Michelin Premier LTX vs Primacy Tour A/S: In the world of automotive performance, the right tire can make all the difference. Today, we’re going to delve deep into a comparison of two of Michelin’s most popular and highly-rated tire models, the Michelin Premier LTX and the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S.
Launched back in 2015, the Michelin Premier LTX is a tour de force in the field of light truck and SUV tires. Its primary focus lies in ensuring the utmost in safety and reliability, particularly in tricky weather conditions. Offering unrivalled wet grip and wear life, the Premier LTX has been designed with a commitment to supreme handling and longevity.
On the other hand, the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S, introduced in 2017, is a stellar choice in the segment of grand touring all-season tires. Tailored towards cars and minivans, the Primacy Tour A/S is a testament to Michelin’s focus on providing comfortable, quiet, and safe rides, no matter the weather conditions.
The face-off between the Premier LTX and the Primacy Tour A/S isn’t merely a comparison, it’s a thrilling contest between two titans of tire technology. Each of these tire models was designed with a different target audience in mind, yet both live up to the Michelin promise of safety, durability, and top-tier performance. Stay tuned as we dissect the intricacies, strengths, and weaknesses of these two powerhouses in the world of tires!
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Results : Michelin Premier LTX vs Primacy Tour A/S
Ideally, you would want a head-to-head test result to demonstrate the distinct performance differences between the two products. However, in this instance, no test results are available that compare these two products directly. Fortunately, Discount Tire has tested both tires, allowing us to use their data-tested results to assess the performance of each tire. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin Premier LTX vs Primacy Tour A/S based on the relevant performance category.
Wet
In the critical category of wet braking, the Michelin Premier LTX and Michelin Primacy Tour A/S show a slight but notable difference. Wet braking refers to the tire’s ability to come to a full stop on a wet surface, an essential performance indicator, especially for those driving in rainy conditions or climates.
Wet Braking :
- Premier LTX : 100%
- Primacy Tour A/S : 106%
The Michelin Premier LTX registers a wet braking distance of 148 feet, a respectable figure for its class of light truck and SUV tires. Its EverGrip technology, with expanding rain grooves around the circumference and open grooves on the shoulders, allows the tire to maintain excellent traction, even as the tire wears down, leading to a solid wet braking performance.
However, the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S edges ahead with an impressive wet braking distance of just 140 feet. This grand touring all-season tire combines Michelin’s Comfort Control Technology with unique tread design, providing impressive traction on wet roads. This traction contributes to its superior braking performance in wet conditions, making it a slightly safer option under such circumstances.
Dry
When it comes to dry braking, both the Michelin Premier LTX and Michelin Primacy Tour A/S showcase admirable performances, but there’s a clear standout in this head-to-head comparison. Dry braking refers to a tire’s stopping power on a dry surface, which is an essential factor to consider for everyday driving and safety.
Dry Braking :
- Premier LTX : 100%
- Primacy Tour A/S : 110%
The Michelin Premier LTX, known for its longevity and reliable handling, records a dry braking distance of 127 feet. This tire’s braking performance on dry surfaces is commendable, courtesy of its high-traction tread design and high-grip rubber compound. It delivers robust braking, helping drivers maintain control and safety under a variety of road conditions.
Nevertheless, it’s the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S that steals the spotlight with a remarkable dry braking distance of just 115 feet. Its blend of optimized tread patterns and high-grade rubber compounds offer enhanced grip and control on dry surfaces. This, combined with Michelin’s innovative tire technologies, ensures superior stopping power in dry conditions. The Primacy Tour A/S therefore emerges as the more responsive and efficient choice in dry braking situations.
Mileage
When it comes to tire longevity, the difference between actual user experiences and the mileage warranty provided by the manufacturer can provide key insights.
Mileage:
- Premier LTX : 100%
- Primacy Tour A/S : 111%
Starting with the Michelin Premier LTX, this tire has a manufacturer’s mileage warranty of 60,000 miles, illustrating the brand’s confidence in the tire’s longevity. However, user experiences suggest a slightly different story, with a reported median mileage of 44,000 miles before needing replacement. This implies that, on average, the Premier LTX tends to fall short of its mileage warranty by around 16,000 miles.
