Michelin Premier A/S Review: Is It the Best All-Season Tire for Your Sedan or Minivan?

Are you in the market for a high-performance all-season tire that doesn’t compromise on comfort? Look no further than the Michelin Premier A/S. As Michelin’s flagship all-season touring tire, the Premier A/S has been engineered to deliver exceptional performance across a wide range of driving conditions.

In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into what makes the Michelin Premier A/S stand out in the crowded tire market. From its innovative tread compound and design to its impressive performance on dry, wet, and even snowy roads, we’ll explore why this tire has become a top choice for drivers seeking a perfect balance of safety, comfort, and longevity.

Whether you’re navigating busy city streets, cruising on the highway, or tackling light winter conditions, the Michelin Premier A/S promises to deliver a driving experience that’s both exhilarating and reassuring. Join us as we unpack the technology, performance, and real-world benefits of these remarkable tires, helping you decide if they’re the right fit for your vehicle and driving needs.

What are the Michelin Premier A/S Tires?

The Michelin Premier A/S tires are the company’s flagship all-season touring tire line, designed to provide a balance of year-round traction, handling, and ride comfort. These tires are engineered to perform well in a variety of weather conditions, from dry and wet roads to light snow.

As an all-season tire, the Premier A/S is built to be a versatile choice for drivers seeking a single set of tires that can handle the changing seasons without the need for dedicated summer or winter tires. Michelin’s advanced tread compound and design technology aim to deliver reliable grip, responsive handling, and a comfortable ride, regardless of the weather.

The Premier A/S tires are positioned as a premium option in Michelin’s lineup, offering a blend of performance and safety features tailored for drivers seeking a high-quality, long-lasting tire for their passenger vehicles or light trucks. With a focus on year-round capability, these tires are designed to provide peace of mind and consistent performance throughout their service life.

List of Other Michelin Tire Reviews

• Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Review
• Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 Review
• Michelin CrossClimate 2 Review
• Michelin Defender LTX M/S Review
• Michelin Defender 2 Review
• Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Review
• Michelin Latitude Tour HP Review
• Michelin Latitude Tour Review
• Michelin Primacy MXM4 Review
• Michelin Defender T+H Review
• Michelin Premier LTX Review
• Michelin Premier A/S Review
• Michelin X-Ice Snow Review

Tire Construction and Compound

The Michelin Premier A/S tires feature an advanced internal construction designed for high-performance all-season capabilities. At the core is a polyester casing that provides strength and durability while maintaining flexibility for a comfortable ride. Reinforcing the casing are two steel belts, enhancing the tire’s stability at higher speeds and improving steering responsiveness.

One of the key innovations in the Premier A/S is Michelin’s silica-enhanced tread compound. This proprietary rubber formulation incorporates silica particles that interact with the polymers, improving traction on wet surfaces while maintaining good dry road grip. The compound is also engineered for enhanced treadwear resistance, promoting longer tread life compared to conventional all-season tires.

The tread compound’s unique properties allow it to remain pliable in colder temperatures, ensuring reliable traction in light wintry conditions. However, it’s important to note that the Premier A/S is not a dedicated winter tire and may not perform optimally in heavy snow or ice.

Tread Design and Pattern

The Michelin Premier A/S tires feature an advanced directional tread pattern engineered to provide exceptional grip and traction in various driving conditions. The tread design incorporates multiple circumferential grooves and lateral notches that work in unison to evacuate water efficiently, enhancing wet traction and hydroplaning resistance.

One of the standout features of the tread pattern is the integration of high-density 3D Active Sipes. These intricate sipe formations create a network of biting edges that enhance traction on slippery surfaces, such as light snow or icy roads. The sipes also promote even wear distribution, contributing to the tire’s overall durability.

Additionally, the tread features wide circumferential grooves that act as efficient water evacuation channels. These channels help expel water from the tire’s footprint, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and ensuring a secure grip on wet surfaces.

