Falken ZIEX ZE320 vs Michelin Primacy 5
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 17
- TR Score
- 8.8/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 62
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 finished ahead 4 times and the Primacy 5 once. The ZIEX ZE320 stopped 5.1% shorter in the dry; the Primacy 5 had 8.1% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Falken ZIEX ZE320 if you want the most “all-round capable” touring tyre with consistently class-leading dry braking and a more rewarding, confidence-inspiring handling balance (especially if you enjoy driving). Pick the Michelin Primacy 5 if you prioritise low running costs-fuel/EV range and long tread life-and want a stable, predictable wet-weather touring tyre even if it won't feel as sharp or fast in handling tests.
Where the ZIEX ZE320 is stronger
- Consistently shorter dry braking across all shared tests (5/5 wins; often ~5-7% advantage, e.g., 33.9 m vs 36.3 m in ADAC)
- More engaging and quicker handling when driven hard (Auto Express fastest wet & dry handling laps; strong subjective wet handling in Die ReifenTester: 84 vs 73 points)
- Strong lateral wet grip metrics in several tests (wet circle wins in Auto Express and Vi Bilagare; generally easy-to-control at the limit)
Where the Primacy 5 is stronger
- Best-in-class efficiency/low rolling resistance in multiple tests (Auto Express 7.0 vs 8.05 kg/t; also lower fuel use in Vi Bilagare and ADAC)
- Outstanding predicted longevity and low wear/abrasion (ADAC wear 56,000 km vs 37,500 km; abrasion 54 vs 71 mg/km/t)
- Often strong straight-line wet braking and competitive wet safety (wins wet braking in ADAC and the combined test; Auto Express notes strong wet braking ranking)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
ZIEX ZE320 vs Primacy 5 at a glance
| Category | ZIEX ZE320 | Gap | Primacy 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won5 shared tests | 4 | 1 | |
| Dry9 measurements | 7 | The ZIEX ZE320 stopped 5.1% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 1 |
| Wet20 measurements | 10 | Level between the two. | 10 |
| Comfort7 measurements | 3 | 2 | |
| Value6 measurements | 0 | The Primacy 5 had 8.1% lower rolling resistance (2 tests) | 6 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.4/10 | The ZIEX ZE320 by 0.6 | 8.8/10 |
| Owner rating17 and 62 reviews | 87% | The ZIEX ZE320 by 5 points | 82% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 80% | The ZIEX ZE320 by 2 points | 78% |
| Pricein the 4 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Primacy 5 was dearer in 4 of 4 | +24% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 53 | 38 sizes made in both | 88 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 5 tests, 2025 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | ZIEX ZE320 | Field | Primacy 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Express Summer Tyre Test | P1 of 8 | P6 of 8 | |
| 2026 Vi Bilagare Summer Tyre Test | P4 of 10 | P6 of 10 | |
| 2026 ADAC Summer Tyre Test | P5 of 16 | P7 of 16 | |
| 2025 Die ReifenTester Summer Touring Tyre Test | P1 of 7 | P5 of 7 | |
| 2025 Summer and All Season Combined Tyre Test | P13 of 14 | P1 of 14 |
Performance profile
12 measurements from the 5 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
ZIEX ZE320
Primacy 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 90%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
ZIEX ZE320
Primacy 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
ZIEX ZE320
Primacy 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the ZIEX ZE320 87% from 17 reviews and the Primacy 5 82% from 62. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | ZIEX ZE320 | Gap | Primacy 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36.53 | 5.1% | 38.52 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 53.5 | 2.5% | 54.87 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 6.1% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 31.54 | = | 31.39 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 37.7 | 2.8% | 38.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 80.37 | 0.2% | 80.64 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 13.9% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.6 | 1.7% | 11.8 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 79.18 | 0.8% | 79.82 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.36 | 0.1% | 3.35 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.3% | scored | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 10.2% | scored | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 68.9 | 0.9 dB | 69.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73.2 | 0.8 dB | 74 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 37,500 | 49.3% | 56,000 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.02 | 8.1% | 7.37 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.55 | 4.5% | 5.3 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| 71 | 23.9% | 54 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the ZIEX ZE320 scores 9.4 and the Primacy 5 8.8 out of 10.
