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Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Defender LTX M/S vs Toyo H09 — Compared

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

Defender LTX M/S is ahead, 77–63

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Tire BToyo

H09

All Season Touring tires

Tests – · none yet Owners 61 · 4 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 +15
    61
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SH09
    Reviews found online8158
  2. 78

    Wet

    Defender LTX M/S +11
    67
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SH09
    Reviews found online8165
  3. 72

    Snow

    No comparison
    –
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SH09
    Reviews found online73–
  4. 73

    Comfort

    Defender LTX M/S +5
    68
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SH09
    Reviews found online7666
  5. 70

    Noise

    No comparison
    –
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SH09
    Reviews found online74–
  6. 76

    Treadwear

    Defender LTX M/S +12
    64
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SH09
    Professional tests (TWG score)74–
    Reviews found online7862
  7. 78

    Handling

    Defender LTX M/S +22
    56
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SH09
    Reviews found online7856
Scores at a glance
CategoryMichelin Defender LTX M/SToyo H09
Relative Score 77 63
Dry 76 61
Wet 78 67
Snow 72 –
Comfort 73 68
Noise 70 –
Treadwear 76 64
Handling 78 56

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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Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.

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

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Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score

Defender LTX M/S

H09

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
All owner themes in the Defender LTX M/S review

Tire B H09

Pros

  • Exceptional traction in snow and icy conditions
  • Phenomenal wet grip and resistance to aquaplaning
  • High durability and slow tread wear

Cons

  • Limited feedback on dry handling performance
  • Potential for increased road noise compared to dedicated summer tires
  • Limited availability of specific user data regarding long-term summer heat performance
All owner themes in the H09 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S B · Toyo H09
CategoryAll SeasonAll Season Touring tires
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4SUV and 4x4

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Toyo H09

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

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 56 on handling.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 76 vs 61 on dry.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 76 vs 64 on treadwear.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 78 vs 67 on wet.

Tire A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Toyo H09
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.

77

Leads

Defender LTX M/S

Amazon