Michelin Defender LTX MS vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Michelin Defender LTX MS and Michelin Primacy 4 Plus appear in 11 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.
How the Michelin Defender LTX MS performs. It takes the win in snow. It has limited comparative test data, so treat its results as indicative.
How the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, based on 10 tests.
What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.
Verdict
The Michelin Defender LTX MS and Michelin Primacy 4 Plus are closely matched. Pick based on the category that matters most to your driving — wet, dry, comfort, mileage, or price.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise snow
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise noise / comfort
Test profile
| Metric | Michelin Defender LTX MS | Michelin Primacy 4 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Touring | Touring |
| Type | Summer | Summer |
| Tests used | 1 | 10 |
| Best rank | #3 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 4.8 | 6.5 |
| Latest test | 2023 | 2025 |
| Tire Lab Score | — | 92.3 |
Tire Lab Score
Michelin Defender LTX MS
Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Michelin Defender LTX MS | Michelin Primacy 4 Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | No data | Avg rank 5.6 264 | Michelin Primacy 4 Plus |
| ☀️Dry | No data | Avg rank 4.6 45 | Michelin Primacy 4 Plus |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 5.3 1 | No data | Michelin Defender LTX MS |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | No data | Avg rank 8.3 215 | Michelin Primacy 4 Plus |
| 📏Mileage | No data | Avg rank 12.7 11 | Michelin Primacy 4 Plus |
| 🔋Efficiency | No data | Avg rank 7.7 | Michelin Primacy 4 Plus |
💧 Wet: Michelin Defender LTX MS vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The Michelin Primacy 4 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 5.6, compared to no data for the Michelin Defender LTX MS.
☀️ Dry: Michelin Defender LTX MS vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The Michelin Primacy 4 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 4.6, compared to no data for the Michelin Defender LTX MS.
❄️ Snow: Michelin Defender LTX MS vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The Michelin Defender LTX MS wins this category with an average rank of 5.3, compared to no data for the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Michelin Defender LTX MS vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The Michelin Primacy 4 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 8.3, compared to no data for the Michelin Defender LTX MS.
📏 Mileage: Michelin Defender LTX MS vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The Michelin Primacy 4 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 12.7, compared to no data for the Michelin Defender LTX MS.
🔋 Efficiency: Michelin Defender LTX MS vs Michelin Primacy 4 Plus
The Michelin Primacy 4 Plus wins this category with an average rank of 7.7, compared to no data for the Michelin Defender LTX MS.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Michelin Defender LTX MS or Michelin Primacy 4 Plus?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus ranks higher on average than the Michelin Defender LTX MS.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Michelin Primacy 4 Plus averages a better dry-braking rank than the Michelin Defender LTX MS across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus ranks better than the Michelin Defender LTX MS.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Michelin Primacy 4 Plus shows better mileage performance than the Michelin Defender LTX MS.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Michelin Defender LTX MS appears in 1 independent tests, Michelin Primacy 4 Plus in 10.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →
