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 3,699 + 37 owner reviews. How we score
Defender LTX M/S2 is ahead, 77–71
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Tests 65 · 1 test Owners 88 · 3,699 reviews
Best test result: #2 of 30 in 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test (snow braking)
“The tires are over inflated for transport. The dealership should set them to the proper PSI during PDI but that's not always the case. I had 55 PSI in mine which explained the rough ride.”
Tests – · none yet Owners 71 · 37 reviews
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Outpost nAT |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 52 | ≈ 70 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 91 | 72 |
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 52 + 40% × 91.3 = 68
Outpost nAT: 60% × 69.6 (est.) + 40% × 71.9 = 71
No road tests of dry for Outpost nAT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.41).
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Outpost nAT |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 67 | ≈ 73 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 92 | 75 |
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 66.8 + 40% × 91.5 = 77
Outpost nAT: 60% × 72.9 (est.) + 40% × 74.8 = 74
No road tests of wet for Outpost nAT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Outpost nAT |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 84 | ≈ 71 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 77 | 71 |
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 84 + 40% × 76.9 = 81
Outpost nAT: 60% × 70.8 (est.) + 40% × 71.3 = 71
No road tests of snow for Outpost nAT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Outpost nAT |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 72 (est.) | ≈ 68 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 88 | 66 |
Defender LTX M/S2: 40% × 72.5 (est.) + 60% × 87.6 = 82
Outpost nAT: 40% × 68 (est.) + 60% × 65.6 = 67
No road tests of comfort for Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).
No road tests of comfort for Outpost nAT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Outpost nAT |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 66 (est.) | ≈ 66 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 89 | 56 |
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 66.4 (est.) + 40% × 88.8 = 75
Outpost nAT: 60% × 66.4 (est.) + 40% × 56.3 = 62
No road tests of noise for Defender LTX M/S2 or Outpost nAT. The test half is the tested tires’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Outpost nAT |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 75 (est.) | ≈ 69 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 89 | 74 |
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 74.6 (est.) + 40% × 89 = 80
Outpost nAT: 60% × 69.2 (est.) + 40% × 74 = 71
No road tests of treadwear for Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).
No road tests of treadwear for Outpost nAT. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Outpost nAT |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 87 | 69 |
| Category | Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 | Nokian Outpost nAT |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 77 | 71 |
| Dry | 68 | 71 |
| Wet | 77 | 74 |
| Snow | 81 | 71 |
| Comfort | 82 | 67 |
| Noise | 75 | 62 |
| Treadwear | 80 | 71 |
| Handling (owners) | 87 | 69 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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.
Defender LTX M/S2
Outpost nAT
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
The community widely views the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 as an outstanding highway and daily driving tire, praising its smooth ride, low road noise, and reliable wet traction. While considered an ideal replacement for noisy all-terrain or OEM tires, some users question its performance in severe winter or deep mud conditions compared to dedicated off-road tires. A few owners also raised minor concerns regarding warranty differences, balancing, and tread life compared to prior generations.
“Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 vs Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 for '21 Ram 1500 Limited Unfortunately I'm having to get my 2nd set of tires in 4 years. I had the OEM Goodyear tires the first two times and only got 20-25K miles each time so I'm looking for something better. I usually get my tires from Sam's Club because I've found they give the best value. I wanted to get the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2's at my last need for tires but they cost more than I could afford at the time. I can afford them now but I've also come across these Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3's that are at a better deal and have consistently decent reviews as well that would cost me about $500 less in total. I wanted to see if anyone here has any experience with both sets or has a recommendation between the two tires and if you can provide reasonings why. TIA! Leer más”
“275/50R22 Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 At about 15k miles the front 2 Pirelli Scorpions were pretty much worn out/down to the wear bar. I wanted to try something different and always liked Michelin tires so I went with the Defender LTX M/S2. Replaced the front two. If I like them I'll get another 2 next year and shuffle these to the rears. It seems the truck has had to relearn how to drive after putting new tires on. It's been 5 days and it seems that it's almost back to normal. The steering felt a little too loose is how I'd describe it. Otherwise they feel great and I like how they look. A little more meatier than the Pirellis. I'll be measuring the wear to see how it compares and will post some data in the future.”
“I have the same truck. I love my Defender LTX M/S2 tires. Very good on the rroadand in rain and snow. I haven't towed with them but have had no issues on forest service roads in Washington state. I would definitely get them again.”
Based on 83 community posts
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
| Attribute | A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 | B · Nokian Outpost nAT |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season | All Season |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | SUV and 4x4 |
| Sizes available | 1 | 47 |
| Rim diameters | 22″ | 15″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | 11 - 14/32″ | 14/32″ |
| UTQG | 820 B A | 700 A A |
| Treadwear warranty | — | 60,000 mi |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall - Raised Outline White Lettering | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 - 80 psi | 51 psi |
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
Nokian Outpost nAT
Winner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 — better handling, comfort and noise. Pick the Nokian Outpost nAT if dry matters most to you.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 87 vs 69 on handling.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 82 vs 67 on comfort.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 75 vs 62 on noise.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 81 vs 71 on snow.
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Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 77 vs 74 on our wet score.
Nokian Outpost nAT, 71 vs 68 on our dry score.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 81 vs 71 on our snow score.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 75 vs 62 on our noise score.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 82 vs 67 on our comfort score.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 80 vs 71 on our treadwear score.
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
