Michelin Energy Saver review
The Michelin Energy Saver is widely regarded as a class-leading tire for longevity and fuel efficiency, often exceeding 40,000–60,000 miles for many users. While it excels in dry conditions and provides a comfortable, quiet ride, it receives consistent criticism for a decline in wet-weather performance as the tread wears down and a tendency for the rubber compound to develop sidewall cracking over time.
Two scoring systems, side by side
Owner scores come from reviews on retailer and review sites; road-test scores come from instrumented tests. Where they disagree, it is usually a discipline owners rarely push to the limit.
By owner reviews
75.9%By road tests
69.8%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 137 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
The Michelin Energy Saver is widely regarded as a class-leading tire for longevity and fuel efficiency, often exceeding 40,000–60,000 miles for many users. While it excels in dry conditions and provides a comfortable, quiet ride, it receives consistent criticism for a decline in wet-weather performance as the tread wears down and a tendency for the rubber compound to develop sidewall cracking over time.
Pros
- Exceptional tread life and durability
- Noticeable improvements in fuel economy
- Low road noise and high ride comfort
- Reliable dry-weather handling and stability
Cons
- Significant loss of wet-weather grip as the tire ages
- Susceptibility to sidewall cracking and dry rot after 3-4 years
- Hard compound can feel 'skating' or insecure in cold or wet conditions
- Lack of road feedback for spirited driving
Worth knowing
- Users with heavier vehicles or those driving on rough, pothole-prone roads noted that the sidewalls can be fragile and prone to damage.
- Drivers of small hatchbacks (e.g., VW Polo, Ford Fiesta) frequently reported that the tire significantly improved steering lightness and overall handling compared to budget alternatives.
- Owners of high-mileage commuters and taxis consistently praise the tire for its cost-per-mile value, despite the performance drop-off in later years.
3 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer tire Test · 195/65 R15
5th of 20
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 17th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 16th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 13th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 7th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 8th of 20 | |
| Noise | 5th of 20 | |
| Value | 11th of 20 | |
| Price | 20th of 20 | |
| Wear | 2nd of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 2nd of 20 |
2018 AutoBild Summer tire Overview · 195/65 R15
15th of 47
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2017 ADAC 195/65 R15 Summer tire Test
11th of 16
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Handling | 5th of 16 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 5th of 16 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 16 | |
| Straight Aquaplaning | 9th of 16 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 9th of 16 | |
| Wet Braking | 9th of 16 | |
| Wet Handling | 9th of 16 | |
| Side G-Force on Wet surface | 9th of 16 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 16 | |
| Inside Noise level | 5th of 16 | |
| Wear | 1st of 16 |