Tests 77 · 8 tests Owners 60 · 32 reviews
Best test result: #2 of 16 in 2019 Teknikens Värld Large Winter Tire Test R17 (overall ranking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental VikingContact 7 vs Michelin Defender LTX M/S — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Defender LTX M/S is ahead, 76–67
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Tests – · 1 test Owners 78 · 10 reviews
Best test result: #3 of 13 in 2022 Consumer Reports All Season Truck Tires (overall ranking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
67
Dry
Defender LTX M/S +976Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 Defender LTX M/S Professional tests (TWG score) 79 – Reviews found online 49 81 -
67
Wet
Defender LTX M/S +1178Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 Defender LTX M/S Professional tests (TWG score) 70 – Reviews found online 62 81 -
76
Snow
VikingContact 7 +472Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 Defender LTX M/S Professional tests (TWG score) 79 – Reviews found online 70 73 -
70
Comfort
Defender LTX M/S +373Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 Defender LTX M/S Professional tests (TWG score) 70 – Reviews found online 71 76 -
80
Noise
VikingContact 7 +1169Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 Defender LTX M/S Professional tests (TWG score) 88 – Reviews found online 67 74 -
59
Treadwear
Defender LTX M/S +1776Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 Defender LTX M/S Professional tests (TWG score) – 74 Reviews found online 54 78 -
60
Handling
Defender LTX M/S +1878Why this score
Source VikingContact 7 Defender LTX M/S Reviews found online 60 78
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental VikingContact 7 | Michelin Defender LTX M/S |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 67 | 76 |
| Dry | 67 | 76 |
| Wet | 67 | 78 |
| Snow | 76 | 72 |
| Comfort | 70 | 73 |
| Noise | 80 | 69 |
| Treadwear | 59 | 76 |
| Handling | 60 | 78 |
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.
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Recomputed
Headline score
67
/ 100
VikingContact 7
76
/ 100
Defender LTX M/S
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | VikingContact 7 | Defender LTX M/S | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 94% #2/16 · 2019 Teknikens Värld Large Winter Tire Test R17 | 83% #3/13 · 2022 Consumer Reports All Season Truck Tires | +10.8 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A VikingContact 7
Pros
- Exceptionally quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Strong performance in slush and deep snow
- Stable and predictable handling at highway speeds
Cons
- Mixed reports regarding tread life and longevity
- Noticeable decline in ice-braking performance compared to top-tier ice specialists
- Compound may harden or performance may degrade after multiple seasons
Tire B Defender LTX M/S
Pros
- Exceptional tread longevity and mileage lifespan
- Quiet and smooth ride quality at highway speeds
- Strong year-round traction across dry, wet, and light snow conditions
Cons
- High upfront purchase price
- Subpar performance in deep mud, sand, and off-road environments
- Limited ice and severe winter capability compared to dedicated winter tires
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental VikingContact 7 | B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | All Season |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | SUV and 4x4 |
| Sizes available | 134 | — |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 22″ | — |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | — |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | — |
Which one should you actually buy?
67
/ 100
Continental VikingContact 7
76
/ 100
Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Winner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S — better handling, treadwear and wet. Pick the Continental VikingContact 7 if noise and snow matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 60 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 76 vs 59 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Continental VikingContact 7 scores 80 vs 69 on noise.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 67 on wet.
Tire A · Continental VikingContact 7
Tire B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S
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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.