Tests 85 · 10 tests Owners 71 · 40 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test (abrasion)
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin Primacy 4+ vs Michelin Primacy 5 — 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 10 + 14 road tests and 40 + 2,775 owner reviews. How we score
Primacy 5 is ahead, 84–78
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Tests 86 · 14 tests Owners 83 · 2,775 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test (abrasion)
“So apparently Michelin Primacy 5 has been released in Australia - not in all sizes. My tyre size 235/40R19 won't be available until April 2026 - omg lol. I told them to take that size out of the website. Talk about slow rollout considering its been out in Asia for a few months.”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
78
Dry
Primacy 4+ +177Why this score
Source Primacy 4+ Primacy 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 12 tests 82 76 Reviews found online 71 79 Primacy 4+: 60% × 82.4 + 40% × 71 = 78
Primacy 5: 60% × 76.3 + 40% × 79 = 77
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79
Wet
Primacy 5 +584Why this score
Source Primacy 4+ Primacy 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 13 tests 82 83 Reviews found online 75 86 Primacy 4+: 60% × 82.1 + 40% × 74.5 = 79
Primacy 5: 60% × 83.3 + 40% × 86.1 = 84
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71
Comfort
Primacy 5 +1586Why this score
Source Primacy 4+ Primacy 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 6 tests 73 96 Reviews found online 69 79 Primacy 4+: 40% × 72.9 + 60% × 69.2 = 71
Primacy 5: 40% × 96.2 + 60% × 79.2 = 86
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72
Noise
Level72Why this score
Source Primacy 4+ Primacy 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 10 tests 76 75 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Primacy 4+: 60% × 76.2 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 72
Primacy 5: 60% × 75.2 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 72
No owner ratings of noise for Primacy 4+ or Primacy 5. 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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85
Treadwear
Primacy 5 +994Why this score
Source Primacy 4+ Primacy 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 4 tests 95 99 Reviews found online 70 86 Primacy 4+: 60% × 94.9 + 40% × 69.6 = 85
Primacy 5: 60% × 98.7 + 40% × 85.8 = 94
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66
Handling (owners)
Primacy 5 +1379Why this score
Source Primacy 4+ Primacy 5 Reviews found online 66 79 -
78
Efficiency
Primacy 5 +1492Why this score
Source Primacy 4+ Primacy 5 Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / 11 tests 78 92
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Primacy 4+ | Michelin Primacy 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 78 | 84 |
| Dry | 78 | 77 |
| Wet | 79 | 84 |
| Comfort | 71 | 86 |
| Noise | 72 | 72 |
| Treadwear | 85 | 94 |
| Handling (owners) | 66 | 79 |
| Efficiency | 78 | 92 |
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
78
/ 100
Primacy 4+
84
/ 100
Primacy 5
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.
| Discipline | Category | Primacy 4+ | Primacy 5 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% #3/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 90% #5/6 · 2026 Die Reifentester Summer Tyre Test - 235/55 R18 | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #4/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 98% #8/10 · 2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 92% #5/6 · 2024 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ Summer Tire Test R17 | 97% #3/6 · 2026 Die Reifentester Summer Tyre Test - 235/55 R18 | – | Different tests |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 86% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 85% #4/6 · 2026 Die Reifentester Summer Tyre Test - 235/55 R18 | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 82% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 96% #4/6 · 2026 Die Reifentester Summer Tyre Test - 235/55 R18 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% #5/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 97% #3/6 · 2026 Die Reifentester Summer Tyre Test - 235/55 R18 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 86% #5/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 83% #8/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 97% #7/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 93% #6/10 · 2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 95% #6/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 96% #6/10 · 2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 88% #2/6 · 2024 ACE/ARBÖ/GTÜ Summer Tire Test R17 | 93% #4/6 · 2026 Die Reifentester Summer Tyre Test - 235/55 R18 | – | Different tests |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 88% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 98% #2/6 · 2026 Die Reifentester Summer Tyre Test - 235/55 R18 | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 96% #6/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 99% #4/10 · 2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 100% #1/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 92% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 100% #1/10 · 2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 98% #6/16 · 2024 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | 100% #3/16 · 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 90% #2/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 100% #1/6 · 2026 Die Reifentester Summer Tyre Test - 235/55 R18 | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #5/8 2025 EV Tyre Test | #1/10 2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Value | Cost | 67% #8/8 · 2025 EV Tyre Test | 76% #5/10 · 2026 Auto Zeitung 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #4/8 2025 EV Tyre Test | #4/6 2026 Die Reifentester Summer Tyre Test - 235/55 R18 | – | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Primacy 4+
Pros
- Strong wet and dry grip and braking confidence, often cited as a big improvement over Bridgestone, Dunlop and Nexen tyres, including on powerful cars and PHEVs that previously spun their tyres
- Comfortable, compliant ride with soft sidewalls that suits softly sprung and family cars
- Low and even tread wear, with several owners reporting little visible wear after 5,000–10,000 miles and one reporting about 60,000 km in hot climates
Cons
- Road noise and drone, especially on rough asphalt, was described as severe by several owners (Skoda Yeti, Lexus), contradicting other reports of quiet running
- Reduced grip and confidence in cold, damp conditions, with two UK owners saying the tyre behaves like a budget tyre
- Premium pricing, with some owners questioning value when life fell short of expectations
Tire B Primacy 5
Pros
- Strong wet performance: many reviewers cite confident grip, good aquaplaning resistance and predictable braking in heavy rain and standing water.
