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Michelin Primacy 5 - Test Results

Test Statistics

9

Tests Completed

4th

Average Position

1st

Best Result

7th

Worst Result

Performance Analysis

Michelin Primacy 5 - Official Image

Across 8 comparative tests the Michelin Primacy 5 shows a clear “touring Michelin” pattern: consistently strong on efficiency/low rolling resistance, long wear/low abrasion, and high comfort/low noise, while delivering safe, predictable handling rather than outright sporty grip. Overall results cluster in the mid-upper pack (average 4.6th), with one notable overall win in a combined summer/all-season test driven by excellent wet scores.

Its main trade-off is dynamic grip performance: dry braking is regularly mid-to-lower midpack, and wet lateral grip (wet circle) is repeatedly weak despite generally decent straight-line aquaplaning. Wet braking ranges from class-leading in one test to below midpack in others, suggesting the tire prioritizes longevity/total-life performance over peak wet grip depending on test surface and methodology.

Performance Strengths
  • Efficiency (Rolling Resistance / Fuel Consumption) Strong
    • 1st fuel consumption in 2026 ADAC (5.4 l/100km, 1/16)
    • 1st rolling resistance in 2026 Auto Zeitung (6.8 kg/t, 1/10)
    • 2nd rolling resistance in 2026 'BEST Summer Tires' test (7 kg/t, 2/12, +10.8% from best) and 2nd rolling resistance in 2025 Al Volante (7 kg/t, 2/7, +2.9% from best)
    • 2nd fuel consumption in 2026 Vi Bilagare (5.2 l/100km, 2/10, +1% from best)
  • Wear, Longevity & Low Particulate Abrasion Strong
    • 1st wear in 2026 Auto Zeitung (50,000 km, 1/10) and 1st abrasion (0.076 mm/1000km, 1/10)
    • 2nd wear in 2026 ADAC (56,000 km, 2/16, +3.1% from best) plus 1st abrasion (54 mg/km/t, 1/16)
  • Comfort & Noise Refinement Strong
    • 1st comfort in 2026 Auto Zeitung (subj. comfort 10 points, 1/10) and 3rd noise (69 dB, 3/10)
    • 3rd comfort in 2026 'BEST Summer Tires' test (6.9 points, 3/13) and 4th noise (70.9 dB, 4/13, +0.4% from best)
    • Quietest tire in 2025 Al Volante (noise 70.6 dB, 1/7) and 2nd comfort in 2026 Vi Bilagare (subj. comfort 2/10)
  • Aquaplaning Resistance (Straight-line) Strong
    • 1st straight aquaplaning in 2025 Summer & All Season Combined test (79.4 km/h, 1/14)
    • 2nd straight aquaplaning in 2026 'BEST Summer Tires' test (76.97 km/h, 2/12, +2.3% from best)
    • 3rd straight aquaplaning in 2026 Vi Bilagare (85 km/h, 3/10, +0.8% from best) and 3rd in 2026 Auto Zeitung (82.2 km/h, 3/10, +0.7% from best)
  • Subjective Stability / Easy Control (Dry & Wet) Moderate
    • 1st subjective dry handling in 2026 Vi Bilagare (5 points, 1/10) with mention of a composed, confidence-inspiring feel
    • Perfect wet balance ratings in 2025 Summer & All Season Combined test (subj. wet handling 10 points, 1/14) and 2nd subjective dry handling there (2/14)
Performance Weaknesses
  • Wet Lateral Grip (Wet Circle / Cornering Traction) Strong
    • 11th wet circle in 2026 'BEST Summer Tires' test (12.91 s, 11/12, +9% from best)
    • 9th wet circle in 2026 Vi Bilagare (11.66 s, 9/10, +3.2% from best)
    • Only midpack in 2026 Auto Zeitung wet circle (14.8 s, 6/10, +8% from best)
  • Dry Braking (Absolute Stopping Performance) Moderate
    • 12th dry braking in 2026 ADAC (36.3 m, 12/16, +7.1% from best)
    • 7th dry braking in 2026 Vi Bilagare (44.8 m, 7/10, +7.2% from best) and 7th in 2026 'BEST Summer Tires' test (38.39 m, 7/12, +7.4% from best)
    • 6th dry braking in 2025 Die ReifenTester (37.59 m, 6/7, +6% from best)
  • Wet Braking Consistency (Varies by Test/Surface) Moderate
    • 1st wet braking in 2025 Summer & All Season Combined test (33 m, 1/14), but 9th in 2026 'BEST Summer Tires' test (29.73 m, 9/12, +7.5% from best) and 8th in 2026 Vi Bilagare (38.8 m, 8/10, +9.3% from best)
    • Concrete wet braking weakness in 2026 ADAC (38.8 m, 8/16, +20.1% from best) despite 6th overall wet braking there (32.7 m, 6/16, +8.6% from best)
Performance Over Time

