The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV is the benchmark for what you should look for in an SUV tire. Designed to be installed on SUVs and 4x4s, this model offers the steering response and stability few tires could match. Plus, it delivers a noiseless driving experience for a comfortable ride.
However, if you want more options from Michelin, you’re at the right place. In the following paragraphs, we’ve reviewed the Michelin tires capable of delivering the best grip, the shortest braking distance (by sight as well as feel) and the longest tread life on most SUVs.
No matter which SUV you own, these tires would deliver the performance that would justify their relatively high asking price. Sure, you could go for cheap tire brands. But with low treadlife, those tires would end up costing you more in the long run.
Since most SUVs spend the majority of their road life on paved streets, instead of zigzagging through valleys or climbing hills, most of the tires you’ll see below would have an all-season tread compound typically found on passenger cars.
Best Michelin tires for SUV
Here are the best Michelin tires for SUV and trucks:
#1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV is a max performing summer tire specifically designed to be used on SUVs and 4x4s. Pilot Sport 4 SUV is a replacement for Michelin Latitude Sport 3. This beautifully designed max performing summer tire is loved all around the world by its customer.
Not only that the tire has a huge fan following this tire is also the first pick for many manufacturers. This summer performing tire has an improved steering response with exceptional stability on dry surfaces to ensure safety while driving.
This summer tire has surprised many users by performing remarkably well on wet surfaces and providing maximum stability and control to the driver at high speeds.
The manufacturer has used “Michelin Acoustic Technology” that works by using an additional layer of the noise-killing foam which results in reducing the road noise, especially at high speed and on highways.
This sturdy, tractable, advanced tire can work quite peacefully and safely during the rainy season. Many enthusiasts have highly regarded the performance of this tire on their wet-weather cruisers who take their vehicles on long trips.
It is said that an off-road performing tire cannot perform well on on-roads and vice versa but that’s not true in Michelin Sport 4 SUV’s case. This tire has a remarkable performance both off and on roads and has the most prompt lap time during gravel handling.
These tires not only work best for SUVs but also fit a variety of vehicles such as sports cars and sedans.
Since the tire is intended to be used in summer, it should not be used in winter even during light snow or any temperature below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
- Delivers excellent dry weather grip and breaking
- Performs exceptionally well on wet surfaces
- Noiseless due to Michelin Acoustic Technology
- Sharp steering response
Cons
- Costlier than other summer tires
- Might burst if used in winter
#2. Michelin Latitude Tour
Michelin Latitude Tour tire is a Premium Touring Summer tire manufactured for crossover/SUVs. This well-engineered touring tire is designed to deliver a quiet ride and better fuel efficiency with long tread life.
Michelin believes in the longer tread life of the tire along with performance and design. For this reason, it has used the Total Performance Technology to enhance this tire’s life without compromising on looks.
Almost every premium tire uses a silica-based tread compound including Michelin. Michelin calls this MaxTouch Construction. In this technology, the rubber of the silica-based tread compound is shaped into an asymmetric tread pattern. The purpose is to enhance and improve the longevity and durability of the tire.
The tread pattern has its own shoulder blocks that are present on the outer wall of the tire along with a center rib. Both the shoulder blocks and the center rib are responsible to increase responsiveness and stability of the car, especially when driving on the highway.
Besides that, Michelin Latitude Tour also consists of four wide circumferential grooves and multiples sipes. These grooves function to remove excess water with the help of multiple sipes and outboard shoulders dropping the risk of hydroplaning on wet surfaces and during rain. The sipes also help in creating biting edges to provide enhanced snow traction.
Latitude Tour also consists of Comfort Control Technology that is responsible to provide a luxurious and noiseless ride to the driver. The Comfort Control Technology is a computerized feature that is cleverly by the manufacturer to limit any vibration entering the cabin and lessen road noise.
Some of the Latitude Tour sizes have a Green X symbol, which indicates green manufacturing techniques and improved low-rolling resistance.
Inside the tire, you will find two high tensile steel belts. These belts are secured with a polyester cord covering to provide stability to the tire at high speeds. Plus, the Latitude Tour is backed with a 60,000-mile tread warranty.
Pros
- Impressive wet and dry traction
- Responsive steering
- Stable at high speeds
- Stable and reliable grip on dry traction
- 65,000 miles tread life warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Poor snow and ice performance
#3. Michelin CrossClimate SUV
Michelin’s CrossClimate SUV is a Premium Touring All-Season tire specifically designed for SUVs, crossovers, and trucks to give them wet, dry, and snow traction all around the year.
