Michelin Primacy MXM4 Tire Review and Rating

The Primacy MXM4 has an asymmetric tread pattern which is designed mainly for European roads. What does it mean? Michelin made the tire to be stable at higher speeds and corners and handle well on a twisty road. In terms of handling, the tire has rounded shoulders, a feature that is more common in performance-oriented tires.

On wet roads, the Primacy MXM4 gets its performance from the 4 circumferential grooves and sipes designed with a 3D Variable Thickness technology. The result of this pair should be a tire that has excellent aquaplaning resistance, and thanks to the sipes, you should get plenty of grip in the corners.

In terms of comfort, the Primacy MXM4 is equipped with Michelin’s Comfort Control technology. The main goal of it is to optimize the tread and use a very precise manufacturing process which should result in reduced vibration and tire noise.

For longevity and performance, Michelin used its MaxTouch Construction technology. On the longevity side of things, it should ensure even wear throughout the tire’s life, meaning that one side of the tire won’t lose performance compared to the other. That will keep the biting edges of the tire in tip-top shape for the best traction possible.

Internally, the construction is more or less similar to most tires from touring tires. The twin steel belts are reinforced with a spirally-wrapped polyamide cord, resulting in better stability and longevity. On top of that, in the comfort department, Michelin made the tire’s body with a polyester cord, which should improve comfort levels.

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

The Primacy MXM4 is impressive on dry roads, especially when you consider that it’s primarily a grand-touring tire. In terms of grip and traction, it’s not surprising from a tire in the premium segment. It will stick to the road even if you throw it into a corner hard, and aggressive acceleration won’t cause any problems as well.

The area where it surprised me the most is the handling. Grand touring tires rarely achieve excellent levels of traction, but the Primacy MXM4 is an exception. As a grand-touring tire, it offers surprisingly dynamic driving characteristics. The responsiveness is marvelous, and the tire is very direct.

In terms of braking, the Primacy MXM4 has one of the shortest braking distances in the premium segment.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

The Primacy MXM4 is very impressive on wet roads, almost as good as it is on dry roads.

Damp roads won’t pose any problems for the tire as it will have plenty of grip and traction even if you push it a bit harder than you’d normally would. The tire feels quite confident, and that confidence is transferred to the driver.

In terms of aquaplaning resistance, the Primacy MXM4 is one of the best there is. Michelin nailed the tread design and made a tire that can be stable going through a puddle of water even at higher speeds.

The best part of the tire is when it comes to stopping. The Primacy MXM4 has one of the shortest braking distances of all competitors in the premium category.

How is it over snow?

As an all-season tire, you’d expect the Primacy MXM4 to be good in light snow, but this is where the tire shows its age.

The biggest downside of the overall performance is on snow because the tire doesn’t have the aggressive tread pattern that would help it bite into snow. The result is a tire that will be safe enough to be driven on snow but far from the best in the category.

I could say the same for performance on ice. It’s not too bad, and the Primacy MXM4 has some traction, but newer tires seem to cope better in these scenarios.

Is it comfortable and refined?

The Primacy MXM4 is a premium luxury tire, and in terms of comfort and refinement, it performs like one.

Comfort levels are excellent, and the tire provides a very smooth ride. Smaller imperfections are ironed out, and if you hit a larger hole, almost no vibrations will be felt in the cabin.

The Primacy MXM4 impresses in the noise levels, as it should. Regardless of the speed or surface, the tire remains quiet, among the quietest tires in this segment.

Is it good for off-roading?

When it comes to off-roading, the Primacy MXM4 isn’t the best tire for it. Michelin designed it to be driven on paved roads, meaning that you won’t get the necessary performance. A quick drive on a dirt road may be fine but drive carefully, as the tire won’t have nearly as much grip and traction as on a paved road.

Keep in mind that you also risk damaging the tire if you go off-roading. The biggest enemy of the Primacy MXM4 would be small and sharp rocks. They can damage the blocks or get stuck in the grooves or sipes. It may also result in reduces wet performance.

Is the Michelin Primacy MXM4 ideal for sporty driving?

Yes, the Primacy MXM4 is excellent for sporty driving. Even though Michelin designed it to be a grand-touring one, it also managed to put some sporty driving elements to it; something enthusiasts will like.

The driving characteristics of the tire aren’t on the same level as a high-performance one but are still much better than most touring ones. You’ll be getting very responsive and direct tire, which should be fun on a twisty country road.

In terms of feedback, it’s good, but it could use a bit more. The tire talks through the steering wheel, and you’ll know what the front tires are doing. Since it’s also made for comfort, the feedback is a bit muted at times.

Michelin Primacy MXM4 Warranty

This is where the Primacy MXM4 falls short when compared to its competitors. Michelin offers two treadwear warranties, depending on the speed rating. The H and V models get a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty, while the W, Y, and Z ones get only 45,000.

When you compare this with models from other premium manufacturers or even other tires in Michelin’s lineup, you end up with less.

Michelin Primacy MXM4 Pricing: Is it worth the money?

The Primacy MXM4 is worth the money, but you should be prepared to make some compromises. Prices start from around $150, which is more or what you’d pay for other premium models. When you look at the performance only, the tire is worth it, but when you factor in other aspects like warranty, then I’d say that there are other options.

Should I buy the Michelin Primacy MXM4?