Tests – · 1 test Owners 82 · 10 reviews
Best test result: #2 of 13 in 2022 Consumer Reports All Season Truck Tires (tested tread life (miles))
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin Defender LTX M/S vs Continental CrossContact LX Sport — 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 + 0 road tests and 10 + 561 owner reviews. How we score
Defender LTX M/S is ahead, 78–56
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Tests – · none yet Owners 48 · 561 reviews
“Gouge on sidewall It’s a continental cross contact LX sport 235/65 R18. Got them last year but hit a sharp curb the other day. Not sure if I’m seeing any cords, there’s some white streaks deep in the gouge but it all seems in tact. Just need to drive this car for 3 more days, is it safe?”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
78
Dry
Defender LTX M/S +1959Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S CrossContact LX Sport Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 74 (est.) ≈ 62 (est.) Reviews found online 83 55 Defender LTX M/S: 60% × 74.5 (est.) + 40% × 83.3 = 78
CrossContact LX Sport: 60% × 62.5 (est.) + 40% × 54.7 = 59
No road tests of dry for Defender LTX M/S. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).
No road tests of dry for CrossContact LX Sport. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).
-
81
Wet
Defender LTX M/S +2061Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S CrossContact LX Sport Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 78 (est.) ≈ 63 (est.) Reviews found online 84 57 Defender LTX M/S: 60% × 78.2 (est.) + 40% × 84.2 = 81
CrossContact LX Sport: 60% × 63.2 (est.) + 40% × 57.1 = 61
No road tests of wet for Defender LTX M/S. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).
No road tests of wet for CrossContact LX Sport. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).
-
74
Snow
Defender LTX M/S +1262Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S CrossContact LX Sport Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 73 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Reviews found online 76 57 Defender LTX M/S: 60% × 72.7 (est.) + 40% × 76 = 74
CrossContact LX Sport: 60% × 65.8 (est.) + 40% × 57.4 = 62
No road tests of snow for Defender LTX M/S. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.37).
No road tests of snow for CrossContact LX Sport. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.37).
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75
Comfort
Defender LTX M/S +1362Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S CrossContact LX Sport Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 71 (est.) ≈ 67 (est.) Reviews found online 78 58 Defender LTX M/S: 40% × 70.7 (est.) + 60% × 77.6 = 75
CrossContact LX Sport: 40% × 67.1 (est.) + 60% × 58 = 62
No road tests of comfort for Defender LTX M/S or CrossContact LX Sport. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
-
–
Noise
No comparison64Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S CrossContact LX Sport Professional tests (TWG score) – ≈ 67 (est.) Reviews found online – 61 CrossContact LX Sport: 60% × 66.6 (est.) + 40% × 61.1 = 64
No road tests of noise for CrossContact LX Sport. The test half is the tested tires’ average (67): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.
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79
Treadwear
Defender LTX M/S +3940Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S CrossContact LX Sport Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests 75 ≈ 51 (est.) Reviews found online 85 23 Defender LTX M/S: 60% × 75.5 + 40% × 85.1 = 79
CrossContact LX Sport: 60% × 51 (est.) + 40% × 22.6 = 40
No road tests of treadwear for CrossContact LX Sport. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).
-
80
Handling (owners)
Defender LTX M/S +3446Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S CrossContact LX Sport Reviews found online 80 46
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Defender LTX M/S | Continental CrossContact LX Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 78 | 56 |
| Dry | 78 | 59 |
| Wet | 81 | 61 |
| Snow | 74 | 62 |
| Comfort | 75 | 62 |
| Noise | – | 64 |
| Treadwear | 79 | 40 |
| Handling (owners) | 80 | 46 |
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
Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
78
/ 100
Defender LTX M/S
56
/ 100
CrossContact LX Sport
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
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
Tire B CrossContact LX Sport
Pros
- Low road noise and exceptional cabin comfort
- Strong handling and reliable grip in wet and dry conditions
- Confident performance in light snow and winter weather
Cons
- Disappointing tread life and faster-than-expected wear
- Occasional reports of reduced traction in heavy mud or specific slick conditions
- Higher price point relative to the longevity experienced by some drivers
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Michelin Defender LTX M/S
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Mixed
Continental CrossContact LX Sport
Community opinion on the Continental Cross Contact LX Sport is mixed, with some drivers praising its comfort, balance of control, and low road noise. However, many owners express dissatisfaction with rapid tread wear, flaking or chunking, poor wet traction, and shallow initial tread depth. Several users consider replacing them early with options like Michelin CrossClimate or Defender models.
