Continental UltraContact NXT vs Michelin e.Primacy: The Continental UltraContact NXT and Michelin e.Primacy are two of the most sustainability-focused tires on the market. The UltraContact NXT boasts up to 65% renewable, recycled, and ISCC PLUS-certified bio-based materials, while the e.Primacy was the first Michelin tire designed with a low rolling resistance-first approach to reduce CO₂ emissions over its lifespan.
But the big question is—how do these eco-friendly tires actually perform? Do they compromise grip, comfort, or durability in pursuit of sustainability, or can they truly deliver an all-around solid performance? Let’s find out.
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Results: Continental UltraContact NXT vs Michelin e.Primacy
The results presented here are from the 2025 Auto & Motor Sport Sustainable Tire Test, where 6 of the best sustainable tire models were selected from the market. The accompanying graph provides a side-by-side comparison of the Continental UltraContact NXT vs Michelin e.Primacy across various performance categories, with the Continental UltraContact NXT serving as the benchmark at 100%.
The tire size of interest is the 215/55R17 tire size, a popular choice for vehicles like the Honda HRV. For further insights into various tire sizes, feel free to consult our latest tire size table. The tests were conducted using a standard Audi Q2 as the test vehicle.
Wet
The Continental UltraContact NXT stops 3.5 meters shorter than the Michelin e.Primacy in wet braking, a 10% difference, showing a clear advantage in stopping power. In wet handling, the UltraContact NXT is 2.1 km/h faster, which translates to a 3% improvement, meaning it maintains better grip and control through wet corners. However, in straight-line aquaplaning resistance, both tires perform equally at 73.8 km/h, indicating no difference in their ability to channel water away at high speeds.
e.Primacy :
- -10% in wet braking
- -3% in wet handling
- 0% in aquaplaning
Dry
The Continental UltraContact NXT stops 1.5 meters shorter than the Michelin e.Primacy in dry braking, a 4% difference, giving it a slight edge in stopping power. In dry handling, the UltraContact NXT is 1 km/h faster, translating to a 1% improvement, meaning it holds a small advantage in maintaining speed and control through dry corners.
e.Primacy :
- -4% in dry braking
- -1% in dry handling
Wear
Comparing these tires without considering wear isn’t entirely fair, as how long you can use your tires significantly impacts total CO₂ emissions. The Michelin e.Primacy has already proven itself with an outstanding mileage of 71,500 km, previously reported as 1st place in longevity tests. This is 15,800 km more than the mileage-focused Continental UltraContact (non NXT), a 28% advantage in lifespan. Based on this, we’re quite sure the e.Primacy would yield excellent durability in this matchup too—we just don’t know exactly by how much, as it’s not tested here.
Mileage (prediction):
- e.Primacy >> UltraContact NXT
Noise
The Michelin e.Primacy is slightly quieter, producing 0.5 dB less exterior noise than the Continental UltraContact NXT, a 1% reduction. While this difference is small, it could contribute to a slightly more refined driving experience, especially at highway speeds.
e.Primacy :
- +1% in exterior noise (-0.5 dB)
Rolling Resistance
The Michelin e.Primacy has a 0.4 N/kN lower rolling resistance than the Continental UltraContact NXT, which is a 7% reduction. This means the e.Primacy is more efficient, requiring less energy to roll, which can contribute to better fuel economy or extended EV range.
e.Primacy :
- +7% in rolling resistance
Price
The Michelin e.Primacy costs €165, making it €8 more expensive than the Continental UltraContact NXT at €157, a 5% price difference.
Tire size: 215/55 R17
- UltraContact NXT : € 157
- e.Primacy : € 165
Difference: +5% more expensive for e.Primacy.
Summary
From a tire expert’s perspective, both the Continental UltraContact NXT and Michelin e.Primacy bring strong sustainability efforts while excelling in different areas. The UltraContact NXT delivers better wet and dry performance, stopping shorter and handling faster in all conditions. On the other hand, the e.Primacy is unmatched in longevity, lasting significantly longer, and has lower rolling resistance, making it the more efficient choice for fuel economy or EV range. Choosing between them comes down to priorities—grip and control or efficiency and durability.
Dr Edwin Pang