Hankook Ventus Prime 4 vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The data shows a clear split: Hankook frequently excels in dry braking and subjective dry handling at a lower purchase price, while Michelin consistently leads in wet handling and aquaplaning resistance, runs quieter, and achieves markedly higher mileage. With five overall test wins to Hankook's one, Michelin's edge is built on wet-road security and longevity, whereas Hankook's appeal rests on upfront value, strong dry performance, and competitive efficiency.
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 seven tests which compare both tyres directly!
| Tyre | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Hankook Ventus Prime 4 | one | |
| Michelin Primacy 4 Plus | five | |
| one draws in one tests | ||
While it might look like the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus is better than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 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
- Consistently strong dry braking and confident dry handling
- Lower purchase price with very good value proposition
- Competitive rolling resistance and fuel consumption in several tests
- Quiet pass-by noise in some sizes and strong overall refinement for the money
- Class-leading wet handling and aquaplaning resistance across multiple tests
- Very high mileage and low abrasion, strong long-term economy
- Low external noise and good comfort
- Balanced, secure performance with strong wet and dry braking
Dry Braking
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during five dry braking tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 stopped the vehicle in 0.27% less distance than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Dry Braking: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was 1.21% faster around a lap than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was 0.15% faster around a lap than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 scored 5.56% more points than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from seven tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during three wet braking tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus stopped the vehicle in 1.16% less distance than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Braking: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking - Concrete
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one wet braking - concrete tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 stopped the vehicle in 0.27% less distance than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Wet Braking - Concrete: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Wet Braking - Concrete winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during two wet handling [s] tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was 1.59% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was 0.35% faster around a wet lap than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 and Michelin Primacy 4 Plus performed equally well in subj. wet handling tests.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Both tyres performed equally well
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus had 2.88% higher lateral wet grip than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wet Circle: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from six tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during five straight aqua tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus floated at a 3.81% higher speed than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Straight Aqua: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during four curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus slipped out at a 5.86% higher speed than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 and Michelin Primacy 4 Plus 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 six tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during five noise tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus measured 1.17% quieter than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Noise: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Tyre Weight
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during one tyre weight tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus weighed 5.49% less than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Tyre Weight: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Tyre Weight winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from three tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during three wear tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus is predicted to cover 26.28% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Wear: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from one tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one value tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 has a 8.28% better value based on dollars per 1000 warranted miles than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Value: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from five tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during five price tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 cost 6.33% less than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Price: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from four tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 had a 1.56% lower rolling resistance than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 used 0.86% less fuel than the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Hankook Ventus Prime 4
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Abrasion
Looking at data from two tyre tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus was better during two abrasion tests. On average the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus emitted 19.4% less particle wear matter than the Hankook Ventus Prime 4.
Best In Abrasion: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Hankook Ventus Prime 4 Driver Reviews
Most drivers rate the Hankook Ventus Prime 4 highly for its quiet, comfortable ride, strong dry grip, confident wet performance (especially when new), and excellent value versus premium rivals. Handling stability and braking inspire confidence across varied conditions, with many noting a step up in refinement and noise compared to previous tyres. A recurring downside is faster-than-expected wear, with multiple reports of wet grip and overall performance declining as tread depth drops, alongside noise increasing as the tyre ages. Overall sentiment is strongly positive, with durability-related concerns being the main caveat.
Based on 75 reviews with an average rating of 82%
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
Conversely, if you want sharp, reassuring dry-road behavior with short dry braking and you're price-sensitive, the Ventus Prime 4 delivers excellent day-to-day performance and value. Its main compromise is lower aquaplaning resistance and slightly weaker wet balance in some tests. For urban and mixed-use drivers covering average annual miles and watching upfront cost, Hankook is compelling; for motorway, all-weather and high-mileage users, Michelin is the smarter long-game pick.
Key Differences
- Wet safety: Michelin leads wet handling and aquaplaning (often 5-12% better in aqua metrics), while Hankook can trail in deeper water.
- Dry edge: Hankook more often wins dry braking/handling by small margins (around 0.5-1.5%).
- Wear/longevity: Michelin typically delivers 20-45% higher mileage with lower abrasion.
- Noise/comfort: Michelin is generally quieter; comfort parity in some tests, Hankook occasionally average.
- Price/value dynamic: Hankook is 20-30%+ cheaper upfront; Michelin offsets with longevity and consistency.
- Efficiency: Rolling resistance is close; slight swings either way, with Hankook occasionally better on fuel.
Overall Winner: Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
Based on the tyre test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus 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:
Hankook Ventus Prime 4 Top Comparisons
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Michelin Primacy 4 Plus Top Comparisons
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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.