Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 90%
Wet Conditions – 85%
Snow – 75%
Comfort – 90%
Noise Reduction – 90%
Durability – 80%
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Whenever the time comes to coughing up several hundred dollars on a set of tires, you’d want a set that will last as long as possible, which is why touring tires are so popular. The balance between longevity and performance is the one that will satisfy most people, so it’s no wonder that car owners are after these.
There are several sub-types of touring tires and the ones advertised as the longest-lasting ones are highway tires. Manufacturers make claims about these tires being the best choice for owners who rack up a lot of miles. The performance won’t be quite on the same level as a grand touring tire, but they are safe, which is very important.
When talking about getting the best of the best, I often recommend the premium manufacturers. Most of them have been making tires for well over a century, so they know what it takes to make a good tire. One of the several manufacturers in this category is the French company Michelin.
There are multiple models in the highway segment and the one I’ll be talking about is the Defender LTX M/S2. It’s one of the latest additions to Michelin’s lineup, meaning there should be some improvements over its predecessor.
Pros
- Solid performance in snowy conditions
- Dry and wet performance are excellent
- High refinement levels
- Handles well even at the limit
Cons
- Models with an S speed rating are behind some of its rivals in terms of warranty
- It’s a pricy tire
The Features of the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
Michelin advertises the Defender LTX M/S2 as a highway all-season tire, meaning that the set of features will revolve around refinement and longevity without sacrificing performance.
The all-season part of the performance is covered by several features. It all starts with Michelin’s EverTread 2.0 rubber compound, designed to keep the tire pliable in lower temperatures, thus allowing you to use it in winter.
To keep performing well in non-ideal conditions, the tread pattern is designed with full-depth SipeLock sipes. They act like claws on damp or snow-covered roads, improving traction. Since they’re full-depth, you won’t notice a massive drop in performance as the tire wears down.
Speaking of snow performance, the tread pattern is also designed in a way that should help the tire with traction on unpacked snow. Also, the circumferential and lateral grooves work together to channel water and deliver excellent aquaplaning resistance.
On the refinement side of things, we have the Piano Acoustic Tuning. Michelin uses this technology to ensure that its tires don’t produce a lot of noise, offering a well-refined driving experience.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 in Dry Conditions
Dry roads are rarely a problem for any tire with the premium models like the Defender LTX M/S2 excelling in these conditions.
As a highway tire, the performance is excellent and a noticeable bump over its predecessor. The most noticeable part is the cornering grip, allowing the tire to remain planted even at higher speeds. It’s not a performance tire, so you won’t be pushing it too much, but for daily driving scenarios, it won’t disappoint. You’re also getting short braking distances, meaning it’s a safe option.
Considering the category, the handling is rarely the star of the show, but for this tire, I have to say it’s pretty decent. There is a good amount of responsiveness, and the steering wheel doesn’t feel like it’s detached.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 on Wet or Slippery Roads
Michelin’s tires are rarely poor performers in wet conditions, so you can probably guess that the Defender LTX M/S2 does an excellent job in these conditions.
The sipes do an excellent job of improving grip and traction, meaning that you won’t have massive issues even with more powerful vehicles. It won’t be as sticky as in dry conditions, but the tire will handle some aggressiveness. With that said, pushing it too far will result in understeer. One thing it does well is that even when you get too carried away, it will remain relatively easy to handle. The braking distances are also pretty good, putting it near the top of the highway class.
Standing water is another area where this tire won’t struggle. The aquaplaning resistance is excellent, meaning the tire’s stability stays uncompromised.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 in Snow
The winter performance is pretty good and the Defender LTX M/S2 will handle some light snow well.
In these conditions, the tire’s traction capabilities are good for an all-season tire, offering dependable performance in lighter conditions. It handles packed and unpacked snow well and doesn’t promote under or oversteer when you start to approach the limits. The braking distances are very good and quite similar to the ones of this tire’s predecessor.
