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Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Defender LTX M/S vs Continental 4x4 Contact — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.

Defender LTX M/S is ahead, 76–51

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Category by category

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

  1. 76

    Dry

    Defender LTX M/S +22
    54
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/S4x4 Contact
    Reviews found online8146
  2. 78

    Wet

    Defender LTX M/S +22
    56
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/S4x4 Contact
    Reviews found online8151
  3. 72

    Snow

    Defender LTX M/S +13
    59
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/S4x4 Contact
    Reviews found online7351
  4. 73

    Comfort

    Defender LTX M/S +15
    58
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/S4x4 Contact
    Reviews found online7647
  5. 70

    Noise

    Defender LTX M/S +11
    59
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/S4x4 Contact
    Reviews found online7448
  6. 76

    Treadwear

    Defender LTX M/S +34
    42
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/S4x4 Contact
    Professional tests (TWG score)74–
    Reviews found online7826
  7. 78

    Handling

    Defender LTX M/S +40
    38
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/S4x4 Contact
    Reviews found online7838
Scores at a glance
CategoryMichelin Defender LTX M/SContinental 4x4 Contact
Relative Score 76 51
Dry 76 54
Wet 78 56
Snow 72 59
Comfort 73 58
Noise 70 59
Treadwear 76 42
Handling 78 38

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

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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

Defender LTX M/S

4x4 Contact

Pros, cons & observations

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

Tire A 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
All owner themes in the Defender LTX M/S review

Tire B 4x4 Contact

Pros

  • Good traction and grip on both dry and wet roads
  • Low road noise and a smooth, comfortable ride quality
  • Competent handling for light on-road and mild seasonal driving

Cons

  • Extremely rapid and disappointing tread wear for a premium tire
  • Poor performance and grip in deep snow, ice, and muddy off-road conditions
  • High price point relative to the short lifespan and fuel economy provided
All owner themes in the 4x4 Contact review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S B · Continental 4x4 Contact
CategoryAll SeasonAll Season
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4SUV and 4x4
Sizes available—23
Rim diameters—15″ – 20″
Tread depth—10 - 11/32″
UTQG—360 - 420 A A
Sidewall—Black Side Wall
Max pressure—44 - 51 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Continental 4x4 Contact

Winner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S — better handling, treadwear and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 38 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 76 vs 42 on treadwear.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 76 vs 54 on dry.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 56 on wet.

Tire A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S
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Tire B · Continental 4x4 Contact
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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.

76

Leads

Defender LTX M/S

Amazon