Tests 67 · 1 test Owners 83 · 10 reviews
Best test result: #3 of 9 in 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test (dry braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT 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 1 + 1 road tests and 10 + 3,650 owner reviews. How we score
Defender LTX M/S2 leads, 77–75 Narrow edge
Add your size for an exact match
/R
Both Amazon links then search this exact size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
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.
-
78
Dry
Wrangler Steadfast HT +1068Why this score
Source Wrangler Steadfast HT Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests 75 52 Reviews found online 83 92 Dry Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 99% 93% Dry Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 96% 99% Wrangler Steadfast HT: 60% × 75.2 + 40% × 83.3 = 78
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 51.7 + 40% × 91.7 = 68
-
78
Wet
Level78Why this score
Source Wrangler Steadfast HT Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests 72 68 Reviews found online 86 93 Wet Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 98% 92% Wet Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 92% 94% Wet Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 97% 97% Wrangler Steadfast HT: 60% × 71.8 + 40% × 86.1 = 78
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 68.1 + 40% × 92.5 = 78
-
59
Snow
Defender LTX M/S2 +2382Why this score
Source Wrangler Steadfast HT Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests 43 87 Reviews found online 83 75 Ice Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 71% 86% Ice Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 79% 90% Snow Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 81% 97% Snow Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 87% 97% Snow Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 70% 94% Snow Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 68% 94% Wrangler Steadfast HT: 60% × 42.7 + 40% × 83.2 = 59
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 86.8 + 40% × 75.3 = 82
-
76
Comfort
Defender LTX M/S2 +682Why this score
Source Wrangler Steadfast HT Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 71 (est.) ≈ 73 (est.) Reviews found online 79 88 Wrangler Steadfast HT: 40% × 70.8 (est.) + 60% × 78.8 = 76
Defender LTX M/S2: 40% × 72.5 (est.) + 60% × 88.1 = 82
No road tests of comfort for Wrangler Steadfast HT or Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
-
68
Noise
Defender LTX M/S2 +775Why this score
Source Wrangler Steadfast HT Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 67 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) Reviews found online 70 89 Wrangler Steadfast HT: 60% × 66.5 (est.) + 40% × 70.3 = 68
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 66.5 (est.) + 40% × 88.9 = 75
No road tests of noise for Wrangler Steadfast HT or Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is the tested tires’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.
-
78
Treadwear
Defender LTX M/S2 +280Why this score
Source Wrangler Steadfast HT Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 73 (est.) ≈ 74 (est.) Reviews found online 85 89 Wrangler Steadfast HT: 60% × 73.2 (est.) + 40% × 85.4 = 78
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 74.5 (est.) + 40% × 89.2 = 80
No road tests of treadwear for Wrangler Steadfast HT. 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).
-
81
Handling (owners)
Defender LTX M/S2 +687Why this score
Source Wrangler Steadfast HT Defender LTX M/S2 Reviews found online 81 87
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT | Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 77 |
| Dry | 78 | 68 |
| Wet | 78 | 78 |
| Snow | 59 | 82 |
| Comfort | 76 | 82 |
| Noise | 68 | 75 |
| Treadwear | 78 | 80 |
| Handling (owners) | 81 | 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
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 100
Wrangler Steadfast HT
77
/ 100
Defender LTX M/S2
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.
In the overall rankings of 2 tests that ran both, Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT finished ahead 0 times and Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 2 times.
| Discipline | Category | Wrangler Steadfast HT | Defender LTX M/S2 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 99% | 93% | +6.3 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Dry Circle | Dry | 96% | 99% | −2.6 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 98% | 92% | +5.9 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 92% | 94% | −1.5 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% | 97% | +0.1 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 71% | 86% | −14.7 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Ice Traction | Snow | 79% | 90% | −11.3 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 81% | 97% | −15.9 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 87% | 97% | −10.8 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Snow Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 68% | 94% | −26.5 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 70% | 94% | −24.3 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Road Rating (tester's mark) | Other | 100% | 98% | +2.3 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Tire Rack Highway All Season Tyre Test · 265/70 R17 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #23/30 | #3/30 | – | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test · 265/70 R17 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Wrangler Steadfast HT
Pros
- Extremely quiet and smooth ride quality
- Confident performance in rain, snow, and ice
- Good overall handling and responsiveness
Cons
- Some users report a firmer ride where road bumps are more noticeable
- Potential decrease in fuel economy observed during winter conditions
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
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Positive
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
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/LexusGX550
·5 upvotes ·2026-09-26
“Tires 24 overtrail+ I'm at 20,000 miles now and need to change the stock tires that come with the overtrail +. I'm just looking for some recommendations, was thinking of getting the Michelin defender ltx m/s2 but wanted to see what other people were using. I do not off-road too much and do a lot of city and highway driving and when reading seems like the Michelin defender kind of fulfills what I need. Also, has anybody gone up a size and tires? I know the stock size is 265/70R18, but I was curious if anybody used a larger tire with the OEM wheels that come with it. I know the 24 is 1 inch shorter than the 25 and 26 so outcomes can be a little different. Appreciate anybody's experience they have dealt with. Thank you”
f150gen14.com
·2 upvotes ·2024-05-02
“I'm likely swapping out the tires that come on my soon-to-be built Lariat when I get it, so I've been doing some research myself. That Conti is a good tire, but I'm not sure I want an AT tire on this one. I'd be more interested in the TerrainContact H/T. But both of them come highly recommended. If I go Michellins, I'm going Defender LTX M/S2. Bit pricey but has really good user reviews overall. On my last F150 (2011 EB FX4) I ran Firestone Destinations and they rode really well, good in the rain, etc, but wore down quick. Then again, I did a lot of towing. The Bridgestone Duelers used to be a great tire but the reviews on these haven't been great lately...not for the price they want.”
r/RivianR2
·1 upvote ·2026-09-06
“The Michelin Defender LTX m/s2 is available in 255/60/20 and is a fantastic tire. Not severe snow rated but it has a great reputation for being great in the snow. Lasts forever too.”
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 · Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT | B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All-Season tire | All-Season tire |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | SUV and 4x4 |
| Sizes available | 31 | 1 |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 22″ | 22″ |
| Tread depth | 11 - 12/32″ | 11 - 14/32″ |
| UTQG | 800 A B | 820 B A |
| Treadwear warranty | 70,000 mi | — |
| Sidewall | Serrated Black Lettering | Black Side Wall - Raised Outline White Lettering |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi | 50 - 80 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT
77
/ 100
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
Narrow edge: Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 — better snow, noise and comfort. Pick the Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT if dry matters most to you. Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT rests on little evidence so far (1 test, 10 reviews), so read this result as provisional.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 82 vs 59 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT scores 78 vs 68 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 75 vs 68 on noise.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 82 vs 76 on comfort.
Tire A · Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT
Tire B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Wrangler Steadfast HT or Defender LTX M/S2?
Which is better in the wet, Wrangler Steadfast HT or Defender LTX M/S2?
Neither, by our numbers: 78 vs 78 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, Wrangler Steadfast HT or Defender LTX M/S2?
Goodyear Wrangler Steadfast HT, 78 vs 68 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Wrangler Steadfast HT or Defender LTX M/S2?
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 82 vs 59 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Wrangler Steadfast HT or Defender LTX M/S2?
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 75 vs 68 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Wrangler Steadfast HT or Defender LTX M/S2?
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 82 vs 76 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Wrangler Steadfast HT or Defender LTX M/S2?
Neither, by our numbers: 78 vs 80 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.
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