Test History

3
of 8
2026 Summer ECO Tire Test

2026
Winner: Dunlop Blue Response TG

The Michelin Primacy 5 delivers balanced and safe handling on both wet and dry surfaces, with enough cornering reserve to remain controllable at the limit. Test drivers noted good aquaplaning prote...
Strong:
Curved Aquaplaning, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Dry Braking, Wet Circle
View Test
6
of 10
2026 Vi Bilagare Summer Tire Test

2026
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

Michelin Primacy 5 delivers one of the most pleasant driving experiences in the test. Steering feel is refined with good straight-line stability, qualities that are appreciated in daily use. When p...
Strong:
Subj. Comfort, Subj. Dry Handling, Fuel Consumption
Weak:
Wet Circle
View Test
6
of 13
The BEST Summer Tires for 2026 Tested and Rated Recommended

2026
Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3

The Michelin Primacy 5 finished 6th overall and earned a Recommended award. It was one of the more road-leaning tires in the test, combining 2nd best rolling resistance with good comfort results, i...
Strong:
Rolling Resistance, Straight Aqua
Weak:
Wet Circle
View Test
7
of 16
2026 ADAC Summer Tire Test

2026
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

The Primacy 5 also misses a good safety rating. The summary describes imprecise steering and thermal sensitivity on dry and wet roads, although braking on both surfaces is good. Its environmental r...
Strong:
Abrasion, Fuel Consumption, Wear
View Test
6
of 10
2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tire Test

2026
Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7

The Michelin Primacy 5 is clearly designed with efficiency and longevity as its top priorities, and the test data confirms this. It records the lowest rolling resistance, the highest predicted trea...
Strong:
Subj. Comfort, Abrasion, Rolling Resistance, Wear
View Test
2
of 4
Michelin CrossClimate 3 & 3 Sport vs Pilot Sport 5 vs Primacy 5

2025
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 5

The Michelin Primacy 5 proved to be a highly competitive summer touring tire, performing much closer to the UHP Pilot Sport 5 than expected. Its dry handling lap was only 1.4 seconds slower, and it...
Strong:
Dry Braking, Dry Handling, Wet Braking, Wet Handling
View Test
5
of 7
2025 Die ReifenTester Summer Touring Tire Test

2025
Winner: Falken ZIEX ZE320

Michelin’s fifth‑generation Primacy behaved like a docile understeerer that has no ambitions to play the first violin. It was praised as a reliable, pleasant tire that does its job unobtrusivel...
Strong:
Subj. Comfort
Weak:
Dry Braking
View Test
4
of 7
2025 Al Volante Summer Tire Test

2025
Winner: Pirelli Cinturato C3

The Michelin Primacy 5 achieves a good balance between performance and efficiency. It delivers solid wet performance with good aquaplaning resistance. As the quietest tire in the test with excellen...
Strong:
Noise, Rolling Resistance
View Test
1
of 14
2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tire Test

2025

The Michelin Primacy 5 is excellent on wet roads with calm, easy handling and very good grip in corners. It delivers a short braking distance and outstanding resistance to aquaplaning. On dry roads...
Strong:
Subj. Noise, Subj. Dry Handling, Rolling Resistance, Straight Aqua, Subj. Wet Handling, Wet Braking
View Test