Tests 75 · 6 tests Owners 68 · 1,667 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test (wet handling)
Head-to-head
Updated
Kumho Ecsta HS51 vs Michelin Primacy 4 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 6 + 23 road tests and 1,667 + 13,422 owner reviews. How we score
Primacy 4 is ahead, 80–72
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Tests 84 · 23 tests Owners 77 · 13,422 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2020 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test (wet braking)
“Well my answer is none of the above. You choose, they are all a lottery imo. I just bought some Michelin Primacy 4 for mine today. Size 215/55 R18”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
Key facts
- In 3 tests that measured dry braking for both, Ecsta HS51 won 2 and Primacy 4 won 1 (average 96% vs 96% of the best).
- In 3 tests that measured wet braking for both, Ecsta HS51 won 0 and Primacy 4 won 1 (average 90% vs 95% of the best).
-
74
Dry
Primacy 4 +882Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Primacy 4 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 21 tests 77 86 Reviews found online 69 75 Dry Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 2–1 96% 96% Dry Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 99% 99% Ecsta HS51: 60% × 76.6 + 40% × 69 = 74
Primacy 4: 60% × 85.9 + 40% × 75.4 = 82
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76
Wet
Primacy 4 +783Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Primacy 4 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 22 tests 79 85 Reviews found online 72 80 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 100% 97% Wet Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–1 90% 95% Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 96% 97% Ecsta HS51: 60% × 79.4 + 40% × 71.7 = 76
Primacy 4: 60% × 85.5 + 40% × 79.5 = 83
-
68
Comfort
Primacy 4 +876Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Primacy 4 Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 5 tests ≈ 68 (est.) 75 Reviews found online 67 76 Ecsta HS51: 40% × 68.3 (est.) + 60% × 67.1 = 68
Primacy 4: 40% × 75.4 + 60% × 75.8 = 76
No road tests of comfort for Ecsta HS51. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
-
66
Noise
Primacy 4 +571Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Primacy 4 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 15 tests 65 74 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 97% 97% Ecsta HS51: 60% × 65.2 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 66
Primacy 4: 60% × 73.6 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 71
No owner ratings of noise for Ecsta HS51 or Primacy 4. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
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70
Treadwear
Primacy 4 +1181Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Primacy 4 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 3 tests 73 85 Reviews found online 65 75 Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 80% 94% Ecsta HS51: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 64.9 = 70
Primacy 4: 60% × 84.8 + 40% × 75.4 = 81
-
68
Handling (owners)
Primacy 4 +775Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Primacy 4 Reviews found online 68 75 -
57
Efficiency
Primacy 4 +3693Why this score
Source Ecsta HS51 Primacy 4 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 15 tests 57 93 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 80% 95%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho Ecsta HS51 | Michelin Primacy 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 80 |
| Dry | 74 | 82 |
| Wet | 76 | 83 |
| Comfort | 68 | 76 |
| Noise | 66 | 71 |
| Treadwear | 70 | 81 |
| Handling (owners) | 68 | 75 |
| Efficiency | 57 | 93 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
72
/ 100
Ecsta HS51
80
/ 100
Primacy 4
The professional test results behind the scores
Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.
In the overall rankings of 7 tests that ran both, Kumho Ecsta HS51 finished ahead 2 times and Michelin Primacy 4 5 times.
| Discipline | Category | Ecsta HS51 | Primacy 4 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% | 96% | −0.4 | 2–1 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2021 53 Summer Tyre Braking Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 99% | 0.0 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 100% | 97% | +3.2 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 90% | 95% | −5.1 | 0–1 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2021 53 Summer Tyre Braking Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% | 97% | −0.6 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Noise | Noise | 97% | 97% | −0.4 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wear | Treadwear | 80% | 94% | −14.7 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 80% | 95% | −15.0 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 82% | 45% | +36.6 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #9/20 | #3/20 | – | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Value | Cost | 99% | 79% | +19.5 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #3/11 | #2/11 | – | 2–5 in 7 shared tests Newest: 2021 Autonavigator Summer Tire Test R16 · 205/55R16 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Ecsta HS51
Pros
- Impressive wet and dry weather traction
- Excellent value for money compared to tier-one premium brands
- Low road noise and enhanced ride comfort
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can cause a wobbly or loose feeling during aggressive cornering
- Some users experienced faster-than-expected tread wear on the front axle
- Occasional complaints regarding poor steering feedback and high-speed handling at the limit
Tire B Primacy 4
Pros
- Exceptional tread life and long-lasting durability
- Low road noise and a very quiet, comfortable ride
- Reliable and consistent wet and dry grip
Cons
- Vague, numb, or floaty steering feel with soft sidewalls under hard cornering
- High price point compared to competitors
- Occasional reports of increased road noise or harsher ride as the tread wears down
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Kumho Ecsta HS51
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Positive
Michelin Primacy 4
The Michelin Primacy 4 is generally praised for its comfortable ride, low road noise, and strong braking and safety in both dry and wet conditions. While many users report excellent tread longevity across tens of thousands of kilometers, some note faster wear on heavier electric vehicles or rough surfaces. It is viewed as a premium touring tire that is unsuitable for winter conditions, prompting some drivers to weigh its high price against newer models like the Primacy 5 or cheaper alternatives.