The CrossClimate belongs to the new name category called the all-weather tire that works the same as an all-season tire and can be used in a wider temperature range including cold and snow.
For CrossClimate Michelin has used a high-grade silica tread compound. This rubber compound is designed quite wisely to provide the required flexibility to the tire at falling temperatures, while also maintaining enough firmness during the summer season.
The tire also boasted of possessing an extreme level of grip in the summer and winter seasons, which is quite a remarkable quality for an all-weather tire. Furthermore, the manufacturer also kept in view the durability and tread life of the tire and that is what most the Michelin tires are famous for.
The other interesting thing besides the high-grade silica tread compound is the directional tread pattern. This well-engineered tire does not have zig-zag sipes on the tread blocks instead Michelin has used a highly-directional tread pattern and quite sturdy transverse ribs that further consist of side grooves and open shoulders.
Michelins believes in innovation more than any of its competitors and that’s the reason it has pushed the boundaries once again by using the bevel-edged tread blocks and 3D self-locking sipes, along with emerging grooves that make the tire work well in different environments.
The tread design serves various functions. The very first function of this tread pattern is to provide an increased level of grip when driving on extreme dry surfaces somewhere where the competitor’s all-weather tires usually end up disappointing the consumer.
Secondly, the highly directional tread patterns work with the emerging grooves and 3D self-locking sipes to expel the water and reduce the risk of hydroplaning. They are also responsible to provide snow traction.
Michelin CrossClimate SUV got the 3PMSF – A symbol used for severe snow requirements and all the credit goes to the use of the high-grade silica compound and highly directional tread pattern.
Internally the tire consists of two steel belts that are supported by a single-ply polyester coating. The purpose to use this design is to make the tire robust and long-lasting.
For better handling and increased speed performance, Michelin has used a polyamide reinforcement. The tire has an outstanding dry performance with a prompt steering response.
Since the tire has a three-peak snowflake rating it can work as a winter tire during light-to-moderate snow traction on icy surfaces.
However, Michelin still does not recommend the CrossClimate SUV to be used in extreme winters and suggest using true winter tire. Also, as the tire wears down, it starts getting noisy, hurting the ride quality.
Pros
- Sporty performance
- Capable to perform on light snow and ice
- Has three-peak snowflake rating
- Sharp steering response
- Great balance of dry and wet traction
Cons
- Gets noisy with age
- Short tread-life
#4. Michelin Defender LTX MS
Michelin Defender LTX is the advanced version of their popular Michelin LTX M/S2 tire. It works well in all-season and delivers outstanding performance on all surfaces such as dry, wet, snowy, muddy, etc. Not only that, Michelin claims that their smart tire has a 10% improved tread-life when used on hard and rough surfaces.
The famous All-Season Defender LTX M/S comes in a wide range of sizes. The company offers 45 sizes of tires in this category which range from 15-inch wheel diameter to 22-inch wheel diameter.
Thanks to this wide range of sizes, the company covers almost all the SUVs and trucks that are manufactured recently. You can also fit the Defender LTX M/S on some well-known crossovers.
Its Evertread compound helps this tire provide a firm grip when driving on rough surfaces. The compound is shaped into an asymmetric tread design and also possesses high-density 3-D Active Sipes and tread blocks.
The tread pattern is precisely aimed to provide motorists with all-season traction. The tire has all the capability to provide excellent wet and dry traction along with efficient handling and braking.
The tire has an improved hydroplaning resistance because of the presence of four wide circumferential grooves, multiple lateral grooves, and open shoulder blocks take play an active part in expelling water out of the tire.
The MaxTouch Construction in the sidewall is used to increase the contact patch and as well as to enhance overall steering control, provide stability at high speeds, and braking in different areas.
Internally the tire consists of two steel belts that are intended to provide further stability, robustness, and durability to the tire and provides complete safety and control to the driver.
Although the Defender LTX isn’t branded with the 3PMSF still it is capable to be used in areas where the temperature drops significantly. The tire did not brand 3PMSF because it was never tested for that symbol.
For T and H speed rated models the company provides a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty and for the R speed rated models the company offers an excellent 50,000-mile treadwear warranty for a highway tire.
Pros
- Impressive and long tread life warranty
- Wide range of sizes
- Good performance for light off-roading
- Noiseless ride even on highways
Cons
- Costlier than competition
Michelin Tires Buying Guide
Michelin is a world-famous brand that believes in innovation. The company is persistently providing best performing tires to its users. The company has won many awards for delivering supreme quality tires covering almost every tire category.
