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Head-to-head Updated September 2026

Michelin Primacy 4 vs Pirelli Scorpion Verde — 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.

Tire A Michelin

Michelin Primacy 4

Summer Premium Touring tires

Michelin Primacy 4 tread pattern
Objective (60%)
90/100
23 professional tests
User signal (40%)
79/100
185 owner reviews
Dry
87
Wet
83
Snow
–
Comfort
77
Noise
75
Treadwear
82
Handling
77

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VS
Tire B Pirelli

Pirelli Scorpion Verde

Summer Ultra High Performance tires

Pirelli Scorpion Verde tread pattern
Objective (60%)
65/100
4 professional tests
User signal (40%)
82/100
148 owner reviews
Dry
86
Wet
83
Snow
86
Comfort
34
Noise
70
Treadwear
76
Handling
68

Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.

VerdictWinner: Michelin Primacy 4 — better comfort, handling and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
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Category breakdown

7 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

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Primacy 4 leads by 1
A — Michelin Primacy 4
87
B — Pirelli Scorpion Verde
86
Why this score
SourcePrimacy 4Scorpion Verde
Professional tests (TWG score) 88 84
Tire Rack owners – 94
Tyre Reviews owners 85 78
SimpleTire owners – 89
Dry Braking (% of best) 97% 94%
Dry Handling (% of best) 99% 99%

Wet

Weight: Important
Score (0–100)
A — Michelin Primacy 4
83
B — Pirelli Scorpion Verde
83
Why this score
SourcePrimacy 4Scorpion Verde
Professional tests (TWG score) 85 83
Tire Rack owners – 84
Tyre Reviews owners 81 69
SimpleTire owners – 86
Wet Braking (% of best) 94% 100%
Wet Handling (% of best) 97% 94%

Snow

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100)
A — Michelin Primacy 4
–
B — Pirelli Scorpion Verde
86
Why this score
SourcePrimacy 4Scorpion Verde
SimpleTire owners – 89

Comfort

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Primacy 4 leads by 43
A — Michelin Primacy 4
77
B — Pirelli Scorpion Verde
34
Why this score
SourcePrimacy 4Scorpion Verde
Professional tests (TWG score) 74 1
Tire Rack owners – 87
Tyre Reviews owners 83 71
SimpleTire owners – 91

Noise

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Primacy 4 leads by 5
A — Michelin Primacy 4
75
B — Pirelli Scorpion Verde
70
Why this score
SourcePrimacy 4Scorpion Verde
Professional tests (TWG score) 75 57
SimpleTire owners – 80

Treadwear

Weight: Important
Score (0–100) Primacy 4 leads by 6
A — Michelin Primacy 4
82
B — Pirelli Scorpion Verde
76
Why this score
SourcePrimacy 4Scorpion Verde
Tire Rack owners – 73
Tyre Reviews owners 82 60
SimpleTire owners – 93

Handling

Weight: Neutral
Score (0–100) Primacy 4 leads by 9
A — Michelin Primacy 4
77
B — Pirelli Scorpion Verde
68
Why this score
SourcePrimacy 4Scorpion Verde
Tyre Reviews owners 77 68
DriverReviews owners 86 84

Scores at a glance

Michelin Primacy 4 vs Pirelli Scorpion Verde: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin Primacy 4Pirelli Scorpion Verde
Relative Score 81 72
Dry 87 86
Wet 83 83
Snow – 86
Comfort 77 34
Noise 75 70
Treadwear 82 76
Handling 77 68

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

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Recomputed
Headline score

Tire A

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.

