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Head-to-head Updated

Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent vs Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 1 + 1 road tests and 7 + 3,699 owner reviews. How we score

Defender LTX M/S2 leads, 77–74 Narrow edge

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Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent
Tire ABridgestone

Dueler A/T Ascent

All-Terrain tire

± 7Provisional

Tests 74 · 1 test Owners 75 · 7 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 30 in 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test (snow braking)

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
Tire BMichelin

Defender LTX M/S2

All Season

± 7

Tests 65 · 1 test Owners 88 · 3,699 reviews

Best test result: #2 of 30 in 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test (snow braking)

“The tires are over inflated for transport. The dealership should set them to the proper PSI during PDI but that's not always the case. I had 55 PSI in mine which explained the rough ride.”

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 70

    Dry

    Dueler A/T Ascent +2
    68
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests6652
    Reviews found online7591

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 60% × 66 + 40% × 74.8 = 70

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 52 + 40% × 91.4 = 68

  2. 76

    Wet

    Defender LTX M/S2 +1
    77
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests7767
    Reviews found online7592

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 60% × 76.8 + 40% × 75.2 = 76

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 66.8 + 40% × 91.7 = 77

  3. 80

    Snow

    Defender LTX M/S2 +1
    81
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests8484
    Reviews found online7377
    Ice Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0100%86%
    Ice Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–098%90%
    Snow Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0100%97%
    Snow Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0100%94%
    Snow Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–094%94%

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 60% × 84.2 + 40% × 72.8 = 80

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 84 + 40% × 76.9 = 81

  4. 71

    Comfort

    Defender LTX M/S2 +11
    82
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests71≈ 73 (est.)
    Reviews found online7188

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 40% × 70.7 + 60% × 71.2 = 71

    Defender LTX M/S2: 40% × 72.6 (est.) + 60% × 87.6 = 82

    No road tests of comfort for Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.21).

  5. 72

    Noise

    Defender LTX M/S2 +3
    75
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests74≈ 66 (est.)
    Reviews found online7089

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 60% × 73.5 + 40% × 70.4 = 72

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 66.3 (est.) + 40% × 88.6 = 75

    No road tests of noise for Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is the tested tires’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.

  6. 75

    Treadwear

    Defender LTX M/S2 +5
    80
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 71 (est.)≈ 75 (est.)
    Reviews found online8089

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 60% × 71.2 (est.) + 40% × 79.7 = 75

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 74.6 (est.) + 40% × 89 = 80

    No road tests of treadwear for Dueler A/T Ascent. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

    No road tests of treadwear for Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 76

    Handling (owners)

    Defender LTX M/S2 +11
    87
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Reviews found online7687
Scores at a glance
CategoryBridgestone Dueler A/T AscentMichelin Defender LTX M/S2
Relative Score 74 77
Dry 70 68
Wet 76 77
Snow 80 81
Comfort 71 82
Noise 72 75
Treadwear 75 80
Handling (owners) 76 87

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 7

Dueler A/T Ascent

± 7

Defender LTX M/S2

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

In the overall rankings of 1 tests that ran both, Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent finished ahead 0 times and Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 0 times.

DisciplineCategoryDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2ΔHead-to-head
Ice Braking Snow 100% 86% +14.2 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17
Ice Traction Snow 98% 90% +8.1 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17
Snow Braking Snow 100% 97% +3.4 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17
Snow Handling (tester's mark) Snow 94% 94% 0.0 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17
Snow Traction Snow 100% 94% +5.7 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Overall Ranking Overall #3/30 #3/30 – 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Dueler A/T Ascent

Pros

  • Remarkably quiet and smooth ride quality comparable to highway tires
  • Fantastic traction and handling in wet conditions
  • Reliable performance for daily commuting, towing, and mild off-roading (sand and gravel)

Cons

  • Subpar performance and traction on ice
  • Mud-clearing issues leading to a lack of traction in muddy environments
  • Occasional wheel slip when starting from a stop on wet roads
All owner themes in the Dueler A/T Ascent review

Tire B Defender LTX M/S2

Pros

  • Exceptionally quiet and smooth highway ride
  • Outstanding tread life and long-term durability
  • Improves fuel economy and lowers rolling resistance

Cons

  • High upfront purchase price
  • Occasional difficulty with balancing and high-speed vibrations
  • Can pick up small rocks and struggles in deep snow compared to dedicated winter tires
All owner themes in the Defender LTX M/S2 review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Tire B

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

Positive

The community widely views the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 as an outstanding highway and daily driving tire, praising its smooth ride, low road noise, and reliable wet traction. While considered an ideal replacement for noisy all-terrain or OEM tires, some users question its performance in severe winter or deep mud conditions compared to dedicated off-road tires. A few owners also raised minor concerns regarding warranty differences, balancing, and tread life compared to prior generations.

landcruiserforum.com ·5 upvotes ·2024-08-12

“The tires are over inflated for transport. The dealership should set them to the proper PSI during PDI but that's not always the case. I had 55 PSI in mine which explained the rough ride.”
bobistheoilguy.com ·5 upvotes ·2025-06-04

“Got them last month. Did road trip to Vegas and back. Astonishing tire. You almost don’t know they are there. They just provide feedback necessary to have good control. No noise, no uncomfortable transfer of impact. Excellent in rain. Went through several downpours. As expected from 12/32 depth and this design, hydroplaning resistance is excellent. But what I pay attention is braking and handling, and they are excellent there. Did by now 3,000mls no any noticeable wear.”
tahoeyukonforum.com ·5 upvotes ·2026-03-06

“Defender LTX M/S2 275/50/22 on Fuel 22’s Coming off the Allenzas the quiet smooth ride is very noticeable. A section of paved road that has roots underneath but not really washboard - on the Allenzas it was noisy and bumpy and with the Defenders it is barely noticeable. They are that good”
Top themes
#highway ride comfort#wet weather traction#low road noise#fuel and range efficiency#light snow performance#all-terrain comparison

Based on 83 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
CategoryAll-Terrain tireAll Season
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4SUV and 4x4
Sizes available311
Rim diameters17″ – 22″22″
Tread depth12/32″11 - 14/32″
UTQG640 A B820 B A
Treadwear warranty60,000 mi—
SidewallBlackwallBlack Side Wall - Raised Outline White Lettering
Max pressure44 psi50 - 80 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

Narrow edge: Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 — better comfort, handling and treadwear. Where the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent is ahead, it is by less than 3 points. Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent rests on little evidence so far (1 test, 7 reviews), so read this result as provisional.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 82 vs 71 on comfort.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 87 vs 76 on handling.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 80 vs 75 on treadwear.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 75 vs 72 on noise.

Tire A · Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent
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Tire B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
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Dueler A/T Ascent or Defender LTX M/S2?

Which is better in the wet, Dueler A/T Ascent or Defender LTX M/S2?

Neither, by our numbers: 76 vs 77 on the wet score, within 3 points.

Which grips better on dry roads, Dueler A/T Ascent or Defender LTX M/S2?

Neither, by our numbers: 70 vs 68 on the dry score, within 3 points.

Which is better in snow, Dueler A/T Ascent or Defender LTX M/S2?

Neither, by our numbers: 80 vs 81 on the snow score, within 3 points.

Which is quieter, Dueler A/T Ascent or Defender LTX M/S2?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 75 vs 72 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Dueler A/T Ascent or Defender LTX M/S2?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 82 vs 71 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Dueler A/T Ascent or Defender LTX M/S2?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 80 vs 75 on our treadwear score.

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.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology