Michelin Premier A/S Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 85%
Wet Conditions – 90%
Snow – 80%
Comfort – 90%
Noise Reduction – 80%
Durability – 80%
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Amazon TireRack DiscountTire PriorityTire SimpleTireDon't know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
Tires like the Premier A/S show why Michelin is the world’s leading tire manufacturer. This tire not only boasts excellent dry and wet performance. It also offers supreme ride comfort and may enhance your car’s fuel economy. Plus, it can keep you safe on snow and ice.
Yet that isn’t to say that this model is faultless. One area I think it could do better is the treadwear warranty. A 60,000-mile guarantee leaves it well short of rivals which are backed to last for much longer, giving the Premier A/S a hard time justifying its high asking price.
Also, by prioritizing riding comfort over performance, this tire risks putting off drivers who want the best of both worlds. Want to know more about the areas where this tire impresses as well as those where it has room for improvement? Then read this guide to the end.
Pros
- Class-leading and consistent wet traction
- Exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride
- Can handle mild wintry conditions with ease
Cons
- Average treadwear warranty
The Features of the Michelin Premier A/S
The Michelin Premier A/S has many features that make it the ultimate all-season tire.
The first of which is the sunflower and silica tread compound. As I have stated elsewhere, this compound is responsible for this model’s excellent dry and wet traction. Were it not for it, the Premier A/S would have struggled to thrive on dry roads and in the rain.
That said, the tread compound alone isn’t to credit for this model’s excellent wet grip. The Expanding Rain Grooves, which open up on slippery surfaces for enhanced traction, also deserve praise. So does the EverGrip Technology, which features the rain grooves.
However, the EverGrip Tech won’t just enhance this tire’s wet performance. By featuring grooves that open up as this model’s tread wears down, it also enables the Premier A/S to retain its traction for much longer. That, in my opinion, is why this model is so pricey.
After taking care of its dry grip and wet traction, Michelin then went on to make this tire’s ride as comfortable as possible. Enter Comfort Control Technology. This tech uses a rubber patch to absorb vibrations and deflect road noise, ensuring serene ride quality.
Michelin Premier A/S in Dry Conditions
As expected, the Premier A/S delights you with its dry performance.
Not only does this tire ride smoothly, but it does so while offering superior gripping power on dry tarmac.
This is a hard balance to strike, as tires that stay glued to the road offer do so at the expense of riding comfort. Fortunately, that isn’t the case with the Premier A/S.
Thanks to EverGrip (which helps this tire offer superior handling) and Comfort Control (which ensures a smooth driving experience), this model provides a dynamic yet comfortable drive on dry tarmac. So you won’t have to take your foot off the accelerator for a plush ride.
Michelin Premier A/S on Wet or Slippery Roads
The Premier A/S is one of the few tires that offer matching dry and wet performances. That means that its rivals will have a hard time catching up to this tire on slippery surfaces. Here’s why.
- A silica-based tread compound keeps this model flexible in low temperatures. This gives this model’s rubber the key ingredient – pliability – that distinguishes the best rain tires from those that struggle on damp surfaces.
- Four circumferential grooves ensure quick and effective water evacuation. In doing so, they make sure that this model’s contact patch remains dry. This, in turn, enables the Premier A/S to offer consistent traction on wet roads.
- Built-in rain grooves expand as the tire’s tread wears down. In addition to evacuating water, the expansion of the grooves helps this tire offer consistent wet traction even when its tread has worn down.
Michelin Premier A/S in Snow
Is the Premier A/S one of the best all-season tires for snow? Nope.
Does it have what it takes to stay useful in light wintry conditions? Absolutely.
Have doubts? A close inspection of this model’s tread area should allay them. As that is where you’ll encounter the various sipes that give this tire the biting edges needed to cut through the snow. And what about ice? EverGrip Technology and silica take care of it.
Bear in mind, though, that the Premier A/S isn’t a dedicated winter tire. So, if your area receives more than its fair share of snow, consider fitting your car with a set of dedicated snow tires.
Michelin Premier A/S Off-Roading
If you value your safety, don’t use the Premier A/S for off-roading.
This all-season tire lacks the design elements needed to withstand extreme terrains. These include elements required for traction on loose surfaces (an incredibly soft tread compound, aggressive tread pattern) as well as a stiff sidewall that can withstand impact from road debris.
If you have already planned an off-road expedition with friends, mud-terrain or rock-crawling tires will be a better investment.
Michelin Premier A/S for Sporty Driving
The Premier A/S won’t help you win many races, if that’s what you’re concerned with.
