Comparison: Michelin Primacy 4 vs. Yokohama BLUEARTH-GT AE51 (2026)

On dry roads, both tyres acquit themselves well, though the Michelin carries a slight structural advantage. In the one shared test with measured braking data — the Autobild 2022 215/55 R17 group test of 51 tyres — the Primacy 4 stopped from 100 km/h in 36.2 metres against the BLUEARTH-GT AE51's 37.7 metres, a gap of 1.5 metres that matters in an emergency stop. The Michelin also finished 8th overall in that test versus 25th for the Yokohama, reflecting a broader performance gap beyond braking alone. That said, the BLUEARTH-GT AE51 scores marginally higher on overall dry dynamics (82.4 vs 81.2), suggesting its handling balance on dry asphalt is genuinely confident and well-sorted for everyday driving. The Primacy 4 brings crisp turn-in and precise steering response to the equation, which real-world owners appreciate — though some note the tyre needs a few hundred kilometres of bedding-in before the steering feels fully alive.

This is where the gap between these two tyres becomes most consequential. The Michelin Primacy 4 is built around Michelin's EverGrip Technologies and a tread design that evacuates water efficiently even as the tyre wears — wet braking and confidence in the rain are genuine strengths, backed by a wet braking score of 85.5 and a predominantly A-rated EU wet grip label across its range. In the shared Autobild 2022 test, the Primacy 4 stopped in 29.3 metres on wet tarmac compared to 32.2 metres for the BLUEARTH-GT AE51 — a difference of nearly 3 metres that translates to real safety margin in heavy rain. The Yokohama's wet braking score of 78 and aquaplaning score of 61 are noticeably lower, and the entire BLUEARTH-GT AE51 range carries an A wet grip label — which is encouraging — but its overall wet performance trail the Michelin meaningfully across the metrics available. Drivers who regularly face downpours or standing water should weigh this difference carefully.

Flip the comparison to comfort and noise, and the Yokohama finds its natural territory. With comfort and noise scores both at 90, the BLUEARTH-GT AE51 delivers a genuinely hushed, cushioned ride that stands well clear of the Primacy 4's already respectable ratings of 79.5 and 80.4 respectively. This is the Yokohama's strongest suit: the tyre absorbs road imperfections smoothly and keeps cabin noise impressively low, making it a natural fit for longer motorway journeys. The Primacy 4 is by no means harsh — real owners consistently highlight its low noise as a positive — but the BLUEARTH-GT AE51 operates in a different comfort bracket altogether. On rolling resistance, however, the Michelin is substantially more efficient: a score of 88.4 versus 60 for the Yokohama, a gap that will show up in real-world fuel consumption over time. On mileage, the Primacy 4 scores an exceptional 92.5 — with durability among the most frequently mentioned positives by owners — compared to insufficient data for the Yokohama, though early owners do flag durability as a strength.