Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 vs Michelin Primacy 3 — 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 21 + 2 road tests and 12,712 + 196 owner reviews. How we score

Pilot Sport 4 is ahead, 82–70

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Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Tire AMichelin

Pilot Sport 4

Summer

± 4

Tests 85 · 21 tests Owners 76 · 12,712 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 45 in 2019 Summer 53 Tyre Braking Shootout (dry braking)

“Those are Pilot sport 4 (all season). If it had s after the 4 it would be the summer high performance version. I put the pilot sport 4 on wife's GTI autobahn 2016. Great handling tire, stiff side walls, not the smoothest ride but best overall.”

Michelin Primacy 3
Tire BMichelin

Primacy 3

Summer

± 6

Tests 73 · 2 tests Owners 66 · 196 reviews

Best test result: #3 of 20 in 2017 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test (wear)

“I have just put a new set of Michelin Primacy 3 T0 Acoustics on and they have been faultless. Lots of grip, very quiet etc. They were also good last year in the snow and were from blackcircles for about £240 a tyre.”

Category by category

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

  1. 87

    Dry

    Pilot Sport 4 +15
    72
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4Primacy 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 20 / 2 tests8974
    Reviews found online8470

    Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 89.3 + 40% × 83.9 = 87

    Primacy 3: 60% × 74.3 + 40% × 69.6 = 72

  2. 89

    Wet

    Pilot Sport 4 +17
    72
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4Primacy 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 20 / 2 tests9272
    Reviews found online8472

    Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 92.5 + 40% × 84.3 = 89

    Primacy 3: 60% × 71.9 + 40% × 71.7 = 72

  3. 76

    Comfort

    Pilot Sport 4 +8
    68
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4Primacy 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / – tests82≈ 68 (est.)
    Reviews found online7267

    Pilot Sport 4: 40% × 81.6 + 60% × 71.7 = 76

    Primacy 3: 40% × 68.4 (est.) + 60% × 67.4 = 68

    No road tests of comfort for Primacy 3. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  4. 70

    Noise

    No comparison
    –
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4Primacy 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 13 / – tests73–
    Reviews found online≈ 66 (est.)–

    Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 73.2 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 70

    No owner ratings of noise for Pilot Sport 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.

  5. 71

    Treadwear

    Pilot Sport 4 +4
    67
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4Primacy 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 1 tests7873
    Reviews found online6057

    Pilot Sport 4: 60% × 78.1 + 40% × 59.5 = 71

    Primacy 3: 60% × 73.1 + 40% × 57.1 = 67

  6. 81

    Handling (owners)

    Pilot Sport 4 +13
    68
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4Primacy 3
    Reviews found online8168
  7. 76

    Efficiency

    No comparison
    –
    Why this score
    SourcePilot Sport 4Primacy 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 14 / – tests76–
Scores at a glance
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 vs Michelin Primacy 3: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryMichelin Pilot Sport 4Michelin Primacy 3
Relative Score 82 70
Dry 87 72
Wet 89 72
Comfort 76 68
Noise 70 –
Treadwear 71 67
Handling (owners) 81 68
Efficiency 76 –

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
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Recomputed
Headline score
± 4

Pilot Sport 4

± 6

Primacy 3

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

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 4Primacy 3ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 80% #3/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 100% #3/10 · 2017 Auto Bild Summer SUV Tyre Test – Different tests
Dry Handling Dry 80% #3/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 99% #5/10 · 2017 Auto Bild Summer SUV Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 70% #8/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 95% #5/10 · 2017 Auto Bild Summer SUV Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 70% #4/9 · 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 97% #6/10 · 2017 Auto Bild Summer SUV Tyre Test – Different tests
Wear Treadwear 96% #5/16 · 2020 ADAC 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test 83% #3/20 · 2017 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Overall Ranking Overall #7/9 2022 AUTO Straßenverkehr Summer Tire Test R19 #1/16 2018 ADAC Summer Tyre Test - 205/55 R16 – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A Pilot Sport 4

Pros

  • Exceptional wet and dry traction with outstanding resistance to aquaplaning
  • Noticeable improvement in ride comfort and a reduction in cabin noise compared to standard run-flat tires
  • Progressive and predictable breakaway limits during spirited driving

Cons

  • Faster-than-average treadwear, particularly under aggressive driving or on rear-wheel-drive performance cars
  • Softer sidewalls can lead to a slight lack of initial steering precision and a vague feel at the limit for hardcore enthusiasts
  • Performance drops off significantly in cold, freezing, or snowy winter conditions
All owner themes in the Pilot Sport 4 review

Tire B Primacy 3

Pros

  • Exceptional ride comfort and low noise levels
  • Strong dry grip and confident handling
  • Smooth, refined high-speed stability and cruising capability

Cons

  • Higher than average purchase price
  • Faster-than-expected tread wear reported by many users
  • Mixed feedback on wet weather performance, with some noting a lack of grip in standing water or snow
All owner themes in the Primacy 3 review

What real owners are saying

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

Tire A

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Positive

The community widely regards the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 line as a premium upgrade offering exceptional dry and wet grip, precise handling, and superior ride comfort compared to OEM or run-flat tires. While celebrated for performance, users frequently discuss its high price tag, faster treadwear, and noticeable drop in EV efficiency. Some drivers also note increased road noise and reduced traction when temperatures drop near freezing.

