Tyre review: Putting the claims of the Michelin Pilot Sport 5 and Primacy SUV+ to the test
Sanjay · Jul 8, 2023 10:00 AM
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The closest I've ever been to binning a car is when I least expected to. Isn't that how it always goes? I was minding my business, driving in the rain at around 60 km/h or so, another car suddenly made a break for my lane and before I know it, I was stomping on a pedal that had no response, careening to a wall as I tried to avoid them.
Luck/miracle/divine intervention would see my stop inches away from trading paint with cement, and my evening continued as usual from then on. Shaken, no doubt...
Speeding is easy. Stopping safely, now that's what gets you
It was in a friend's borrowed car, and I knew it wasn't on dinky tyres – one would classify them as branded even. The problem was they were worn, but even then I didn't quite expect that much diminished grip between their performance in the wet and dry, or new vs used.
This is a very real problem. Michelin, however, says this isn't much to worry about when using their line of tyres, and thats' what we put to the test at the brand's recent media test drive event.
The tyres: Primacy SUV+ & Pilot Sport 5
Michelin Primacy SUV+. The 'velvet-like' sidewall is a unique aesthetic touch
Sunny Sepang played host to two of the brand's latest offerings: the Primacy SUV+, and the Pilot Sport 5. The latter was tested exclusively on track in performance driving situations, while the former had a bit of time on the skidpad as well as on the roads outside the circuit.
The Primacy SUV+ – essentially an updated version of the Primacy SUV – now comes with higher silica loading and functionalised polymer, along with MaxTouch Construction that optimises the contact patch for even wear and longer tread life.
That last point is pretty important. Michelin says drivers can eke 10% more mileage out of these compared to average competitors.
A similar promise is communicated with the Pilot Sport 5 (PS5). It's long known as the peak of roadgoing tyres but competitors have bucked up in recent times, so extra care has been taken in development work to see the tyre achieve better grip and braking performance, as well as longevity.
Note however, that it doesn't outright replace the PS4. That will still be available, and so will the PS3 remain for 15-inch tyres.
On road tests: Primacy SUV+
To keep things as controlled as possible, we were in pairs of Honda CR-Vs and Toyota Fortuners. The only difference between them were the tyres: one car of each make would have something from a competitor, and the other, Michelin.
It must be noted too that these competitors aren't some dodgy tyres, but instead are similarly premium European and Japanese brand tyres.
New U-shaped grooves and chamfered tread block aid with grip and braking
Each car was driven at a consistent speed at a predetermined route around the circuit, and this also includes driving over a sandy patch, as well as a stop-and-hard-accelerate test. Noise was recorded by a decibel reader and the average was given at the end of each turn.
Sound test results. Top is with the Honda CR-V, bottom with Toyota Fortuner
On first impressions, comfort levels were only marginally different, but the Michelin does palpably better in containing noise. While the numerical values don't appear to be too much, there was a distinct lack of pebbles hitting the sidewall when we drove the Primacy-equipped CR-Vs.
Wet braking and handling tests
Second part of the tests saw us piloting (had to, sorry) a GLA 200 to put the Primacy SUV+ in wet braking tests. Apart from box-fresh examples, there were a couple of cars fitted with the same tyres (and competitors) but whittled down to the minimum thread depth of 1.6 mm to simulate wear.
On Sepang's wet makeshift skidpad the results were clear, and while the worn tyres took longer to stop (understandably so), there was still a clear difference between it and the competitors.
But the bigger takeaway is despite the Primacy SUV+ plus catering more towards comfort and bigger vehicles, its wet braking performance isn't too far off what the Pilot Sport 5 achieved. Pretty impressive, considering the PS5's propensity towards performance compared to the Primacy SUV+.
Part of the PS5s talents come from its dual sport tread design: large grooves inside for wet roads complementing rigid, tighter blocks on the outside for dry performance
Speaking of which, the PS5 held up to the tests pretty well. Note how the dropoff between new and worn performance in the wet is leagues lesser than its competitors (in fact in its worn state is better than a new competitor), which can prove to be all the difference needed on the road.
On the performance driving front, the PS5 proved to provide substantial traction during acceleration regardless of the tarmac surface – either during taking a sweeping right hander quickly in a bid to break traction or zipping between cones, the PS5s were pleasingly progressive to handle.
Conclusion
Whether its sedans, SUVs, EVs, or even bikes, Michelin makes tyres for all
Ultimately, the Primacy SUV+ and Pilot Sport 5 both prove to be quite the all-rounders. The SUV-bred tyres' quietness is tangible, and while the PS5 pushes the envelope slightly further in the performance aspect, potential customers can also appreciate the added focus into longevity as well.
There's also the Michelin Pilot Sport EV
Recommended retail prices (per piece) for the Primacy SUV+ range in Malaysia is from RM 600 to RM 1,600 (16- to 20-inch) while the PS5 starts from RM 700 to RM 1,900(17- to 19-inches), and is already available at all of Michelin Malaysia's authorised dealers. Warranty is six years from the date of manufacture.
With humble beginnings collecting diecast models and spending hours virtually tuning dream cars on the computer, his love of cars has delightfully transformed into a career. Sanjay enjoys how the same passion for cars transcends boundaries and brings people together.
