9.7
TOTAL SCORE
Our Score
We've looked at many factors in this Michelin Defender LTX M/S review, from the tread pattern to the robust construction. It's time to give it a score.
PROS
- excellent performance in wet and dry conditions
- durable for long mileage
- Impressive tread wear warranty
- durable for long mileage
CONS
- compatibility with certain vehicles may vary
- potential suspension strain
Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Content Table:
Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Introduction
It's time to get real about tires. That's right, good old reliable tires. You know they're an important part of your car—but are you sure you've got the best ones?
It's true that tires can make a difference when it comes to your car's performance and quality, and you don't want to take any chances. Michelin Defender LTX M/S is one option that could change the game. But is it worth it? In this review, we'll take a look at the features, benefits, and drawbacks of Michelin's tire so you can decide for yourself if it's worth the investment.
Content Table:
Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Gallery & Scorecard
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S tire has excellent performance in wet, dry, and snowy conditions, as shown in its scorecard with ratings for traction, cornering stability, hydroplaning resistance, ride comfort & noise control, and braking on wet surfaces. It is a reliable, durable tire that provides smooth performance over long distances, making it a worthy choice for those looking for a high-quality tire.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Content Table:
Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Design
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is designed with a symmetric tread pattern to provide a smooth, quiet ride regardless of the terrain you're traveling on. The symmetric tread pattern also helps to evenly distribute the weight of your car to reduce wear and tear on the tire.
The tires are crafted with an Evertread compound that improves traction both on dry pavement and wet surfaces. It has an advanced tread design that provides superior grip and stability in a variety of road conditions—so you never have to worry about your safety while driving.
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is speed-rated for up to 118 mph in its 265/70R17 size, making it perfect for long drives and highway cruising. With its superior performance, you can rest assured that your vehicle will provide reliable performance even when traveling at higher speeds.
Content Table:
Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Features
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S isn’t just all hype—it delivers a powerful performance sure to please the most in-tune driver. For starters, it’s equipped with a symmetric tread pattern featuring independent tread blocks that provide superior handling, cornering, and stability. Plus, the Multi-Layered Evertread™ technology makes for legendary tread life and all-weather performance, so you can drive confidently in any season.
On top of that, it comes with an impressive 70,000 miles warranty – more than most of its competitors. And with an M&S certification to boot, you know this tire is made to take on whatever Mother Nature throws at you. So if you’re looking for a dependable tire that will handle any road conditions, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S is definitely worth considering.
Content Table:
Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S delivers in spades. This tire is designed for surefooted handling on dry pavement with high levels of grip. And it doesn't stop there—it also has a 10-percent longer tread life than its predecessor, the Michelin Defender LTX.
You can trust this tire to keep your car safe and secure on the road while you get a smooth, quiet ride year-round. You won't have to worry about slipping or skidding due to wet traction, thanks to the deep tread blocks that help push water away from the contact patch. Plus, it comes with an 80,000-mile tread life warranty.
Content Table:
Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Dry Road Performance of Tires
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If you're looking for a tire that offers excellent grip and shorter braking distances on dry roads, the Michelin Defender LTX is definitely worth considering. This tire is designed with unique traction on dry surfaces, allowing for high levels of grip and highway stability.
The Michelin Defender LTX is equipped with high silica tread compounds which are designed to give you reliable performance — no matter what the conditions — as well as high levels of even wear throughout your tires' lifetime. Additionally, the continuous center rib gives additional stability while reducing road noise, making this tire a great choice if you're looking for something that offers both performance and comfort.
Plus, with its advanced sipes and tread blocks, the Michelin Defender LTX also offers superior handling and cornering control on wet surfaces. So you can rest assured that your vehicle will remain stable no matter what type of surface you're driving on.
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Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Snow Capabilities of Tires
You may be wondering how these tires fare in snow since that's the most important factor in choosing a winter tire. Well, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S is specially made to handle snow, with features like an enhanced rubber compound and special siping to increase traction.
And the numbers don't lie: its excellent snow traction rating makes it perfect for slippery conditions like snow and ice, so you can expect a good and stable experience no matter what conditions you're driving in. Whether it's wet or dry roads, you can also feel confident that your tires won't slip or slide on icy surfaces—a common occurrence when you have snow tires with not-so-ideal grip.
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Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Comfort of Tires
Michelin Defender LTX M/S Tires provide great comfort when driving. This is because the tire has a unique blend of features and technology that come together to make your drive more pleasant and relaxing.
To start off, the tire has a low rolling resistance, which helps reduce the impact of road noise on your drive. Then, Michelin’s Comfort Control Technology helps keep the tire in place even when cornering, so you have that extra bit of confidence on winding roads. Lastly, the MaxTouch Construction means that you get even pressure distribution throughout your drive, for an incredibly comfortable ride.
