Michelin Primacy MXV4

January 2009. Experts at The Tire Rack test the Michelin Primacy MXV4 head-to-head with three competing grand touring all-season tires; the thorough write-up describes how each tire performs in several categories. CanadianDriver also tests the Primacy MXV4, but no other tires are tested. About.com's review pits the Primacy MXV4 against a major competitor, but the test is orchestrated by Michelin and results are not presented in much detail. The Tire Rack is the best place to find owner reviews for the Primacy MXV4. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the place to find government-required ratings for treadwear, traction and heat resistance.

Most high-performance tires wear out quickly, but reviews say the Michelin Primacy MXV4 is an exception. With a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty and one of the best government treadwear ratings in its category, critics say the Primacy MXV4 is a good value -- despite its expensive initial price. It earns top scores from both experts and owners for its traction on dry roads, and reviews say it even handles normal snow and ice capably. However, the Primacy MXV4 gets mixed reviews for its performance on wet roads. The Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S (*est. $135) gets better marks on wet roads, and the Continental ContiExtremeContact (*est. $90) beats most non-winter tires on ice and snow, but neither of these high-performance all-season tires can match the all-around performance of the Primacy MXV4 in tests.