Overview
The Michelin Primacy 4+ is a premium summer touring tyre designed for everyday drivers, families, and enthusiasts who value comfort, safety, and long tread life. Targeted primarily at sedans, hatchbacks, and compact crossovers, this tyre is especially well-suited to popular sizes like 205/55 R16 and 225/45 R17—making it a top choice for vehicles such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta, and Hyundai Elantra. The Primacy 4+ is engineered for reliable dry and wet performance, prioritizing confident braking, stable handling, and a quiet, refined ride for city and highway use. With Michelin’s latest tread compound and EverGrip technology, the Primacy 4+ aims to deliver consistent safety and comfort throughout its lifespan.
Key Specs
| Type | Summer Touring |
| Available Sizes Range | 15″–19″ (inc. 205/55 R16, 225/45 R17) |
| Speed Rating Examples | H, V, W |
| Load Index Examples | 91, 94 |
| Tread Pattern | Asymmetric, optimized channels |
| Technology Highlights | EverGrip tread, high-silica compound, MaxTouch Construction |
Performance: Dry
On dry roads, the Michelin Primacy 4+ impresses with its reassuring stability and predictable handling. Steering response feels direct yet composed, making it an excellent match for both city commutes and spirited highway driving. The tyre’s wide contact patch and advanced tread design maintain ample grip during cornering, while braking distances are confidently short for a touring tyre—especially in the popular 205/55 R16 size. While not quite as sharp as an ultra-high-performance model, the Primacy 4+ finds a sweet spot that balances safety and comfort with a hint of sportiness.
Performance: Wet
Wet-weather competence is a standout area for the Primacy 4+. The tyre uses a high-silica compound and deep, optimized grooves that channel water away efficiently, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. In real-world conditions, this translates to stable, composed handling even in heavy rain and brisk turns. Braking performance remains impressive, with the Primacy 4+ maintaining strong grip and short stopping distances compared to most rivals in its class. This wet performance holds up well even as the tread wears, thanks to Michelin’s EverGrip technology that exposes new grooves as the tyre ages.
Performance: Snow & Ice
N/A – The Michelin Primacy 4+ is a pure summer tyre and is not intended for snow or icy conditions. Drivers in regions with winter weather should consider dedicated winter tyres, or all-season options if light snow capability is required.
Comfort & Noise
Michelin has long been known for its focus on ride quality, and the Primacy 4+ is no exception. Road imperfections are absorbed with composure, delivering a smooth, plush ride that reduces fatigue on longer journeys. Cabin noise is impressively low, with only subtle hums noticeable at highway speeds. The tread pattern and rubber compound work together to keep vibrations and harshness minimal, making this tyre a favorite for those prioritizing comfort on daily drives and family road trips.
Durability & Economy
Durability is a core strength of the Primacy 4+. Michelin’s MaxTouch Construction distributes forces evenly across the tread, helping to avoid premature wear. Owners report long tread life, and the tyre’s design ensures that performance, especially wet grip, remains consistent as it ages. In the US market, the Primacy 4+ typically carries a UTQG rating of around 540 A A, indicating strong treadwear and traction characteristics. Rolling resistance is moderate for the segment, supporting good fuel economy—though not as low as some dedicated eco tyres. This balance makes it a practical choice for those looking to maximize miles between replacements without sacrificing safety.
Sizes & Alternatives
The Michelin Primacy 4+ is available in a broad range of sizes, with 205/55 R16 and 225/45 R17 among the most popular for compact and midsize sedans. Other common fitments include 195/65 R15 and 215/55 R17. When considering alternatives, drivers may also want to look at:
- Continental PureContact LS
- Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack
- Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus II
- Goodyear Assurance ComfortDrive
- General Altimax RT45
Each competitor brings its own blend of strengths—some prioritizing comfort, others excelling in wet grip or tread life—so it’s worth comparing based on your driving needs.