mbworld.org
“It’s a compromise between ‘comfort’ ride and safety and handling. Advance driving course will add around 8psi cold. I find on any rim size additional 4psi makes a difference. Why ? Under heavy braking the tyre collapsed in the middle, by running higher inflation the complete width of the type is on the road, better braking efficiency - if under inflated only the outer edges keep in contact with the ground, causing less efficiency and longer distance to stop. Higher inflation also ensures tyre does not warp and twist on rim when turning. Too much inflation is just as bad, only the middle touches road - less braking efficiency and wear out tyre quicker. OEM recommended pressure is for comfort and sometimes sees increased edge wear over life of tyre. Regular tyre rotation and wheel balance and alignment will maximise tyre life. Try for yourself, But I have found around 4psi extra when cold is optimum.”
r/crv
·3 upvotes ·2026-04-30
“2024 EXL Tire Review - Continental Cross Contact LX Sport 245/60/18 Replaced the oem tires with only 10,000 miles with these after reading reviews and the price point. Very happy with them, better handling and feel with less road noise and much better on grooved pavement. The oem Bridgestones wandered badly on grooved pavement. Highly recommended. Read more”
bobistheoilguy.com
·2022-08-25
“Trav- someone I know has these and likes them, good experience so far. When I look on TR, DT it does not show the 235-55-20 as an option. Maybe just current supply issues? I tried the Toyo website directly and it doesn't list them as being an option either. The Celsius Sport, yes, but not the Celsius CUV? The Walmart link doesn't have a purchase option for me just "show nearby availability" but none show. Your thoughts on the Celsius "Sport" if he was looking at that? My experience was with Continental CrossContact LX Sport and Bridgestone Dueler H/P Sport AS. They were both good dry and wet, wore out fast, total safety hazards in the snow, like plastic sled or saucer on a snowy hill bad. For me if winter/snow is a possibility and need reliable traction, anything tire that says sport is not.”
Top themes
#premature tread wear#wet weather traction#OEM tire replacement#tire inflation pressure#ride comfort and road noise#EV efficiency comparison
Based on 26 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S | B · Continental CrossContact LX Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season | All Season |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | SUV and 4x4 |
| Sizes available | — | 39 |
| Rim diameters | — | 16″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | — | 9/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 480 A A |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
78
/ 100
Michelin Defender LTX M/S
56
/ 100
Continental CrossContact LX Sport
Winner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S — better treadwear, handling and wet. It leads or ties in every category we score. Michelin Defender LTX M/S rests on little evidence so far (1 test, 10 reviews), so read this result as provisional.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 79 vs 40 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 80 vs 46 on handling.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 81 vs 61 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 59 on dry.
Tire A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Tire B · Continental CrossContact LX Sport
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Defender LTX M/S or CrossContact LX Sport?
Which is better in the wet, Defender LTX M/S or CrossContact LX Sport?
Michelin Defender LTX M/S, 81 vs 61 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Defender LTX M/S or CrossContact LX Sport?
Michelin Defender LTX M/S, 78 vs 59 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Defender LTX M/S or CrossContact LX Sport?
Michelin Defender LTX M/S, 74 vs 62 on our snow score.
Which is more comfortable, Defender LTX M/S or CrossContact LX Sport?
Michelin Defender LTX M/S, 75 vs 62 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Defender LTX M/S or CrossContact LX Sport?
Michelin Defender LTX M/S, 79 vs 40 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