DisciplineCategoryTire ATire BΔBoth?
Dry Braking Dry 97% #5/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 94% #3/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test +3 Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 99% #8/8 · 2024 AMS Summer SUV Tyre Test 99% #3/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test -0.3 Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 91% #7/10 · 2024 Motorhome Summer Tyre Test 98% #3/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test -6.8 Different tests
Grass Traction Grass 96% #3/10 · 2021 All Road SUV Summer Tyre Test 87% #8/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test +9.1 Different tests
Gravel Handling Gravel 100% #3/10 · 2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test -0.3 Different tests
Gravel Traction Gravel 97% #2/10 · 2021 All Road SUV Summer Tyre Test 98% #2/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test -1.2 Different tests
Mud Traction Mud 88% #6/10 · 2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 88% #6/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test +0.2 Different tests
Noise Other 96% #2/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test 94% #2/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test +1.5 Different tests
Price Other 94% #11/13 · Tyre Reviews Best Summer Touring Tyres 89% #9/10 · 2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test +5.2 Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall 14% #7/9 · 2024 AZ Summer Tyre Test 13% #8/10 · 2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test +1.8 Different tests
Sand Traction Sand 94% #9/10 · 2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test 92% #7/10 · 2020 SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test +2.2 Different tests
Straight Aqua Straight 82% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 96% #5/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test -13.7 Different tests
Subj. Comfort Subj 88% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test 50% #7/8 · 2020 ViBilagare SUV Tyre Test +37.5 Different tests
Subj. Noise Subj 60% #7/8 · 2021 ViBilagare Summer Tyre Test 50% #6/8 · 2020 ViBilagare SUV Tyre Test +10 Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 94% #6/50 · 2023 ADAC Summer Tyre Test 100% #1/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test -6.3 Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 97% #6/8 · 2023 Motor Summer Tyre Test 94% #5/8 · 2018 All Road 265/60 R18 4x4 Tyre Test +2.9 Different tests
From owners

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Michelin Primacy 4

The Michelin Primacy 4 is widely regarded as a premium, long-lasting touring tire that excels in comfort, noise reduction, and consistent wet-weather performance. While it is highly praised for its longevity and safety, some enthusiasts find its handling 'floaty' or lacking in road feedback compared to sport-oriented tires, leading to a polarized experience depending on driving style.

Pros

  • Exceptional tread life and longevity
  • High levels of ride comfort and low road noise
  • Consistent performance even as the tire wears
  • Strong wet-weather grip and aquaplaning resistance

Cons

  • Vague steering feel and lack of road feedback
  • Soft sidewalls can feel 'mushy' or 'floaty' during spirited driving
  • High price point compared to competitors
  • Increased noise levels as the tire ages

Observations

  • Users with heavier vehicles or EVs often report a 'floaty' sensation, which some mitigate by increasing tire pressure.
  • Drivers of performance-oriented hatchbacks often find the tire's touring-focused design disappointing compared to UHP alternatives.
  • The tire is frequently noted for transforming the ride quality of vehicles previously fitted with harsh run-flat tires.
Tire B Pirelli Scorpion Verde

The Pirelli Scorpion Verde is a polarizing tire that receives high praise for its initial comfort, low road noise, and smooth handling characteristics. However, user experiences are significantly divided regarding tread longevity and wet-weather performance, with a notable subset of owners reporting premature wear and inconsistent traction in adverse conditions.

Pros

  • Excellent ride comfort and low road noise levels when new.
  • Strong dry-road handling and steering precision.
  • Good fuel efficiency due to low rolling resistance.
  • Generally positive performance in light snow and varied all-season conditions for many users.

Cons

  • Frequent reports of premature tread wear, often falling well short of mileage warranties.
  • Inconsistent wet-weather performance, with some users citing aquaplaning and poor grip.
  • Increased road noise and vibration as the tire wears down.
  • Reports of structural issues, including sidewall cracking and tires becoming 'out of round'.

Observations

  • Owners of heavier SUVs and AWD vehicles (e.g., VW Tiguan, Land Rover, Jeep Grand Cherokee) report highly variable tread life, with some achieving high mileage while others report rapid wear.
  • Users with 20-inch and larger wheel sizes frequently report issues with vibration and 'out of round' tires, suggesting potential sensitivity to larger rim profiles.
  • Drivers of luxury SUVs (Volvo XC60/XC90) often report higher satisfaction levels, suggesting the tire may be better suited to specific vehicle suspension tunings.
Community buzz

