Michelin Defender LTX M/S Tire Review and Rating

On the performance side of things, the combination of the Evertread compound and the Total Performance Package should give the Defender LTX M/S its capabilities in multiple weather conditions.

For handling in dry and wet conditions, the Defender LTX M/S is molded into a symmetric pattern that features 3D sipes and independent blocks. They should increase the grip and traction and reduce the braking distances. In addition to that, the handling should be improved thanks to the stiffer tread blocks.

Another area that Michelin paid attention to is snow performance. The tread pattern is designed to enable the tire to bite into snow and offer decent traction.

The sipes are backed by 4 circumferential grooves, meaning that the Defender LTX M/S can evacuate water better than most tires. As a result, the aquaplaning resistance should be excellent.

How does it behave on dry tarmac?

Dry performance with the Defender LTX M/S is excellent, like with most tires in this class.

You will get plenty of traction as the tire has more than enough to put the power down with minimal slip. It’s not impossible to light up the tires, but you won’t experience that unless you put your foot down. The grip is also excellent, and the tire will remain planted through the corners without any issues. 

The stiffer tread blocks are doing a decent job at giving the tire some pretty good handling characteristics. Don’t expect Pilot Sport levels of responsiveness, but it’s not too bad for an all-season touring tire. Even though there is some flex in the sidewall, it’s not terrible. 

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

The Defender LTX M/S doesn’t disappoint in the wet department and provides excellent performance. It’s easily as good as the Continental CrossContact LX25, which gets high praise for driving in rainy conditions.

There is more than enough grip and traction to give you a safe driving experience. This is also backed by the very short braking distances even with heavier cars. The bar is set pretty high, meaning that even if you push it, the tire won’t let you down.

Aquaplaning resistance is crucial when driving in heavy rain, something that the Defender LTX M/S does excellently. 

How is it over snow?

All-season tires have limited performance in snowy conditions, so the Defender LTX M/S doesn’t provide something I haven’t seen before.

With the M+S rating, the tire can offer a decent amount of performance in light conditions. It can find traction easily and won’t feel unsteady. In addition to that, you can also expect very short braking distances, which improves winter safety.

Even though the performance is not as same as on dry or wet roads, you can use it in winter, as long as things aren’t too harsh. In those cases, the tire will begin to struggle. For those situations, a dedicated winter tire will be a much better option.

Is it comfortable and refined?

There is a reason why Michelin is a premium tire manufacturer, something that we can see from how well the Defender LTX M/S is refined.

The comfort levels are among the best in the business, and you won’t find any faults here. You will get a very smooth driving experience thanks to the tire’s ability to absorb the bumps. Larger holes also won’t be a problem, as the tire can numb out the vibrations to a point where you almost won’t feel it.

Noise levels are extremely low, making this a very quiet tire. Regardless of the surface you’re driving on or the speed, the Defender LTX M/S will remain whisper quiet.

Is it good for off-roading?

It’s a tire that would be fitted on an SUV or a light truck, so it’s natural to want it to have some off-roading capabilities. Unfortunately, the Defender LTX M/S isn’t good in this regard.

Off-road tires have much bigger blocks and deeper treads that give them the performance in those conditions. The Defender LTX M/S isn’t designed for that, so any kind of off-roading will be met with very limited performance. Maybe a quick drive on a dirt road would be acceptable, but that’s as much as you should expect from the tire.

Is the Michelin Defender LTX M/S ideal for sporty driving?

I cannot say that the Defender LTX M/S is bad for sporty driving, but it’s not ideal also. There is a decent amount of grip, and the tire is dynamic enough to have fun with it, and the sporty-like performance ends there.

The second problem is the type of car you’d have fitted on. In most cases, SUVs or trucks aren’t meant to be driven on a track, which is why you won’t have a good time. You can have a lot of fun on a twisty road, but don’t expect anything more.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S Warranty

Michelin is often criticized for having a shorter warranty, which isn’t the case with the Defender LTX M/S. The tire comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, as much as the Continental CrossContact LX25 has. With that said, the Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra comes with an 80,000-mile warranty.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S Pricing: Is it worth the money?

This is where the Defender LTX M/S starts to fall back behind its competitors. The prices start from a little over $150, which may sound fine, but keep in mind this is for the 15-inch models. For the larger sizes, the tire is $20-30 more expensive than its competitors I mentioned previously.

Should I buy the Michelin Defender LTX M/S?