Comparison: Continental UltraContact vs. Michelin Primacy 4+ vs. Michelin PILOT ALPIN 5

Premium

Continental

UltraContact

VS

Primacy 4+

PILOT ALPIN 5

10.0

R16 – R22

Also compare with

PILOT ALPIN 5

Cinturato (C3)

PremiumContact 7

Continental excels on dry roads; Michelin is the better all-rounder.

Both the Continental UltraContact and the Michelin Primacy 4+ sit in the premium summer touring segment, but they were built with different drivers in mind. Continental shaped the UltraContact around strong dry braking performance and exceptional tread life — a tyre that rewards drivers who spend most of their time on dry tarmac. Michelin took the Primacy 4+ in a different direction, prioritising ride refinement, low noise, and long-lasting safety. In their one shared test — ADAC 2023 on 205/55 R16 across a 50-tyre field — the Primacy 4+ finished 3rd while the UltraContact placed 7th, and that gap reflects a genuine difference in all-round ability rather than any single weakness.

UltraContact

Good for

Drivers in drier climates prioritising dry braking High-mileage motorway commuters Value-focused premium tyre buyers

Not ideal for

Drivers in wet or rainy climates Anyone concerned about aquaplaning resistance Buyers wanting the most balanced all-round tyre

Primacy 4+

Good for

Comfort-focused everyday drivers Mixed weather and unpredictable conditions EV and hybrid owners valuing low rolling resistance Family car owners wanting refinement and safety

Not ideal for

Sporty drivers wanting sharp dry response Those wanting the freshest wet-weather technology

Test Profile

UltraContact

Primacy 4+

PILOT ALPIN 5

Number of tests

1

13

21

Best position

#7

#1

Average position

7.0

4.3

1.7

Latest test

2023

2025

Available sizes

87

123

135

Tread pattern comparison

Continental UltraContact

Michelin Primacy 4+

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

Verdict

The Primacy 4+ is the more complete tyre. Better balanced across wet safety, comfort, and noise, and it has the ADAC head-to-head result to prove it. Its successor, the Michelin Primacy 5, is now available and worth considering if you want the latest generation. The UltraContact is not a bad tyre — its dry braking and mileage credentials are legitimate — but a rating of 53/100 against 76/100 for the Michelin reflects real gaps, particularly in aquaplaning. Buy the UltraContact if you drive mostly in dry conditions and want maximum tread life for the money. Buy the Primacy 4+ if you want a quiet, refined tyre that remains competent in mixed weather and doesn't demand you check the forecast before every journey.