Michelin X Tour A/S T+H Tire Review and Rating

Touring tires have been on top of the tire lists for quite a long time. Considering how much time we spend in our cars, having a set of tires that last long is the ideal approach. On top of that, low noise and comfort, combined with decent performance, is what makes them so popular. Regardless, the performance isn’t as good as the high-performance models but is decent for everyday driving.

In terms of tire brands, it’s doubtful that there’s a person that hasn’t heard of Michelin. The French tire brand has been producing quality tires for well over a century. As a result, we are getting tires from a reputable brand known for making high-quality tires.

There are plenty of tires within the brand’s lineup, and the one I’ll be talking about today is the X Tour A/S T+H. Before I get into the features of the tire, here’s a small disclaimer. People versed in the tire world may remember the T+H from another lineup. Michelin has the Defender T+H, a touring tire with some decent performance.

The interesting thing about the X Tour is that it is essentially the exact tire as the Defender one. There are some minor differences here and there, but the biggest is that the X Tour A/S T+H is a Costco-only model. To be honest, I’m not sure why the naming is different, but essentially, both tires are the same. It also means that the set of features are identical.

Despite being very similar, there are some key differences. The two main ones are the size options and availability. Since the X Tour A/S T+H is a “Costco” tire, it means that you won’t find it in other retailers. Another difference is the size options, which are lacking a bit in the X Tour’s case.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the features.

What are the features of the Michelin X Tour A/S T+H?

Michelin advertises the X Tour as an all-season touring tire, designed to be long-lasting, safe, and refined. By definition, this is what a touring tire is, so performance isn’t something you should expect.

For the all-season part of the tire, the X Tour uses a special rubber compound designed to work in a broader range of temperatures. Michelin achieved that by increasing the amount of silica used in the compound, making a tire more pliable in the winter. Putting all of this together means that you should get decent performance throughout the year.

Based on Michelin’s claims, the X Tour should have excellent performance in wet conditions, mainly in heavy rain. This is achieved by designing a tire with 4 circumferential grooves and lateral sipes. Their job is to help the tire evacuate the water more efficiently, providing constant contact with the road.

Michelin’s IntelliSipe technology is another feature that helps the X Tour with wet performance. The small biting edges should help the tire maintain traction and grip in non-ideal situations. The zig-zag tread pattern should also help with snow performance to enable the tire to dig in and find traction.

In terms of tread wear, the MaxTouch Construction technology is a feature that Michelin used to make the X Tour long-lasting. It achieves that by distributing the forces evenly throughout the tire.

How does it behave on dry roads?

On dry tarmac, the X Tour is a tire that performs excellently in almost all aspects when compared with other tires in its category.

As a touring tire, you shouldn’t expect the X Tour to be particularly good at cornering hard. With that said, this tire showed some good handling capabilities, a feature that you won’t find in many touring tires.

The X Tour will offer plenty of cornering grip, meaning that it will be fine even in situations where you start to push it. Traction will also not be an issue, regardless of how aggressively you accelerate.

Responsiveness is excellent for a touring tire but only decent when compared with high-performance models.  There is some sharpness to it that may be okay for some people, but it won’t satisfy enthusiasts.

Braking distances are also to be praised, as the X Tour provides some of the shortest stopping distances in its category.

How does it behave over wet and slippery roads?

The X Tour proved to be very capable over wet and slippery roads. Michelin’s tweak to the tread pattern and the IntelliSipe technology paid off.

In light rain conditions, the X Tour has more than enough traction and grip for normal driving. You can chug it into a corner, and the grip will be superb. Want to hit the gas pedal hard? No problem, the tire will offer lots of traction. Sure, it will start to slip if you push it really hard, something that most people won’t be doing.

Considering how high the traction levels are, the X Tour can provide very short braking distances. In fact, they are among the shortest ones in the category.

As soon as it starts pouring, the X Tour will give you a very safe and stable driving experience. The grooves and sipes will move water away from the tread blocks, ensuring constant contact with the road. Thanks to all of this, the tire has excellent aquaplaning resistance and remains stable even at higher speeds.

