Continental UltraContact NXT vs Michelin e.Primacy

In this article we will be looking at independent tyre test data, and real world driver reviews of the Continental UltraContact NXT and the Michelin e.Primacy to find out which tyre is best for your own driving.

The good news is that both the Continental UltraContact NXT and Michelin e.Primacy are Premium Touring Summer tyres designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tyres is relatively simple.

Both tyres are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tyre tests.

UltraContact-NXT VS e.Primacy

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 two tests which compare both tyres directly!

Out of these two tests:

  • Continental UltraContact NXT finished ahead of the Michelin e.Primacy in two of the tests

While it might look like the Continental UltraContact NXT is better than the Michelin e.Primacy 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.

Dry Braking

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT was better during one dry braking tests. On average the Continental UltraContact NXT stopped the vehicle in 1.35% less distance than the Michelin e.Primacy.

Continental UltraContact NXT
36.45M
Michelin e.Primacy
36.95M
Dry braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Dry Braking: Continental UltraContact NXT

2025 AMS Sustainability Tyre Test
215/55 R17
Continental UltraContact NXT:36.3M Michelin e.Primacy: 37.8M
2025 Motor Low Rolling Resistance (AA) Tyre Test
205/55 R16
Continental UltraContact NXT:36.6M Michelin e.Primacy: 36.1M

Dry Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Continental UltraContact NXT was 1.69% faster around a lap than the Michelin e.Primacy.

Continental UltraContact NXT
52.5s
Michelin e.Primacy
53.4s
Dry handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental UltraContact NXT

2025 Motor Low Rolling Resistance (AA) Tyre Test
205/55 R16
Continental UltraContact NXT:52.5s Michelin e.Primacy: 53.4s

Dry Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental UltraContact NXT was 0.93% faster around a lap than the Michelin e.Primacy.

Continental UltraContact NXT
107.1Km/H
Michelin e.Primacy
106.1Km/H
Dry Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental UltraContact NXT

2025 AMS Sustainability Tyre Test
215/55 R17
Continental UltraContact NXT:107.1Km/H Michelin e.Primacy: 106.1Km/H

Subj. Dry Handling

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental UltraContact NXT scored 11.27% more points than the Michelin e.Primacy.

Continental UltraContact NXT
7.1 Points
Michelin e.Primacy
6.3 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental UltraContact NXT

2025 Motor Low Rolling Resistance (AA) Tyre Test
205/55 R16
Continental UltraContact NXT:7.1 Points Michelin e.Primacy: 6.3 Points

Wet Braking

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT was better during two wet braking tests. On average the Continental UltraContact NXT stopped the vehicle in 5.77% less distance than the Michelin e.Primacy.

Continental UltraContact NXT
40.85M
Michelin e.Primacy
43.35M
Wet braking in meters, lower is better

Best In Wet Braking: Continental UltraContact NXT

2025 AMS Sustainability Tyre Test
215/55 R17
Continental UltraContact NXT:31.5M Michelin e.Primacy: 35M
2025 Motor Low Rolling Resistance (AA) Tyre Test
205/55 R16
Continental UltraContact NXT:50.2M Michelin e.Primacy: 51.7M

Wet Handling [s]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Continental UltraContact NXT was 1.05% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin e.Primacy.

Continental UltraContact NXT
84.6s
Michelin e.Primacy
85.5s
Wet handling time in seconds, lower is better

Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental UltraContact NXT

2025 Motor Low Rolling Resistance (AA) Tyre Test
205/55 R16
Continental UltraContact NXT:84.6s Michelin e.Primacy: 85.5s

Wet Handling [Km/H]

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT was better during one wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental UltraContact NXT was 2.68% faster around a wet lap than the Michelin e.Primacy.

Continental UltraContact NXT
78.4Km/H
Michelin e.Primacy
76.3Km/H
Wet Handling Average Speed, higher is better

Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental UltraContact NXT

2025 AMS Sustainability Tyre Test
215/55 R17
Continental UltraContact NXT:78.4Km/H Michelin e.Primacy: 76.3Km/H

Wet Circle

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT was better during two wet circle tests. On average the Continental UltraContact NXT had 1.5% higher lateral wet grip than the Michelin e.Primacy.

Continental UltraContact NXT
4.67m/s
Michelin e.Primacy
4.6m/s
Lateral wet grip in m/s squared, higher is better

Best In Wet Circle: Continental UltraContact NXT

2025 AMS Sustainability Tyre Test
215/55 R17
Continental UltraContact NXT:8.49m/s Michelin e.Primacy: 8.39m/s
2025 Motor Low Rolling Resistance (AA) Tyre Test
205/55 R16
Continental UltraContact NXT:0.841m/s Michelin e.Primacy: 0.802m/s

Straight Aqua

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT was better during one straight aqua tests. On average the Continental UltraContact NXT floated at a 1.76% higher speed than the Michelin e.Primacy.

