Tests 68 · 2 tests Owners 64 · 14 reviews
Best test result: #4 of 30 in 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test (ice traction)
Head-to-head
Updated
Firestone Destination LE3 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 2 + 2 road tests and 14 + 11,304 owner reviews. How we score
Defender2 is ahead, 77–66
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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.
-
69
Dry
Defender2 +1180Why this score
Source Destination LE3 Defender2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests 70 73 Reviews found online 66 92 Destination LE3: 60% × 70.5 + 40% × 65.6 = 69
Defender2: 60% × 72.7 + 40% × 91.5 = 80
-
65
Wet
Defender2 +1075Why this score
Source Destination LE3 Defender2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests 64 64 Reviews found online 67 92 Destination LE3: 60% × 64.3 + 40% × 66.6 = 65
Defender2: 60% × 64 + 40% × 92.2 = 75
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69
Snow
Destination LE3 +960Why this score
Source Destination LE3 Defender2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests 77 46 Reviews found online 57 79 Destination LE3: 60% × 76.8 + 40% × 56.7 = 69
Defender2: 60% × 46.4 + 40% × 79.3 = 60
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57
Comfort
Defender2 +2582Why this score
Source Destination LE3 Defender2 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 65 (est.) ≈ 72 (est.) Reviews found online 52 88 Destination LE3: 40% × 65.2 (est.) + 60% × 51.5 = 57
Defender2: 40% × 72.5 (est.) + 60% × 87.6 = 82
No road tests of comfort for Destination LE3. 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).
-
67
Noise
Defender2 +1279Why this score
Source Destination LE3 Defender2 Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests ≈ 66 (est.) 73 Reviews found online 68 87 Destination LE3: 60% × 66.5 (est.) + 40% × 68.2 = 67
Defender2: 60% × 73.2 + 40% × 87.1 = 79
No road tests of noise for Destination LE3. The test half is the tested tires’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.
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65
Treadwear
Defender2 +1580Why this score
Source Destination LE3 Defender2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests 64 ≈ 75 (est.) Reviews found online 66 89 Destination LE3: 60% × 64.2 + 40% × 66.3 = 65
Defender2: 60% × 74.6 (est.) + 40% × 89 = 80
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).
-
61
Handling (owners)
Defender2 +2889Why this score
Source Destination LE3 Defender2 Reviews found online 61 89
Scores at a glance
| Category | Firestone Destination LE3 | Michelin Defender2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 66 | 77 |
| Dry | 69 | 80 |
| Wet | 65 | 75 |
| Snow | 69 | 60 |
| Comfort | 57 | 82 |
| Noise | 67 | 79 |
| Treadwear | 65 | 80 |
| Handling (owners) | 61 | 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
66
/ 100
Destination LE3
77
/ 100
Defender2
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.
| Discipline | Category | Destination LE3 | Defender2 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 97% #5/9 · 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test | 96% #3/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Circle | Dry | 96% #6/9 · 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test | 100% #2/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 92% #7/9 · 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test | 84% #3/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 94% #4/9 · 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test | 95% #3/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% #6/9 · 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test | 99% #5/7 · Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) | – | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 87% #8/30 · 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test | 70% #2/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Snow | 95% #4/30 · 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test | 81% #2/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 83% #20/30 · 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test | 100% #3/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 95% #4/9 · 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test | 100% #3/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 82% #14/30 · 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test | 100% #3/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 79% #19/30 · 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test | 90% #8/11 · 2024 TireRack All Season and Weather Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Road Rating (tester's mark) | Other | 92% #8/9 · 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test | 85% #3/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #14/30 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test | #2/10 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Destination LE3
Pros
- Smooth and quiet highway ride quality
- Excellent traction in snow, rain, and light off-road conditions
- Impressive tread life and long-term durability
Cons
- Potential concerns regarding sidewall durability, with isolated reports of bulges or blowouts
- May struggle in very deep snow conditions
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
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Firestone Destination LE3
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Positive
Michelin Defender2
Community sentiment toward the Michelin Defender2 is strongly positive, with owners widely praising its exceptional tread life, durability, and 80k-mile warranty. Many drivers and EV owners report excellent longevity and efficiency, though some note elevated road noise compared to premium touring tires or question its necessity for low-mileage driving.
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.”
r/tires
·3 upvotes ·2025-02-08
“Michelin Defender2 for handling, comfort, and noise? Vehicle is a 2008 Honda Accord LX Sedan. 215/60/R16. I prefer A/S tires and only drive in a warm dry climate with occasional rain (southern CA) I know that Michelins are generally considered the best tire maker but the main advantage of the Defender2's seems to be their excellent durability and tread life. The thing is I have an older car and although I love it I'll probably be selling it within 4yrs. In addition I only average around 6000 miles per year. So I would rather have tires that are more focused on providing a balance of ride quality, comfort, and handling while I have the car. I can get Turanza Quiettracks for about the same price also from Costco so maybe these or another tire might be better suited for my needs? Thanks for reading. Read more”
Top themes
#tread life longevity#80k mileage warranty#EV efficiency and range#road noise trade-off#comparison to CrossClimate2#speed rating fitment issues#ride comfort
Based on 24 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Firestone Destination LE3 | B · Michelin Defender2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season | All Season |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 67 | 1 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 22″ | 18″ |
| Tread depth | 10/32″ | 10 - 11/32″ |
| UTQG | 700 A B | 840 B B |
| Treadwear warranty | 70,000 mi | 80,000 mi |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall - Raised Outline White Lettering | Black Side Wall |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | 50 - 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
66
/ 100
Firestone Destination LE3
77
/ 100
Michelin Defender2
Winner: Michelin Defender2 — better handling, comfort and treadwear. Pick the Firestone Destination LE3 if snow matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Defender2 scores 89 vs 61 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Defender2 scores 82 vs 57 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Defender2 scores 80 vs 65 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin Defender2 scores 79 vs 67 on noise.
Tire A · Firestone Destination LE3
Tire B · Michelin Defender2
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Destination LE3 or Defender2?
Which is better in the wet, Destination LE3 or Defender2?
Michelin Defender2, 75 vs 65 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Destination LE3 or Defender2?
Michelin Defender2, 80 vs 69 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Destination LE3 or Defender2?
Firestone Destination LE3, 69 vs 60 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Destination LE3 or Defender2?
Michelin Defender2, 79 vs 67 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Destination LE3 or Defender2?
Michelin Defender2, 82 vs 57 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Destination LE3 or Defender2?
Michelin Defender2, 80 vs 65 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