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.
Here’re Tire Ratings Charts from Tire Rack on tires CX-5 uses:
Tire Category: Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season - 225/55R19
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Tire Category: Grand Touring All-Season - 225/55R19
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Tire Category: Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season - 225/65R17
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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.