Michelin Primacy 4+ vs Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61: It’s a clash of comfort titans! The Michelin Primacy 4+, a renowned benchmark in the touring segment, faces a bold challenger — the Yokohama BluEarth-XT AE61, a dedicated SUV tire built for comfort and stability. With Yokohama stepping into the ring with an SUV-specific contender, can it take down one of the most established names in the touring world? Let’s dive into this heavyweight battle of refinement and performance!
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Results: Michelin Primacy 4+ vs Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61
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 Michelin Primacy 4+ vs Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61 across various performance categories, with the Michelin Primacy 4+ 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.
Wet
In wet braking, the Michelin Primacy 4+ stopped in 43.2 meters, while the Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61 needed 44.9 meters — a 1.7-meter longer distance, which is about 4% worse. However, in wet handling, the Yokohama was quicker, averaging 71.5 km/h compared to Michelin’s 70.6 km/h, making it 0.9 km/h or roughly 1% faster. When it comes to straight-line aquaplaning, the Michelin regained the edge, resisting aquaplaning at 65.8 km/h versus Yokohama’s 63.7 km/h — a 2.1 km/h or 3% advantage.
In wet conditions, the Michelin Primacy 4+ brakes shorter and resists aquaplaning better, while the Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61 is slightly quicker through corners.
BluEarth XT AE61 :
- -4% in wet braking
- +1% in wet handling
- -3% in aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Michelin Primacy 4+ stopped in 35.1 meters, while the Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61 took 36.6 meters — a 1.5-meter longer distance, about 4% worse. For dry handling, the Michelin edged ahead slightly at 90.8 km/h versus Yokohama’s 90.5 km/h, a 0.3 km/h or close to 0% difference. Overall, the Michelin Primacy 4+ delivers better dry braking and holds a marginal edge in handling.
BluEarth XT AE61 :
- -4% in dry braking
- ~0% in dry handling
Wear
In the wear test, the Michelin Primacy 4+ lasted 44,920 km, while the Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61 managed only 30,280 km — a difference of 16,640 km, meaning the Michelin offers around 55% longer tread life. Overall, the Michelin Primacy 4+ significantly outperforms the Yokohama in durability.
BluEarth XT AE61 :
- -33% in mileage
Noise
In subjective comfort, the Michelin Primacy 4+ scored 7 points, just ahead of the Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61’s 6 points, showing a slight edge in ride quality. However, in exterior noise, the Yokohama was clearly quieter at 68.7 dB compared to Michelin’s 71.2 dB — a 2.5 dB difference, which translates to roughly 35% less perceived sound pressure. The Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61 stands out with a significantly quieter ride.
BluEarth XT AE61 :
- -5% in subjective comfort
- +4% in exterior noise (-2.5 dB)
Efficiency
The Michelin Primacy 4+ had lower rolling resistance at 6.51 N/kN compared to the Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61’s 7.58 N/kN — a 1.07 N/kN or 14% advantage. Yet, the battery range difference was minimal, with the Michelin reaching 377.2 km and the Yokohama close behind at 373.1 km, just a 4.1 km or 1% difference.
This suggests that despite the lower rolling resistance, other factors like tire compound, grip, or vehicle dynamics may be influencing real-world battery range more than expected.
BluEarth XT AE61 :
- -14% in rolling resistance
- -1% in battery range
Price
In 215/55 R18 size, the Michelin Primacy 4+ costs €170, while the Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61 is priced at €116 — making the Michelin 47% more expensive.
Tire size: 215/55 R18
- Primacy 4+: € 170
- BluEarth XT AE61 : € 116
Difference: +47% more expensive for Primacy 4+
Summary
As a tire expert, I can confidently say both tires have their strengths — the Yokohama BluEarth XT AE61 stands out with its quieter ride and slightly better wet handling. However, the Michelin Primacy 4+ clearly dominates where it matters most: shorter braking in both wet and dry, better aquaplaning resistance, superior tread life, and lower rolling resistance. While it comes at a higher price, the overall performance and longevity make the Primacy 4+ the more complete and dependable choice.
Dr Edwin Pang