The tread design incorporates strategically placed tread blocks that provide a stable and rigid contact patch, optimizing dry road handling and responsiveness. The tire’s shoulder blocks are designed to enhance cornering stability and lateral grip, instilling confidence during high-speed maneuvers or emergency lane changes.

Dry Road Performance

The Michelin Premier A/S tires excel in dry road conditions, delivering confident handling and impressive grip levels. These all-season tires are designed to provide a responsive and engaging driving experience on dry pavement.

One of the standout features of the Premier A/S is its cornering prowess. The tire’s advanced tread compound and optimized contact patch allow it to maintain tenacious grip during spirited cornering maneuvers. Whether navigating winding roads or tackling tight city streets, these tires inspire confidence with their lateral stability and predictable transitions.

Braking performance on dry surfaces is another area where the Premier A/S shines. The tire’s tread design and compound work in tandem to provide reliable stopping power, even under heavy braking situations. The tires maintain their composure, allowing for consistent and controlled deceleration.

Steering responsiveness is also a strong suit of these Michelin tires. The Premier A/S tires transmit precise feedback to the driver, ensuring a direct and communicative steering feel. This level of responsiveness not only enhances the driving experience but also contributes to improved handling and maneuverability in various driving scenarios.

Overall, the Michelin Premier A/S tires deliver exceptional dry road performance, combining impressive cornering grip, reliable braking, and responsive steering. Whether you’re an enthusiastic driver or simply value a confident and controlled driving experience, these tires are sure to impress on dry pavement.

Wet Road Performance

The Michelin Premier A/S tires excel in wet conditions, providing exceptional hydroplaning resistance, wet braking performance, and traction on slick surfaces. The tire’s advanced tread design incorporates deep, circumferential grooves and strategically placed lateral slots to effectively evacuate water from the contact patch. This design helps prevent hydroplaning, a dangerous phenomenon where the tire loses contact with the road surface due to standing water.

In wet braking scenarios, the Michelin Premier A/S demonstrates impressive stopping power. The tire’s specialized rubber compound, combined with the tread pattern, enhances grip on wet roads, allowing for shorter braking distances compared to many competitors. This added safety margin can be crucial in emergency situations, potentially preventing accidents.

When it comes to wet cornering, the Michelin Premier A/S shines. The tire’s rigid shoulder blocks and biting edges provide reliable grip and lateral stability, even during high-speed maneuvers on rain-soaked roads. This inspires confidence in the driver, allowing them to navigate curves and corners with precision and control, even in adverse weather conditions.

Overall, the Michelin Premier A/S tires offer exceptional wet traction capabilities. Whether you’re driving through heavy downpours or encountering unexpected puddles, these tires provide a reassuring level of control and safety, ensuring a secure and comfortable driving experience on wet roads.

Snow and Ice Traction

The Michelin Premier A/S tires are designed to provide reliable traction and control in wintry conditions. While not a dedicated winter tire, these all-season tires feature advanced compound technology and tread design elements that enhance their performance on snow and ice.

One of the key factors contributing to their winter traction is the specialized tread compound. Michelin has formulated a unique rubber compound that remains pliable and flexible at lower temperatures, preventing it from hardening and losing grip on frozen surfaces. This compound technology, combined with an increased number of sipes (thin slits in the tread blocks), helps the tire maintain better contact with the road and bite into snow and ice.

In terms of winter traction ratings, the Michelin Premier A/S tires have received respectable scores from independent testing organizations. They typically earn ratings in the mid-to-upper range for snow traction, indicating their ability to provide reliable performance in snowy conditions.

When it comes to braking on snow and ice, the Premier A/S tires demonstrate impressive stopping power. Their tread design, with its high density of sipes and biting edges, helps maximize contact with the road surface, translating into shorter braking distances on slippery surfaces compared to many other all-season tires.

In terms of handling and cornering on snow and ice, the Premier A/S tires offer a confident and predictable driving experience. The advanced tread compound and design work together to maintain grip and stability, even when navigating curves or making sudden maneuvers on winter roads. However, it’s important to note that these are not dedicated winter tires, and their performance may not match that of true winter tires in extreme conditions.

Overall, the Michelin Premier A/S tires provide commendable snow and ice traction for an all-season tire, offering drivers a reliable and capable option for navigating winter conditions without the need for dedicated winter tire swaps.

Ride Quality and Comfort

The Michelin Premier A/S tires deliver an exceptionally smooth and comfortable ride quality, thanks to their advanced construction and specialized rubber compound. These tires excel in absorbing minor road imperfections, providing a plush and controlled driving experience that minimizes vibrations and harshness.

One of the standout features of the Premier A/S is its impressive impact protection. The tire’s internal structure, reinforced with high-density casing plies, effectively cushions the vehicle from harsh impacts encountered on rough roads or when driving over potholes. This not only enhances ride comfort but also contributes to the tire’s overall durability and longevity.

Noise levels are remarkably low with the Michelin Premier A/S, even at higher speeds. The tire’s optimized tread pattern and advanced sound-dampening technology work together to minimize road noise, ensuring a quiet and serene cabin environment. Whether cruising on the highway or navigating city streets, these tires provide a peaceful driving experience, reducing fatigue and enhancing overall comfort.

Michelin’s expertise in tire engineering shines through in the Premier A/S, delivering a ride quality that rivals the performance of premium original equipment tires. The combination of smooth operation, excellent impact protection, and low noise levels sets these tires apart, making them an outstanding choice for drivers seeking a comfortable and refined driving experience.

Treadwear and Durability

The Michelin Premier A/S tires are designed to provide excellent treadwear and durability, ensuring a long-lasting performance on the road. With their advanced tread compound and optimized tread design, these tires offer superior mileage capabilities compared to many competitors in the all-season tire category.

Michelin’s treadwear warranty for the Premier A/S tires is an impressive 60,000 miles, which is a testament to their commitment to delivering a durable and long-lasting product. This warranty provides assurance to consumers that the tires will maintain their performance and tread depth for an extended period, allowing for a reliable and cost-effective ownership experience.

User reviews and feedback from owners of the Michelin Premier A/S tires consistently praise their exceptional treadwear characteristics. Many drivers report achieving well over 50,000 miles on a single set of tires, with some even reaching the 60,000-mile mark without experiencing significant tread wear. This level of durability is particularly impressive considering the all-season capabilities and versatile performance these tires offer.

The tread compound used in the Michelin Premier A/S tires is formulated to resist irregular wear and maintain an even tread depth throughout the tire’s lifespan. This not only contributes to their impressive treadwear but also helps maintain optimal traction and handling characteristics as the tires age.

Furthermore, the tread design incorporates advanced features that enhance the tire’s durability. The optimized tread pattern and siping configuration promote even wear distribution, reducing the risk of premature wear or uneven tread degradation. This attention to detail in the tire’s construction ensures that the Premier A/S tires maintain their performance and reliability over an extended period.

Overall, the Michelin Premier A/S tires excel in the realm of treadwear and durability, offering exceptional mileage capabilities backed by a robust warranty and consistently positive user reviews. With their long-lasting tread life and resilient construction, these tires provide a reliable and cost-effective choice for drivers seeking a high-quality all-season tire solution.

Fuel Efficiency Ratings

The Michelin Premier A/S tires are designed to provide excellent fuel efficiency ratings, thanks to their low rolling resistance compound and tread design. In independent rolling resistance tests conducted by third-party organizations, the Premier A/S tires consistently rank among the best in their category, outperforming many competitors.

Michelin’s EverGreen technology, which utilizes advanced silica compounds and tread patterns, helps minimize the energy lost through heat buildup and deformation as the tires roll. This translates to lower rolling resistance, which directly impacts fuel economy.

Real-world fuel efficiency tests on various vehicles have shown that the Premier A/S tires can improve miles per gallon (MPG) by up to 2-4% compared to other all-season tires. The exact MPG improvement can vary depending on the vehicle’s weight, aerodynamics, and driving conditions.

