Michelin Primacy 4 review
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.
Owners rate it 11.4 points lower than the instrumented road tests do — see the two score breakdowns below for where they disagree.
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
79%By road tests
90.4%What owners like and dislike
Themes extracted from 185 owner reviews across retailers and review sites.
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
Worth knowing
- 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.
41 published test appearances
Placement within each field. Open a test for the discipline-by-discipline result.
2025 EV tire Test · 215/55 R18
4th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Wet Circle | 7th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 8 | |
| Dry Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 8 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 7th of 8 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 2nd of 8 | |
| Noise | 6th of 8 | |
| Value | 8th of 8 | |
| Wear | 2nd of 8 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 5th of 8 | |
| Range | 3rd of 8 |
The Best Touring tires for 2025 Tested · 225/50 R17
5th of 7
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 6th of 7 | |
| Dry Handling | 5th of 7 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 7 | |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd of 7 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2nd of 7 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st of 7 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 7 |
2024 Motorhome Summer tire Test · 225/55 R17
4th of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 3rd of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 7th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 8th of 10 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 7th of 10 | |
| Noise | 7th of 10 |
2024 AMS Summer SUV tire Test · 235/55 R18
8th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 8th of 8 | |
| Wet Circle | 7th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 8 | |
| Dry Handling | 8th of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 8th of 8 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 8th of 8 | |
| Noise | 4th of 8 |
2024 AZ Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17
7th of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 9th of 9 | |
| Wet Handling | 9th of 9 | |
| Wet Circle | 9th of 9 | |
| Dry Braking | 4th of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st of 9 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 9 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 9 |
2024 AutoBild Summer tire Test · 205/55 R16
1st of 20
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 12th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 7th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 10th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 12th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd of 20 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 4th of 20 | |
| Noise | 3rd of 20 | |
| Value | 9th of 20 | |
| Wear | 3rd of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 9th of 20 |
2024 ADAC Summer tire Test · 215/55 R17
2nd of 16
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 16 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 16 | |
| Straight Aqua | 10th of 16 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 13th of 16 | |
| Noise | 3rd of 16 | |
| Value | 10th of 16 | |
| Price | 16th of 16 | |
| Wear | 3rd of 16 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 6th of 16 | |
| Abrasion | 1st of 16 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 5th of 16 |
2023 Motor Summer tire Test · 205/55 R16
2nd of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 8 | |
| Dry Handling | 7th of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd of 8 | |
| Noise | 3rd of 8 | |
| Price | 6th of 8 |
2023 ADAC Summer tire Test · 205/55 R16
3rd of 50
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 50 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 50 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 50 | |
| Value | 16th of 50 | |
| Wear | 4th of 50 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 33rd of 50 | |
| Abrasion | 4th of 50 | |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | 11th of 50 |
Tyre Reviews Best Summer Touring tires · 205/55 R16
5th of 13
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 5th of 13 | |
| Dry Handling | 12th of 13 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th of 13 | |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd of 13 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 13 | |
| Price | 11th of 13 |
2022 Auto Express SUV tire Test · 235/55 R18
5th of 7
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2022 AZ SUV tire Test · 215/55 R17
4th of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 1st of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 10 | |
| Noise | 3rd of 10 | |
| Price | 10th of 10 |
2022 ViBilagare Eco vs Normal tire Test · 205/55 R16
5th of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 5th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 6th of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 1st of 10 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 2nd of 10 | |
| Price | 8th of 10 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 7th of 10 |
2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer tire Test · 235/55 R18
4th of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 8th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 10th of 10 | |
| Noise | 3rd of 10 | |
| Price | 10th of 10 | |
| Gravel Handling | 3rd of 10 | |
| Gravel Traction | 9th of 10 | |
| Sand Traction | 9th of 10 | |
| Grass Traction | 3rd of 10 | |
| Mud Traction | 6th of 10 |
2022 Auto Bild Summer tire Test · 215/55 R17
3rd of 21
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 10th of 21 | |
| Wet Handling | 13th of 21 | |
| Wet Circle | 13th of 21 | |
| Dry Braking | 8th of 21 | |
| Dry Handling | 2nd of 21 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 21 | |
| Straight Aqua | 5th of 21 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 14th of 21 | |
| Noise | 4th of 21 | |
| Value | 8th of 21 | |
| Wear | 2nd of 21 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 3rd of 21 |
2022 ADAC Summer tire Test - 15 Inch · 185/65 R15
3rd of 16
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2022 ADAC 16" SUV Summer tire Test · 215/60 R16
1st of 18
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2022 Summer tire Market Overview · 215/55 R17
8th of 44
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 10th of 44 | |
| Dry Braking | 8th of 44 |
2021 Camper Van / SUV tire Test · 235/55 R17
1st of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 8 | |
| Dry Handling | 4th of 8 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 8th of 8 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 8th of 8 | |
| Noise | 1st of 8 | |