How is it on snowy roads?

Snow performance with the X Tour is decent but seems to lack a bit more behind its competitors.

As an all-season tire, no one should expect excellent performance, mainly because the tire isn’t designed for that. Despite that, the X Tour is a tire that can be driven in light snow conditions without too many problems.

Unlike the dry and wet performance, which was among the best, when it comes to snow, it falls a bit behind. It’s not a bad performer, but some of its rivals do a better job.

For harsher conditions with deeper snow, the story is the same as with all other all-season tires. It will struggle white a lot, and the zig-zag pattern will be of no use.

Is it comfortable and refined?

Refinement is something that Michelin knows well and transferred that knowledge into the X Tour.

On the comfort side of things, the tire has one of the smoothest rides in its class. It can absorb bumps without any problems and will offer a very comfortable ride.

Noise levels are also worth praising for. It’s not as quiet as the Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack, but it’s almost as good. City driving is quiet and, on the highway, there will be some noise, but nothing intrusive.

Is it good for off-roading?

The X Tour is not a tire that is suited for off-roading but may be acceptable in some lighter situations.

Dirt roads won’t be an issue, as long as you are careful. The tire isn’t designed for prolonged exposure to these kinds of conditions, so you may end up damaging it.

Even though the tire is rated as M+S, meaning mud and snow, the mud performance isn’t outstanding.

Is the Michelin X Tour A/S T+H ideal for sporty driving?

The X Tour isn’t the worst tire for sporty driving and is also far from the best. You can have some fun with it, as long as you don’t expect it to do wonders.

You will get some decent responsiveness, and you can have some fun. The X Tour will handle some twisty roads but is not designed to get trashed on a track.

If you don’t overdo it, you probably won’t notice the sidewall flexing, which is a positive thing. The problem is that, unlike a high-performance tire, it will flex if you push it to the max.

Michelin X Tour A/S T+H Warranty

Touring tires are known for offering long warranties, and that is the case with the X Tour. Michelin offers the tire with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is among the longest you will find.

There are a handful of models that come with 90,000 or even 100,000-mile warranties. In this regard, the X Tour is excellent because you’ll know that you are getting a long-lasting tire.

Michelin X Tour A/S T+H Price: Is it worth the money?

I’ll have to be honest; the X Tour isn’t a tire for anyone’s pocket. The prices start from around $120, and there is hardly any difference between this tire and the Defender T+H. While it does offer a lot, you may find some cheaper options with similar performance.

Should I buy the Michelin X Tour A/S T+H?

The X Tour is not a tire that I would advise you to stay away from, but I would say to check out the other options. Michelin is a premium brand, so you should expect to pay more.

With the premium price tag, you will be getting premium performance, but not in all situations. The X Tour performs exceptionally well in all conditions except in winter. Even though it is among the best in its class, there are some cases where you have better options.

Even though the X Tour is a tire identical to the Defender T+H, the size options are much more limited. With that said, if you’re fine with the price and performance of this tire, but cannot find the right size, check out the Defender’s lineup.

If you’re looking for something cheaper with similar performance, you should look into the Continental TrueContact Tour.

In general, the X Tour is an excellent tire that you should consider if it’s within your budget.

What Vehicles Will the Michelin X Tour A/S T+H Fit?

Here’s a sample list of cars that the Michelin X Tour A/S T+H will fit:

• Audi A3, A4
• BMW 1, 3 series
• Ford Focus, Fiesta
• Honda Civic, Accord
• Hyundai i30, Elantra
• Mitsubishi Lancer, ASX
• Nissan Micra
• Suzuki Swift, Vitara, SX4
• Toyota Avensis, Camry, Corolla
• Volkswagen Golf, Rabbit, Jetta

Tire Sizes for Michelin X Tour A/S T+H

15″

• 185/65R15
• 195/65R15
• 205/65R15

16″

• 205/55R16
• 205/60R16
• 205/65R16
• 215/60R16
• 215/65R16
• 225/60R16
• 225/65R16
• 235/65R16

17″

• 215/60R17
• 225/60R17
• 225/65R17

List of Michelin Tire Reviews