On the other hand, the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S boasts a manufacturer’s mileage warranty of 55,000 miles. Interestingly, actual user reports show a median mileage of 49,000 miles, bringing it much closer to the manufacturer’s promised longevity. This means that, on average, the Primacy Tour A/S performs better than the Premier LTX in living up to its mileage warranty, falling short by only around 6,000 miles.
In the final analysis, while both tires promise solid longevity, the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S seems to more closely meet its promised mileage warranty based on median user-reported mileage, making it a more reliable option for those seeking maximum return on their tire investment.
Handling, Comfort & Noise
NVH, or Noise, Vibration, and Harshness, is an important factor in tire performance that directly impacts the overall driving experience. A tire’s handling, the quietness of the ride, and the level of comfort it provides all contribute to its NVH performance.
The Michelin Premier LTX and the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S share similar scores in this department, each receiving 4 out of 5 in all three categories, suggesting a comparable performance in terms of NVH.
Handling :
- Premier LTX : 100%
- Primacy Tour A/S : 100%
In terms of handling, both the Premier LTX and Primacy Tour A/S score a solid 4 out of 5. This suggests that both tires offer strong stability, precision, and responsiveness, providing drivers with confidence and control in a variety of driving conditions.
Quite Ride:
- Premier LTX : 100%
- Primacy Tour A/S : 100%
When it comes to a quiet ride, again both the Premier LTX and the Primacy Tour A/S achieve a 4 out of 5 rating. This means that both tires offer a relatively quiet ride, minimizing road noise for a more peaceful, enjoyable driving experience.
Comfort:
- Premier LTX : 100%
- Primacy Tour A/S : 100%
Finally, both tires also score a 4 out of 5 in the comfort category, indicating a smooth and comfortable ride. This indicates that both tires do a commendable job in absorbing road irregularities and reducing vibrations, ensuring a plush and relaxing journey.
UTQG rating
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) system provides valuable information about a tire’s performance characteristics. It includes ratings for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin | Premier LTX | All | 620 | A | A |
| Michelin | Primacy Tour A/S | All | 540 | A | A |
Looking at the treadwear ratings for the Michelin Premier LTX and the Primacy Tour A/S, we see that the Premier LTX has a higher rating of 620 compared to the Primacy Tour A/S’s rating of 540. In theory, a higher treadwear number indicates a longer-lasting tire, meaning we should expect the Premier LTX to have a higher expected mileage based on these numbers and the mileage warranty of 60,000 miles.
However, real-world user reports indicate that the Premier LTX averages a median mileage of 44,000 miles before needing replacement. This suggests that despite its higher UTQG treadwear rating and mileage warranty, the Premier LTX might not meet these expectations in actual use. In contrast, the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S, with its lower UTQG treadwear rating of 540 and a mileage warranty of 55,000 miles, reports a median user mileage of 49,000 miles. This means the Primacy Tour A/S appears to meet its mileage expectancy more consistently based on user experiences.
The traction and temperature grades for both tires are the same, rated ‘A’, indicating excellent traction and temperature resistance for both models.
In conclusion, while UTQG ratings and mileage warranties are helpful guidelines, they may not always correlate perfectly with user-reported mileage. As demonstrated in this comparison, the Primacy Tour A/S, despite a lower UTQG treadwear rating, seems to perform closer to its mileage warranty according to real-world user experiences.
Price
When it comes to pricing for the 235/65R18 size, the Michelin Premier LTX comes in at $251 per tire, while the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S is slightly more economical, priced at $246 per tire. This represents a cost saving of 2% when opting for the Primacy Tour A/S over the Premier LTX, making the former a marginally more budget-friendly choice without compromising on performance.
Tire size: 235/65R18
- Premier LTX : $251
- Primacy Tour A/S : $246
Difference: -2% more cheaper for Primacy Tour A/S
Summary
After our extensive comparison, it’s clear that Primacy Tour A/S has out paced Premier LTX. The Primacy Tour A/S not only excels in wet and dry braking performances, it also closely meets its mileage warranty as per user experiences, and its slightly lower price makes it an attractive option. Both tires deliver similar handling, noise, and comfort characteristics.
As a tire expert, I appreciate the merits of both these tires. But considering all factors, I would lean towards recommending the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S for its overall balanced performance, more consistent actual mileage compared to its warranty, and its cost-effectiveness. Rest assured, with the Primacy Tour A/S, you’re not just choosing a tire, you’re choosing reliability and value for your money.
Dr Edwin Pang