- Quiet, comfortable ride: many describe low noise and good absorption of bumps and potholes, often as a clear improvement over previous tyres.
- Low rolling resistance and fuel economy: several report lower fuel consumption (for example about 0.5 L/100 km less, or 1 L less) and improved EV efficiency.
Cons
- Road noise on rough or coarse asphalt: several reviewers report droning, resonance or unbearable noise. Some say it was louder than their previous Continental, Giti or Falken tyres.
- Soft, vague or less direct handling: reviewers report slow steering response, a squishy feel, sidewall buckling or squealing in hard cornering, and a less sporty feel than Pilot Sport or Continental tyres.
- Traction problems in some cases: a few reviewers report wheelspin or slipping when pulling away, including in the dry and on a diesel Golf.
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Michelin Primacy 4+
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Positive
Michelin Primacy 5
Community sentiment for the Michelin Primacy 5 is broadly positive, with drivers consistently praising its low cabin noise, smooth ride comfort, and stable wet performance. However, some users report mixed experiences, noting surprisingly harsh ride quality, faster-than-expected tread wear, or limited initial size availability in certain markets.
team-bhp.com
“205/55 R16 - A common size missed and 205/60 R16 launched. Customers won't be able to upsize too as the variation is ~3.25% between both.”
r/TyreReviews
·36 upvotes ·2025-05-14
“New tyres. Michelin Primacy 5. My Mazda 6 had factory original Bridgestone Turanza 001’s fitted when I bought it. They had 4mm left but were really slippy in the rain and loud as heck. I really liked Primacy 4’s in my previous car (Saab 9-3) and decided to go with the Michelin again. So far my feeling is really positive. They are smooth and silent and bumps on the road feel less sharp. Michelins usually need to be run in a bit so let’s see how they feel after 1000 km. Read more”
r/CarTalkUK
·1 upvote ·2026-01-30
“Michelin Primacy 5 or new Primacy 5 energy I need to replace 2 of my tyres and was having a look online and saw that Michelin have released new Primacy 5 'energy' tyres. I was going to get the normal Primacy 5s as I have two already on the front of my car and am pretty pleased with them. However the Energy version has A for both fuel efficiency (normal ones have B for fuel efficiency) and wet grip and is quieter than the Primacy 5s according to black circles and is only £8.50 more per tyre. Given that they're designed for EVs (but website does mention that you get lower fuel consumption for combustion vehicles too) would I notice any difference on my diesel Passat estate? I mainly drive motorways/A roads and am pretty sensible when it comes to driving and I mainly want something that'll last ages and is good for fuel consumption. So should I go for the Energy edition or would I not experience any difference? Many thanks Read more”
Top themes
#low cabin noise#ride comfort and smoothness#tread life and wear#wet grip performance#Primacy 5 vs Pilot Sport 5#comparison with Continental PC7
Based on 63 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Primacy 4+ | B · Michelin Primacy 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 66 | 86 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 21″ | 16″ – 22″ |
| Sizes in common | 50 | 50 |
Which one should you actually buy?
78
/ 100
Michelin Primacy 4+
84
/ 100
Michelin Primacy 5
Winner: Michelin Primacy 5 — better comfort, efficiency and handling. Where the Michelin Primacy 4+ is ahead, it is by less than 3 points.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Primacy 5 scores 86 vs 71 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want lower fuel or energy use
Michelin Primacy 5 scores 92 vs 78 on efficiency.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Primacy 5 scores 79 vs 66 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Primacy 5 scores 94 vs 85 on treadwear.
Tire A · Michelin Primacy 4+
Tire B · Michelin Primacy 5
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Primacy 4+ or Primacy 5?
Which is better in the wet, Primacy 4+ or Primacy 5?
Michelin Primacy 5, 84 vs 79 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Primacy 4+ or Primacy 5?
Neither, by our numbers: 78 vs 77 on the dry score, within 3 points.
Which is quieter, Primacy 4+ or Primacy 5?
Neither, by our numbers: 72 vs 72 on the noise score, within 3 points.
Which is more comfortable, Primacy 4+ or Primacy 5?
Michelin Primacy 5, 86 vs 71 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Primacy 4+ or Primacy 5?
Michelin Primacy 5, 94 vs 85 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Primacy 4+ or Primacy 5?
Michelin Primacy 5, 92 vs 78 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