Changing tyres is something most of us put off until we absolutely need to make a change. Often we either choosing the same rubber or go for a budget option depending on your situation. Michelin has a solution though, that’s both low noise and long lasting.
The Primacy has been around for a few generations, and is now in its fifth incarnation. Designed for comfort, they’re particularly good in the wet. In recent years, thanks to the arrival of EVs, they’ve also been designed with efficiency in mind.
We threw the latest Primacy 5 tyres on a small hatchback – a Hyundai i30 to be exact. It may sound a bit obvious but there were some instant differences between the new shoes and the ageing set of Hankook’s we were taking off.
Sure, they were fine, and still had a little life left in them, but we immediately noticed the quieter ride from the Michelin tyres. After only a few days we came to appreciate some better cornering confidence during regular commutes as well.
The Primacy 5 feels like it has a stronger sidewall, a fair bit more grip, and less squeal than its predecessors. Indeed, the Michelin website notes that they utilise MaxTouch technology to maximise contact with the road.
They’re designed to evenly distribute the forces of acceleration, braking and cornering to deliver longer tread life, without compromising safety. Michelin’s new asymmetric tread pattern limit road noise too, especially for electric vehicles.
The brand employs ‘Silent Rib Gen 3’ technology to reduce vibrations in the tyre to enhance the driving experience, while the tread compound is designed to improve longevity and be resistant to abrasion.
They’ve also been engineered to reduce rolling resistance by 13 per cent. It’s a move aimed at improving energy consumption and helping to extend EV battery range. For those with a battery powered vehicle, these Michelins could be a decent option.
As we mentioned, and were able to test in real world conditions, the Primacy 5 has been developed with wet weather in mind, offering 8 per cent shorter wet braking distance when new, and better performance when worn.
Michelin has employed EverGrip and EverTread technologies to enable a new, long-lasting tread pattern that optimises water evacuation while providing excellent wet braking performance.
All that jargon is just a complicated way of saying the Primacy 5 is good at what it does, being a comfortable and safe all-rounder. Our testing backs up that claim, with comfort and quietness at the forefront of what they offer.
What the Primacy 5 is not designed for though is sharp handling, fast cornering or enthusiastic driving. When pushed in corners, more enthusiastic drivers will notice a soft, or reduced feeling from the road to the driver.
Don’t get us wrong, the tyre performs well within its brief, but enthusiasts should be looking at proper performance rubber if they want to get the most out of their cars. While the Primacy 5 is undoubtedly a good tyre for what it offers, they can be a little pricey.
A quick check of prices had the smallest 16-inch size from around $200, all the way up to 22-inch 265/50’s that cost north of $600. That said, if you’re after a comfortable, quiet tyre that doesn’t need to be a performance star, the Primacy 5 is well worth considering.
You can find out more on the Michelin website, or by talking to your local stockist.
Pros – quiet and smooth on most road surfaces; good driving feel; cornering and wet weather confidence.
Cons – a little pricey; more comfort, less dynamic handling focused; reduced road feedback.
Our test tyres were provided by Michelin Australia. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this product.
