Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 0 + 1 road tests and 204 + 42 owner reviews. How we score
HTR Z III leads, 66–64 Narrow edge
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Tests – · none yet Owners 62 · 204 reviews
“Sounds as if Aus is rationalising inventory John. Pity because the HP is a good dirt road tyre with stones around. That said the XM2 is also a tough tyre & designed to take knocks that would damage High Performance summer tyres.”
Tests – · 1 test Owners 57 · 42 reviews
Best test result: #6 of 22 in 2022 Consumer Reports Ultra High Performance Summer Tires (tested tread life (miles))
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | Primacy HP | HTR Z III |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 66 (est.) | ≈ 68 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 63 | 68 |
Primacy HP: 60% × 65.8 (est.) + 40% × 62.7 = 65
HTR Z III: 60% × 67.9 (est.) + 40% × 67.6 = 68
No road tests of dry for Primacy HP. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).
No road tests of dry for HTR Z III. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).
| Source | Primacy HP | HTR Z III |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 67 (est.) | ≈ 65 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 63 | 61 |
Primacy HP: 60% × 66.6 (est.) + 40% × 63.3 = 65
HTR Z III: 60% × 65.1 (est.) + 40% × 60.6 = 63
No road tests of wet for Primacy HP. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).
No road tests of wet for HTR Z III. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).
| Source | Primacy HP | HTR Z III |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | ≈ 50 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | – | 14 |
HTR Z III: 60% × 49.7 (est.) + 40% × 14.4 = 36
No road tests of snow for HTR Z III. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.37).
| Source | Primacy HP | HTR Z III |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 67 (est.) | ≈ 68 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 59 | 65 |
Primacy HP: 40% × 67.3 (est.) + 60% × 58.9 = 62
HTR Z III: 40% × 68.4 (est.) + 60% × 65 = 66
No road tests of comfort for Primacy HP or HTR Z III. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
| Source | Primacy HP | HTR Z III |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | ≈ 67 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | – | 63 |
HTR Z III: 60% × 66.6 (est.) + 40% × 62.5 = 65
No road tests of noise for HTR Z III. The test half is the tested tires’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.
| Source | Primacy HP | HTR Z III |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests | ≈ 64 (est.) | 70 |
| Reviews found online | 61 | 59 |
Primacy HP: 60% × 64.3 (est.) + 40% × 61 = 63
HTR Z III: 60% × 70.2 + 40% × 58.9 = 66
No road tests of treadwear for Primacy HP. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).
| Source | Primacy HP | HTR Z III |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 60 | 66 |
| Category | Michelin Primacy HP | Sumitomo HTR Z III |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 64 | 66 |
| Dry | 65 | 68 |
| Wet | 65 | 63 |
| Snow | – | 36 |
| Comfort | 62 | 66 |
| Noise | – | 65 |
| Treadwear | 63 | 66 |
| Handling (owners) | 60 | 66 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.
Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.
Primacy HP
HTR Z III
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
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 HP | HTR Z III | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #5/6 2010 Autocar Tyre Test - FWD | #17/22 2022 Consumer Reports Ultra High Performance Summer Tires | – | Different tests |
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Community opinion on the Michelin Primacy HP is divided depending on use case: enthusiasts frequently criticize them for lacking grip compared to dedicated Pilot Sport performance tires, though many appreciate their playful, low-traction slide characteristics on cars like the GR86/BRZ. Owners also note their low rolling resistance and suitability for mild climates, but raise occasional discussions around shoulder cracking with age and their limitation as summer-only rubber.
“So long as you’ve got some tread, the stock Primacy HP tires are plenty safe for Bay Area weather all year ‘round. Just don’t drive anywhere that gets real winter weather or freezing temps. I’d avoid trips up to Tahoe in January. And don’t climb Mt. Diablo or Mt. Hamilton when they get their occasional dusting of snow. (I live in upstate NY now, so I’m familiar with tires & winter conditions …but I’m also a Bay Area native.)”
“BIMMERPOST / Classifieds Asking Price: USD 30.00 Location: ✓ Local Pickup Only Item Interest These tires were removed from my F10 535i M Sport with 15k miles on them. They have 3/32nd (30%) of tread depth remaining. They are great for those of you looking to do some burnouts or donuts. Both tires have not been patched. I am asking $30 local pick up only in SoCal 91765.”
“I have these tires on my 2013 GL550 and they handle really well here in Chicago. They are a little loud for me, but do great in the snow and rain.”
Based on 36 community posts
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
| Attribute | A · Michelin Primacy HP | B · Sumitomo HTR Z III |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | — | 10/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 300 A A |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 50 psi |
Michelin Primacy HP
Sumitomo HTR Z III
Narrow edge: Sumitomo HTR Z III — better handling, comfort and dry. Where the Michelin Primacy HP is ahead, it is by less than 3 points.
Sumitomo HTR Z III scores 66 vs 60 on handling.
Sumitomo HTR Z III scores 66 vs 62 on comfort.
Sumitomo HTR Z III scores 68 vs 65 on dry.
Sumitomo HTR Z III scores 66 vs 63 on treadwear.
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Neither, by our numbers: 65 vs 63 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Sumitomo HTR Z III, 68 vs 65 on our dry score.
Sumitomo HTR Z III, 66 vs 62 on our comfort score.
Sumitomo HTR Z III, 66 vs 63 on our treadwear score.
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
