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Best Michelin Tires for Minivans

The Michelin group is one of the oldest and largest tire manufacturers of all time. Known for excellence and durability this brand has been a popular choice both in the United States and world wide. Michelin offers a large variety of both original equipment and replacement tires, all of which fit into top recommendation lists of consumers as well as industrialists. The company also offers longer warranties (as much as six years) compared to other tire brands hence these tires are a strong option to consider if you’re wanting to pick a good tire for your minivans.

Top 5 Michelin tires for Minivans

Buying new tires can be a challenging task but worry not, we have you covered. Listed below are our picks for the top 5 tires for minivans as of today. All of these tires are manufactured by Michelin and are carefully picked to match your needs- keeping in veiw fuel mileage, load capacity, cost and driving performance among others.

Overview:

  1. Michelin Primacy MXV4 All Season Radial Tire 215/55R17 94V (Editor’s choice)
  2. Michelin Defender T + H All-Season Tire 195/65R15 91H
  3. MICHELIN 215/55R17 94H DEFENDER (H) BW
  4. MICHELIN Pilot Sport 4 S Performance Radial Tire-245/40ZR18/XL 97Y
  5. MICHELIN Premier A/S All-Season Tire 205/55R16 91H

1. Michelin Primacy MXV4 All Season Radial Tire 215/55R17 94V (Editor’s choice)

Our top recommendation for the ultimate driving experience…

Truly a complete package at an almost unbelievable price for a Michelin tire, this highly versatile tire is an ideal choice for those looking for comfortable driving that doesn’t compromise control. The tread of these tires too, have been aided with sunflower oil which allows for wet traction and shorter unmatched wet stopping distances. The tire has been designed to provide a sleek look for luxury vehicles. Moreover, thanks to Comfort Control Technology you can be sure that there will be no road noise and optimal driving comfort, even better than an OEM can provide. Compared to its competition , it surprisingly aids well in snow traction too.

These tires are ale to deliver the level of reliability and peace of mind that the brand is known for. Minimal maintenance and infrequent balancing are all they require to keep you rolling down the highway for thousands of kilometers. Puncture resistance was, again, up to par with the brand’s reputation.

That being said, numerous users have reported premature wear which is not at all what one would expect from a premium tire manufacturer like Michelin. This could also be attributed to the softer compound being chosen for the level of comfort this tire his able to provide. Also, they are a bit pricier than the competition.

Pros: 

  • Smooth and comfortable ride
  • Good value for money
  • Noise free ride
  • Off the charts grip and handling
  • Incredible braking potential
  • Great looks

Cons:

  • Quick wear
  • Expensive

2. Michelin Defender T + H All-Season Tire 195/65R15 91H

Most reviewed and top rated…

This light weight all season tire is a favorite amongst many car enthusiasts. A quick overview of the responses from our testing personnel rates the Michelin Defender as a “must buy”. The most mentionable quality of this tire is the Intellisipe Technology which features a large number of sipes that allow a remarkable grip and greatly improve braking. Furthermore, the tread is composed of deep grooves and high silica content which optimizes wet traction and increases hydroplane resistance, this is perfect for buyers that frequently drive in the rain. Another point worth mentioning is the decreased tread wear and the durability of the tire, this is because the tread has been constructed to allow equal force distribution which optimizes tire life (80,000 mile coverage for the Defender series) without compromising ride comfort.  Lastly, the internal body is reinforced with polyamides and polyester cords in order to maximize stability and puncture resistance.

All the positives out of the way, there are some key issues with this tire for you to consider before buying. Firstly, this tire is not able to provide the level of snow traction that one might expect, considerably lesser than the Primacy MXV4. Also, this tires tends to get noisy and unstable at high speeds with age.

Pros:

  • Extensively reviewed and tested
  • Good handling
  • Long lasting tread
  • Good hydroplane resistance

Cons:

  • Bad snow traction
  • Complaints of vibration
  • Increased noise with time

3. MICHELIN 215/55R17 94H DEFENDER (H) BW

Best load capacity for haulers…

With a load capacity of 1477 pounds and comfort control technology, this tire is a perfect choice for large families or for carrying heavy loads. The compound of this tire is also aided with Intellisipe Technology which provides a high mileage and incorporates road safety via boosting wet traction. Additionally, the ride satisfaction has been rated as “very good” which is ideal for long periods of driving. This durable tire also features a high amount of silica which results in increased grip thus greater control. As for the value for money, it beats all average minivan tires at a good monetary value.