| Price | 8th of 8 |
2021 Tyre Reviews SUV tire Test · 235/55 R18
1st of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Handling | 7th of 9 | |
| Dry Handling | 5th of 9 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st of 9 | |
| Straight Aqua | 9th of 9 | |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 9th of 9 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 4th of 9 | |
| Noise | 5th of 9 |
2021 ACE / GTU Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17
5th of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2021 ViBilagare Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17
5th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 3rd of 8 | |
| Wet Handling | 5th of 8 | |
| Dry Braking | 4th of 8 | |
| Dry Handling | 5th of 8 | |
| Straight Aqua | 5th of 8 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 4th of 8 | |
| Subj. Noise | 7th of 8 | |
| Price | 7th of 8 | |
| Fuel Consumption | 1st of 8 |
2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer tire Test · 205/55 R16
8th of 20
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 13th of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 12th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 19th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 6th of 20 | |
| Noise | 4th of 20 | |
| Value | 7th of 20 | |
| Wear | 2nd of 20 | |
| Total Cost of Ownership | 3rd of 20 |
2021 Sport Auto Summer tire Test · 195/55 R16
1st of 11
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st of 11 | |
| Wet Handling | 1st of 11 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 11 | |
| Dry Handling | 7th of 11 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 11 | |
| Straight Aqua | 9th of 11 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 11 | |
| Price | 10th of 11 |
2021 All Road SUV Summer tire Test · 215/60 R17
2nd of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 3rd of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 2nd of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 4th of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 4th of 10 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 10 | |
| Price | 10th of 10 | |
| Gravel Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Gravel Traction | 2nd of 10 | |
| Sand Traction | 10th of 10 | |
| Grass Traction | 3rd of 10 | |
| Mud Traction | 6th of 10 |
2021 ADAC Summer tire Test - 225/50 R17 · 225/50 R17
5th of 17
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 17 |
2021 53 Summer tire Braking Test · 205/55 R16
5th of 53
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 5th of 53 | |
| Dry Braking | 12th of 53 |
2020 Auto Express Summer tire Test · 205/55 R16
2nd of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2020 Tyre Reviews Ultimate Summer tire Test · 205/55 R16
7th of 12
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 12 | |
| Wet Handling | 8th of 12 | |
| Dry Braking | 6th of 12 | |
| Dry Handling | 9th of 12 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd of 12 | |
| Straight Aqua | 3rd of 12 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 7th of 12 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 2nd of 12 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 7th of 12 | |
| Noise | 5th of 12 | |
| Price | 12th of 12 |
2020 New 17 Inch Summer tire Test · 225/45 R17
4th of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 4th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 2nd of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 9th of 10 | |
| Noise | 10th of 10 |
2020 Teknikens 17 Inch Summer tire Test · 225/50 R17
1st of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 7th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 2nd of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 3rd of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 10 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 1st of 10 | |
| Tyre Weight | 2nd of 10 |
2020 Auto Zeitung Summer tire Test · 225/50 R17
3rd of 20
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st of 20 | |
| Wet Handling | 2nd of 20 | |
| Dry Braking | 4th of 20 | |
| Dry Handling | 12th of 20 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 4th of 20 | |
| Straight Aqua | 18th of 20 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 12th of 20 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 15th of 20 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 2nd of 20 | |
| Noise | 18th of 20 | |
| Price | 20th of 20 |
2020 ADAC SUV Summer tire Test · 235/55 R17
1st of 12
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wear | 4th of 12 |
2019 Auto Express SUV tire Test · 235/50 R18
8th of 8
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2019 Summer and All Season tire Test · 205/55 R16
1st of 15
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th of 15 | |
| Wet Handling | 7th of 15 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 15 | |
| Dry Handling | 14th of 15 | |
| Noise | 4th of 15 |
2019 NAF Summer tire Test · 205/55 R16
5th of 7
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st of 7 | |
| Wet Handling | 7th of 7 | |
| Dry Braking | 5th of 7 | |
| Dry Handling | 7th of 7 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 5th of 7 | |
| Straight Aqua | 2nd of 7 | |
| Noise | 7th of 7 |
2019 Swedish Summer tire Test · 205/55 R16
6th of 13
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st of 13 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 13 | |
| Straight Aqua | 8th of 13 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 8th of 13 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 6th of 13 |
2019 ACE Summer tire Test · 205/55 R16
8th of 9
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|
2019 AMS Summer SUV tire Test · 215/55 R17
3rd of 11
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 11 | |
| Wet Handling | 8th of 11 | |
| Dry Braking | 1st of 11 | |
| Dry Handling | 5th of 11 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st of 11 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 11 | |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 3rd of 11 | |
| Subj. Comfort | 4th of 11 | |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 6th of 11 | |
| Noise | 5th of 11 |
2019 Auto Zeitung Summer tire Test · 235/45 R18
2nd of 10
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th of 10 | |
| Wet Handling | 6th of 10 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 10 | |
| Dry Handling | 2nd of 10 | |
| Rolling Resistance | 1st of 10 | |
| Straight Aqua | 7th of 10 | |
| Noise | 9th of 10 | |
| Price | 9th of 10 |
2018 New and Worn Summer tire Test · 205/55 R16
1st of 14
| Discipline | Placement | Field position |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st of 14 | |
| Wet Handling | 1st of 14 | |
| Dry Braking | 3rd of 14 | |
| Dry Handling | 2nd of 14 | |
| Noise | 2nd of 14 |
What owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of the scores above.
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.
From 31 threads and comments.