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Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Defender LTX M/S vs Nitto NT01 — Compared

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

Defender LTX M/S is ahead, 76–48

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Tire BNitto

NT01

Summer

Tests – · none yet Owners 37 · 26 reviews

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 +9
    67
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT01
    Reviews found online8167
  2. 78

    Wet

    Defender LTX M/S +48
    30
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT01
    Reviews found online8116
  3. 72

    Snow

    Defender LTX M/S +38
    34
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT01
    Reviews found online7310
  4. 73

    Comfort

    Defender LTX M/S +23
    50
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT01
    Reviews found online7631
  5. 69

    Noise

    Defender LTX M/S +20
    49
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT01
    Reviews found online7422
  6. 76

    Treadwear

    Defender LTX M/S +26
    50
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT01
    Professional tests (TWG score)74–
    Reviews found online7838
  7. 78

    Handling

    Defender LTX M/S +20
    58
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT01
    Reviews found online7858
Scores at a glance
CategoryMichelin Defender LTX M/SNitto NT01
Relative Score 76 48
Dry 76 67
Wet 78 30
Snow 72 34
Comfort 73 50
Noise 69 49
Treadwear 76 50
Handling 78 58

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

NT01

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 NT01

Pros

  • Exceptional dry grip and traction once warmed up
  • Outstanding tread life and durability for a track tire (wears like iron)
  • Consistent performance across multiple heat cycles with minimal degradation

Cons

  • High risk of hydroplaning and poor performance in heavy rain or standing water
  • Loud road noise and harsh ride quality when used for street driving
  • Slow to warm up properly on the street, leading to faster wear off-track
All owner themes in the NT01 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S B · Nitto NT01
CategoryAll SeasonSummer
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4Passenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available—17
Rim diameters—14″ – 19″
Tread depth—6.3/32″
UTQG—100 A A
Sidewall—Blackwall
Max pressure—51 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Nitto NT01

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

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 30 on wet.

Pick tire A You drive through snowy winters

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 72 vs 34 on snow.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 76 vs 50 on treadwear.

Pick tire A You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 73 vs 50 on comfort.

Tire A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Nitto NT01
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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