Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV 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 9 + 10 road tests and 1,371 + 39 owner reviews. How we score

Pilot Sport 4 SUV leads, 80–78 Narrow edge

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Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
± 5

Tests 80 · 9 tests Owners 79 · 1,371 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 12 in 2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested (wet braking)

“Loving my new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires and Enkei Raijin wheels”

Michelin Primacy 4+
Tire BMichelin

Primacy 4+

Summer

± 4

Tests 85 · 10 tests Owners 70 · 39 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test (abrasion)

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 86

    Dry

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +8
    78
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVPrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 9 tests8682
    Reviews found online8671

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 86 + 40% × 86.4 = 86

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 82.3 + 40% × 70.5 = 78

  2. 91

    Wet

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +12
    79
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVPrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 9 tests9483
    Reviews found online8774

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 94 + 40% × 86.7 = 91

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 82.6 + 40% × 73.8 = 79

  3. 64

    Comfort

    Primacy 4+ +7
    71
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVPrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 1 tests5473
    Reviews found online7169

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 40% × 54.2 + 60% × 71.2 = 64

    Primacy 4+: 40% × 73.3 + 60% × 69 = 71

  4. 58

    Noise

    Primacy 4+ +15
    73
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVPrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 7 tests5377
    Reviews found online≈ 67 (est.)≈ 67 (est.)

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 52.5 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 58

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 76.7 + 40% × 66.6 (est.) = 73

    No owner ratings of noise for Pilot Sport 4 SUV or Primacy 4+. The owner half is the owners’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.

  5. 72

    Treadwear

    Primacy 4+ +13
    85
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVPrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 4 tests7795
    Reviews found online6569

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV: 60% × 77.1 + 40% × 65.3 = 72

    Primacy 4+: 60% × 95.3 + 40% × 68.9 = 85

  6. 83

    Handling (owners)

    Pilot Sport 4 SUV +18
    65
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVPrimacy 4+
    Reviews found online8365
  7. 64

    Efficiency

    Primacy 4+ +14
    78
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4 SUVPrimacy 4+
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 8 tests6478
Scores at a glance
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV vs Michelin Primacy 4+: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin Pilot Sport 4 SUVMichelin Primacy 4+
Relative Score 80 78
Dry 86 78
Wet 91 79
Comfort 64 71
Noise 58 73
Treadwear 72 85
Handling (owners) 83 65
Efficiency 64 78

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.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
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Less important
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Less important
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Important
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Less important
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Recomputed
Headline score
± 5

Pilot Sport 4 SUV

± 4

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.

DisciplineCategoryPilot Sport 4 SUVPrimacy 4+ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 95% #6/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 96% #3/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 98% #5/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 98% #4/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling (tester's mark) Dry 100% #1/6 · 2025 Vi Bilagare Summer EV Tyre Test 92% #5/6 · 2024 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ Summer Tire Test R17 – Different tests
Curved Aquaplaning Wet 99% #3/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 86% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 100% #1/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 82% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 95% #5/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 91% #5/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Circle Wet 98% #3/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 97% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 97% #5/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 95% #6/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Comfort (tester's mark) Comfort 40% #4/6 · 2025 Vi Bilagare Summer EV Tyre Test 88% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Noise Noise 93% #6/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 96% #6/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Abrasion Treadwear 88% #3/8 · 2024 EV Tyre Test 100% #1/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Wear Treadwear 97% #2/8 · 2024 EV Tyre Test 92% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Range Efficiency 95% #3/6 · 2025 Vi Bilagare Summer EV Tyre Test 92% #3/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 86% #6/9 · 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test 90% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 49% #11/12 · 2023 Best SUV Tyres Tested 52% #16/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Total Cost of Ownership Cost #7/8 2024 EV Tyre Test #5/8 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Value Cost 62% #7/8 · 2024 EV Tyre Test 67% #8/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests
Overall Ranking Overall #5/9 2026 Summer SUV Tyre Test #4/8 2025 EV Tyre Test – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Pros

  • Outstanding grip and safety in both wet and dry conditions
  • Precise steering response and enhanced cornering stability for heavy SUVs
  • Noticeable improvement in ride comfort and overall handling

