Michelin Primacy All Season Review — Michelin’s Year-Round SUV for South Island
Overall Rating: 8.9 / 10
Category: All-Season SUV
Price in NZ: From $971 per tyre
Best for: Premium SUVs needing year-round South Island capability — BMW X, Mercedes GLE, Audi Q
Available sizes: 19″ – 22″ rims
Quick Verdict
The Michelin Primacy All Season is Michelin’s premium all-season SUV offering — the most expensive tyre in our NZ review guide at $971. It targets premium large SUV owners in the South Island who need year-round capability including genuine winter performance. The 3PMSF certification, EU Label A wet grip, and Michelin’s Primacy compound longevity combine in a package that justifies its price for owners of BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, or Audi Q7 in alpine South Island locations who refuse to compromise on either performance or all-season capability.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Category | All-Season Premium SUV |
| EU Label — Wet Grip | A (highest) |
| EU Label — Fuel Efficiency | C |
| Winter Rating | 3PMSF certified |
| Speed Ratings | V (240), W (270) km/h |
| Available Rim Sizes | 19″, 20″, 21″, 22″ |
| NZ Price Range | $971 – $1,400+ |
| Key Technology | Primacy compound + CrossClimate all-season silica |
Performance Profile
Wet safety: EU Label A — maintained across all temperatures (summer and winter conditions). The CrossClimate-influenced all-season compound retains grip at 0°C that a summer tyre cannot match.
Winter performance: 3PMSF certified — the only Michelin all-season SUV tyre with full winter certification. For South Island alpine conditions, this certification provides meaningful snow traction improvement over summer alternatives.
Dry performance: Very good — Michelin’s premium compound delivers composed, confident dry handling appropriate for large premium SUVs.
Tread life: Excellent — Michelin’s compound longevity applies to the all-season compound, making the premium price more justifiable over the tyre’s extended service life.
NZ Road Conditions Assessment
South Island — Alpine Premium SUVs: Outstanding. The only all-season premium SUV tyre in NZ that combines 3PMSF certification, EU Label A wet grip, and Michelin compound longevity. For BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, and Audi Q7 owners in Queenstown, Wanaka, and alpine Canterbury — this is the definitive year-round solution at a premium price.
North Island: The all-season capability is underutilised in North Island conditions. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 SUV (EU Label A, summer) delivers better performance at less than half the price for North Island owners.
The $971 Question — Is It Worth It?
At $971 vs Continental CrossContact RX at $267 (both 3PMSF + EU Label A):
The Primacy All Season’s advantages justify the premium for:
- Premium SUV owners where brand matching matters (BMW M official recommendation)
- Drivers who prioritise Michelin’s compound longevity (cost-per-km over 3 sets of CrossContact RX)
- Very large SUVs (21″–22″ sizes) where the CrossContact RX may not be available
For most South Island SUV owners: the Continental CrossContact RX at $267 delivers the same 3PMSF + A-rating at 27% of the price.
Sources
- Michelin Primacy All Season — michelin.com — accessed 2026-06-01
- Tyroola NZ pricing — tyroola.co.nz/tyre/michelin/ — accessed 2026-06-01
Related Pages
- Continental CrossContact RX — 3PMSF + A-rating at $267
- Best Tyres for South Island — South Island buying guide
- Michelin Tyres NZ — brand overview