Michelin Tires Review
As one of the biggest names in the tire industry, Michelin has a reputation for providing quality products. But do Michelin tires live up to expectations? Our review team takes an in-depth look at Michelin all-season tires, truck tires, winter tires, off-road tires, and more to make your tire-shopping experience easier.
New tires can be expensive, which is why our team reviews the best tire brands based on pricing, performance, customer reviews, and more to ensure you get the best value. Read on to learn more about how Michelin tires compare to other top options.
Michelin Tires Rating: 4.5 Stars
Our review team rated Michelin 4.5 out of 5.0 stars and recognized the company as Best Overall in 2022. Michelin’s strong industry reputation, variety of available tires, affordable pricing, and overwhelmingly positive customer reviews make purchasing Michelin tires a smart choice.
| Price | 3.0 |
| Tire Variety | 4.5 |
| Reputation | 5.0 |
| Customer Satisfaction | 4.5 |
| Overall Rating | 4.5 |
About Michelin
Founded by two brothers in 1889 in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is now an international tire company with 117 production sites across 26 countries and 124,000 employees worldwide. Michelin’s mascot, the Michelin Man, is recognized around the world.
Michelin’s dedication to constantly improving and innovating tires is what separates the company from its competitors. Michelin is known for its prominent innovations in the tire industry, which include:
- 1930: Michelin filed a patent application for a tire with a built-in innertube, which became the forerunner for tubeless tires.
- 1933: Michelin developed its first snow-specific tire.
- 1949: Michelin released its first radial tire, which offered higher fuel efficiency and lasted four times as many miles as a conventional tire.
- 2015: Michelin launched the CrossClimate tire, the first of many summer tire crossovers with winter certification.
- 2019: Michelin unveiled an airless tire, the Uptis prototype (Unique Puncture-Proof Tire System), which eliminates the possibility of a flat tire.
Cost Of Michelin Tires
A Michelin tire can cost between $140 and $875, according to Tirebuyer. Prices can vary widely depending on the size and style of tire. However, in general, Michelin tends to be more expensive than most other tire manufacturers.
To give you a sense of how much Michelin tires may cost you, we’ve included the costs of popular tires from Michelin as shown on Tire Rack. For accurate price comparison, all tire prices listed below are for shipment to Raleigh, North Carolina, before rebates, with a tire width of 225, ratio of 45, and diameter of 17.
| Michelin Tire Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4S | $217.99 |
| Michelin Primacy MXM4 | $212.24 |
| Michelin Primacy HP | $199.85 |
| Michelin CrossClimate2 | $183.99 |
Common Factors That Affect Tire Prices
Although the cost of car tires varies among tire manufacturers, common factors affect the price of tires across the industry. Some of these factors include:
- Tire size: The size of tire you’re shopping for will affect the cost. A 20-inch tire will be more expensive than a 15-inch tire.
- Tire brand: The more money spent by the manufacturer on research and development, the higher the cost of the tire.
- Type of tire: Whether you’re looking for an ultra-high-performance tire or an economy tire will affect the cost.
- Raw materials: The costs of natural rubber and butadiene (which is used to make synthetic rubber) play into the cost of tires throughout the industry.
Types Of Michelin Tires
Michelin tires fall into two categories: passenger tires and light truck/SUV tires. Each category includes different types of tires with varying purposes.
| Category | Types of Michelin Tires |
| Passenger tires |
|
| Light truck/SUV tires |
|
Michelin Industry Ratings
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) enforces federal safety standards for all tires sold in the United States. In the hopes of providing consumers with useful information, the NHTSA created the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) Standards. The categories of UTQG ratings include:
- Treadwear: This rating compares a tire’s tread against that of a standardized test tire’s tread. A score of 100 means the test tire lasts as long as the standardized tire, 200 means the test tire lasts twice as long, and so on.
- Traction: Traction is graded on a scale of AA, A, B, and C based on a tire’s braking g-force.
- Temperature: This tests a tire’s ability to run at high speeds. Temperature is rated with a grade of A, B, or C.
