Tests 71 · 1 test Owners 66 · 137 reviews
Best test result: #2 of 20 in 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test (wear)
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin Energy Saver vs Michelin Primacy 4 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Primacy 4 is ahead, 78–68
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Tests 82 · 23 tests Owners 74 · 13,367 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test (rolling resistance)
“Am at Saifees, Mumbai. One of my Primacy 4 got punctured at an angle, so is wasted. The tread depth on these 4 year old, 41350 km run is just less than 4mm, so due for replacement after another 5-10k (3mm depth). Saifee tells me Primacy 5 may come at year end. Some tyres willl be manufactured in India (unconfirmed, but usually Saifee knows better) , but can't predict which ones. Meanwhile I've taken an Apollo Alnac in very good condition for Rs.1500/- and will change all tyres together to Primacy 5.”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
69
Dry
Primacy 4 +1180Why this score
Source Energy Saver Primacy 4 Professional tests (TWG score) 71 85 Reviews found online 66 74 Dry Braking (% of best) 92% 98% Dry Handling (% of best) 98% 92% -
68
Wet
Primacy 4 +1381Why this score
Source Energy Saver Primacy 4 Professional tests (TWG score) 69 85 Reviews found online 65 76 Wet Braking (% of best) 89% 96% Wet Handling (% of best) 95% 100% -
68
Comfort
Primacy 4 +876Why this score
Source Energy Saver Primacy 4 Professional tests (TWG score) – 76 Reviews found online 66 74 -
68
Noise
Primacy 4 +472Why this score
Source Energy Saver Primacy 4 Professional tests (TWG score) 72 76 Reviews found online 62 – -
71
Treadwear
Primacy 4 +677Why this score
Source Energy Saver Primacy 4 Professional tests (TWG score) 73 82 Reviews found online 68 71 -
63
Handling
Primacy 4 +1174Why this score
Source Energy Saver Primacy 4 Reviews found online 63 74
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Energy Saver | Michelin Primacy 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 68 | 78 |
| Dry | 69 | 80 |
| Wet | 68 | 81 |
| Comfort | 68 | 76 |
| Noise | 68 | 72 |
| Treadwear | 71 | 77 |
| Handling | 63 | 74 |
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
68
/ 100
Energy Saver
78
/ 100
Primacy 4
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 | Energy Saver | Primacy 4 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 92% #13/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 98% #5/10 · 2022 AZ SUV Tyre Test | −5.6 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #7/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 92% #14/15 · 2019 Summer and All Season Tyre Test | +6.3 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 88% #3/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2022 AutoBild SUV 4x4 Summer Tyre Test | −11.9 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #5/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 100% #2/11 · 2021 Sport Auto Summer Tyre Test | −1.2 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 67% #20/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 45% #9/10 · 2019 Auto Zeitung Summer Tyre Test | +21.8 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 69% #11/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 83% #8/21 · 2022 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | −13.8 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 95% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 97% #4/12 · 2020 ADAC SUV Summer Tyre Test | −1.4 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 33% #3/15 · 2011 European Summer Tyre Test - 175/65 R14 | 13% #8/44 · 2022 Summer Tyre Market Overview | +20.8 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 95% #8/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 97% #6/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | −1.6 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #2/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 0% #3/20 · 2021 Auto Bild 16 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 0.0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 89% #17/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 96% #4/17 · 2021 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 225/50 R17 | −7.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 95% #16/20 · 2018 Auto Bild 15 inch Summer Tyre Test | 100% #4/10 · 2020 New 17 Inch Summer Tyre Test | −4.2 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Energy Saver
Pros
- Exceptional tread life and long-lasting durability
- Noticeable improvements in fuel economy and low rolling resistance
- Low road noise and high levels of driving comfort
Cons
- Subpar wet-weather grip and traction, especially as the tires age
- Prone to dry rotting, cracking, and hardening after a few years
- Poor performance and sliding in cold or winter conditions
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
Michelin Energy Saver
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Positive
Michelin Primacy 4
Community sentiment towards the Michelin Primacy 4 is generally positive, with drivers frequently praising its quiet ride, comfort, and dependable wet and dry braking performance. Several owners note impressive longevity reaching over 50,000 to 70,000 km, though some EV and SUV drivers report accelerated wear and fragile sidewalls over rough terrain. It is commonly viewed as a premium touring tire that commands high prices compared to competitors.
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”
r/polestar2
·2025-09-28
“Michelin Primacy 4 in Snow Alright, I have some pretty fresh Primacy 4 tires that came on my 2022. I live in Minnesota and don't commute much in winter but do make some shorter trips in a metro area. What is the likelihood that I'm going to want/need different tires for winter? I thought about getting a set of Crossclimate tires and just using them year round but it seems like such a waste to not use up these nice Primacy 4 tires. It probably won't be very cost effective to un-mount and mount every year. Let me have it. Read more”
qashqaiforums.co.uk
·2022-06-03
“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”
Top themes
#tread life and longevity#cabin noise and comfort#wet and dry grip#comparisons with Pilot Sport#EV tire performance#sidewall damage and punctures#premium pricing
Based on 44 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Energy Saver | B · Michelin Primacy 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 4 | 57 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 16″ | 15″ – 20″ |
Which one should you actually buy?
68
/ 100
Michelin Energy Saver
78
/ 100
Michelin Primacy 4
Winner: Michelin Primacy 4 — better wet, dry and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Primacy 4 scores 81 vs 68 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Primacy 4 scores 80 vs 69 on dry.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Primacy 4 scores 74 vs 63 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Primacy 4 scores 76 vs 68 on comfort.
Tire A · Michelin Energy Saver
Tire B · Michelin Primacy 4
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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.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.