Of course, there are other tires on the market that might provide a more affordable option like the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All-Season Radial Tire, or better tread life like Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Tire or better cornering stability like Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring Tire with its internal Comfort Layer of rubber sandwiched between its tread and steel belts. But if comfort is what you're after in a tire, Michelin Defender LTX M/S Tires is worth looking into more closely as it provides excellent cushioning for your ride.
Content Table:
Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Noise of Tires
If you're looking for a tire that's quiet, you won't be disappointed with the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. It offers a smooth ride and low-pitched noise, even at higher speeds. And compared to other all-season tires, it offers significantly reduced road noise levels.
That means your car stays quiet and you can focus on the road without having to worry about loud tires interrupting your drive. Plus, with features like tread designs and optimized sound frequency, it ensures you get the best performance while staying comfortable in the car.
It also helps that it comes with a special rubber compound called MaxTouch Construction which helps reduce rolling resistance—so it's not only quieter but also more efficient. So you don't have to sacrifice noise quality just to have an efficient ride!
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Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Tread Wear of Tires
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is known for its long-lasting tread. Have you ever seen a number on the sidewall of a tire? That's the tire's treadwear rating, and it indicates how long you can expect the tire to last.
The tires in the Michelin Defender LTX M/S lineup are designed to last longer than most, with a treadwear rating somewhere between 800–1000. That means the tires can last up to eight or 10 times longer than standard control sets that usually come with a 100 treadwear grade.
The Michelin Defender has earned its stripes in terms of lifespan, but how does it fair in terms of traction? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) assigns tires with a letter grade, ranging from AA (highest) to C (lowest). These grades indicate how well the tire performs under different weather conditions such as wet or dry roads, icy roads, and light snow. The Michelin Defender series have typically rated an A or B depending on the specific tire size, meaning they can handle just about any weather condition you throw at them.
Content Table:
Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Customer Reviews
Let's talk about what other drivers are saying about the Michelin Defender LTX M/S tires. According to customer reviews, this tire is getting rave reviews for its longevity, comfort, and fuel economy.
The majority of customers claim that these tires last longer than expected, with some lasting up to 50,000 miles before needing to be replaced. Comfort is also consistently mentioned as a strong point—many drivers report a smooth and quiet ride with reliable handling in both wet and dry conditions. And when it comes to fuel economy, most customers report that they get better gas mileage while on these tires.
Overall, the overwhelming consensus seems to be that the Michelin Defender LTX M/S is a great value for your money and will give you plenty of mileage with good handling and fuel efficiency.
Content Table:
Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Maintenance and Care
When it comes to maintenance and care, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S is one of the easiest tires you'll ever have to worry about. Though it's still important to check your tire pressure frequently, the Defender LTX M/S was designed for maximum performance, even during wet and icy road conditions. Plus, its low rolling resistance results in less fuel consumption and fewer trips to the gas pump—saving you money in the long run.
Here are some tips for how you can get the most out of your Michelin Defender LTX M/S:
- Regularly rotate your tires: This will ensure that they lay evenly on the ground, extending their lifespan and improving traction and grip.
- Inspect your wheels: Make sure that all wheel nuts are tight and that there is no damage or corrosion on any of them.
- Check your alignment: Poor alignment can cause uneven wearing and tire damage, so get an alignment check at least once a year.
- Monitor air pressure: Keeping a close eye on air pressure will prolong your tires' life span as well as make sure that your car maintains its proper balance when driving.
Content Table:
Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
Conclusion Overall
So let's sum this whole Michelin Defender LTX M/S review up: is it worth it?
The answer is a resounding yes. The Michelin Defender LTX M/S offers great traction and a smooth, quiet ride. It’s designed for all-weather performance, meaning you won’t have to worry about switching in between summer and winter tires. Plus, its Hybrid Edging Technology offers more contact with the road surface, so you’ll get better traction and grip in the corners. And it has an impressive tread life warranty– up to 70,000 miles – so you can rest assured that your tire won't wear out prematurely.
Overall, we think the Michelin Defender LTX M/S is well worth the money. Whether you're looking for a long-lasting tire with reliable performance or just want to be sure your car will have enough grip on wet roads, it's definitely a good choice.
The Hankook Optimo H724 tires deliver exceptional performance and reliability for all your adventures, with excellent traction, durability, and comfort. Read our in-depth review for more information.
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Design | Features | Gallery | Our Score | Where to Buy
FAQs
You may still have a few questions about the Michelin Defender LTX M/S, so let's try to cover some of that. Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions:
Yes, it comes with a 65,000-mile limited treadwear warranty and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
It is unique in its combination of features—unsurpassed wet traction, long mileage performance and even wear—to provide an outstanding driving experience that lasts longer than its competitors.
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is designed to provide superior performance on muddy trails and other off-road surface conditions with an aggressive tread design and enhanced sidewall protection.