Continental stops shorter on dry; Michelin floats quieter, corners wetter, and lasts longer.
On paper, Continental UltraContact and Michelin Primacy 4+ look like near-identical premium summer touring tyres. In practice, they serve quite different masters. The Continental is built around sharp dry performance and exceptional mileage — it is a tyre that rewards safety-conscious drivers who cover high annual distances on dry roads. The Michelin, meanwhile, is a comfort and refinement specialist: quieter, more supple, better at aquaplaning, and rated considerably higher overall at 76/100 against the Continental's 53/100. The Primacy 4+ has since been succeeded by the Michelin Primacy 5, but it remains a compelling choice in its own right. In the one shared test between these two — the ADAC 2023 205/55 R16 comparison across 50 tyres — the Michelin finished third and the Continental seventh, a gap that reflects their broader performance hierarchy.
UltraContact
Primacy 4+





If dry braking performance and long tyre life are your primary concerns, the Continental UltraContact delivers both at a high level, and its competitive wet braking keeps it in safe territory for most conditions. However, its aquaplaning weakness and lower comfort scores mean it is a compromised all-rounder. The Michelin Primacy 4+ is the more complete tyre: quieter, more comfortable, better in standing water, and more consistently praised across independent test programmes. Its wet performance is aging relative to the newest designs — and buyers chasing the latest technology should seriously consider its successor, the Michelin Primacy 5 — but within this direct comparison, the Primacy 4+ is the clearer recommendation for drivers who want a refined, safe, and well-rounded summer tyre. The Continental makes most sense for high-mileage motorway drivers in predominantly dry climates who prioritise stopping power and economy over comfort.
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