Tests – · none yet Owners 68 · 13 reviews
Head-to-head
Updated
Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra vs Michelin Defender — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Defender leads, 72–68 Narrow edge
Add your size for an exact match
/R
Both Amazon links then search this exact size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
70
Dry
Defender +373Why this score
Source Alenza AS Ultra Defender Reviews found online 72 76 -
72
Wet
Defender +173Why this score
Source Alenza AS Ultra Defender Reviews found online 73 74 -
70
Snow
No comparison–Why this score
Source Alenza AS Ultra Defender Reviews found online 71 – -
69
Comfort
Defender +271Why this score
Source Alenza AS Ultra Defender Reviews found online 68 73 -
64
Noise
No comparison–Why this score
Source Alenza AS Ultra Defender Reviews found online 61 – -
62
Treadwear
Defender +769Why this score
Source Alenza AS Ultra Defender Reviews found online 59 72 -
69
Handling
Defender +877Why this score
Source Alenza AS Ultra Defender Reviews found online 69 77
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra | Michelin Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 68 | 72 |
| Dry | 70 | 73 |
| Wet | 72 | 73 |
| Snow | 70 | – |
| Comfort | 69 | 71 |
| Noise | 64 | – |
| Treadwear | 62 | 69 |
| Handling | 69 | 77 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.
Less important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Less important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
68
/ 100
Alenza AS Ultra
72
/ 100
Defender
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Alenza AS Ultra
Pros
- Strong traction on both wet and dry road surfaces
- Improved ride comfort and handling compared to some factory-installed alternatives
- Capable performance in varied weather conditions for some users
Cons
- Reports of premature tread wear and short service life
- Noticeable road noise compared to other premium tires
- Inconsistent performance in severe winter conditions, particularly on ice and deep snow
Tire B Defender
Pros
- Excellent ride comfort and quiet operation
- Strong tread life and durability over several years
- Reliable grip on dry pavement
Cons
- Susceptibility to hydroplaning in heavy rain
- Limited traction in deep or severe snow
- Audible squealing during aggressive dry-pavement acceleration
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra | B · Michelin Defender |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 46 | — |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 22″ | — |
| Tread depth | 10/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 800 A A | — |
| Treadwear warranty | 80,000 mi | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 44 psi | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
68
/ 100
Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra
72
/ 100
Michelin Defender
Winner: Michelin Defender — better handling, treadwear and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Defender scores 77 vs 69 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Defender scores 69 vs 62 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Defender scores 73 vs 70 on dry.
Tire A · Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra
Tire B · Michelin Defender
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.