Tests – · 1 test Owners 78 · 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 Nitto NT555 G2 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Defender LTX M/S is ahead, 76–62
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Tests 61 · 2 tests Owners 61 · 411 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 22 in 2022 Consumer Reports Ultra High Performance Summer Tires (tested tread life (miles))
“i had some NT555 G2s on my bmw.. they are awesome tires but they DO NOT like to be cold.. if your area gets cold, id say under 60F do not drive aggressive until they warm up. they are a summer only tire.”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
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76
Dry
Defender LTX M/S +1858Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S NT555 G2 Professional tests (TWG score) – 52 Reviews found online 81 67 -
78
Wet
Defender LTX M/S +2454Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S NT555 G2 Professional tests (TWG score) – 50 Reviews found online 81 59 -
72
Snow
Defender LTX M/S +2448Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S NT555 G2 Reviews found online 73 34 -
73
Comfort
Defender LTX M/S +568Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S NT555 G2 Reviews found online 76 67 -
69
Noise
Defender LTX M/S +366Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S NT555 G2 Reviews found online 74 65 -
76
Treadwear
Defender LTX M/S +175Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S NT555 G2 Professional tests (TWG score) 74 80 Reviews found online 78 67 -
78
Handling
Defender LTX M/S +1167Why this score
Source Defender LTX M/S NT555 G2 Reviews found online 78 67
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Defender LTX M/S | Nitto NT555 G2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 76 | 62 |
| Dry | 76 | 58 |
| Wet | 78 | 54 |
| Snow | 72 | 48 |
| Comfort | 73 | 68 |
| Noise | 69 | 66 |
| Treadwear | 76 | 75 |
| Handling | 78 | 67 |
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.
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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
76
/ 100
Defender LTX M/S
62
/ 100
NT555 G2
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.
| Discipline | Category | Defender LTX M/S | NT555 G2 | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tested Tread Life (Miles) | Other | 84% #2/13 · 2022 Consumer Reports All Season Truck Tires | 100% #1/22 · 2022 Consumer Reports Ultra High Performance Summer Tires | −15.8 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 83% #3/13 · 2022 Consumer Reports All Season Truck Tires | 5% #21/22 · 2022 Consumer Reports Ultra High Performance Summer Tires | +78.6 | 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
Tire B NT555 G2
Pros
- Aggressive, visually appealing tread pattern and sidewall design
- Exceptional value and lower price point compared to premium brands like Michelin or Pirelli
- Long-lasting tread life and slow wear rates for a summer performance tire
Cons
- Poor wet-weather traction, with multiple users reporting hydroplaning and a slippery feel in the rain
- Lack of straight-line traction and wheel spin under heavy acceleration, especially on high-horsepower RWD vehicles
- Subpar performance in cooler temperatures or cold conditions, requiring heat to grip properly
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
Nitto NT555 G2
Community opinions on the Nitto NT555 G2 are mixed, often positioning it as an affordable, good-looking tire with decent tread life that performs adequately in warm weather. However, many enthusiast drivers note that it struggles significantly with straight-line traction, wet weather grip, and cold temperatures compared to higher-end alternatives like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S.
r/Autocross
·3 upvotes ·2021-06-21
“How to make the most of my nt555 g2s? Hey, I have 285 front 305 rear 20" 555 g2s on my Camaro 1LE and I'm really struggling at autocross. I find that my braking ability and front grip mid corner are aweful. I drove a friend's car on Better 200tw tire and loved out. How can I make the most of my G2? I ran 28psi last event. I'm not trying to win a class, just learning what I can. I plan on upgrading tires after I burn these but I don't want to drop 1400 on good tires until I need to since my car is not only used at Autocross. It's drag raced, autoXd, going to go to a road course, and I want to go to Canada and the tail of the Dragon lol. Yes, I know wheels/tires for the street and track Seperate would be the best idea Read more”
r/Challenger
·40 upvotes ·2025-02-27
“Nitto NT555 G2 305/35/20 Just got my G2’s from American Muscle. 5% off and free shipping. Ready for that hot pavement of spring/summer. What summer tires you running? Read more”
r/hellcat
·3 upvotes ·2024-08-07
“Try the NT555G2 up front and the NT555RII in the rear. I hook all the time after the tires warm up.”
Top themes
#straight-line traction#wet weather performance#cold temperature grip#price and value#treadwear and longevity#comparison to michelin ps4s
Based on 24 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S | B · Nitto NT555 G2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season | Summer |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 88 |
| Rim diameters | — | 15″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | — | 10.2/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 320 A A |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 50 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
76
/ 100
Michelin Defender LTX M/S
62
/ 100
Nitto NT555 G2
Winner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S — better wet, snow and dry. 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 54 on wet.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 72 vs 48 on snow.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 76 vs 58 on dry.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 67 on handling.
Tire A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Tire B · Nitto NT555 G2
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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.