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Continental SecureContact AW vs Michelin Defender2 — 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 + 2 road tests and 6 + 11,304 owner reviews. How we score

SecureContact AW leads, 79–77 Narrow edge

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Michelin Defender2
Tire BMichelin

Defender2

All Season

± 7

Tests 64 · 2 tests Owners 89 · 11,304 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test (noise (tester's mark))

“I just ordered Michelin Defender 2 for our 15 Outback . We've had 2 sets of Yokohama YK-CTX after OEM which only lasted about 20k (first set) and 25k (second set). I've had Michelin Defender (orig) and Michelin Defender2 on our Ford Taurus. Very comfortable and great tread life.”

Category by category

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

  1. 78

    Dry

    Defender2 +2
    80
    Why this score
    SourceSecureContact AWDefender2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 74 (est.)73
    Reviews found online8392

    SecureContact AW: 60% × 74.2 (est.) + 40% × 83 = 78

    Defender2: 60% × 72.7 + 40% × 91.6 = 80

    No road tests of dry for SecureContact AW. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).

  2. 85

    Wet

    SecureContact AW +10
    75
    Why this score
    SourceSecureContact AWDefender2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 81 (est.)64
    Reviews found online9093

    SecureContact AW: 60% × 81.3 (est.) + 40% × 89.9 = 85

    Defender2: 60% × 64 + 40% × 92.5 = 75

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

  3. 78

    Snow

    SecureContact AW +18
    60
    Why this score
    SourceSecureContact AWDefender2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 74 (est.)46
    Reviews found online8279

    SecureContact AW: 60% × 74.3 (est.) + 40% × 82.4 = 78

    Defender2: 60% × 46.4 + 40% × 79.4 = 60

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

  4. 78

    Comfort

    Defender2 +4
    82
    Why this score
    SourceSecureContact AWDefender2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 72 (est.)≈ 73 (est.)
    Reviews found online8388

    SecureContact AW: 40% × 71.7 (est.) + 60% × 83 = 78

    Defender2: 40% × 72.6 (est.) + 60% × 87.6 = 82

    No road tests of comfort for SecureContact AW. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

    No road tests of comfort for Defender2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 71

    Noise

    Defender2 +8
    79
    Why this score
    SourceSecureContact AWDefender2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 66 (est.)73
    Reviews found online7787

    SecureContact AW: 60% × 66.3 (est.) + 40% × 77.1 = 71

    Defender2: 60% × 73.2 + 40% × 87 = 79

    No road tests of noise for SecureContact AW. The test half is the tested tires’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.

  6. 75

    Treadwear

    Defender2 +5
    80
    Why this score
    SourceSecureContact AWDefender2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 72 (est.)≈ 75 (est.)
    Reviews found online8189

    SecureContact AW: 60% × 71.6 (est.) + 40% × 80.8 = 75

    Defender2: 60% × 74.6 (est.) + 40% × 89 = 80

    No road tests of treadwear for SecureContact AW. 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 Defender2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 82

    Handling (owners)

    Defender2 +7
    89
    Why this score
    SourceSecureContact AWDefender2
    Reviews found online8289
Scores at a glance
CategoryContinental SecureContact AWMichelin Defender2
Relative Score 79 77
Dry 78 80
Wet 85 75
Snow 78 60
Comfort 78 82
Noise 71 79
Treadwear 75 80
Handling (owners) 82 89

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
± 8

SecureContact AW

± 7

Defender2

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A SecureContact AW

Pros

  • Significantly reduced road noise and smooth highway cruising
  • Excellent wet weather traction and cornering confidence
  • Solid grip and stability in light winter snow conditions

Cons

  • Slightly squirmy feel reported on long sweeping corners for larger vehicles
All owner themes in the SecureContact AW review

Tire B Defender2

Pros

  • Long-lasting tread life and high mileage capability
  • Confident dry and wet traction with stable handling
  • Quiet and smooth ride quality on specific vehicles and highway surfaces

Cons

  • Stiffer, harder ride compared to original equipment or older models
  • Noticeable road noise and lack of noise absorption on certain pavement types
  • Reduced fuel economy (MPG) reported by multiple users
All owner themes in the Defender2 review

What real owners are saying

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

Tire A

Continental SecureContact AW

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

Tire B

Michelin Defender2

Positive

The community generally views the Michelin Defender2 as a top-tier all-season touring tire, praised mainly for exceptional tread life (reports of 60–80k miles on Teslas), comfort, quiet ride, efficiency, and the 80k warranty. It is frequently recommended, including by Consumer Reports, though it is considered not a performance tire and some say road noise could be better. Minor concerns include speed-rating fitment issues, lack of a snowflake rating, MPG versus competitors, and one report of chemical off-gassing.

subaruoutback.org ·1 upvote ·2026-01-15

“I just ordered Michelin Defender 2 for our 15 Outback . We've had 2 sets of Yokohama YK-CTX after OEM which only lasted about 20k (first set) and 25k (second set). I've had Michelin Defender (orig) and Michelin Defender2 on our Ford Taurus. Very comfortable and great tread life.”
mbworld.org

“So here's the latest on Tires recommendations: (still dithering). Looking for smooth, soft ride, good mileage. I do have a mountain home; use ~30ish days during winter ski season, but mostly highway driving in Southern California ( don't disparage me for being a Californian. I cant stand the people or the government too lol. But it's a beautiful state). 2020 300GLC 4MATIC California car, 235/60 18H rating What will it be...?????? MICHELIN DEFENDER LTX M/S - seems like you guys are in favor. But hard to get. And the size is a 235/60 106T designation. Is the T speed max of 116mph not safe enough when OEM was an H rating 130mph? MICHELIN DEFENDER2. $238. Tire rack MICHELIN CrossClimate2 SUV tire rack $248. - hearing both good and bad. I heard they're soft and mileage tanks. Check out reviews on the Michelin USA official site. Pretty interesting. CONTINENTAL CROSSCONTACT LX25 $222. tire rack high rating? Also just got this from TireRack customer service CONTINENTAL EXTREMECONTACT DWS 06 PLUS. $238. Not sure, seems like TR is trying to promote them for Cont.”
bobistheoilguy.com ·2026-02-19

“I’m having a set of four 235/65R18 Michelin Defender2’s installed on the Cadillac as I’m typing this post. I’m at America’s Tire. I’m replacing the OEM Michelin Primacy Tour AS tires that only lasted 25,500 miles. I’m hoping that the Defender2’s will last longer, be quieter and smoother riding. We’ll see!”
Top themes
#Exceptional tread life#80k mile warranty#Comfort and quiet ride#EV efficiency and range#Costco deals and rebates#Comparison with CrossClimate2#Not performance-oriented#Speed rating fitment issues

Based on 26 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Continental SecureContact AW B · Michelin Defender2
CategoryAll-Season tireAll Season
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available451
Rim diameters15″ – 20″18″
Tread depth11 - 12/32″10 - 11/32″
UTQG700 A A840 B B
Treadwear warranty60,000 mi80,000 mi
SidewallBlack Side WallBlack Side Wall
Max pressure51 psi50 - 51 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Continental SecureContact AW

Michelin Defender2

Narrow edge: Continental SecureContact AW — better snow and wet. Pick the Michelin Defender2 if noise, handling and treadwear matter most to you. Continental SecureContact AW rests on little evidence so far (0 tests, 6 reviews), so read this result as provisional.

Pick tire A You drive through snowy winters

Continental SecureContact AW scores 78 vs 60 on snow.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Continental SecureContact AW scores 85 vs 75 on wet.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Michelin Defender2 scores 79 vs 71 on noise.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Defender2 scores 89 vs 82 on handling.

Tire A · Continental SecureContact AW
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Tire B · Michelin Defender2
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SecureContact AW or Defender2?

Which is better in the wet, SecureContact AW or Defender2?

Continental SecureContact AW, 85 vs 75 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, SecureContact AW or Defender2?

Neither, by our numbers: 78 vs 80 on the dry score, within 3 points.

Which is better in snow, SecureContact AW or Defender2?

Continental SecureContact AW, 78 vs 60 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, SecureContact AW or Defender2?

Michelin Defender2, 79 vs 71 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, SecureContact AW or Defender2?

Michelin Defender2, 82 vs 78 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, SecureContact AW or Defender2?

Michelin Defender2, 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