Hankook iON Evo vs Michelin Primacy 4+: It’s a showdown in the EV tire space—Hankook’s high-performing, EV-specific iON Evo takes on the popular Michelin Primacy 4+, a non-EV-dedicated touring tire. The iON Evo is built to tackle the unique demands of electric vehicles, while the Primacy 4+ rides in with a reputation for comfort and longevity. But when it comes to mileage and battery range, which one really delivers for EV drivers? Time to find out who leads this electrifying battle!
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Results: Hankook iON Evo vs Michelin Primacy 4+
The results presented here are from the AutoBild’s 2025 Summer EV Tire Test, where 8 of the best summer EV tire models were selected. The accompanying graph provides a side-by-side comparison of the Hankook iON Evo vs Michelin Primacy 4+ across various performance categories, with the Hankook iON Evo serving as the benchmark at 100%.
The tire size of interest is the 215/55R18 tire size, a popular choice for vehicles like the BYD Atto 3 & Mazda CX-30. For further insights into various tire sizes, feel free to consult our latest tire size table. The tests were conducted using a standard Hyundai Kona EV as the test vehicle.
Efficiency
Battery range is a major concern for EV drivers, especially with charging infrastructure still catching up. In rolling resistance, the Michelin Primacy 4+ performs slightly better at 6.51 N/kN compared to the Hankook iON Evo’s 6.81 N/kN—about 5% lower. Yet, the Hankook delivers a longer battery range at 381.3 km versus 377.2 km for the Michelin, a 4.1 km or 1% gain.
This result is puzzling, as the lower rolling resistance of the Primacy 4+ should typically mean better efficiency, but the iON Evo still manages to stretch out a bit more range, hinting at other efficiency factors at play.
Primacy 4+ :
- +5% in rolling resistance
- -1% in battery range
Wear
Mileage is the second biggest worry, as EVs wear out tires faster due to their weight. Here, the Primacy 4+ lasts 1,800 km longer than the iON Evo, about 4% more. So while Hankook wins on range, Michelin hits back with better durability.
Primacy 4+ :
- +4% in mileage
Wet
In wet braking, the Hankook iON Evo stops in 39.6 meters, 3.6 meters shorter than the Michelin Primacy 4+, a 9% advantage. Wet handling also favors the iON Evo at 74.4 km/h versus 70.6 km/h, a 3.8 km/h or 5% edge. The biggest gap appears in straight-line aquaplaning, where the iON Evo clears water at 74.8 km/h, a full 9 km/h faster than the Michelin—about 14% better.
Despite the Primacy 4+ being a touring tire with strong all-round traits, the iON Evo clearly dominates in the wet. It’s a surprising reversal of expectations, especially given Michelin’s usual strength in this category.
Primacy 4+ :
- -8% in wet braking
- -5% in wet handling
- -12% in aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Hankook iON Evo stops in 33.6 meters, 1.5 meters shorter than the Michelin Primacy 4+, giving it a 4% advantage. In dry handling, the iON Evo also leads at 92.8 km/h compared to 90.8 km/h for the Primacy 4+, a 2 km/h or 2% edge.
While the Primacy 4+ is built for balanced performance, the iON Evo continues to surprise with stronger stopping power and sharper handling—even in the dry.
Primacy 4+ :
- -4% in dry braking
- -2% in dry handling
Noise
Both tires score equally on subjective comfort with 7 out of 10 points, showing no clear winner in ride quality. However, the Hankook iON Evo runs quieter at 70.2 dB compared to the Michelin Primacy 4+ at 71.2 dB—a difference of 1 dB or about 1% less noise. It’s a small margin, but in the quiet cabins of EVs, every decibel counts. The iON Evo edges ahead in noise refinement.
Primacy 4+ :
- 0% in subjective comfort
- -1% in exterior noise (+1 dB)
Price
In 215/55 R18, the Hankook iON Evo costs €145, while the Michelin Primacy 4+ is priced at €170—making the Michelin 17% more expensive.
Tire size: 215/55 R18
- iON Evo : € 145
- Primacy 4+: € 170
Difference: +17% more expensive for Primacy 4+
Summary
As a tire expert, I see clear strengths on both sides. The Hankook iON Evo impresses with superior wet and dry performance, lower noise, and slightly better battery range—all at a lower price. On the other hand, the Michelin Primacy 4+ delivers longer tread life and a smooth, balanced ride. If you value grip and efficiency, the iON Evo stands out. But for those prioritizing durability, the Primacy 4+ still holds strong appeal.
Dr Edwin Pang