Michelin offers a class-leading warranty for this tire of 80,000 miles! This is a testament to the innovative design and the premium construction of this tire. Further proof of that is that it requires almost no balancing over time which adds value and also saves hassle for those who go with this tire. Overall, this tire is a smart purchase and a popular choice and a complete package for minivan owners.

The tire, however, seldom fails to deliver on the promise of a hefty tread life. Although, longer lasting than the competition, it does fail to reach the 80,000 miles mark for some of our users.

Pros:

  • Class leading load capacity
  • Good wet and dry traction
  • Good mileage
  • Low noise
  • Comfortable ride quality

Cons:

  • Bad snow traction
  • Compromised tread life

4. MICHELIN Pilot Sport 4 S Performance Radial Tire-245/40ZR18/XL 97Y

The ultra-high performance tire for spirited drivers…

This high performance tire is particularly designed for a sporty drive for enthusiastic drivers. It is formulated to allow excellent steering precision as well as ride comfort regardless of the aggressive driving. The stability and handling is also remarkable, this is due to the enhanced tread which grips even the most challenging of surfaces. Consumer reports have reported shorter braking distances compared to its counterparts. Moreover, this tire is also highly recommended due to low rolling resistance it offers, which ultimately helps cut back on fuel costs. In addition to that, Michelin had also incorporated “Dynamic Response Technology” which allows the tire to perform well even under heavy loads, for example, under heavy braking.

Lastly, the tire has been developed using multiple rubber compounds across the contact patch. These include both hard and soft rubber. The soft rubber is used to aid grip in lighter driving conditions whereas its alternative -the harder compound, is useful for more aggressive driving (it is activated upon heat generation). Overall, this technology greatly reduces wear resistance while simultaneously increasing longevity.

All that level of performance does come at a price, though. Another negative that was revealed during the testing of this tire was the tendency to oversteer in wet conditions.

Pros:

  • Outstanding grip
  • Comfortable driving
  • Good steering response in both wet and dry conditions
  • Excellent traction

Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • Tendency to over steer in wet surfaces

5. MICHELIN Premier A/S All-Season Tire 205/55R16 91H

All-season usability that does not deteriorate with time…

These tires are particularly engineered to aid a smooth ride as well as good handling. This is perfect for sedans that frequently encounter snow, as it allows a surprisingly good snow traction for an all season tire. What’s truly game changing about the Premier series is that even with significant wear off the braking performance remains top tier, just like a brand new set. This is due to the new EverGrip technology which expands the already present rain grooves as well as introduces newer ones that were hidden in the rubber. Finally, the addition of sunflower oil and silica in the tread compound allows continued delivery of wet traction.

The biggest down sides are the compromised fuel economy and a not so good tread wear resistance. Users have reported having to replace the tires at just 30,000 miles.

Pros:

  • Good wet and dry traction
  • Excellent cornering stability
  • Smooth and noise free ride
  • Surprising winter capabilities

Cons:

  • Bad fuel mileage
  • Expensive
  • Low tread life

Things to consider when buying Michelin tires for Minivans:

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you are making a tire buying decision or when you are out in the market looking for some options:

1. All-season tires work for most

It is important to note that most of these tires are of the All season category, which means they are created to provide a relatively good performance regardless of weather conditions. For this very reason the snow traction of most of these tires is not up to the mark. If you’re looking for better snow traction, you should opt for a winter tire instead!

That being said, the biggest obstacle a regular Joe faces while staying on the highway is rain, and all-season tires are built just to tackle that well

2. Price

Another common complaint is the high price of these tires. However, this is rather justified. Not only do these tires feature innovative technology, but Michelin tires have a superior construction which results in lesser defects and punctures. It is for this reason this brand continues to stand on top of the industry as a gold standard, against which newer tires are tested.

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