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Michelin Primacy 4

Positive

Community opinion on the Michelin Primacy 4 is largely positive, praising its exceptional wet braking capabilities, impressive longevity, low cabin noise, and smooth ride quality. While some users note limitations in heavy snow or rougher tarmac surfaces, it is widely recommended as a top-tier touring tire for daily driving compared to sportier alternatives like the Pilot Sport series.

r/i20nline_india ·21 upvotes ·2025-07-21

“Review: Michelin Primacy 4 ST I own a 2023 N8 DCT and recently changed all four tyres from the stock CEATs after one of the tyres’ sidewall was punctured on hitting a rather deep pothole at high speed. Cost: INR 9,750 per tyre Existing tyre buyback: INR 1,000 per tyre (~15k kms) Review: I’ve been using the new tyres for a few weeks now and I’m happy with the upgrade. The difference is noticeable, but only if you pay attention. I’d say a non-savvy person won’t notice anything different unless you ask them to pay attention. At low speeds, the road noise is reduced and the vehicle is noticeably silent (almost dead silent if the roads are smooth and the engine is at low revs) and smoother. At high speeds, the noise level difference is not very noticeable due to the engine and wind noise, but the smoothness and grip is noticeably better. That said, I wouldn’t say the stock tyres are bad (in terms of both - noise and grip) as a lot of reviewers like to point out; definitely not a night and day difference for me. Lastly, I believe the fuel efficiency has improved due to the lower rolling resistance, but I don’t have enough data to claim this confidently. My verdict is to only upgrade if your current tyres are worn out. Personally, I don’t think spending close to 40k is worth it for the budget conscious. But if you have the money to spare, you will definitely be happy with the upgrade. Read more”

r/AutomobileRO ·2 upvotes ·2025-09-22

“Am avut primacy 4 pe o electrica. Destul de dezamagit de faptul ca dupa ~ 28.000 km s-au tocit rau de au ajuns cam la 3 mm. Placute la condus, silentioase, dar nu cele mai aderente. Pilot sport 4 pe aceiasi electrica cu primacy 4. Huruie de te doare capul. Aderenta nu o simt neaparat wow fata de primacy 4. Nu le mai suport si abia astept sa le trec pe iarna, oricum asta fiind ultima incaltare cu ele. Pe o termica am primacy 5, si sunt cele mai ok din experienta mea. Cele mai silentioase si aderente din cele 3. Dupa 20.000 km uzura a scazut cam cu 1 mm. Recomandarea mea e sa alegi primacy 5 fara ezitare.”

r/nzev ·1 upvote ·2026-02-11

“Both our Polestar2 (new) and 2016 Leaf (Jap import) arrived with Primacy 4s on them. The FWD Polestar needed fronts replaced at ~35k km and being 245/45 R19s Primacy were too pricey so went with Kumho Ecsta PS71 equivalents for a lot cheaper and negligible difference in performance. The rears on the Polestar are still going strong at 45k km and look like at least 60k km will be likely. We also fitted Kumhos on our previous Leaf and were very satisfied with performance and life.”

r/nzev ·1 upvote ·2026-02-11

“When I bought my freshly imported 2014 Nissan Leaf in Sept 2020 it had 27,xxx km on the odometer and a full set of Michelin Primacy 4 that were sidewall dated from very late 2018, so likely only very low mileage on them. I put another 47,000km on them before replacing with a full set of Toyo Proxes C100 Plus in April 2024 which have also been great. The Michelin fronts were certainly very worn particularly the shoulders. I really rate Toyos so would encourage you to have a look. I’ve since put 21,000km on the Toyos and even after 12,500km, in May 2025 at their most recent WOF, the fronts still measured at 7mm and rears 8mm. P.S I paid $900 total for the 4 x Toyos inc. fitting, disposal etc.”

