Michelin Primacy 4 ST Review — Asian-Market Safety for NZ Family Cars
Overall Rating: 9.0 / 10
Category: Grand Touring — Asia-Pacific
Price in NZ: From $395 per tyre
Best for: Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Kia Cerato — NZ family sedans
Available sizes: 15″ – 18″ rims
Quick Verdict
The Michelin Primacy 4 ST is a Asia-Pacific variant of the Primacy 4 family — the “ST” designation indicating this variant is tuned specifically for Southeast Asian and Oceania markets, including New Zealand. It carries the same core promise as the standard Primacy 4 — “Safe when new, safe when worn” — in a compound formulated for NZ’s warmer, wetter climate and the vehicle sizes most common in our market. At $395, it is $69 less than the standard Primacy 4 ($464) while delivering the same EU Label A wet grip.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Category | Grand Touring (Asia-Pacific variant) |
| EU Label — Wet Grip | A (highest) |
| EU Label — Fuel Efficiency | B |
| EU Label — Noise | 70–72 dB |
| Speed Ratings | H (210), V (240 km/h) |
| Available Rim Sizes | 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″ |
| NZ Price Range | $395 – $490 (varies by size) |
| Key Technology | EverGrip compound (Primacy 4 technology) |
Performance Profile
The Primacy 4 ST delivers the core Primacy 4 characteristics in a formulation specifically appropriate for NZ conditions:
Wet safety: EU Label A — the same top rating as the standard Primacy 4. The EverGrip compound maintains wet braking performance through the tyre’s wear life, important for NZ WoF compliance as tyres approach the 1.5mm legal minimum.
Compound tuning: The ST compound is optimised for temperatures from 15°C to 40°C — the typical range for NZ driving conditions from Auckland summer to Wellington winter. European-variant Primacy 4 tyres are tuned for colder European conditions that don’t match NZ’s temperature profile.
Tread life: Good — consistent with Primacy 4 family standards. For NZ Toyota Corolla owners covering 15,000 km annually, expect 45,000–55,000 km.
Primacy 4 ST vs Standard Primacy 4 — The $69 Question
| Feature | Primacy 4 ST | Primacy 4 |
|---|---|---|
| EU Wet Grip | A | A |
| EU Fuel | B | B |
| Compound tuning | Asia-Pacific (NZ-appropriate) | European |
| Sizes | 15″–18″ (smaller range) | 15″–20″ |
| NZ Price | $395+ | $464+ |
For most NZ family car owners: The Primacy 4 ST at $395 is the better choice — NZ-appropriate compound tuning at a lower price. The standard Primacy 4 is preferable if you need 19″ or 20″ sizes.
NZ Road Conditions Assessment
Auckland: Excellent — the Asia-Pacific compound is precisely calibrated for Auckland’s conditions. EU Label A wet grip in Auckland’s constant rain, with a compound that performs predictably across NZ’s typical temperature range.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- EU Label A wet grip — Primacy 4 safety standard at lower price ($395)
- Asia-Pacific compound tuning — appropriate for NZ temperatures
- Good tread life — end-of-life wet safety maintained
- Michelin quality and wide NZ service network
Cons
- Limited to 15″–18″ — not available for 19″ and 20″ fitments (choose standard Primacy 4)
- Not a performance tyre
Sources
- Michelin Primacy 4 ST specifications — michelin.com — accessed 2026-06-01
- Tyroola NZ pricing — tyroola.co.nz/tyre/michelin/ — accessed 2026-06-01
Related Pages
- Michelin Primacy 4 — the standard variant for larger sizes
- Michelin Primacy 5 — the current flagship touring tyre
- Michelin Tyres NZ — brand overview