It should be noted that UTQG ratings are not required for select tires, including:
- Deep-treaded light truck tires
- Snow tires
- Spare tires
- Trailer tires
- Tires under 12 inches in diameter
Michelin Tire UTQG Ratings
| Type of Michelin Tire | Treadwear Grade | Traction Grade | Temperature Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin Defender T+H | 820 | A | B |
| Michelin Latitude Tour HP | 440 | A | A |
| Michelin LTX M/S2 | 720 | A | A |
| Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 | 240 | A | A |
| Michelin Premier A/S | 640 | A | A |
| Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 | 180 | AA | A |
| Michelin Energy Saver A/S | 480 | A | A |
| Michelin Latitude Sport | 220 | AA | A |
| Michelin Energy LX4 | 500 | A | A |
| Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus | 440 | A | A |
| Michelin LTX A/T 2 | 500 | A | B |
Michelin Tire Reviews
Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating: A+ with accreditation
BBB complaints in last three years: 60
J.D. Power customer satisfaction index (passenger car): 807 / 1,000
Michelin is one of the most recognizable names in the automotive industry, and it’s known for producing durable and quality tires. In the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study℠, Michelin tires ranked in the top three for customer satisfaction in every category, including passenger car tires. The company also holds an A+ rating from the BBB.
Positive Michelin Tire Reviews
“I’m impressed by the grip these tires provide in weather colder than 45 degrees. They also perform well in the rain, and were shockingly sure-footed in a little bit of snow. My M2 Comp rides a lot smoother with these tires as well.”
– Baby M. via Tirebuyer
“I read the warranty and understand they’re not ‘lifetime’ tires but for my Lincoln MKT, they’re outstanding! I’ve had them one day and I’m prepared to swear by them tonight after putting the SUV back in the garage.”
– ThePaintItGuy via Tirebuyer
Negative Michelin Tire Reviews
“I have a gravel driveway at home and at my job and the four grooves that go around the circumference of the tire collect rocks and as I accelerate on the highway the rocks are thrown up on the sides and underneath, chipping the paint and the underside.”
– BK via Tirebuyer
“This tire lasted only 28,000 miles with a 45,000-mile warranty. Michelin would not honor the warranty with strict warranty rules. Our SUV had Michelin tires and we got only 26,000 miles on them. We will never buy any Michelin tires again.”
– FA via Tirebuyer
Other Recommendations For Tires
If Michelin tires cost more than you’re willing to spend, know that you have many quality tire brands to choose from. We recommend checking out some of our other top-rated tire brands, such as Goodyear and Cooper.
Goodyear: Most Durable
Recognized as Most Durable in our industry review, Goodyear has been providing high-quality tires since 1889. Goodyear developed the first tubeless automobile tire in 1903, and the company has continued to push the boundaries of what we know is possible ever since.
Keep reading: Goodyear tires review
Cooper: Best Value
Founded in 1914, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is the 13th-largest global tire manufacturer and the fifth-largest tire manufacturer in North America. In our 2022 industry review, our team gave Cooper the title of Best Value. Cooper tires range from about $65 to $475, according to prices on Tirebuyer, making them one of the more affordable options on average.
Keep reading: Cooper tires review
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Michelin tires best?
Michelin tires are certainly some of the best options in the tire industry. According to Statista, Michelin sold $24.82 billion worth of tires in the fiscal year of 2020. The Michelin name is associated with durability and quality, and there are many positive Michelin tire reviews from customers.
Are Michelin tires made by Goodyear?
Michelin tires are not made by Goodyear. Michelin acquired BFGoodrich in 1990, which can cause confusion due to the similarity in names.
How much should Michelin tires cost?
Michelin tires generally cost between $145 and $875, according to Tirebuyer. Unless you are purchasing ultra-high-performance tires, then the cost of Michelin tires should not be above $875.
How We Rate Tire Brands
Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of tire brands. While there are multiple qualities that make a tire manufacturer successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:
- Price: Tire size and type can both affect the final cost. Our team of experts compares pricing across a variety of tires from each brand.
- Tire Variety: To determine this score, we look at the types of tires available, including passenger tires and light truck/SUV tires. Tire types can be based on the season, terrain, and other factors.
- Reputation: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) Standards to score treadwear, traction, and temperature. Tire brands with high UTQG ratings perform best in this category. Established companies with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
- Customer Satisfaction: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Tire brands with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider studies from experts like J.D. Power, giving top marks to companies that have a high customer satisfaction index.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