Pros & Cons
- Excellent wet and dry braking performance
- Quiet, comfortable ride
- Long tread life and consistent performance
- Strong aquaplaning resistance
- Available in a wide range of sizes
- Higher price point than some competitors
- Not suitable for snow or icy conditions
- Fuel efficiency good but not class-leading
- Steering feel less sporty than UHP tyres
Verdict
The Michelin Primacy 4+ stands out as a top-tier summer touring tyre for US drivers seeking comfort, safety, and longevity in everyday use. Its strengths—excellent wet and dry grip, quiet ride, and long-lasting performance—make it a smart investment for family cars, commuters, and anyone who values hassle-free driving with premium road manners. While it comes at a higher price than some rivals, the long tread life, consistent safety, and overall refinement help justify the cost for many drivers. However, those in regions with winter conditions or seeking a more dynamic, sporty steering response may want to look at specialized all-season or UHP alternatives. For the majority, the Primacy 4+ is a benchmark in summer touring excellence, particularly in the popular 205/55 R16 and 225/45 R17 sizes.
For someone driving mostly on highways and looking for a quiet ride, how does the road noise of the Primacy 4+ compare to other summer touring tires in the same 205/55 R16 size?
The Michelin Primacy 4+ is known for being one of the quieter summer touring tires in the 205/55 R16 size. It generally produces less road noise compared to many competitors, offering a smooth and quiet highway ride. If minimizing cabin noise is important to you, the Primacy 4+ is a strong choice in its category.
For a family sedan that sees a lot of rain but also light gravel roads, is the Primacy 4+ robust enough, or should I be looking at all-season options instead?
The Primacy 4+ offers excellent wet grip and comfort for paved roads, making it great for rainy conditions. However, it’s designed mainly for tarmac driving, not rough gravel. If you regularly drive on gravel, a more robust all-season tyre might provide better durability and traction for those mixed surfaces.
Does the Primacy 4+ maintain its wet weather performance as the tread wears down, or do you notice a drop-off after several thousand miles?
The Primacy 4+ is designed to maintain strong wet weather performance even as the tread wears down. Thanks to Michelin’s ‘EverGrip’ technology, the tyre retains much of its grip and braking capability in wet conditions over time, so you shouldn’t notice a significant drop-off after several thousand miles.
The article highlights strong wet and dry braking in the 205/55 R16 size. Is there any significant difference in handling or safety if I go with a wider or narrower Primacy 4+ size for my sedan?
Choosing a wider tyre may slightly improve grip and cornering stability, while a narrower tyre can help with fuel efficiency and aquaplaning resistance. However, the differences are usually subtle within recommended sizes. For best handling and safety, it’s important to stick to sizes approved for your sedan by the manufacturer.
If most of my driving is within the city with occasional road trips, how often would I need to rotate these tires to maximize their lifespan and keep the tread wear even?
For mainly city driving with occasional road trips, it’s best to rotate your Michelin Primacy 4+ tires every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometers or about every 6 months. This schedule helps ensure even tread wear and maximizes the lifespan of your tires. If you notice uneven wear sooner, rotate them earlier.
Is there a noticeable difference in handling or braking performance between the H, V, and W speed ratings for the Primacy 4+ in 205/55 R16?
For the Michelin Primacy 4+ in 205/55 R16, the H, V, and W speed ratings mainly indicate the maximum speed the tyre can handle, not major differences in everyday handling or braking performance. In everyday driving, most users won’t notice a significant difference between these ratings for handling or braking, as the core design and tread compound remain the same.
Does the EverGrip technology help maintain braking performance as the tyre wears down, or will I notice a decline toward the end of its lifespan?
EverGrip technology in the Primacy 4+ is specifically designed to help maintain braking performance as the tread wears down, thanks to evolving grooves and advanced rubber compounds. While some decline is natural as tyres approach the legal tread limit, you should notice less drop-off in wet braking compared to many standard tyres.
Is there any information on how the high-silica compound affects treadwear and fuel efficiency for the 205/55 R16 size?
The article notes that the high-silica compound in the Michelin Primacy 4+ improves both treadwear and fuel efficiency. For the 205/55 R16 size, this means you can expect longer-lasting tread and slightly lower rolling resistance, which helps with better fuel economy during summer driving.