Top themes
#Wet braking and grip#Ride comfort and low noise#Tread wear and longevity#Comparison with Pilot Sport#Performance on EVs and hybrids

Based on 31 community posts

Tire B

Pirelli Scorpion Verde

Mixed

Community opinions on the Pirelli Scorpion Verde are mixed, with many users praising their dry and wet road performance, while heavily criticizing their poor snow capabilities and short tread life. Several drivers report replacing them prematurely due to rapid wear, hydroplaning concerns, or harsh ride quality, often switching to alternatives like the Michelin CrossClimate2.

r/VolvoXC90 ·31 upvotes ·2025-02-19

“Are Pirelli Scorpion Verde really that ‘not awesome’? Took our fair weather Georgia ‘23 B6 up to Michigan this past week. Great stuff, except for some slipping and sliding. I’ve read in this forum that some folks are not fans of the stock Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires. But it wasn’t enough for me to consider alternatives prior to our trip, like replacing the 32k mile tires or buying dedicated winter tires. We won’t do such trips often, once a year max. Now I’ve go my eye on the future as the Pirellis wear out. When temps were below <20F (-6C) there was some slipping and sliding when I wasn’t expecting it. My sister’s rented Atlas did not seem to suffer the same behavior. (I assume stock all season.) Any help calibrating my expectations would be welcomed. PS: we did have chains in the trunk if conditions got really bad.”

r/Lexus ·6 upvotes ·2026-06-17

“Time to start considering my next set of tires Bought my used 2010 Lexus RX450h a few years ago, and the tread is starting to get shallow, after putting about 30k on the Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season tires that came with the vehicle (vehicle is at 116k total). I've been very happy with the performance I've received on the Pirelli tires; especially in heavy rains. The one thing I haven't really done is take them to the snow. But, with that said, I've been looking at other brands. The Bridgestone Blizzak and UltraWeather tires carry 80k mile warrantees, and are less expensive. Plus, the latter has the 3PMSF rating along with the M+S, so it's actually rated for snowy conditions. There's also the Michelin CrossClimate 2 to consider. Am I giving up performance in rainy conditions by going with the higher snow rated tire? The Pirelli tires are about $30ish more per tire. In the scheme of things is $100-120 per set in the scheme of things? What other brands/models are people using that gives them really good performance in rain, with some trips to the snow/ice country? FWIW: My tire size is the bigger 235/55R19 that came as an option on the vehicle Read more”

r/VolvoXC90 ·4 upvotes ·2025-02-20

“We had the stock Pirelli Scorpion Verdes on our XC40 and I can corroborate that they were pretty terrible in the snow. No complaints about them in the dry or wet though, so they would probably be fine for warmer climates. The dealer put Michelin CC2s on our XC60 before we picked it up and I concur with everyone saying they are excellent in the snow. They’re good enough that when our XC90 makes it stateside we’re going to have the dealer take off the brand new Pirelli’s and put on CC2s so I don’t have to worry about swapping snow tires on every year.”

r/LandRover ·1 upvote ·2023-07-16

“My Freelander used Scorpion Verde all-seaons from new. They weren't bad tyres, but I wouldn't buy them myself if that makes sense. They did last me a good while, but when they hit about 4mm of tread I did notice they were needing replacement soon. I ended up going with Vredestein QuaTrac Pro's. Slightly worse on fuel economy, according to the label, but they appear to hold up better. 19 inch alloys really limit what you can do. Personally I would drop down to 18 inch wheels. You get a good choice of rubber plus the bigger tyres make for a more comfortable ride.”

Top themes
#Winter and snow performance#Tread wear and longevity#Wet weather traction#Ride comfort and bumps#OEM fitment experience

Based on 23 community posts

Specifications

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Primacy 4 B · Pirelli Scorpion Verde
CategorySummer Premium Touring tiresSummer Ultra High Performance tires
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverSUV and 4x4
Sizes available—53
Rim diameters—16″ – 22″
Tread depth—8/32″
UTQG—400 A A
Sidewall—Blackwall
Max pressure—51 psi
Final verdict

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin

Pirelli

Winner: Michelin Primacy 4 — better comfort, handling and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin Primacy 4 scores 77 vs 34 on comfort.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Primacy 4 scores 77 vs 68 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Primacy 4 scores 82 vs 76 on treadwear.

Pick tire A You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Primacy 4 scores 75 vs 70 on noise.

Tire A · Michelin Primacy 4
Tire B · Pirelli Scorpion Verde

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.