78
/ 100
Objective (60%)
73/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
61/100
13 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV vs Michelin Primacy 3 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
77
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
76/100
192 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV and Michelin Primacy 3 are within 2 points overall. Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV is stronger on handling, dry and wet. Michelin Primacy 3 is stronger on comfort and treadwear.
Read full
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.
Category breakdown
6 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Primacy 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 95 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 85 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Primacy 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 79 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Primacy 3 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Primacy 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 80 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Primacy 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 68 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Primacy 3 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Primacy 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 40 | 69 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Primacy 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 87 | 77 |
| DriverReviews owners | 84 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | Michelin Primacy 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 78 | 77 |
| Dry | 91 | 85 |
| Wet | 85 | 79 |
| Comfort | 72 | 80 |
| Noise | 68 | – |
| Treadwear | 63 | 69 |
| Handling | 87 | 77 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
78
/ 100
Tire A
77
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 25% #4/8 · 2019 Auto Express SUV Tyre Test | 100% #1/16 · 2018 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 | -75 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV is generally regarded as a high-performance tire that excels in dry handling, cornering predictability, and cabin quietness. While many users praise its performance as an original equipment choice for performance-oriented vehicles, there are notable concerns regarding tread longevity and potential structural deformation issues.
Pros
- Exceptional dry handling and cornering stability
- Low road noise levels contributing to a quiet ride
- Predictable performance and driver confidence in various conditions
- Strong performance as an original equipment (OE) fitment for performance vehicles
Cons
- Reports of premature tread wear and limited mileage
- Significant concerns regarding structural deformation and vibration
- Noticeable decline in wet weather traction as the tread wears down
- Higher price point compared to some competitors with similar performance ratings
Observations
- Users with high-performance vehicles like the Subaru STi and Nissan GTR report that the stiff sidewall construction is well-matched to their handling characteristics.
- Drivers of SUVs and 4x4s have reported issues with tire deformation when the vehicle is left stationary for extended periods.
The Michelin Primacy 3 is widely regarded as a premium, comfort-oriented touring tire that excels in dry handling, ride quality, and noise suppression. While many users praise its ability to transform vehicle dynamics and provide high levels of confidence, there is a significant divide regarding tread longevity and wet-weather performance, with some users reporting rapid wear and others experiencing exceptional mileage.
Pros
- Excellent dry road grip and handling stability
- High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
- Strong fuel efficiency and low rolling resistance
- Confidence-inspiring performance in varied daily driving conditions
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life, with many reports of premature wear
- High price point relative to competitors
- Mixed feedback on wet-weather performance, particularly regarding aquaplaning resistance
- Soft sidewalls can lead to a 'wobbly' or less precise steering feel for spirited drivers
Observations
- Users with high-torque or heavy vehicles (e.g., EVs, large sedans) frequently reported faster-than-expected tread wear.
- Drivers of performance-oriented vehicles often found the tire's sidewall too soft, leading to a lack of precise feedback during aggressive cornering.
- Several users noted that maintaining specific, slightly higher tire pressures than manufacturer recommendations significantly improved both handling and longevity.
Community buzz
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Mixed
Michelin Primacy 3
Community discussions regarding the Michelin Primacy 3 generally focus on purchasing decisions, sizing questions, and comparisons against other models like the Goodyear Eagle F1, Michelin Pilot Sport 4, and Bridgestone RE003. Users note its positioning as a more fuel-efficient or cost-effective alternative to performance tires or expensive OEM options, though specific long-term performance feedback is limited in these snippets.
Top themes
#price and value#tire sizing questions#fuel efficiency#model comparisons#hot weather performance#run flat availability
Based on 6 community posts
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV | B · Michelin Primacy 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
78
/ 100
Dunlop
77
/ 100
Michelin
Too close to call: Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV and Michelin Primacy 3 are within 2 points overall. Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV is stronger on handling, dry and wet. Michelin Primacy 3 is stronger on comfort and treadwear.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV scores 87 vs 77 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Primacy 3 scores 80 vs 72 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV scores 91 vs 85 on dry.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV scores 85 vs 79 on wet.
Tire A · Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV
Tire B · Michelin Primacy 3
More comparisons
Also compared with
Dunlop Sport Maxx RT 2 SUV also compared with
Michelin Primacy 3 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.