Michelin Primacy 4+ vs Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2: In the highly competitive summer touring tire segment, a fierce duel is underway: Michelin Primacy 4+ versus Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2. Launched within a year of each other, these two heavyweights are battling for supremacy. Michelin’s Primacy 4+ offers renowned wet-road performance and durability, while Goodyear’s EfficientGrip Performance 2 counters with exceptional longevity and enhanced fuel efficiency. This showdown isn’t just a race for market dominance; it’s a showcase of the latest advancements in tire technology. Who will reign supreme? The stage is set for an epic battle in the tire world.
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Results: Michelin Primacy 4+ vs Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2
The results featured here are from the expansive 2023 ADAC Summer Tire Test, an ambitious endeavor showcasing 50 of the market’s leading tires, a scale of testing that only ADAC would undertake. As highlighted in the introduction, we’ve included wear test results to provide a comprehensive overview of overall performance. The accompanying graph presents a side-by-side comparison of the Michelin Primacy 4+ vs Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 across various performance categories, with the Primacy 4+ serving as the benchmark at the 100% mark.
The tire size of interest is the 205/55R16 tire size, a popular choice for vehicles like the 2018 Volkswagen Golf and Toyota Corolla Altis. For further insights into various tire sizes, feel free to consult our latest tire size table. The tests were conducted using a standard Volkswagen Golf 8 as the test vehicle.
Wet
In terms of wet performance, the Michelin Primacy 4+ narrowly outperforms the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 in wet braking, stopping 0.7 meters shorter with a distance of 36.7 meters compared to Goodyear’s 37.4 meters from 80 km/h to a standstill. In straight aquaplaning scenarios, the Primacy 4+ also takes the lead with a higher slipping speed of 83.5 km/h against the 80.3 km/h of the EfficientGrip Performance 2, indicating better resistance to water and improved control.
However, in curved aquaplaning tests, the performance is nearly identical; the Primacy 4+ achieves a max lateral acceleration of 3.6 m/sec², only marginally higher than the 3.5 m/sec² of the EfficientGrip Performance 2, suggesting similar capabilities in handling wet curves. Overall, the Michelin Primacy 4+ shows a slight edge in wet conditions.
EfficientGrip Performance 2 :
- -2% in wet braking
- -4% in straight aquaplaning
- -3% in curved aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking performance, the Michelin Primacy 4+ has a slight advantage over the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2. It stops in 36.9 meters when braking from 100 km/h to a halt, while the EfficientGrip Performance 2 takes 37.7 meters to stop under the same conditions. This means the Primacy 4+ can stop 0.8 meters shorter than its Goodyear counterpart in dry conditions, indicating a marginally better performance in terms of braking efficiency on dry roads.
EfficientGrip Performance 2 :
- -2% in dry braking
Wear
In terms of mileage and abrasion, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 offers a higher mileage at 65,700 KM compared to the 61,300 KM of the Michelin Primacy 4+. However, the Primacy 4+ has a lower abrasion value of 53.7 mg/km/t, against the 61.3 mg/km/t of the EfficientGrip Performance 2. The lower abrasion value but shorter mileage of the Michelin tire suggests that the Primacy 4+ might have a lower initial tread depth than the EfficientGrip Performance 2.
The importance of abrasion becomes increasingly significant in light of the upcoming EURO 7 regulations, which place a greater emphasis on environmental factors such as tire wear particles. A lower abrasion value, as seen in the Primacy 4+, means less tire material is worn away and released into the environment per kilometer, aligning with these more stringent environmental standards. This aspect is becoming a crucial consideration for manufacturers and consumers alike, balancing performance with environmental responsibility.
EfficientGrip Performance 2 :
- +7% in mileage
- -12% in abrasion
Noise
In terms of exterior noise, the Michelin Primacy 4+ and the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 demonstrate almost identical performance. The Primacy 4+ produces a noise level of 70.5 dB, while the EfficientGrip Performance 2 is marginally noisier at 70.6 dB. This slight difference of 0.1 dB is so minimal that it effectively makes no significant difference in the noise experienced outside the vehicle. In essence, both tires have comparable levels of exterior noise, ensuring a similar impact in terms of noise pollution and external auditory comfort.
EfficientGrip Performance 2 :
- ~0% in exterior noise (+0.1 dB)
Fuel Consumption
Regarding fuel consumption, the Michelin Primacy 4+ and the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 show extremely similar performance. The Primacy 4+ has a fuel consumption rate of 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers, while the EfficientGrip Performance 2 is marginally more fuel-efficient at 5.7 liters per 100 kilometers. This small difference of 0.1 liters per 100 kilometers is negligible in practical terms, indicating that both tires have virtually the same impact on fuel efficiency. In essence, neither tire offers a significant advantage over the other in terms of fuel consumption, making them equally effective choices in this regard.
EfficientGrip Performance 2 :
- +2% in fuel consumption
Price
The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2, priced at €74, is notably more affordable than the Michelin Primacy 4+, which costs €90 for the same tire size (205/55 R16). This makes the EfficientGrip Performance 2 about 22% cheaper than the Primacy 4+, offering a significant cost advantage for consumers looking for a more budget-friendly option.
Tire size: 205/55 R16
- Primacy 4+ : € 90
- EfficientGrip Performance 2 : € 74
Difference: -22% more cheaper for EfficientGrip Performance 2
Summary
As a tire expert, my analysis leads me to conclude that the Michelin Primacy 4+ slightly edges out the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 as the overall winner. The Primacy 4+ excels in wet and dry braking performance and shows better abrasion resistance, which is increasingly important under the upcoming EURO 7 regulations. Its primary drawback is a slightly lower mileage compared to the EfficientGrip Performance 2.
The EfficientGrip Performance 2, while offering better wear and being more budget-friendly, doesn’t quite match the overall performance capabilities of the Primacy 4+. Ultimately, for drivers prioritizing safety and environmental impact, the Michelin Primacy 4+ stands out as the preferable choice, despite its higher price and slightly lesser wear performance.
Dr Edwin Pang