Hi All, I am looking to replace the OEM tires on my Mazda CX-5 2016 GT with Michelin all-season tires.
I am getting the following Michelin tire options from Costco:
Michelin - Premier LTX
Michelin - Primacy Tour A/S
Michelin - CrossClimate2
My use-case:
1. Sunbelt state, dry weather.
2. Daily driver with good dry and wet tractions (rain)
3. Reduce cabin noise
4. Good handling
5. Tread life
a) Based on above criteria, I have eliminated CrossClimate2 since it seems to be more geared toward snow driving, which I don't need. Please advise if I am making a mistake by eliminating this option?
b) If CrossClimate2 is right to be eliminated, could someone help deciding between Primacy Tour A/S and Premier LTX (keeping aside cost factor) and what would go well on GT?
Thank you!!
I used to get only Michelin tires but after several disappointing incidents, 2 blowouts and one set of tires with sidewall dry rot, I started to look for more on different tire brands based on specs and reviews.
In addition, car manufactures would want to use higher tire pressure for better fuel efficiency. Newer tires designed by tire manufactures are all featuring higher maximum inflation pressure at least to 51 psi. But Michelin keeps offering most new tires to US market with 44 psi old design.
Here are specs and prices on tires you’re interested and 2 popular tires by forum members on 225/55R/19 from Tire Rack for comparison:
Tire |
Size |
UTQG | Maximum
Inflation
Pressure |
Tread
Depth |
Tire
Weight |
Warranty |
Price* |
Michelin Premier LTX | 225/55R19
99V | 620 A A | 44 psi | 8.5/32" | 27 lbs. | 60,000 Miles
6 Years | $226.63
- TR |
Michelin Primacy Tour A/S | 225/55R19
99V | 540 A A | 44 psi | 9/32" | 28 lbs. | 55,000 Miles
6 Years | $219.99
- TR |
Michelin CrossClimate² | 225/55R19
99V | 640 B A | 51 psi | 10/32" | 28 lbs. | 60,000 Miles
6 Years | $221.99
- TR |
General AltiMAX RT43 | 225/55R19
99H | 700 A A | 51 psi | 10/32" | 25 lbs. | 65,000 Miles
6 Years | $177.99
- TR |
Continental CrossContact LX25 | 225/55R19
99V | 740 A A | 51 psi | 10/32" | 27 lbs. | 70,000 Miles
6 Years | $198.99
- TR |
Based on UTQG alone Michelin CrossClimate² is out IMO with B rating on Traction. It’s a shame for Michelin coming out a B rated Traction on UTQG with such a high-price tag!
Michelin Premier LTX has been criticized heavily on short tread life, but Michelin Primacy Tour A/S has even lower 540 Treadwear UTQG than Premier LTX’s 620. We can almost guarantee the tread life on Primacy Tour A/S will be shorter than Premier LTX.
You are right....to a point. I have run Michelins for years and put Michelin Premier LTX's on my last CX-5. They gave a super ride and I absolutely loved them, BUT, they wore out WAY to quickly, as many other users have confirmed. That was too much of a compromise for me, so no more Premier LTX's for me. I have been researching the new Michelin CrossClimate 2's but many have suggested that they have too harsh a ride and are NOT very quiet. So....at the moment it looks like the Conti CC LX25's are the best bet overall, yet I will keep my eye out for any new Michelin products over the summer, as I will probably need to replace my OEM Toyo's by the the fall.
Here’re Tire Ratings Charts from Tire Rack on tires CX-5 uses:
Tire Category: Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season - 225/55R19
Tire Category: Grand Touring All-Season - 225/55R19
Tire Category: Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season - 225/65R17
You may find high ratings on some newly released tires such as Michelin CrossClimate² and Michelin Primacy Tour A/S on 225/55R19. But both of them have minimum miles (~300K) accumulated on Tire Rack reviews, most people wouldn’t really know the true treadwear and might give it a high rating. Once more miles are used, the poor treadwear on Michelin CrossClimate² and Michelin Primacy Tour A/S would get exposed from their relative low UTQG treadwear ratings. That’s exactly what happened on Michelin Premier LTX. The rating was #1 on the chart at beginning, but it keeps dropping especially on treadwear which is only 4.9 out of 10 with 13M miles accumulated. And if you notice, Tire Rack has listed Michelin Premier LTX as close-out item.
With all things considered, I’m not going to choose any Michelin 225/55R19 tires, especially they all have highest price tags.