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Head-to-head Updated

Continental CrossContact H/T 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 + 1 road tests and 10 + 3,650 owner reviews. How we score

Defender LTX M/S2 is ahead, 77–65

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Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
Tire BMichelin

Defender LTX M/S2

All Season

± 7

Tests 66 · 1 test Owners 88 · 3,650 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. 65

    Dry

    Defender LTX M/S2 +3
    68
    Why this score
    SourceCrossContact H/TDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 66 (est.)52
    Reviews found online6392

    CrossContact H/T: 60% × 66.1 (est.) + 40% × 63.4 = 65

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 51.7 + 40% × 91.5 = 68

    No road tests of dry for CrossContact H/T. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.41).

  2. 67

    Wet

    Defender LTX M/S2 +11
    78
    Why this score
    SourceCrossContact H/TDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 68 (est.)68
    Reviews found online6692

    CrossContact H/T: 60% × 68.3 (est.) + 40% × 66.2 = 67

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 68.1 + 40% × 92.3 = 78

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

  3. 63

    Snow

    Defender LTX M/S2 +19
    82
    Why this score
    SourceCrossContact H/TDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 66 (est.)87
    Reviews found online5776

    CrossContact H/T: 60% × 66.2 (est.) + 40% × 57.2 = 63

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 86.8 + 40% × 75.8 = 82

    No road tests of snow for CrossContact H/T. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).

  4. 66

    Comfort

    Defender LTX M/S2 +16
    82
    Why this score
    SourceCrossContact H/TDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 68 (est.)≈ 73 (est.)
    Reviews found online6588

    CrossContact H/T: 40% × 68.2 (est.) + 60% × 64.9 = 66

    Defender LTX M/S2: 40% × 72.6 (est.) + 60% × 87.9 = 82

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

  5. –

    Noise

    No comparison
    75
    Why this score
    SourceCrossContact H/TDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)–≈ 66 (est.)
    Reviews found online–89

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 66.5 (est.) + 40% × 88.9 = 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. 67

    Treadwear

    Defender LTX M/S2 +13
    80
    Why this score
    SourceCrossContact H/TDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 67 (est.)≈ 74 (est.)
    Reviews found online6789

    CrossContact H/T: 60% × 66.8 (est.) + 40% × 67.3 = 67

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 74.4 (est.) + 40% × 89.1 = 80

    No road tests of treadwear for CrossContact H/T. 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. 63

    Handling (owners)

    Defender LTX M/S2 +24
    87
    Why this score
    SourceCrossContact H/TDefender LTX M/S2
    Reviews found online6387
Scores at a glance
CategoryContinental CrossContact H/TMichelin Defender LTX M/S2
Relative Score 65 77
Dry 65 68
Wet 67 78
Snow 63 82
Comfort 66 82
Noise – 75
Treadwear 67 80
Handling (owners) 63 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

Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.

Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 8

CrossContact H/T

± 7

Defender LTX M/S2

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

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.

DisciplineCategoryCrossContact H/TDefender LTX M/S2ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 98% #2/7 · Best All Terrain Tyres Tested On Road, Off Road and Snow [2024] 93% #9/9 · 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Braking Wet 100% #1/7 · Best All Terrain Tyres Tested On Road, Off Road and Snow [2024] 92% #6/9 · 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test – Different tests
Wet Handling Wet 100% #1/7 · Best All Terrain Tyres Tested On Road, Off Road and Snow [2024] 97% #5/9 · 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test – Different tests
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Overall Ranking Overall #1/5 2025 Wybór Kierowców Off Road Tire Test R18 #3/30 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A CrossContact H/T

Pros

  • High level of ride comfort and soft rubber composition that absorbs road bumps well
  • Quiet and noiseless performance during early usage
  • Positive impact on fuel efficiency and lower rolling resistance

Cons

  • Reduced traction and sliding tendencies in wet conditions over time
  • High-speed vibrations and balancing issues
  • Stiff sidewalls and harshness reported by some drivers
All owner themes in the CrossContact H/T 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

Continental CrossContact H/T

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.”
r/f150 ·2 upvotes ·2026-10-05

“2019 with 285/70r17. 1.5" spacer brought it up closer to 2". Rims were off a raptor. I think it looks good without looking like too much. Also went for defender ltx m/s2 as I dont need all terrains. Its a 4x4 and gets around just fine without them. Rides so smooth compared the stock 20" rims with smaller tires.”
bobistheoilguy.com ·2 upvotes ·2025-01-22

“I got them on Sequoia. Almost slammed into the garage wall trying to climb my 8% driveway with 4WD engaged. I tried gently to climb, and the car started to go sideways. VikingContact7 will climb from a standstill on the driveway with no slip with just 2WD.”
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 · Continental CrossContact H/T B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
CategoryAll SeasonAll Season
Vehicle type—SUV and 4x4
Sizes available431
Rim diameters15″ – 21″22″
Tread depth—11 - 14/32″
UTQG—820 B A
Sidewall—Black Side Wall - Raised Outline White Lettering
Max pressure—50 - 80 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental CrossContact H/T

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

Winner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 — better handling, snow and comfort. It leads or ties in every category we score. Continental CrossContact H/T rests on little evidence so far (0 tests, 10 reviews), so read this result as provisional.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 87 vs 63 on handling.

Pick tire B You drive through snowy winters

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 82 vs 63 on snow.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 82 vs 66 on comfort.

Pick tire B You want the longest tread life

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 80 vs 67 on treadwear.

Tire A · Continental CrossContact H/T
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Tire B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
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CrossContact H/T or Defender LTX M/S2?

Which is better in the wet, CrossContact H/T or Defender LTX M/S2?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 78 vs 67 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, CrossContact H/T or Defender LTX M/S2?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 68 vs 65 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, CrossContact H/T or Defender LTX M/S2?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 82 vs 63 on our snow score.

Which is more comfortable, CrossContact H/T or Defender LTX M/S2?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 82 vs 66 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, CrossContact H/T or Defender LTX M/S2?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 80 vs 67 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