Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
Expect a clear split in philosophy: the PremiumContact 7 dominates objective grip in both wet and dry, often by meaningful margins (frequently 6-11% shorter wet stops), whereas the Primacy 4 Plus counters with lower rolling resistance, longer projected mileage, and notably lower noise. The question becomes whether you value maximum safety margins and precision, or quieter, more efficient, longer-running motoring.
Test Results
Independent comparison tyre tests are the best source of data to get tyre information from, and the good news is there have been ten tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental PremiumContact 7 | nine | |
| Michelin Primacy 4 Plus | one |
While it might look like the Continental PremiumContact 7 is better than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus purely based on the higher number of test wins, tyres are very complicated objects which means where one tyre is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tyres compare across multiple tyre test categories.
Key Strengths
- Class-leading wet and dry braking across sizes (often 6-11% shorter wet stops)
- Precise, stable handling with high grip on wet and dry circuits
- Strong straight-line aquaplaning resistance and overall safety margins
- Frequent test wins and top-two finishes across multiple independent tests
- Low rolling resistance aiding fuel economy and EV range
- Quiet, comfortable ride with high subjective comfort scores
- Good to excellent wear performance and projected mileage
- Balanced dry manners with secure, predictable limit behavior
Dry Braking
Looking at data from ten tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during ten dry braking tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 2.91% less distance than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during four dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 1.53% faster around a lap than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during four dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 0.81% faster around a lap than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 scored 13.24% more points than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from ten tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during ten wet braking tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 7.76% less distance than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 stopped the vehicle in 13.75% less distance than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during four wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 2.36% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during four wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 was 2.43% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two subj. wet handling tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 scored 5.03% more points than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 had 4.22% higher lateral wet grip than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from nine tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during five straight aqua tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 floated at a 0.2% higher speed than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Continental PremiumContact 7 was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental PremiumContact 7 slipped out at a 3.45% higher speed than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental PremiumContact 7
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during two subj. comfort tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus scored 3.11% more points than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during eight noise tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus measured 1.81% quieter than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Noise: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one noise tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus measured 2.78% quieter than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Noise: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during two wear tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus is predicted to cover 8.48% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Wear: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one value tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus proved to have a 1.28% better value based on price/1000km than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Value: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during two price tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus cost 1.85% less than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Price: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from eight tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during six rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus had a 5.07% lower rolling resistance than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus used 1.69% less fuel than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Range
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one range tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus gives the vehicle a range of 8.7% kilometers than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Range: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Range winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus emitted 19.97% less particle wear matter than the Continental PremiumContact 7.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Continental PremiumContact 7 Driver Reviews
Drivers of the Continental PremiumContact 7 overwhelmingly praise its outstanding wet and dry grip, strong braking, and confidence-inspiring handling, often noting clear improvements over the PC6. Many also report solid comfort and better aquaplaning resistance, though experiences vary by car. The most frequent drawbacks are higher road noise on coarse asphalt and, for a subset of users, faster tread wear; a few enthusiasts note soft sidewalls that reduce steering precision. Overall sentiment is strongly positive given the high number of top-scoring reviews.
Based on 48 reviews with an average rating of 83%
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus highly for quiet, comfortable touring manners with strong wet and dry grip and confident braking, often noting improved stability versus previous tyres. High-scoring reviews frequently praise low noise, comfort, and good wear. A minority report issues: noticeable road noise on rough surfaces, weaker steering precision versus sport tyres, and occasional wet/cold grip criticism. Overall, the Primacy 4 Plus is a well-liked premium touring tyre with comfort and wet safety as standouts.
Based on 34 reviews with an average rating of 80%
So with not a lot of info on the new Primacy 4Plus and needing 4tyres I decided to go with these anyway as only £1.oo each dearer than the primacy 4 when I purchased, in for a penny in for a pound, these are the XL reinforced version I went for as they are a whole 1DB quieter than the non XL... Continue reading this review using the link below
Conclusion
The Primacy 4 Plus remains compelling for comfort-led, cost-of-ownership focused drivers. It is usually quieter, rolls more efficiently (benefiting fuel economy and EV range), and often wears longer-advantages that add up over high mileage. Its main compromise is wet grip versus the newest rivals, where it can trail by significant margins. If serenity, efficiency, and longevity top your list, Michelin still delivers a refined, economical package.
Key Differences
- Wet braking: Continental repeatedly stops shorter (e.g., 39.4 m vs 43.2 m in EV test; 24.61 m vs 27.16 m in 225/50 R17).
- Wet handling/grip: Continental consistently quicker and more controlled; Michelin can feel weaker in wet cornering.
- Noise and comfort: Michelin is typically 1-3 dB quieter and scores higher subjectively for ride.
- Efficiency: Michelin usually has lower rolling resistance and better range/fuel use (e.g., 6.51 kg/t vs 7.66 kg/t; +9.5% EV range).
- Aquaplaning: Mixed-Michelin often leads in curved aquaplaning, while Continental often leads in straight-line.
- Longevity/value: Michelin frequently posts longer wear and stronger life-cycle economy; Continental tends to be cheaper up-front in some sizes but not always the lower TCO.
Overall Winner: Continental PremiumContact 7
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental PremiumContact 7 has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tyre has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tyre buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
Footnote
This page has been developed using tyre industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tyres in the same test.
Why is this important? Tyre testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tyre test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tyre tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tyre Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tyre comparison, Tyre Reviews doesn't.