Comparison: Continental UltraContact vs. Michelin Primacy 4+ vs. Firestone Roadhawk 2 vs. GoodYear Efficientgrip Performance 2 vs. Falken e.Ziex vs. Goodyear Efficientgrip 2 SUV

Premium

Continental

UltraContact

VS

Also compare with

SportContact 7

UltraContact NXT

Cinturato (C3)

Continental leads on dry braking; Michelin wins on comfort, refinement, and running costs.

The Continental UltraContact and the Michelin Primacy 4+ are both premium summer touring tyres, but they represent genuinely different approaches to what a family car tyre should do. Continental has built the UltraContact around maximum dry grip, short stopping distances, and remarkable longevity — a tyre that earns its premium badge on safety and durability grounds. Michelin's Primacy 4+, the evolution of the Michelin Primacy 4 and now succeeded by the Michelin Primacy 5, leans harder into refinement: low noise, low rolling resistance, and a smooth, composed ride backed by Michelin's EverGrip technology, which is specifically designed to maintain grip performance as the tread wears down. In the one test where they've faced each other directly — ADAC's 2023 50-tyre shootout — the Michelin finished third and the Continental seventh, a meaningful gap that broadly reflects their overall competitive standing.

UltraContact

Good for

Drivers prioritising short dry braking distances High-mileage drivers wanting long tread life Balanced all-conditions performance seekers Safety-focused family car drivers

Not ideal for

Drivers needing best-in-class aquaplaning resistance Those prioritising ultimate cabin refinement

Primacy 4+

Good for

Motorway commuters valuing cabin quietness Fuel-conscious drivers watching running costs Comfort-first buyers wanting a refined ride Drivers wanting safety maintained as tread wears

Not ideal for

Drivers needing the sharpest wet-weather performance Spirited drivers pushing hard in dry conditions

Test Profile

UltraContact

Primacy 4+

Roadhawk 2

Efficientgrip Performance 2

e.Ziex

Efficientgrip 2 SUV

Number of tests

1

13

6

4

3

5

Best position

#7

#1

#3

#2

#1

Average position

7.0

4.3

4.7

3.3

3.7

2.2

Latest test

2023

2025

2026

2025

Available sizes

88

123

146

40

36

63

Tread pattern comparison

Continental UltraContact

Michelin Primacy 4+

Drag to compare · Scroll to zoom · Double-click for 2×

Verdict

The Continental UltraContact is the pick for drivers who want the sharpest dry braking performance, a well-rounded character across conditions, and outstanding mileage — it's a safe, dependable choice that earns its premium positioning without demanding much compromise. The Michelin Primacy 4+ is the more refined companion: if cabin quietness, low fuel bills, and a silky ride quality matter more to you than outright dry braking margins, it's the more enjoyable tyre to live with day to day. Its EverGrip technology adds a genuine long-term safety argument as the tread wears. Be aware that its wet performance is beginning to show age relative to newer designs — drivers in consistently wet climates or those who need maximum aquaplaning reserves may find the newer Michelin Primacy 5 a more compelling option. For most comfort-first buyers, though, the Primacy 4+ still delivers in all the ways that matter most.