Michelin Primacy 4 Review — Safe When New, Safe When Worn
Overall Rating: 9.1 / 10
Category: Grand Touring / Premium Touring
Price in NZ: From $464 per tyre (passenger), from $645 (SUV)
Best for: Family sedans, luxury cars, long-distance touring
Available sizes: 16″ – 20″ rims
Quick Verdict
The Michelin Primacy 4 is built around one remarkable promise: it should be as safe when worn to the legal minimum as most competitors are when new. Michelin’s own testing demonstrates that the Primacy 4 at 1.6mm of remaining tread delivers wet braking performance comparable to a competitor tyre that is brand new. For New Zealand families covering high annual kilometres, this makes the Primacy 4 one of the most genuinely safety-focused tyres available in the country.
In European consumer organisation tests run by TCS (Switzerland) and ADAC (Germany), the Primacy 4 consistently scores “Recommended” across all wear stages — a distinction that very few rivals achieve.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Category | Grand Touring / Premium Touring |
| EU Label — Wet Grip | A (highest) |
| EU Label — Fuel Efficiency | B |
| EU Label — Noise | 69–71 dB |
| Speed Ratings | H (210), V (240), W (270 km/h) |
| Available Rim Sizes | 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″ |
| NZ Price Range | $464 – $620 (passenger) |
| Key Technology | EverGrip compound — maintains wet performance as tread wears |
Performance Data: The “Safe When Worn” Technology
Michelin’s EverGrip compound is the defining feature of the Primacy 4. Unlike standard rubber compounds that lose grip significantly as tread wears, EverGrip:
- Reveals additional grooves as the tyre wears, maintaining water evacuation channels
- Uses an evolving compound that actually improves wet contact as the surface layer is removed
- Delivers EU Label A wet grip from new tyre through to legal wear limit (1.5mm)
Tested wet braking results (independent):
- Primacy 4 at 1.6mm tread: wet braking distance comparable to a new competing tyre
- Full-wear wet performance ranked “Recommended” by TCS and ADAC — rare for any tyre
- New-tyre wet braking: consistently top-3 in its touring category
What this means for NZ drivers:
In New Zealand, the WoF legal minimum tread depth is 1.5mm. Many drivers replace tyres only when prompted by a WoF failure — meaning some cars run on tyres approaching the legal limit. The Primacy 4 is specifically engineered to maintain real-world safety even at these low tread depths.
NZ Road Conditions Assessment
Auckland and North Island
Verdict: Excellent
Auckland families driving Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, or Hyundai Sonata models will find the Primacy 4 exceptional. Its year-round wet grip handles Auckland’s constant rain with confidence, while the comfortable ride suits the long commutes and motorway distances common in greater Auckland. For families who cover 20,000+ km per year, the Primacy 4’s longevity and end-of-life safety performance are particularly valuable.
Wellington
Verdict: Very Good
Wellington’s exposed motorway conditions and persistent rain are well-matched to the Primacy 4’s wet performance credentials. The tyre’s stability at motorway speeds (V and W speed ratings available) suits SH1 and the Hutt Valley expressway.
South Island
Verdict: Good — mild conditions
The Primacy 4 is a summer-biased touring tyre. It performs excellently in Christchurch, Nelson, and coastal Marlborough year-round. For Canterbury and Otago alpine areas experiencing sub-zero winters, the CrossClimate 2 (all-season) is a safer choice for year-round use.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Industry-leading wet performance at end-of-tyre-life — the safest worn tyre in its class
- EU Label A wet grip from new through to wear limit
- Comfortable, refined ride for family touring
- Long tread life — Michelin’s compound longevity advantage is consistent across the Primacy range
- Available in SUV variant (from $645) for RAV4, CX-5, Tucson, and similar
Cons
- Premium price ($464+) — significantly above budget alternatives
- Not an all-season tyre — sub-zero South Island alpine performance degrades below 7°C
- Lower cornering feel than the Pilot Sport range — touring priority means softer handling
Who Should Buy the Michelin Primacy 4?
Perfect for:
- Families prioritising long-term safety as tyres wear — the key differentiator of this tyre
- High-mileage commuters: 20,000+ km per year
- Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Mazda 6, Volkswagen Passat, Hyundai Sonata owners
- Drivers who replace tyres based on WoF requirements — the Primacy 4 is safer at low tread depths
- Luxury touring vehicles: BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6
Not ideal for:
- Performance-oriented drivers (see Pilot Sport 5 instead)
- South Island alpine year-round use (see CrossClimate 2)
- Budget buyers (see Continental EcoContact 6 at $273)
Primacy 4 vs Closest Rivals
| Tyre | Worn Wet Safety | Dry Handling | Tread Life | NZ Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin Primacy 4 | Best in class | Good | Excellent | $464+ | 9.1/10 |
| Bridgestone Turanza 6 | Very Good | Good | Very Good | $464+ | 9.2/10 |
| Continental PremiumContact 7 | Good | Very Good | Good | $380+ | 8.9/10 |
| Pirelli Cinturato P7 | Good | Good | Good | $373+ | 9.1/10 |
| Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 | Good | Good | Good | $350+ | 8.7/10 |
Available Sizes in NZ (Common)
| Size | Rim | Speed | Load | NZ From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 195/65 R15 | 15″ | H | 91 | $430 |
| 205/55 R16 | 16″ | H | 91 | $464 |
| 225/45 R17 | 17″ | W | 91 | $495 |
| 225/50 R18 | 18″ | W | 95 | $545 |
| 245/45 R19 | 19″ | W | 102 | $605 |
Sources
- Michelin EverGrip technology — michelin.com — accessed 2026-06-01
- TCS tyre test — Primacy 4 “Recommended” at end of life — tcs.ch — accessed 2026-06-01
- ADAC summer tyre test results — adac.de — accessed 2026-06-01
- Tyroola NZ pricing — tyroola.co.nz/tyre/michelin/ — accessed 2026-06-01
Related Pages
- Michelin Pilot Sport 5 — the performance alternative
- Michelin CrossClimate 2 — all-season for South Island
- Best SUV Tyres NZ — SUV buying guide
- Michelin Tyres NZ — full brand overview