However, for an occasional stand-off on the highway, this model’s straight-line tracking, high-speed stability and cornering grip will all be enough. And its sturdy internal construction – twin steel belts reinforced with aramid fiber – won’t let high-speed driving damage its integrity.
Still, if I were you, I’d refrain from pushing this tire to its limits on a regular basis. I have seen no indication from its tread area that this model won’t wear too quickly if you push it too hard. You’d have to be a little merciful on it if you want this tire to outlast its treadwear warranty.
Does the Premier A/S Ride Comfortably?
Not many tires could match the Premier A/S in ride comfort.
Whether you’re cruising at full speed on the highway or driving at a leisurely pace around your street, this model won’t let much vibration or noise inside the cabin. Equally importantly, it rolls over minor imperfections as if they weren’t even there.
The credit for its exceptional riding quality goes to Comfort Control Technology. As noted above, this tech uses a rubber patch to absorb vibrations and deflect road noise. In doing so, it allows everyone in the cabin (excluding the driver) who wants to sleep to doze off.
Premier A/S Warranty
Michelin backs the Premier A/S with a lackluster 60,000-mile treadwear warranty.
I’m miffed with the guarantee because I know that this model’s rivals are backed to last much longer. Case in point: Cooper CS5 Grand Touring and Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus. Both these grand touring all-season tires are backed to last 100,000 and 80,000 miles, respectively.
So, Michelin missed a trick by not supplementing this model with a higher warranty.
Michelin Premier A/S: Pricing: Is It Worth the Money?
At the time of writing, this tire’s asking price begins from $185.99.
If you’re in the market for a standard grand touring all-season tire, the above price may convince you to look for other options. In which case, I wouldn’t blame you. For I would never condone spending close to a grand on a set of all-season tires.
That said, I must admit that the price Michelin charges for the Premier A/S is pretty standard for a premium GT tire. For example, the Turanza Serenity Plus’s base price is $177.99, even though it fails to offer the kind of wet traction you get from the Premier A/S.
Should I Buy the Michelin Premier A/S?
If you do a lot of your driving on wet roads and want a plush ride, the Premier A/S is worth the amount on its price tag.
True, its asking price may blow a hole in your pocket. But when viewed alongside its excellent wet traction, supreme ride comfort, and superior dry handling, it starts making some sense, especially if you’re able and willing to spend close to a grand on a set of tires.
What Vehicles Will the Michelin Premier A/S Fit?
Here’s a sample list of the cars that the Michelin Premier A/S will fit:
- Toyota Camry, Corolla, Echo, Tacoma, and Prius
- Chevrolet Cavalier, Impala, Venture, and Malibu
- Ford Ranger, Windstar, Taurus, and Mustang
- Honda CRV, Accord, Civic, and Odyssey
- Pontiac Vibe, Torrent, Trans Sport, and Grand Am
- Nissan Altima, Sentra, Maxima, and Rogue
Tire Sizes for Michelin Premier A/S
15″
185 /65 R15 88H SL BSW
195 /55 R15 85V SL BSW
195 /60 R15 88H SL BSW
195 /65 R15 91H SL BSW
205 /60 R15 91H SL BSW
205 /65 R15 94H SL BSW
16″
185 /55 R16 83H SL BSW
195 /55 R16 87V SL BSW
205 /50 R16 87V SL BSW
205 /55 R16 91V SL BSW
205 /55 R16 91H SL BSW
205 /60 R16 92V SL BSW
205 /60 R16 92H SL BSW
205 /65 R16 95H SL BSW
215 /55 R16 93H SL BSW
215 /60 R16 95H SL BSW
215 /60 R16 95V SL BSW
225 /55 R16 95H SL BSW
225 /60 R16 98H SL BSW
225 /65 R16 100H SL BSW
235 /60 R16 100H SL BSW
17″
205 /45 R17 84V SL BSW
205 /50 R17 93V XL BSW
205 /50 R17 93H XL BSW
215 /45 R17 87H SL BSW
215 /45 R17 87V SL BSW
215 /50 R17 95V XL BSW
215 /55 R17 94V SL BSW
215 /55 R17 94H SL BSW
225 /45 R17 91H SL BSW
225 /45 R17 91V SL BSW
225 /50 R17 94V SL BSW
225 /55 R17 97V SL BSW
225 /55 R17 97H SL BSW
225 /60 R17 99H SL BSW
235 /45 R17 94V SL BSW
235 /45 R17 94H SL BSW
235 /50 R17 96H SL BSW
235 /55 R17 99H SL BSW
18″
225 /55 R18 98H SL BSW
225 /60 R18 100H SL BSW
235 /55 R18 100V SL BSW
245 /45 R18 100V XL BSW