Whether you own a luxury sedan, an SUV, cross-over, or even a normal passenger car Michelin has tires that can fit well in your vehicle. Although its price is slightly higher in comparison to its budget-oriented car tire manufacturing competitors.
But it is also true that the company produces one of the world’s best tires and has a vast portfolio with models for passenger cars, SUVs, sports cars, ATVs, and trucks. Michelin stands to be the first choice for the drivers of luxury sedans, SUVs, and crossovers. Even some passenger cars choose Michelin over other tires for a better and more comfortable commute.
There is no tire category where Michelin disappoints. It has an extensive lineup that covers touring, highway, grand-touring, performance tires, summers, winters, and all-terrain or mud-terrain tires. Not only has that Michelin had the widest range of sizes that can fit your vehicle.
Why Buy Michelin Tires?
Here are the positive aspects of Michelin tires:
1) Quiet and Comfortable ride
Michelin tires are noiseless due to the use of latest tire technology. The manufacturer has smartly used the “Michelin Acoustic Technology”.
The Michelin Acoustic Technology functions by providing an additional layer of noise to the tire that kills the foam and reduces the level of road noise thus providing a noise-free, relaxed, comfortable, and smooth ride to the driver.
2) Excellent All-Season Traction
When it comes to All-Season Traction Michelin tires stand tall among the others. Michelin tires are famous for their outstanding traction and perfect grip in different climatic conditions. The company not only claims but has delivered excellent wet and dry traction whether driving on paved or unpaved surfaces with sufficient stability to the car.
The tire consists of a high-grade silica compound that delivers exceptional control and steering response to the driver when driving on dry surfaces.
The circumferential grooves and 3-D self-locking sipes remove excess water thus reducing the risk of hydroplaning. The sipes are also responsible to create biting edges that enhance traction, make braking distance short, and provide a stable grip during snow and rain.
3) Wide Range of sizes
Michelin has an extensive portfolio and offers a wide range of tires with different sizes and specifications. Within each tire range, you will find multiple options to choose from. It has an extensive lineup that covers touring, highway, grand-touring, performance tires, summers, winters, and all-terrain or mud-terrain tires.
Michelin has the widest range of sizes that can fit your vehicle as the basic aim is to provide tires that can fit different types of vehicles so that the user only purchases a Michelin tire regardless of the vehicle they drive.
4) Above-Average Treadlife
Michelin is highly focused on producing tires that are highly durable and last longer. The premium tire manufacturing company uses the Total Performance Technology.
This tried and tested technology increases the life of the tires. Also, the use of a silica-based tread compound which Michelin calls MaxTouch Construction improves the overall tire performance and increases its life.
Why NOT Buy Michelin Tires?
Here are the negative aspects of Michelin tires:
1) Affordability
Michelin tires are undoubtedly one of the best performing tires, but their prices are quite higher than the market.
Although these tires perform exceptionally well and have longer durability however users find them expensive. Coming up with a competitive pricing strategy will increase their customer retention as well as will further increase their popularity among new users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the queries people have about Michelin tires:
Who makes the Michelin tire?
Michelin Rubber Industrial Company manufactures these tires in manufacturing facilities located in Taiwan, Vietnam, Mainland China, and Indonesia.
Are Michelin tires loud?
Michelin tires are super-quiet because of “Michelin Acoustic Technology”. The Michelin Acoustic Technology functions by providing an additional layer of noise to the tire that kills the foam and reduces the level of road noise thus providing a noise-free, relaxed, comfortable, and smooth ride to the driver.
Where are Michelin tires made?
Michelin’s main tire manufacturing factory is located in Clermont-Ferrand, France. But in 1950, the company began manufacturing tires in the United States. And now the company has tire manufacturing factories in the South Carolina and Alabama regions of the USA.
Are Michelin tires good in snow?
Almost all Michelin tires can hold their own in light snow excluding the summer performing tires. However, Michelin CrossClimate SUV got the 3PMSF – A symbol used for severe snow requirements and other dedicated winter performing tires can perform exceptionally well in area that receives more than a couple of inches of snow.
Conclusion
Michelin is renowned for making the best quality and most reliable tires for ages. However, like all tires, their tires too wear out. To increase the lifespan of these tires necessary care should be taken.
The tire delivers excellent traction in all climatic conditions and comes in various sizes covering almost all the recent SUV models. The company believes in innovation and has come up with the latest tire technology for each of its tires.
Although the brand has a higher cost than the competitors, they offer a remarkable tread life that allows the drives to confidentially deal with whatever the road demands.
