Continental UltraContact NXT vs Michelin e.Primacy
The Continental dominated dynamic safety, especially in the wet, winning both tests overall. Michelin countered with class-leading rolling resistance and consistently high comfort and noise refinement. Shoppers choosing between them are essentially deciding between maximum efficiency and class-leading all-weather safety margins.
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!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental UltraContact NXT | two |
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.
Key Strengths
- Class-leading wet safety: shortest wet braking and superior wet handling across both tests
- Stable, precise dynamics with top subjective handling scores
- Stronger aquaplaning resistance (notably curved aquaplaning +20.6% vs Michelin at Motor)
- Balanced sustainability via material innovation without over-compromising grip
- Best-in-test rolling resistance in both tests, maximizing fuel economy and EV range
- Very quiet and comfortable ride with high refinement
- Competitive dry braking (won Motor dry braking) and predictable dry manners
- Strong sustainability/efficiency credentials and typically lower tested price point
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.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental UltraContact NXT
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
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.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Continental UltraContact NXT
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
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.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental UltraContact NXT
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
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.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental UltraContact NXT
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
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.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental UltraContact NXT
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
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.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Continental UltraContact NXT
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
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.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental UltraContact NXT
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
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.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental UltraContact NXT
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
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.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental UltraContact NXT
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
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.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental UltraContact NXT
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Continental UltraContact NXT and Michelin e.Primacy performed equally well in subj. comfort tests.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
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.
Best In Noise: Michelin e.Primacy
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
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.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Michelin e.Primacy
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
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 2 times and drivers have given the tyre 96% overall.
The Michelin e.Primacy has been reviewed 27 times and drivers have given the tyre 66% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Continental UltraContact NXT.
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
Conclusion
Michelin's e.Primacy is the efficiency and comfort specialist. It delivered the best rolling resistance in both tests (up to ~17% advantage at Motor) with very low noise and composed manners, and it can match or edge the Continental in specific dry metrics (e.g., dry braking in the Motor test). However, its weaker aquaplaning and longer wet braking distances limit ultimate safety margins in poor conditions. In value terms, Michelin was also tested at a lower price point in Motor, strengthening its efficiency proposition.
Bottom line: choose Continental if you want the safest, most rounded road performance in mixed weather. Choose Michelin if maximizing range/MPG and cabin refinement is your priority, especially for EVs and high-mileage drivers in predominantly dry climates.
Key Differences
- Wet braking: Continental consistently shorter (up to 10% at AMS), larger safety buffer in rain
- Aquaplaning: Continental notably better (Motor curved aquaplaning +20.6%)
- Rolling resistance: Michelin leads decisively (6.56-16.7% advantage across tests)
- Dry dynamics: Continental quicker in handling and higher subjective control; Michelin can edge dry braking in some sizes
- Noise/comfort: Michelin marginally quieter; both rate high for comfort
- Value angle: Michelin tested at a lower price in Motor, while Continental commands a premium for performance
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.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tyre comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tyres:
Continental UltraContact NXT Top Comparisons
No other comparisons available for this tyre.
Michelin e.Primacy Top Comparisons
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.