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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 0 + 0 road tests and 6 + 3,650 owner reviews. How we score

Defender LTX M/S2 is ahead, 82–75

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Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
Tire BMichelin

Defender LTX M/S2

All-Season tire

± 7

Tests – · none yet Owners 89 · 3,650 reviews

“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. 75

    Dry

    Defender LTX M/S2 +9
    84
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 73 (est.)≈ 78 (est.)
    Reviews found online7992

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 60% × 72.9 (est.) + 40% × 79.4 = 75

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 78.2 (est.) + 40% × 92.1 = 84

    No road tests of dry for Dueler A/T Ascent. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).

    No road tests of dry for Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).

  2. 79

    Wet

    Defender LTX M/S2 +8
    87
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 77 (est.)≈ 83 (est.)
    Reviews found online8293

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 60% × 77.1 (est.) + 40% × 82.3 = 79

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 83 (est.) + 40% × 92.8 = 87

    No road tests of wet for Dueler A/T Ascent. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).

    No road tests of wet for Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).

  3. 72

    Snow

    Defender LTX M/S2 +2
    74
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 72 (est.)≈ 73 (est.)
    Reviews found online7376

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 60% × 71.8 (est.) + 40% × 73.4 = 72

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 72.8 (est.) + 40% × 76.1 = 74

    No road tests of snow for Dueler A/T Ascent. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.37).

    No road tests of snow for Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.37).

  4. 72

    Comfort

    Defender LTX M/S2 +10
    82
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 70 (est.)≈ 73 (est.)
    Reviews found online7388

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 40% × 69.9 (est.) + 60% × 73.2 = 72

    Defender LTX M/S2: 40% × 72.7 (est.) + 60% × 88.3 = 82

    No road tests of comfort for Dueler A/T Ascent or Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.

  5. 69

    Noise

    Defender LTX M/S2 +7
    76
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 67 (est.)≈ 67 (est.)
    Reviews found online7289

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 60% × 66.6 (est.) + 40% × 72.3 = 69

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 66.6 (est.) + 40% × 89.3 = 76

    No road tests of noise for Dueler A/T Ascent or Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is the tested tires’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.

  6. 76

    Treadwear

    Defender LTX M/S2 +4
    80
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 72 (est.)≈ 74 (est.)
    Reviews found online8289

    Dueler A/T Ascent: 60% × 71.8 (est.) + 40% × 82.4 = 76

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 74 (est.) + 40% × 88.9 = 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 0.35).

    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 0.35).

  7. 78

    Handling (owners)

    Defender LTX M/S2 +9
    87
    Why this score
    SourceDueler A/T AscentDefender LTX M/S2
    Reviews found online7887
Scores at a glance
CategoryBridgestone Dueler A/T AscentMichelin Defender LTX M/S2
Relative Score 75 82
Dry 75 84
Wet 79 87
Snow 72 74
Comfort 72 82
Noise 69 76
Treadwear 76 80
Handling (owners) 78 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.

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Neutral
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
± 8

Dueler A/T Ascent

± 7

Defender LTX M/S2

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A Dueler A/T Ascent

Pros

  • Unusually quiet and smooth ride quality for an all-terrain tire
  • Fantastic wet-weather traction and performance
  • Good stability and capability for towing travel trailers and heavy loads

Cons

  • Snow performance could be better, described as only adequate
  • Struggles on ice, identified as a weak point during winter driving
All owner themes in the Dueler A/T Ascent review

Tire B Defender LTX M/S2

Pros

  • Exceptionally long tread life and high mileage durability
  • Smooth, comfortable, and quiet highway ride quality
  • Improved fuel economy and low rolling resistance compared to factory or all-terrain tires

Cons

  • High upfront premium price point
  • Occasional minor wheel spin or reduced traction on wet surfaces during hard takeoffs
  • Treads can pack with snow, making them mediocre in deep winter conditions
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.

r/tires ·1 upvote ·2025-12-12

“The Defender LTX M/S2s are the best tires I've ever run. They last forever. Great dry and wet traction. Quiet. Had them on a LR Disco and a fwd RX350z. Got around easily in ten inches of snow with the Lexus. I used to like Bridgestone but I've had better experiences with Michelins.”
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 tire
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

Winner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 — better comfort, dry and handling. It leads or ties in every category we score. Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent rests on little evidence so far (0 tests, 6 reviews), so read this result as provisional.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 82 vs 72 on comfort.

Pick tire B You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 84 vs 75 on dry.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 87 vs 78 on handling.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 87 vs 79 on wet.

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?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 87 vs 79 on our wet score.

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

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 84 vs 75 on our dry score.

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

Neither, by our numbers: 72 vs 74 on the snow score, within 3 points.

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

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 76 vs 69 on our noise score.

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

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 82 vs 72 on our comfort score.

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

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 80 vs 76 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