uk-polos.net ·2021-09-20

“So I went through my front two Bridgestones in 8000 mile - my own fault really. Anyway I've had Michelin PS4's fitted on the front since that's what 90% of people say to get. Well... They are sh*t in my opinion. I'm running 38psi in the front, so I'm open to trying different pressures if anyone else runs anything else. Twice under heavy breaking the car has completely lost traction - this NEVER happened with the same amount of speed and breaking on the Bridgestones. Three times when throwing the car into a hard corner the tyres have felt like they were skidding or possibly folding which resulted into a late grip which then whipped the car. Maybe I just need to get used to them but I've not noticed too much of an improvement in a straight line and breaking and cornering on them has been shocking. The cornering just seems awful, I've lost so much confidence driving the car now. I had the Eibach Sportline springs fitted just before I changed the tyres and the handling went through the roof, now all that seems to of gone... Any thoughts? Pressures? Do the tyres just not fit how I drive?”

r/TeslaModelS ·1 upvote ·2025-03-27

“I was running pilot sport 4s on my MS. (19” wheels) I was lucky to get 13,000-14,000. I just switched to Kumho Majesty 9’s for about 1/3 the price. Currently have 4,000 miles on them and just to rotated. Fingers crossed I can get 13,000 miles out of them.”

r/BoltEV ·5 upvotes ·2026-04-29

“Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires are noisy (a followup) I have been asked on this sub if the PS4 tires on my wife’s Bolt are noisy, and I wasn’t sure how to answer. Well, we made two 60-mile round trips this past weekend, mostly on highways with 55 and 70 mph speed limits, and I have to say that the tires are kind of noisy. Certainly not as quiet as EV-oriented tires are. The grip is fantastic, so we really like them. If you are sensitive to noise, though, these Max Performance class tires are probably not for you.”

Top themes
#Wet and dry grip#Run-flat replacement upgrade#Treadwear and longevity#Cold weather performance#Road noise and comfort#EV range and efficiency#Comparison to Continental tires

Based on 246 community posts

Tire B

Michelin Primacy 3

Mixed

Community members generally view the Michelin Primacy 3 as a quiet, smooth, and capable grand touring tire, with several users highlighting the run-flat (ZP) version as superior in comfort to competing run-flats. However, some drivers report fast tread wear, a harsh ride compared to standard non-run-flat alternatives, and note that the model is older and increasingly replaced by newer generations like the Primacy 4.

r/LexusES ·2 upvotes ·2026-09-28

“By far the biggest determinant in road noise will be the road surface, as you found, and no tire will overcome that basic fact. That is so obvious in my area where there are new sections of highway interspersed with old sections. Having said that, I'm running the older Michelin Primacy 3 ST tires on 17 inch wheels on my 2021 ES300h and they are great, compared to the Turanza I was running on 19 inch wheels on the same car. The Michelin Primacy Tour A/S should be even better in this regard. Not sure, but perhaps the higher profile of the 17 inch tires (215/55R17 vs 235/40R19) also helps reduce road noise.”

bimmerfest.com ·2014-08-25

“I have Pirellis on my 2014 F31 wagon. I have overinflated them slightly (3 psi front, 2 psi rear) because with the pressures placarded on the door post they are not responsive enough. With the overinflation they make fine street tires . At the limit they are still a bit soft, but the limits are so high that I have no business driving like that on the public highway. Tire Rack, I believe, tested Michelin Primacy 3 ZP (zero pressure, or run-flat all season tires ) and liked them. I have no thoughts about Continentals , so that I am only muddying your waters by adding in the Michelins for consideration.”

mbworld.org

“Currently riding on Michelin Primacy 3 ZP run flats that originally came with the car. Have approximately 15k miles on it and Mercedes are already recommending I purchase new rear tires. What other options would you recommend as replacements? I would like all season tires that last much longer but also don't want to compromise the comfort and ride. Front tire: 245/40 R19 Rear tire: 275/35 R19”

Top themes
#Run-flat ride quality#Tread wear and longevity#Touring comfort and low noise#Model obsolescence and replacements#OE fitment and regional availability#Price and size compatibility

Based on 23 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 B · Michelin Primacy 3
CategorySummerSummer
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available6242
Rim diameters16″ – 20″15″ – 20″
UTQG300 - 320 A - AA A240 A A
Sizes in common1717

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

Michelin Primacy 3

Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 — better wet, dry and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 89 vs 72 on wet.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 87 vs 72 on dry.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 81 vs 68 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 scores 76 vs 68 on comfort.

Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Tire B · Michelin Primacy 3

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Pilot Sport 4 or Primacy 3?

Which is better in the wet, Pilot Sport 4 or Primacy 3?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 89 vs 72 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Pilot Sport 4 or Primacy 3?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 87 vs 72 on our dry score.

Which is more comfortable, Pilot Sport 4 or Primacy 3?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 76 vs 68 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Pilot Sport 4 or Primacy 3?

Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 71 vs 67 on our treadwear 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