Continental UltraContact NXT
73.95Km/H
Michelin e.Primacy
72.65Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H, higher is better

Best In Straight Aqua: Continental UltraContact NXT

2025 AMS Sustainability Tyre Test
215/55 R17
Continental UltraContact NXT:73.8Km/H Michelin e.Primacy: 73.8Km/H
2025 Motor Low Rolling Resistance (AA) Tyre Test
205/55 R16
Continental UltraContact NXT:74.1Km/H Michelin e.Primacy: 71.5Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT was better during two curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental UltraContact NXT slipped out at a 8.66% higher speed than the Michelin e.Primacy.

Continental UltraContact NXT
2.77m/sec2
Michelin e.Primacy
2.53m/sec2
Remaining lateral acceleration, higher is better

Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental UltraContact NXT

2025 AMS Sustainability Tyre Test
215/55 R17
Continental UltraContact NXT:2.78m/sec2 Michelin e.Primacy: 2.77m/sec2
2025 Motor Low Rolling Resistance (AA) Tyre Test
205/55 R16
Continental UltraContact NXT:2.75m/sec2 Michelin e.Primacy: 2.28m/sec2

Subj. Comfort

Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT and Michelin e.Primacy performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.

Continental UltraContact NXT
7 Points
Michelin e.Primacy
7 Points
Subjective Comfort Score, higher is better

Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tyres performed equally well

2025 Motor Low Rolling Resistance (AA) Tyre Test
205/55 R16
Continental UltraContact NXT:7 Points Michelin e.Primacy: 7 Points

Noise

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin e.Primacy was better during one noise tests. On average the Michelin e.Primacy measured 0.3% quieter than the Continental UltraContact NXT.

Continental UltraContact NXT
67.4dB
Michelin e.Primacy
67.2dB
External noise in dB, lower is better

Best In Noise: Michelin e.Primacy

2025 AMS Sustainability Tyre Test
215/55 R17
Continental UltraContact NXT:71dB Michelin e.Primacy: 70.5dB
2025 Motor Low Rolling Resistance (AA) Tyre Test
205/55 R16
Continental UltraContact NXT:63.8dB Michelin e.Primacy: 63.9dB

Rolling Resistance

Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin e.Primacy was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Michelin e.Primacy had a 11.83% lower rolling resistance than the Continental UltraContact NXT.

Continental UltraContact NXT
6.34kg / t
Michelin e.Primacy
5.59kg / t
Rolling resistance in kg t, lower is better

Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin e.Primacy

2025 AMS Sustainability Tyre Test
215/55 R17
Continental UltraContact NXT:6.1kg / t Michelin e.Primacy: 5.7kg / t
2025 Motor Low Rolling Resistance (AA) Tyre Test
205/55 R16
Continental UltraContact NXT:6.58kg / t Michelin e.Primacy: 5.48kg / t

Real World Driver Reviews

Tyre Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental UltraContact NXT and Michelin e.Primacy.

In total the Continental UltraContact NXT has been reviewed 1 times and drivers have given the tyre 93% overall.

The Michelin e.Primacy has been reviewed 13 times and drivers have given the tyre 75% overall.

This means in real world driving, people prefer the Michelin e.Primacy.

Best Review for the Continental UltraContact NXT
Given 93% 235/45 R18 on mostly country roads for 38,000 average miles
The Continental UltraContact NXT 235/45R18 tire is a high-performance summer tire designed for long-lasting durability, comfort, and environmental sustainability. German engineering enhances the overall quality, making it a popular choice for those prioritizing a smooth, safe, and eco-friendly driving experience. Below are the tire’s main highlights:

Longevity and Durability: Engineered to deliver an extended lifespan, the UltraContact NXT uses a specially formulated compound to reduce wear over time, allowing drivers to enjoy consistent performance for longer. This design... Continue reading this review using the link below
Helpful 45 - tyre reviewed on November 6, 2024
View all Continental UltraContact NXT driver reviews >>
Best Review for the Michelin e.Primacy
Given 67% 205/55 R16 on mostly town for 30,000 spirited miles
tyres 6mm tread left but drone will not buy again
Helpful 156 - tyre reviewed on July 12, 2021
View all Michelin e.Primacy driver reviews >>

Conclusion

In conclusion the Continental UltraContact NXT performed better in dry braking, dry handling [s], dry handling [km/h], subj. dry handling, wet braking, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], wet circle, straight aqua and curved aquaplaning, while the Michelin e.Primacy performed better in noise and rolling resistance.

Interestingly, both tyres performed equally well in subj. comfort, showing that they are closely matched in these areas.

Which tyre is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tyre. Comparing all the data in the tyre reviews database, on balance Continental UltraContact NXT seems to be the best tyre overall.

However, it's important to note that both tyres have their strengths.

Remember, the best tyre for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.

Continental UltraContact NXT

Overall Winner: Continental UltraContact NXT

Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental UltraContact NXT 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.

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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.