Cons

  • Higher-than-average purchase price
  • Increased road noise reported by some users as the tread wears down
  • Faster tread wear and shorter mileage lifespan under aggressive driving or heavy vehicle loads
All owner themes in the Pilot Sport 4 SUV review

Tire B Primacy 4+

Pros

  • Excellent ride comfort and a smooth, compliant 'limousine-like' feel over bumps
  • Strong and reliable grip in both wet and dry conditions, inspiring confidence
  • Noticeable improvement in quietness and traction compared to predecessor tires or factory options

Cons

  • Loud road noise and a harsh drone on rough or coarse asphalt surfaces
  • Soft sidewalls can reduce steering agility and initial responsiveness compared to dedicated sport tires
  • High premium price point relative to competitors
All owner themes in the Primacy 4+ review

What real owners are saying

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

Tire A

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Positive

Community sentiment toward the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV is generally very positive, with owners highlighting its strong grip, handling precision, and suitability for heavy performance SUVs. Users frequently compare it favorably to older Latitude Sport 3 and standard passenger tires, though they emphasize its summer-only limitation below 40°F and note trade-offs in price and tread life.

bobistheoilguy.com ·2022-02-01

“From 3 model you mention, only Alenza is designed for heavy vehicle/SUV, so longevity is better than other 2 for your Envoy even though the traction may not be the best. If you can find Pilot Sport 4 SUV, then it may be the best to replace Latitude Sport 3. I like Latitude Sport 3, the best in wet weather and great in dry, but it is true it is only 25000 miles lifetime.”

rennlist.com

“Quote: Originally Posted by robtr8 I like to use the tire size calculator on 1010Tires.com. Shows 285/40's as being almost 3% bigger than the OE size. Generally speaking you want no more than a 1% different. The PS 4 SUV's are available in a 295/35. Rocketcar - if you had P-Zero's then yup. They suck. Took them off the F Type immediately if not sooner. Quote: Originally Posted by RAudi Driver That's why they are called P-Zeros. If they were good Pirelli would have named them P-10's. Quote: Originally Posted by BrettIsAwesomer Not a fan of the LS3 on my Cayenne. They came on the car when I bought it but will replace with Pilot Sport 4 SUV later this year. There are some stretches of road where the surface conditions change and I get a terrible droning noise in the cabin with the LS3. However, in my Cayman with PS4S in the same areas you can barely tell the road surface changed. The wear on both sets is about the same. 2016 Cayenne S e-Hybrid with 21" Latitude Sport 3 (295/35) 2014 Cayman with 20" Pilot Sport 4S (235-265/35) I am putting an OPC warranty on the Cayenne, so for me the LS3 is is best N rated tyre available...”

r/CX5 ·103 upvotes ·2021-05-15

“Loving my new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tires and Enkei Raijin wheels”

Top themes
#Summer temperature limitations#Grip and handling performance#Tread life and wear#Comparison with Latitude Sport 3#Ride comfort and firmness#SUV-specific load design

Based on 37 community posts

Tire B

Michelin Primacy 4+

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV B · Michelin Primacy 4+
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4Passenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available6566
Rim diameters17″ – 23″16″ – 21″
Sizes in common77

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV

Michelin Primacy 4+

Narrow edge: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV — better handling, wet and dry. Pick the Michelin Primacy 4+ if noise, efficiency and treadwear matter most to you.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV scores 83 vs 65 on handling.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 73 vs 58 on noise.

Pick tire B You want lower fuel or energy use

Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 78 vs 64 on efficiency.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 85 vs 72 on treadwear.

Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
Tire B · Michelin Primacy 4+

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Pilot Sport 4 SUV or Primacy 4+?

Which is better in the wet, Pilot Sport 4 SUV or Primacy 4+?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, 91 vs 79 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Pilot Sport 4 SUV or Primacy 4+?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV, 86 vs 78 on our dry score.

Which is quieter, Pilot Sport 4 SUV or Primacy 4+?

Michelin Primacy 4+, 73 vs 58 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Pilot Sport 4 SUV or Primacy 4+?

Michelin Primacy 4+, 71 vs 64 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Pilot Sport 4 SUV or Primacy 4+?

Michelin Primacy 4+, 85 vs 72 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Pilot Sport 4 SUV or Primacy 4+?

Michelin Primacy 4+, 78 vs 64 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