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Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Defender LTX M/S vs Nitto NT555 — Compared

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

Defender LTX M/S is ahead, 76–54

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Tire BNitto

NT555

Summer

Tests – · none yet Owners 47 · 13 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 +19
    57
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT555
    Reviews found online8151
  2. 78

    Wet

    Defender LTX M/S +24
    54
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT555
    Reviews found online8149
  3. 72

    Snow

    Defender LTX M/S +29
    43
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT555
    Reviews found online7325
  4. 73

    Comfort

    Defender LTX M/S +14
    59
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT555
    Reviews found online7649
  5. 69

    Noise

    Defender LTX M/S +8
    61
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT555
    Reviews found online7453
  6. 76

    Treadwear

    Defender LTX M/S +21
    55
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT555
    Professional tests (TWG score)74–
    Reviews found online7848
  7. 78

    Handling

    Defender LTX M/S +24
    54
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT555
    Reviews found online7854
Scores at a glance
CategoryMichelin Defender LTX M/SNitto NT555
Relative Score 76 54
Dry 76 57
Wet 78 54
Snow 72 43
Comfort 73 59
Noise 69 61
Treadwear 76 55
Handling 78 54

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

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Recomputed
Headline score

Defender LTX M/S

NT555

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 NT555

Pros

  • Exceptional dry grip and sticky, hot-tar-like road adhesion
  • Enhanced handling and high-speed stability
  • Sporty aesthetic and semi-slick feel favored by enthusiasts

Cons

  • Subpar wet weather traction and dangerous in winter/cold conditions
  • Can struggle to maintain traction on higher-horsepower vehicles (e.g., V8 setups)
  • Notable road noise that increases as the tire wears
All owner themes in the NT555 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S B · Nitto NT555
CategoryAll SeasonSummer
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4Passenger Car / Crossover
Tread depth—10.3/32″
UTQG—300 A A
Sidewall—Blackwall
Max pressure—50 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Nitto NT555

Winner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S — better snow, wet and handling. 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 43 on snow.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 54 on wet.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 54 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 76 vs 55 on treadwear.

Tire A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Nitto NT555
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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