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

Here the gap narrows and partly reverses. The Continental's wet braking score of 85 is solid, but its aquaplaning resistance score of just 64.5 is a genuine weakness — in standing water, it offers noticeably less reserve than its rivals. The Michelin scores 76.9 for aquaplaning, a meaningful advantage in heavy rain. Both carry EU wet grip label A, but the Primacy 4+'s aquaplaning control stems from Michelin's EverGrip compound technology, which is designed to maintain wet safety even as the tread wears. That said, testers have noted the Primacy 4+'s wet performance is beginning to show its age against newer designs, with handling times and stopping distances trailing more recent competition. The Continental has slightly weaker wet handling than some segment peers, though its wet braking score holds up well. For drivers who frequently encounter standing water or heavy rain, the Michelin is the safer bet; for those prioritising wet stopping distances on normal roads, the Continental is competitive.

This is the Continental's strongest suit. Its dry braking score of 91 is genuinely class-leading, and ADAC testing confirmed a well-balanced character with strong dry road capabilities. Real-world owners echo this — one Mercedes E-Class driver switching from Uniroyal noted how planted and confident the UltraContact felt on mixed roads. The Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 86.2 for dry braking, which is still respectable, and testers have praised its precise turn-in and direct steering response. Where the Continental has the edge is raw stopping power; where the Michelin edges ahead is in overall dry handling balance and composure, with less oversteer risk during rapid lane changes — something one test flagged as a concern with the Primacy 4+ only in more aggressive load-transfer situations. For everyday driving, both are safe and assured on dry asphalt, but the Continental stops shorter.

The Michelin Primacy 4+ wins this category convincingly. Its comfort score of 86.6 versus the Continental's 75, and noise score of 84.1 versus 75, reflect a genuinely different experience on board. Multiple testers across AutoBild and TyreReviews ranked it among the best-in-test for cabin refinement, and real owners consistently report how quiet and smooth it feels — a Honda Civic owner upgrading from Primacy 3 praised the reduced road noise immediately. One Mercedes E-Class owner on TyreReviews described the UltraContact as delivering excellent motorway quietness after switching from Uniroyal, suggesting it does represent an improvement on budget alternatives — but against the Primacy 4+, it is still noticeably the louder, firmer tyre. On rolling resistance, the Michelin scores 82.4 and carries a C EU fuel label (with some B variants), while the Continental is predominantly B-rated for fuel efficiency. For mileage, the Continental leads with a score of 88 against 83.8 — owners can expect excellent tread life, which partly justifies its existence against a more rounded competitor.