Continental dominates dry braking; Michelin wins on comfort, aquaplaning, and all-round refinement.
Continental UltraContact and Michelin Primacy 4+ both occupy the premium summer touring segment, but they serve different priorities. The Continental is built around exceptional dry braking and long tread life — a tyre that earns trust through raw safety credentials. The Michelin Primacy 4+, successor to the respected Primacy 4, leans into ride quality, low cabin noise and rolling efficiency, positioning itself as a refined daily companion. In the one test that brought both together, ADAC 2023 on 205/55 R16 across a 50-tyre field, the Michelin finished third and the Continental seventh — a telling gap that shapes the comparison throughout.
UltraContact
Primacy 4+





For drivers who prioritise dry-road safety above all, the Continental UltraContact makes a genuine case — its dry-braking lead is real, its mileage credentials are strong, and it rewards drivers who spend most of their time on dry tarmac. Its aquaplaning weakness is a material concern, however, and it falls short on comfort and refinement. The Michelin Primacy 4+ is the more complete everyday package: quieter, more comfortable, better at managing standing water, and rated significantly higher overall. For most drivers — particularly those covering mixed roads, motorway miles, and expecting refinement alongside safety — the Michelin is the natural choice. Those ready to move to the next generation should also note that Michelin has since launched the Primacy 5, which addresses some of the ageing wet-weather concerns.
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