r/ItalyMotori
·1 upvote ·2026-03-26
“Gomme alternative a Primacy 4 Buongiorno, ho una Peugeot 208 del 2020 con delle Michelin Primacy 4 205/45 R 17 88 V, le ho da 4 anni, circa 20000km all’anno tranne quest’anno che non le ho sostituite con le invernali e che quindi dovrei portarle ad usura completa con il prossimo “giro” delle gomme per altri 20000km. In totale arriverò a quasi 100000km, quindi super ammortizzate e le consiglierei sempre anche per la tenuta. Visto che entro fine estate pensavo di sostituirle tutte e quattro, vorrei capire se ci fossero delle alternative un più economiche ma altrettanto valide (un cambio gomme al momento mi costa circa €650-700). Read more”
vwvortex.com
·2026-09-12
“I might try to have a look at one today. There are two Uniroyal shops near me. Whether they have one in stock to look at though...? The trouble is they look really nice online but I'd like to see them in the flesh first. The old tyres (above photo) that were on these wheels were that nice square edged profile that I like, much the same as the Michelin Pilot Sports. These are going on my sons Golf EV so I'm also trying to consider if they are A rated for fuel, the best wet grip I can find and the lowest decibel level. The best choice I can find is the Michelin Primacy 4 which are A, A and 68. But on Black Circles it says they were designed for BMW. I'm sure they fit any wheel but do those properties still hold? I've always bought Pilots but B, B and 72, and its this 72 that really bugs me, is whats making me invest so much time into getting the right tyre for Toms EV. I'm getting a Tesla this Tuesday which does in fact come with the Pilots so they must be good on EV's anyway. Who knew buying tyres was so complicated.”
r/carIndia
·7 upvotes ·2026-03-26
“Michelin Primacy 4 or Conti UC6 - Virtus GT Hey, i recently got a Virtus GT with stock Apollo alnac 4g tyres - looking to upgrade them. As per ChatGPT my options are Michelin Primacy 4 and Continental UC6 - budget is not really a problem. Overall i want good grip, handling, comfort and low cabin noise. Not going for Pilot Sport 4, because don't want to compromise on comfort for performance when i am not going to push my car too much, hence PS4 is a no no. But read it somewhere that with Primacy 4, there is a noticeable difference in mileage not sure if it means going up or down. Need recommendations on what i should get! Thanks in advance”
Top themes
#ride comfort and low noise#tread life and durability#wet and dry grip#EV tire compatibility#Primacy 4 vs Primacy 5#poor winter and snow performance#premium pricing and alternatives
Based on 43 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Kumho Ecsta HS51 | B · Michelin Primacy 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 27 | 57 |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 18″ | 15″ – 20″ |
| UTQG | — | 340 A A |
| Sizes in common | 14 | 14 |
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Kumho Ecsta HS51
80
/ 100
Michelin Primacy 4
Winner: Michelin Primacy 4 — better efficiency, treadwear and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You want lower fuel or energy use
Michelin Primacy 4 scores 93 vs 57 on efficiency.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Primacy 4 scores 81 vs 70 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Primacy 4 scores 82 vs 74 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Primacy 4 scores 76 vs 68 on comfort.
Pick tire A
Your priority is straight aquaplaning
Kumho Ecsta HS51 won 2 of 2 shared straight aquaplaning tests.
Tire A · Kumho Ecsta HS51
Tire B · Michelin Primacy 4
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Ecsta HS51 or Primacy 4?
Which is better in the wet, Ecsta HS51 or Primacy 4?
Michelin Primacy 4, 83 vs 76 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Ecsta HS51 or Primacy 4?
Michelin Primacy 4, 82 vs 74 on our dry score.
Which is quieter, Ecsta HS51 or Primacy 4?
Michelin Primacy 4, 71 vs 66 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Ecsta HS51 or Primacy 4?
Michelin Primacy 4, 76 vs 68 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Ecsta HS51 or Primacy 4?
Michelin Primacy 4, 81 vs 70 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Ecsta HS51 or Primacy 4?
Michelin Primacy 4, 93 vs 57 on our efficiency score.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology