Tested 30 times by independent publications, the Michelin Primacy 4 has taken 8 test wins with an average finish of 4th. Its strongest discipline is Rolling Resistance, beating 84% of the field across 16 tests; its weakest is Curved Aquaplaning, at 25% across 5 tests.
2022 AZ SUV Tire Test P3 of 10
The Primacy 4 has balanced grip in the dry and wet, focusing on safety qualities rather than dynamic driving.
Where the Michelin Primacy 4 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 22 | P3.9 of 15.7 | 79% | 5 |
| Dry Handling | 17 | P6.5 of 12.6 | 54% | 1 |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 5 | P5.6 of 13 | 66% | 1 |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 23 | P4 of 15.7 | 77% | 6 |
| Wet Handling | 19 | P6 of 12.4 | 53% | 2 |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 5 | P3.8 of 13 | 73% | - |
| Wet Circle | 4 | P8.8 of 12.8 | 33% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 18 | P6.8 of 11.8 | 43% | 1 |
| Curved Aquaplaning Weak | 5 | P8.8 of 12 | 25% | - |
| Off road | ||||
| Gravel Handling | 2 | P4.5 of 10.5 | 62% | - |
| Gravel Traction | 3 | P6 of 9.7 | 42% | - |
| Sand Traction | 2 | P10 of 10.5 | 5% | - |
| Grass Traction | 3 | P3 of 10 | 78% | - |
| Mud Traction | 2 | P6 of 10.5 | 47% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 6 | P4.2 of 11.7 | 75% | 1 |
| Subj. Noise | 1 | P5 of 8 | 43% | - |
| Noise | 16 | P4.5 of 12.9 | 66% | 2 |
| Tire Weight | 3 | P4.7 of 11 | 66% | 1 |
| Value | ||||
| Wear | 3 | P2.7 of 17.7 | 87% | - |
| Value | 2 | P7.5 of 20.5 | 67% | - |
| Rolling Resistance Strong | 16 | P2.6 of 12 | 84% | 5 |
| Fuel Consumption | 2 | P4 of 9 | 67% | 1 |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Michelin Primacy 4. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bridgestone Turanza T005
24 shared: 12 ahead, 10 behind
Compare with Turanza T005 |
24 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 55% |
 Continental Premium Contact 6
20 shared: 6 ahead, 13 behind
|
20 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 32% |
 Maxxis Premitra HP5
16 shared: 14 ahead, 2 behind
|
16 | 14 | 2 | - | 88% |
 Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
14 shared: 8 ahead, 5 behind
Compare with EfficientGrip Performance 2 |
14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 62% |
 Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun
13 shared: 10 ahead, 3 behind
|
13 | 10 | 3 | - | 77% |
 Hankook Ventus Prime 3 K125
11 shared: 7 ahead, 4 behind
|
11 | 7 | 4 | - | 64% |
 Nokian WetProof
11 shared: 7 ahead, 4 behind
|
11 | 7 | 4 | - | 64% |
 Firestone RoadHawk
10 shared: 9 ahead, 1 behind
|
10 | 9 | 1 | - | 90% |
 BFGoodrich Advantage
9 shared: 9 ahead, 0 behind
|
9 | 9 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Toyo Proxes Comfort
9 shared: 7 ahead, 1 behind
|
9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 88% |
 Dunlop Sport BluResponse
8 shared: 6 ahead, 2 behind
|
8 | 6 | 2 | - | 75% |
 Pirelli Cinturato P7 C2
7 shared: 4 ahead, 3 behind
|
7 | 4 | 3 | - | 57% |
 Kleber Dynaxer HP4
6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind
|
6 | 6 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Continental EcoContact 6
6 shared: 6 ahead, 0 behind
|
6 | 6 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Semperit Speed Life 3
6 shared: 5 ahead, 1 behind
|
6 | 5 | 1 | - | 83% |
 Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
6 shared: 4 ahead, 2 behind
|
6 | 4 | 2 | - | 67% |
 Barum Bravuris 5HM
5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind
|
5 | 5 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Pirelli CINTURA/TO P7
5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind
|
5 | 5 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Laufenn S Fit EQ+
5 shared: 5 ahead, 0 behind
|
5 | 5 | 0 | - | 100% |
 Uniroyal RainSport 5
5 shared: 4 ahead, 1 behind
|
5 | 4 | 1 | - | 80% |
The same record for the tire it replaced and the tire that replaced it.
| Tire | Tests | Wins | Avg finish | Field beaten |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin Primacy 3 Predecessor | 24 | 4 | 6th | 68% |
| Michelin Primacy 4 This tire | 30 | 8 | 4th | 73% |
| Michelin Primacy 4+ Successor | 12 | 1 | 4th | 62% |
Drawn from 30 tests. Updated August 26, 2025.
Across 30 summer tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 delivers consistently strong all-round touring performance with standout braking, low rolling resistance, high comfort and excellent wear. It frequently wins or places on the podium (multiple test wins in 2018-2022, average overall position 3.6), with repeated top results in dry braking and competitive wet braking, and class-leading efficiency. Comfort and noise scores are regularly among the best, and wear performance is often top-tier.
Key trade-offs are weaker aquaplaning/deep-water capability and middling wet handling relative to its braking strength, plus very high purchase price. Several SUV-size tests show pronounced aquaplaning deficits, and value is hampered by premium pricing despite low running costs.
short braking distances- 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2022)
shortest braking distances- 2021 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test (2021)
very short wet braking- 2021 Tire Reviews SUV Tire Test (2021)
Very short braking distances in the wet- 2021 Camper Van / SUV Tire Test (2021)
still has good wet braking- 2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2021)
low fuel consumption- 2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tire Test (2022)
low rolling resistance- 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2022)
fuel-saving rolling resistance- 2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer Tire Test (2022)
very low rolling resistance very low wear- 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tire Test (2021)
lowest fuel consumption on test- 2021 ViBilagare Summer Tire Test (2021)
short braking distances- 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2022)
short dry braking distances- 2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer Tire Test (2022)
good dry braking- 2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2021)
shortest braking distances- 2021 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test (2021)
Shortest dry braking by a margin- 2021 Tire Reviews SUV Tire Test (2021)
particularly good in the dry- 2022 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 15 Inch (2022)
The Michelin Primacy 4 achieved the second best result on dry roads- 2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tire Test (2022)
balanced grip in the dry and wet- 2022 AZ SUV Tire Test (2022)
Top performer in the wet and dry with precise handling, short dry braking distance, good aquaplaning resistance- 2021 All Road SUV Summer Tire Test (2021)
very good in the dry- 2020 ADAC SUV Summer Tire Test (2020)
low wear- 2022 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 15 Inch (2022)
low wear- 2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer Tire Test (2022)
very low wear- 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tire Test (2022)
lowest wear on test- 2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2021)
very low rolling resistance very low wear- 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tire Test (2021)
Average aquaplaning qualities- 2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer Tire Test (2022)
weak aquaplaning resistance- 2021 ADAC Summer Tire Test - 225/50 R17 (2021)
Poor aquaplaning resistance- 2021 Sport Auto Summer Tire Test (2021)
Poor resistance to lateral aquaplaning- 2021 ACE / GTU Summer Tire Test (2021)
Lowest aquaplaning resistance on test- 2021 Tire Reviews SUV Tire Test (2021)
cost the tire time on the wet handling lap- 2021 Tire Reviews SUV Tire Test (2021)
relatively slow dry and wet handling laps- 2020 Tire Reviews Ultimate Summer Tire Test (2020)
Every tester write-up on the Michelin Primacy 4 (22 tests) and 171 owner reviews were tagged for the aspects they judge. Where both have spoken, this is how they line up.
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The Primacy 4 has balanced grip in the dry and wet, focusing on safety qualities rather than dynamic driving.
Primacy 4 has a natural and nice driving feel with a linear steering response combined with good stability, it remains logical and easy to drive when balancing on the grip limit. In the evasive maneuver tests, it handles the change of load effect without issue. Now when the environmentally optimized e.Primacy has been launched, we note that Primacy 4 has a deeper pattern depth than previous tests and "P4" has the highest resistance to aquaplaning in this group. However, the wet grip of the rubber compound itself is not top notch. Maybe this is the compromise that comes with Michelin's pronounced focus on durability?Furthermore, the road noise is sensitive to the surface with higher noise on rough asphalt.
The Michelin Primacy 4 achieved the second best result on dry roads. In the wet, it is rated just as good, but it can play its trump cards when it wears out. All in all, the tire is clearly particularly recommendable and thus gets one of the first two places in the overall ranking.
The Michelin Primacy 4 shines with good results both in the driving maneuvers on dry and wet roads and in the wear test, which is why it is classified as particularly recommendable.
Michelin impresses with its top performance, but makes you pay for it.
The Michelin Primacy 4 is an excellent tire with very low fuel use and an excellent braking ability. Unfortunately the tire has the shallowest tread depth on test, and while that's unlikely to be a wear issue for the French tire, it did mean the tire scored poorly in aquaplaning test, and struggled in the deeper parts of water on the wet handling lap.
Highly recommended.
Very good.
Highly Recommended.
The Michelin Primacy 4 is a specialist in dry conditions with good dry braking and precise steering and handling. The Primacy 4 loses points in the wet, with weak aquaplaning resistance, but still has good wet braking. Average road noise, but the lowest wear on test.
Impressive all-round result from Michelin which performed well and felt good to drive.
The Primacy 4 is a great all round tire, and while it doesn't excel in any category, it has relatively few flaws.
Highly Recommended
Low fuel use, but low wet grip.
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Michelin tires