056,322 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 highly overall (average 80.7%), most often praising its strong dry grip and confident, predictable dry handling, backed up by a comfortable, generally quiet ride. Wet grip is also widely seen as secure for a touring tire, with many calling it reassuring in heavy rain, though a minority report some instability or weaker aquaplaning resistance. The main recurring drawback is longevity: wear and performance consistency split opinion, with around one in four owners mentioning tread life and around one in ten saying grip drops off noticeably as the tire wears, sometimes accompanied by increased noise.
- Strong dry grip with plenty of traction
- Excellent dry handling and confidence in corners
- Comfortable, compliant ride quality
- Generally low road noise for a touring tire
- Tread life can be disappointing for some drivers
- Grip drops off as the tire wears
- Road noise can be noticeable on some surfaces
Summarised by AI from 87 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 97 Ventus Prime 4 reviewsNo complaints on Wet or Dry grip for everyday driving. It was a 2025 tire with 12k miles had to deal with a full blowout while driving. From a tropical climate with 99% indoor parking.
Michelin Primacy 4+
- 79%from 40 reviews
- 68%would buy again
- 365,700 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally describe the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus as a comfortable, confidence-inspiring touring tire with strong grip, particularly in the dry and usually in the wet. Around two in five mention low road noise and good refinement, though noise is split and a noticeable minority find it loud or droning on rough surfaces. Where criticisms cluster, it's most often about a less sporty, slower steering response (around one in five owners), with a smaller group also disappointed by cold/damp performance and the tire's price.
- Comfortable, compliant ride quality
- Strong dry grip
- Reassuring wet grip
- Generally quiet and refined for a touring tire
- Dull or slow steering response (not very sporty)
- Can be noisy/drone on certain road surfaces
- Cold or damp-weather grip can feel weak
Summarised by AI from 34 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 40 Primacy 4+ reviewsAverage dry grip , super wet grip....very low wear.Good comfort, but quite noisy on rough asphalt...basicly my only complain.I have never drived more noisy tires in my life.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 66 sizes of the Ventus Prime 4 and 66 of the Primacy 4+, 49 of them made in both.
| Category | Ventus Prime 4 | Primacy 4+ |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 66 sizes, 15 to 20 inch | 66 sizes, 16 to 21 inch |
| Made in both | 49 sizes 185/55 R16195/50 R16195/55 R16195/60 R16205/45 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16205/65 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16215/70 R16and 37 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A88%B12% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | B47%C39%A14% | C63%B37% |
| EU label noise | 68-71 dB A52%B48% | 68-72 dB B100% |
| On the market since | - | 2022 |
| Replaced | Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125 | Michelin Primacy 4 (2017) |
| Replaced by | - | Michelin Primacy 5 |
| Awards | Winner: Summer Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2023) | Highly Recommended: Best Tires for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Highly Recommended: Best Tires for Large Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2024/25) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Primacy 4+ was the dearer tire in 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 20.4% 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.
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.
This head-to-head pitches two of the most popular premium-touring summer tires against each other: Hankook's value-driven Ventus Prime 4 and Michelin's endurance-focused Primacy 4 Plus. Across seven shared tests from ADAC, AutoBild, Tire Reviews and others, both deliver safe, rounded road manners, but they take notably different paths to that result.
The data shows a clear split: Hankook frequently excels in dry braking and subjective dry handling at a lower purchase price, while Michelin consistently leads in wet handling and aquaplaning resistance, runs quieter, and achieves markedly higher mileage. With five overall test wins to Hankook's one, Michelin's edge is built on wet-road security and longevity, whereas Hankook's appeal rests on upfront value, strong dry performance, and competitive efficiency.
Conclusion
If your priority is confidence in the rain, stability through standing water, and long-term economy via tread life, the Primacy 4 Plus is the safer, more durable choice. It dominates wet handling and aquaplaning in most tests and regularly posts the quietest results, with wear advantages often exceeding 20-45% versus Hankook-more than offsetting its higher purchase price for high-mileage drivers.
Conversely, if you want sharp, reassuring dry-road behavior with short dry braking and you're price-sensitive, the Ventus Prime 4 delivers excellent day-to-day performance and value. Its main compromise is lower aquaplaning resistance and slightly weaker wet balance in some tests. For urban and mixed-use drivers covering average annual miles and watching upfront cost, Hankook is compelling; for motorway, all-weather and high-mileage users, Michelin is the smarter long-game pick.
Ventus Prime 4 vs Primacy 4+: your questions
Is the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 or the Michelin Primacy 4+ the better tire?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Primacy 4+ finished ahead 5 times and the Ventus Prime 4 once, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Ventus Prime 4 scores 8.8 and the Primacy 4+ 8.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Ventus Prime 4 or the Primacy 4+?
The Primacy 4+ led 18 of the 27 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it held 10.2% more grip in curved aquaplaning across 5 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Ventus Prime 4 led 9 of the 12 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it lapped the dry handling course 1.2% faster across 2 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Ventus Prime 4 used 0.9% less fuel (2 tests); the Primacy 4+ lasted 38.2% longer in the wear tests (3 tests) and shed 19.3% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests). Owners rate wear 7.8/10 for the Ventus Prime 4 and 8/10 for the Primacy 4+.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Primacy 4+ was 0.8 dB quieter (6 tests). Owners rate comfort 8/10 for the Ventus Prime 4 and 8.1/10 for the Primacy 4+.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Ventus Prime 4 82% from 97 reviews and the Primacy 4+ 79% from 40. 73% of Ventus Prime 4 owners would buy it again, against 68% for the Primacy 4+.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the Primacy 4+ was the dearer tire in 5 of them, by 20.4% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Ventus Prime 4 is made in 66 sizes (15 to 20 inch) and the Primacy 4+ in 66 (16 to 21 inch). 49 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Ventus Prime 4 is graded A for wet grip and B for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Primacy 4+ A and C.
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Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
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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