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Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Defender LTX M/S vs Continental ContiCrossContact LX 2 — Compared

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

Defender LTX M/S is ahead, 76–69

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Tire AMichelin

Defender LTX M/S

All Season

Tests – · 1 test Owners 78 · 10 reviews

Best test result: #3 of 13 in 2022 Consumer Reports All Season Truck Tires (overall ranking)

Tire BContinental

ContiCrossContact LX 2

All Season

Tests – · none yet Owners 68 · 28 reviews

Best test result: #8 of 8 in 2020 ViBilagare SUV Tyre Test (overall ranking)

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 +7
    69
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SContiCrossContact LX 2
    Reviews found online8170
  2. 78

    Wet

    Defender LTX M/S +6
    72
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SContiCrossContact LX 2
    Reviews found online8172
  3. 72

    Snow

    Defender LTX M/S +11
    61
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SContiCrossContact LX 2
    Reviews found online7355
  4. 73

    Comfort

    Defender LTX M/S +5
    68
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SContiCrossContact LX 2
    Reviews found online7667
  5. 69

    Noise

    No comparison
    –
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SContiCrossContact LX 2
    Reviews found online74–
  6. 76

    Treadwear

    Defender LTX M/S +7
    69
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SContiCrossContact LX 2
    Professional tests (TWG score)74–
    Reviews found online7871
  7. 78

    Handling

    Defender LTX M/S +9
    69
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SContiCrossContact LX 2
    Reviews found online7869
Scores at a glance
CategoryMichelin Defender LTX M/SContinental ContiCrossContact LX 2
Relative Score 76 69
Dry 76 69
Wet 78 72
Snow 72 61
Comfort 73 68
Noise 69 –
Treadwear 76 69
Handling 78 69

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.

Important
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Important
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Neutral
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Less important
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Less important
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Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.

Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score

Defender LTX M/S

ContiCrossContact LX 2

Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.

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.

DisciplineCategoryDefender LTX M/SContiCrossContact LX 2ΔBoth?
Overall Ranking Overall 83% #3/13 · 2022 Consumer Reports All Season Truck Tires 13% #8/8 · 2020 ViBilagare SUV Tyre Test +70.8 Different tests

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 ContiCrossContact LX 2

Pros

  • Exceptional tread life and long-term durability
  • Strong wet and dry road grip and braking performance
  • Good capability for light off-roading, gravel, and sand

Cons

  • Poor traction and handling in deep snow, ice, or heavy mud
  • Can exhibit loud road noise and a harsh ride on rough or damaged roads
  • Cornering precision can feel reduced at higher speeds
All owner themes in the ContiCrossContact LX 2 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S B · Continental ContiCrossContact LX 2
CategoryAll SeasonAll Season
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4SUV and 4x4
Sizes available—39
Rim diameters—15″ – 20″

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Continental ContiCrossContact LX 2

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

Pick tire A You drive through snowy winters

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 72 vs 61 on snow.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 69 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 76 vs 69 on dry.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 76 vs 69 on treadwear.

Tire A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Continental ContiCrossContact LX 2
Check price on Amazon

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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