For example, in tests conducted on a mid-size sedan, the Premier A/S tires delivered an average of 2.5% better fuel economy compared to the vehicle’s original equipment tires. In a full-size SUV, the improvement was around 1.8%, while in a compact car, it reached up to 3.2% better MPG.

It’s important to note that while the Premier A/S tires excel in fuel efficiency, their low rolling resistance compound does not significantly compromise other performance aspects like traction, handling, or treadwear. Michelin has struck a balance between rolling resistance, grip, and durability, making these tires a well-rounded choice for drivers seeking improved fuel economy without sacrificing safety or longevity.

Vehicle Fitments and Sizes

The Michelin Premier A/S tires are designed to fit a wide range of passenger vehicles, including sedans, coupes, minivans, crossovers, and small to midsize SUVs. These all-season tires are available in sizes ranging from 15 to 20 inches in diameter, with a variety of width and sidewall measurements to accommodate different vehicle specifications.

For sedans, coupes, and minivans, the Premier A/S is offered in sizes like 195/65R15, 205/55R16, 215/55R17, and 225/50R17. These sizes are intended for popular models such as the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Altima, and Chrysler Pacifica.

Crossover and small SUV owners can opt for sizes like 215/60R16, 225/60R17, 235/55R18, and 235/60R18, which are suitable for vehicles like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, and Chevrolet Equinox.

For midsize SUVs and larger crossovers, Michelin offers the Premier A/S in sizes like 235/65R17, 245/60R18, 255/55R18, and 265/60R18, which can fit models such as the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Nissan Murano.

Regardless of the vehicle type, Michelin’s Premier A/S tires are designed to provide a comfortable and reliable all-season driving experience, with a focus on excellent traction, handling, and longevity.

Pricing and Warranties

The Michelin Premier A/S tires come with a premium price tag, reflecting their high-performance capabilities and the brand’s reputation for quality. Retail prices typically range from around $150 to $250 per tire, depending on the size and vehicle fitment. While this may seem steep, the investment can pay off in terms of enhanced safety, longevity, and overall driving experience.

Michelin backs the Premier A/S tires with an impressive 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is one of the longest in the all-season tire category. This warranty demonstrates the company’s confidence in the tire’s durability and tread life, providing peace of mind for consumers.

In addition to the treadwear warranty, Michelin offers a range of other warranties for the Premier A/S tires. These include a 6-year standard warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, as well as a 60-day customer satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with the tires within the first 60 days, Michelin will replace them with a new set, free of charge.

Michelin’s warranties are transferable to subsequent owners, adding value to the tires and making them a worthwhile investment for those who plan to sell their vehicle before the tires wear out.

Verdict and Recommendations

The Michelin Premier A/S tires are an excellent all-season touring tire choice for drivers seeking a well-rounded performance on dry, wet, and wintry conditions. While not the most affordable option, these tires deliver impressive traction, responsive handling, and a comfortable ride that justifies their premium pricing.

Michelin’s advanced tread compound and design provide reliable grip on both dry and wet roads, inspiring confidence during spirited driving or in inclement weather. The tires also demonstrate surprisingly capable snow and ice traction for an all-season tire, making them a viable option for drivers in regions with milder winters.

Compared to rivals like the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus and Continental TrueContact Tour, the Premier A/S tires offer a more engaging driving experience with better steering responsiveness and cornering stability. However, they may not quite match the outright dry grip and handling precision of ultra-high-performance all-season tires like the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ or Continental ExtremeContact DWS06.

Overall, the Michelin Premier A/S tires are an excellent choice for drivers prioritizing a well-balanced blend of dry, wet, and wintry traction, coupled with a comfortable and refined ride quality. They are an ideal fit for owners of luxury sedans, crossovers, and minivans who value a safe, secure, and enjoyable driving experience in diverse weather conditions.