Premium vs China Tires: In the world of tires, it’s a showdown that captures attention: the Michelin Primacy 4 versus the Sentury Qirin 990. This is more than just a comparison; it’s a battle between premium quality and Chinese affordability. On one side, we have Michelin, a brand synonymous with top-notch performance and reliability. On the other, Sentury Qirin 990 emerges from Landsail, a Chinese manufacturer aiming to prove that lower prices can still deliver quality. Can the affordable offerings from China stand up to the high standards of a premium titan? This matchup is set to answer that question, showcasing the best of both worlds in a highly anticipated clash.
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Results: Premium vs China Tires
Results below were taken from 2023 YiChe Touring Tire Test with a total of 10 tires tested, The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin Primacy 4 vs Sentury Qirin 990 based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin Primacy 4 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
Note that for both wet & dry handling evaluation, the average lap speed was used instead of the standard lap time & subjective rating. The tire size of interest is 205/55R16 which is a common tire size for Toyota Corolla & Nissan Almera. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a Volkswagen Golf.
Wet
When it comes to wet performance, the Michelin Primacy 4 and the Sentury Qirin 990 show some notable differences. In wet braking from 80 to 0 km/h, the Michelin Primacy 4 takes the lead with a stopping distance of 45.1 meters, which is 4.4 meters shorter than the Sentury Qirin 990’s 49.5 meters. This difference highlights the superior stopping power of the Michelin tire in wet conditions.
Looking at wet handling, the Michelin Primacy 4 maintains an average speed of 77.8 km/h, outpacing the Sentury Qirin 990, which manages 74.9 km/h. This suggests that the Michelin tire provides a more stable and faster ride during wet conditions.
In the wet circle test, measuring performance on wet asphalt through average lap time, the Michelin Primacy 4 again proves its edge with a time of 11.7 seconds, slightly quicker than the Sentury Qirin 990’s 12.0 seconds. This indicates that the Michelin offers better grip and control on wet surfaces.
Lastly, when assessing the risk of aquaplaning through average slipping speed, the Michelin Primacy 4 achieves 77.3 km/h, marginally better than the Sentury Qirin 990’s 76.4 km/h. Although the difference is smaller here, it still points to Michelin’s superior performance in preventing aquaplaning.
Overall, the Michelin Primacy 4 consistently outperforms the Sentury Qirin 990 in wet conditions, offering shorter stopping distances, higher speeds, and better control.
Qirin 990 :
- -9% in wet braking
- -4% in wet handling (average speed)
- -3% in wet circle
- -1% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In dry conditions, the performance battle between the Michelin Primacy 4 and the Sentury Qirin 990 presents a closer competition. When it comes to dry braking, from 100 km/h to a complete stop, the Sentury Qirin 990 surprisingly edges out with a stopping distance of 36.5 meters, slightly shorter than the Michelin Primacy 4’s 37.2 meters. This 0.7 meter difference suggests that the Sentury tire can hold its own in dry stopping scenarios, offering a marginally quicker halt.
Moving on to dry handling, which measures the tire’s ability to maintain speed around a circuit, the Michelin Primacy 4 leads with an average speed of 116.4 km/h, compared to the Sentury Qirin 990’s 115.0 km/h. This difference indicates that the Michelin tire provides a slightly faster and possibly more confident handling experience in dry conditions.
Overall, while the Sentury Qirin 990 shows a slight advantage in dry braking, the Michelin Primacy 4 compensates with better performance in handling. This paints a picture of a competitive matchup where both tires exhibit strengths in different areas of dry performance.
Qirin 990 :
- +2% in dry braking
- -1% in dry handling (average speed)
Interior Noise
When it comes to the interior noise performance on smooth asphalt at 100 km/h, the Sentury Qirin 990 and Michelin Primacy 4 are almost neck and neck, but with a slight difference. The Sentury Qirin 990 generates a marginally lower interior noise level at 67.1 dB, compared to the Michelin Primacy 4’s 67.3 dB. This 0.2 dB difference suggests that the Sentury tire offers a slightly quieter ride, although the difference is minimal and might not be noticeable to all passengers. Both tires demonstrate a commitment to reducing noise for a more comfortable driving experience, but the Sentury Qirin 990 edges ahead by a whisper.
Qirin 990 :
- ~0% in exterior noise (-0.2 dB)
Rolling Resistance
In the aspect of rolling resistance, which is a measure of how much energy is lost as a tire rolls and directly affects fuel efficiency, there is a discernible difference between the Michelin Primacy 4 and the Sentury Qirin 990. The Sentury Qirin 990 demonstrates a lower rolling resistance value at 7.15 N/kN compared to the Michelin Primacy 4’s 7.78 N/kN. This difference of 0.63 N/kN indicates that the Sentury tire is slightly more efficient in terms of energy loss during rolling, potentially offering better fuel efficiency. This shows that the Sentury Qirin 990, despite being the more affordable option, can provide an advantage in rolling resistance, highlighting its efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the long run.
Qirin 990 :
- +9% in rolling resistance
Price
When comparing the prices for the tire size 225/50R17, the Sentury Qirin 990 is significantly more affordable than the Michelin Primacy 4. Priced at €77, the Qirin 990 is approximately 112% cheaper than the Michelin Primacy 4, which costs €163. This stark difference in pricing underscores a strong point for Chinese tire brands like Sentury: their competitive pricing. The affordability of the Qirin 990 compared to the premium-priced Primacy 4 highlights the value proposition offered by Chinese manufacturers, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers seeking quality tires.
Tire size: 225/50R17
- Primacy 4: € 163
- Qirin 990 : € 77
Difference: -112% more cheaper for Qirin 990
Summary
As a tire expert, I conclude that the Michelin Primacy 4 wins this duel against the Sentury Qirin 990. Despite the Qirin 990’s attractive price, the Primacy 4’s superior performance in wet and dry conditions, better handling, and enhanced safety features make it the clear choice. While the Qirin 990 offers slight advantages in rolling resistance and noise, these do not outweigh the Primacy 4’s overall reliability and performance. In the long run, the Primacy 4’s wet safety performance provides greater value, proving that investing in quality pays off. For those prioritizing safety and performance, Michelin Primacy 4 stands out as the superior tire.
Dr Edwin Pang