Comparison: Michelin Primacy 3 vs. Michelin Primacy 4 vs. Hankook Ventus Prime 4 vs. GoodYear Efficientgrip Performance 2 vs. Firestone Roadhawk 2

Premium

Michelin

Primacy 3

R15 – R20

VS

Premium

Michelin

Also compare with

UltraContact NXT

Cinturato (C3)

PremiumContact 7

The Primacy 4 is the Primacy 3's direct successor — more capable, better supported, and built to stay safe as it wears.

When Michelin updated its core touring range, the Primacy 4 arrived as the direct successor to the Primacy 3 — not a rival to it. Both sit in Michelin's premium summer comfort segment, designed for saloon and hatchback drivers who want safety, refinement, and long tread life rather than outright sport performance. The reason both still appear in the market is that the Primacy 3 has not been fully phased out everywhere, but the picture is clear: the Primacy 4 is the evolved, more capable design, and the Primacy 3 is now available in only a handful of remaining sizes. If you are choosing between them, you are essentially deciding whether a legacy stock option suits you, or whether the modern successor is the right fit.

Primacy 3

Good for

Drivers whose car fits one of the few remaining sizes Value seekers buying remaining stock Classic saloon owners prioritising wet braking

Not ideal for

Drivers needing sizes outside the very limited remaining range EV owners requiring low rolling resistance ratings Those wanting the latest tyre technology

Primacy 4

Good for

Everyday drivers wanting long-lasting wet safety EV and hybrid owners needing low rolling resistance Wide fitment needs from 14" to 23" Families prioritising quiet, refined long-distance comfort

Not ideal for

Strict budget buyers — premium pricing applies Drivers wanting maximum sporting dynamics

Test Profile

Primacy 3

Primacy 4

Ventus Prime 4

Efficientgrip Performance 2

Roadhawk 2

Number of tests

10

20

14

4

6

Best position

#1

#2

#3

Average position

6.1

3.5

6.3

3.3

4.7

Latest test

2018

2022

2026

Available sizes

184

386

532

40

146

Verdict

For anyone buying new today, the Michelin Primacy 4 is the straightforward recommendation. It is safer in wet conditions, better in dry braking, more durable, available in a far wider range of sizes, and compatible with electric vehicles — a genuinely comprehensive upgrade over its predecessor. The Michelin Primacy 3 remains a capable tyre if you happen to drive a vehicle that fits one of its few remaining sizes and find it at an attractive price, but it is not a tyre Michelin is actively developing or expanding. For most drivers choosing a premium summer touring tyre from Michelin's range today, the Primacy 4 is the natural starting point — and for those who want the very latest, the Primacy 5 represents the current state of the art.