| ZIEX ZE320 | Category | Primacy 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | Dry | 62 | ||
| 86 | Wet | 77 | ||
| 52 | Comfort | 76 | ||
| 46 | Value | 92 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| ZIEX ZE320 | Category | Primacy 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.3 | Dry Grip | 8.5 | ||
| 8.9 | Wet Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 8.8 | Road Feedback | 7.6 | ||
| 8.9 | Handling | 7.8 | ||
| 8.1 | Wear | 9.1 | ||
| 8.5 | Comfort | 8.4 | ||
Owners rate the ZIEX ZE320 87% from 17 reviews and the Primacy 5 82% from 62. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Falken ZIEX ZE320
- 87%from 17 reviews
- 80%would buy again
- 92,020 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners are overwhelmingly happy with the Falken ZIEX ZE320, with consistently strong reports of dry grip and confident handling, backed up by positive wet-weather feedback. Around half of owners who mention it also find road noise low for the class, and a third highlight sharp steering response. The main caveats come from around one in five owners citing higher fuel use and similarly around one in five questioning tread life, while isolated comments mention reduced performance in extreme heat and less progressive behaviour at the limit.
- Strong dry grip
- Low road noise for the class
- Confident wet grip
- Sharp steering response and good feedback
- Mediocre rolling resistance (worse fuel economy)
- Questionable tread life for some owners
- Can lose performance in very high heat
Summarised by AI from 13 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 17 ZIEX ZE320 reviewsThe tires provide excellent handling and grip in both dry and wet conditions. There is absolutely no tire noise on the highways, although if the asphalt quality is poor, some noise returns. The ride is very comfortable and not too firm. I rotated the tires from front to back at 10,000 km, and I haven't noticed any wear at this point. Overall, these tires offer great value for the price, and I feel very confident in both braking and cornering!
Michelin Primacy 5
- 82%from 62 reviews
- 78%would buy again
- 378,963 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners generally rate the Michelin Primacy 5 highly (82% average), most often praising its notably comfortable, refined ride and strong wet-weather confidence. Around three quarters of reviewers mention noise, and while many find it very quiet, a sizeable minority report intrusive droning on certain road surfaces. Grip and efficiency are commonly highlighted as strengths (especially in the wet and for rolling resistance), but around one in five owners feel it sacrifices dry handling and steering precision compared with sportier alternatives.
- Very comfortable, smooth ride quality
- Low road noise for a touring tyre (especially at speed)
- Strong wet grip and reassuring wet traction
- Low rolling resistance / good efficiency
- Can be noisy or drone on rougher road surfaces
- Soft, less confident dry handling in corners
- Less direct steering feel / reduced precision
Summarised by AI from 62 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 62 Primacy 5 reviewsThe tires are very silent and comfortable. Despite this they are very grippy in the dry and wet and give a good feedback. Driven in 40+ degrees in summer until now in rainy 5 degrees autumn and they make the drive 100% secure.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 53 sizes of the ZIEX ZE320 and 88 of the Primacy 5, 38 of them made in both.
| Category | ZIEX ZE320 | Primacy 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Summer | Summer |
| Sizes made | 53 sizes, 15 to 18 inch | 88 sizes, 16 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 38 sizes 195/55 R16195/60 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16205/65 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/70 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17and 26 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A100% | A100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C91%B9% | B88%C12% |
| EU label noise | 66-68 dB A100% | 70-72 dB B95%A5% |
| On the market since | 2024 | 2025 |
| Replaced | Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun (2017) | Michelin Primacy 4+ (2022) |
| Awards | Winner: Summer Value Performer (16in and below) (WhatTyre, 2026/27) | Highly Recommended: Best Tyres for Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) Winner: Best Tyres for Large Family Cars (DriverReviews, 2026/27) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Primacy 5 was the dearer tyre in 4 of the 4 tests that listed prices, by 24% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This is a classic premium-touring summer tyre matchup with two very different philosophies. The Falken ZIEX ZE320 shows up in multiple group tests as the “broad ability” option-strong lap times, strong braking (especially dry), and a generally confidence-inspiring balance that suits drivers who value precise, easy speed in both dry and wet conditions.
