Comparison: Continental UltraContact vs. Michelin Primacy 4+ vs. Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance 2 vs. Firestone Roadhawk 2 vs. GoodYear Efficientgrip Performance 2 vs. Michelin Primacy 5

{"intro":"

Both the Continental UltraContact and the Michelin Primacy 4+ wear the premium summer label, but they are built around different convictions. Continental has engineered the UltraContact as a dry-focused safety tyre with exceptional braking performance and impressive longevity — a tyre that earns its keep through sheer competence on the surface where most driving happens. Michelin took a different path with the Primacy 4+ (itself an evolution of the Primacy 4, now succeeded by the Primacy 5): a comfort-first, low-noise touring tyre that Michelin markets on the promise of sustained safety performance as the tread wears. They shared a stage in the ADAC 2023 group test of 50 summer tyres — the Michelin finished third, the Continental seventh — and that gap tells a story worth unpacking.

","dry":"

On dry roads, the Continental UltraContact is the sharper tool. Its dry performance score of 91 and dry-braking score of 91 place it firmly among the class leaders, and ADAC testing confirmed a balanced, capable character with strong dry handling. The UltraContact inspires confidence at the limit — precise turn-in, stable transitions, and braking that consistently outperforms the segment average. The Michelin Primacy 4+ is no embarrassment on dry asphalt — Autobild praised its direct steering response and dynamic handling qualities, and its dry-braking score of 86 is respectable — but with a dry performance score of 79, it yields meaningful ground to the Continental when driving demands more from the tyre. Owners of the UltraContact repeatedly cite good grip and low fuel consumption in real-world feedback, reinforcing the test data.

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Wet performance is where the picture complicates. The Continental UltraContact carries a wet-braking score of 85, which sounds strong — but its aquaplaning resistance score of just 64.5 is a genuine weak point, flagged by ADAC as a light weakness and reflected in real-world driving on standing water. The Michelin Primacy 4+ scores 76.9 for aquaplaning, a meaningful advantage on flooded motorways, and its overall wet score of 76.2 edges the Continental's 75.1. That said, recent 2025 testing has caught up with the Primacy 4+: TyreReviews noted that its wet performance is showing the tyre's age, with longer stopping distances and slower wet handling times than newer designs. Automotorsport flagged long wet braking distances and weak cornering grip on wet asphalt as real concerns. The Michelin is the safer choice when standing water is the threat; the Continental is more consistent when the road is merely damp.

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Comfort and refinement is the Primacy 4+'s home ground, and it shows convincingly. Its interior noise score of 84.1 against the Continental's 75 represents a real in-cabin difference on long motorway runs — TyreReviews named it second-quietest in its 2025 group test. Comfort scores tell the same story: 86.6 for the Michelin versus 75 for the Continental. Owners consistently back this up — on Heureka the Michelin scores a perfect 10/10 across 18 reviews, with quietness and reliability cited repeatedly. One Mercedes E-Class driver switching to the UltraContact reported it as "extremely quiet in highways and very comfortable on B roads" with improved fuel consumption — praise that underlines the Continental's credentials here — but even that owner conceded it was the quieter option compared to previous fitments, not necessarily compared to the Michelin. Rolling resistance is measurably better on the Primacy 4+ (score 82.4), which will register in fuel costs over a full season. For mileage, the Continental edges slightly ahead with a score of 88 versus the Michelin's 83.8, suggesting it may outlast its rival in kilometres per millimetre of tread.

","verdict":"

If dry braking performance and maximum tyre life are your priorities, the Continental UltraContact delivers both at a price that undercuts most of the premium field. It is a serious, safety-focused tyre that earns strong marks where most real-world driving takes place, and its aquaplaning weakness, while real, is manageable for drivers who avoid flooded roads. If you spend long hours on motorways and value a quieter, more refined ride with better rolling resistance and stronger aquaplaning reserves, the Michelin Primacy 4+ remains a compelling choice — though buyers should note it is an outgoing design with the Primacy 5 already available as its successor, and its wet performance has aged relative to the latest generation of rivals. For most everyday drivers, the Michelin's broader all-round polish gives it the edge; for drivers who want maximum dry-road security and mileage, the Continental makes a strong case.

","claim":"Continental dominates on dry tarmac; Michelin wins on comfort, noise, and motorway refinement.","good_for":{"Continental UltraContact":["Drivers prioritising short dry braking distances","High-mileage users wanting long tread life","Fuel-conscious drivers on mixed roads","Compact and mid-size car owners on R14–R17"],"Michelin Primacy 4+":["Motorway commuters valuing a quiet, refined ride","EV and heavier vehicle drivers needing low rolling resistance","Family car owners prioritising all-round safety","Drivers who encounter standing water regularly"]},"not_for":{"Continental UltraContact":["Drivers frequently encountering heavy surface water","Those who prioritise cabin quietness above all","Performance vehicle owners needing larger UHP sizes"],"Michelin Primacy 4+":["Drivers who prioritise maximum dry braking performance","Those wanting the latest-generation wet performance","Budget-conscious buyers — premium pricing for an outgoing model"]}}