Driving on ice isn’t something that an all-season tire will excel at, so don’t expect miracles. There is some traction, so you can drive, but only if you really need to. The braking distances are acceptable, which is the case with many of its rivals.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 Off-Roading
The Defender LTX M/S2 is a tire for SUVs and light trucks, but that doesn’t make it a good off-roader. It lacks the essential features to offer performance in these conditions and won’t handle the rough treatment for a long time. Short drives on dirt roads may be fine, but that’s as much as you should expect to get.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 for Sporty Driving
Highway tires are the opposite of sporty, so you shouldn’t expect that kind of performance from the Defender LTX M/S2. It deals well under normal circumstances, and the performance is pretty good and safe. There are some dynamic properties in the handling, but far from what a performance tire would offer.
Does the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 Ride Comfortably?
The Defender LTX M/S2 is a premium tire, so the refinement is top-notch, with maybe only one small remark.
On the comfort side of things, the tire offers a very plush experience, smoothing out imperfections and dampening large bumps. The best part is that despite its responsive nature, it’s It does that while keeping the vibrations at a minimum.
Michelin’s Piano Acoustic Technology does the trick and keeps the tire quiet. It won’t produce a lot of noise at different speeds. The only thing worth mentioning is the slightly increased roar when driving on rougher roads. It’s far from loud, but it’s there if you look for it.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 Warranty
As for the warranty, it’s a mixed bag. The Defender LTX M/S2 comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, but for the H and T rated models, which is the same as the TerrainContact H/T. On the other hand, the S-rated models, the LT-metric ones are behind the Continental rival at 50,000 miles.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
Affordability isn’t Michelin’s forte, which is evident when looking at the price of the Defender LTX M/S2. The tire is on the more expensive side of things, meaning that you’ll pay more when compared to the Wrangler Workhorse HT or the Continental model I mentioned in the previous section.
Should I Buy the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2?
The Defender LTX M/S2 comes with several improvements over the Defender LTX M/S and they’re noticeable on the road. Does this make it the best? No, but it makes it an excellent tire.
With excellent dry and wet performance, it’s one of the best highway tires on the market. It complements this with a solid performance in snowy conditions, so there aren’t any situations where it will fall short.
Despite the small remark about the noise levels, this still remains a well-refined tire, which shouldn’t be a surprise. With that said, the warranty for some models isn’t the longest, and you will be paying a premium price, so it’s something to keep in mind.
If you’re looking for one of the best highway tires on the market, the Defender LTX M/S2 is an excellent choice. Keep the price in mind and compare it with its closest rivals. This is one of those tires that I would gladly recommend but see if you can find a discount.
What Vehicles Will the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 will fit:
- Cadilac Escalade
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Ford F150, F350
- GMC Sierra
- Infiniti FX35
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Lexus GX 460
- Nissan Xterra
- RAM 1500
- Toyota 4Runner, Sequoia
Tire Sizes of the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
16″
- 255/70R16 115T XL
- 265/70R17 116T XL
17″
- 245/75R17 121S
- 255/65R17 114T XL
- 255/70R17 116T XL
- 265/65R17 116T XL
- 265/70R17 116T XL
- 265/70R17 123S
- 285/70R17 126S
18″
- 255/70R18 116T XL
- 265/60R18 114H XL
- 265/65R18 116T XL
- 265/70R18 116T XL
- 265/70R18 124S
- 275/65R18 116T XL
- 275/65R18 123S
- 275/70R18 125S
- 285/65R18 116T XL
- 285/65R18 125S
- 295/70R18 129S
19″
- 265/55R19 113H XL
20″
- 245/60R20 111H XL
- 265/50R20 111H XL
- 265/55R20 113H XL
- 275/55R20 117T XL
- 275/60R20 116H XL
- 285/55R20 116T XL
- 305/50R20 120H XL
- 35X12.5R20 125S
22″
- 265/50R22 112H XL
- 265/60R22 123S
- 275/50R22 115H XL
- 275/50R22 119S
- 275/60R22 125S
- 285/45R22 114H XL
- 305/40R22 114H XL
- 305/45R22 118H XL
- 35X12.5R22 121S
24″
- 275/50R24 121S