The Michelin Primacy 5, by contrast, is repeatedly positioned as the efficiency-and-longevity specialist. Across the shared tests it often gives away time and response in handling exercises, but it consistently fights back with low rolling resistance/fuel use, strong predicted wear, and (in several tests) very competitive straight-line wet braking and aquaplaning resistance-traits that matter most to high-mileage drivers and EV owners watching range.
Conclusion
Across the five shared tests, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 is the more performance-complete tyre and more frequently the better-ranked product overall (including a standout win in the 2026 Auto Express test, 1st vs 6th). Its biggest, most repeatable advantage is dry braking: it beat the Primacy 5 in all five tests, typically by meaningful margins (e.g., 33.9 m vs 36.3 m in ADAC; 42.1 m vs 44.8 m in Vi Bilagare). It also tends to deliver the more eager, “placeable” handling balance when you drive with intent, showing strong wet circle/handling results in Auto Express and strong subjective wet/dry handling in Die ReifenTester.
The Michelin Primacy 5's counterpunch is ownership cost and wet-straight-line reassurance. It repeatedly leads on efficiency (Auto Express rolling resistance 7.0 vs 8.05 kg/t; Vi Bilagare fuel 5.2 vs 5.5 l/100 km; ADAC fuel 5.4 vs 5.6) and it dominates longevity in ADAC (56,000 km vs 37,500 km predicted wear, plus lower abrasion). In wet braking it's more mixed, but can be decisively better in some conditions/tests (e.g., 33.0 m vs 36.3 m in the combined test; 32.7 m vs 34.3 m in ADAC). The practical takeaway: choose Falken if you want a touring tyre that feels closer to a sporty all-rounder; choose Michelin if your priority is range/fuel and long life with stable, predictable manners rather than sharp response.
ZIEX ZE320 vs Primacy 5: your questions
Is the Falken ZIEX ZE320 or the Michelin Primacy 5 the better tyre?
In the 5 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Falken ZIEX ZE320 finished ahead 4 times and the Primacy 5 once. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the ZIEX ZE320 scores 9.4 and the Primacy 5 8.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the ZIEX ZE320 or the Primacy 5?
Across the shared tests the wet measurements are split 10-10 between the ZIEX ZE320 and the Primacy 5.
Which is better in the dry?
The ZIEX ZE320 led 7 of the 9 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.1% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Primacy 5 had 8.1% lower rolling resistance (2 tests) and used 4.5% less fuel (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.1/10 for the ZIEX ZE320 and 9.1/10 for the Primacy 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.5/10 for the ZIEX ZE320 and 8.4/10 for the Primacy 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the ZIEX ZE320 87% from 17 reviews and the Primacy 5 82% from 62. 80% of ZIEX ZE320 owners would buy it again, against 78% for the Primacy 5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 4 tests that listed prices, the Primacy 5 was the dearer tyre in 4 of them, by 24% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The ZIEX ZE320 is made in 53 sizes (15 to 18 inch) and the Primacy 5 in 88 (16 to 22 inch). 38 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the ZIEX ZE320 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Primacy 5 A and B.
Which is the newer tyre?
The Primacy 5 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2025, the ZIEX ZE320 in 2024. The ZIEX ZE320 replaced the Falken ZIEX ZE310 EcoRun. The Primacy 5 replaced the Michelin Primacy 4+.
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Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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