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 + 13 owner reviews. How we score
Defender LTX M/S2 is ahead, 77–67
Both Amazon links then search this exact size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
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 66 · 13 reviews
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Scorpion AS+ 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 52 | ≈ 66 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 91 | 62 |
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 52 + 40% × 91.4 = 68
Scorpion AS+ 3: 60% × 65.5 (est.) + 40% × 62.1 = 64
No road tests of dry for Scorpion AS+ 3. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.42).
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Scorpion AS+ 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 67 | ≈ 72 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 92 | 72 |
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 66.8 + 40% × 91.7 = 77
Scorpion AS+ 3: 60% × 71.7 (est.) + 40% × 72.4 = 72
No road tests of wet for Scorpion AS+ 3. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Scorpion AS+ 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 84 | ≈ 67 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 77 | 60 |
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 84 + 40% × 76.9 = 81
Scorpion AS+ 3: 60% × 67.1 (est.) + 40% × 59.9 = 64
No road tests of snow for Scorpion AS+ 3. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Scorpion AS+ 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 73 (est.) | ≈ 67 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 88 | 58 |
Defender LTX M/S2: 40% × 72.6 (est.) + 60% × 87.6 = 82
Scorpion AS+ 3: 40% × 66.6 (est.) + 60% × 58.3 = 62
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 0.21).
No road tests of comfort for Scorpion AS+ 3. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.21).
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Scorpion AS+ 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 66 (est.) | – |
| Reviews found online | 89 | – |
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 66.3 (est.) + 40% × 88.6 = 75
No road tests of noise for Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is the tested tires’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Scorpion AS+ 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 75 (est.) | ≈ 69 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 89 | 73 |
Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 74.6 (est.) + 40% × 89 = 80
Scorpion AS+ 3: 60% × 68.9 (est.) + 40% × 73 = 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 Scorpion AS+ 3. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).
| Source | Defender LTX M/S2 | Scorpion AS+ 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 87 | 59 |
| Category | Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 | Pirelli Scorpion AS+ 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 77 | 67 |
| Dry | 68 | 64 |
| Wet | 77 | 72 |
| Snow | 81 | 64 |
| Comfort | 82 | 62 |
| Noise | 75 | – |
| Treadwear | 80 | 71 |
| Handling (owners) | 87 | 59 |
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.
Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.
Defender LTX M/S2
Scorpion AS+ 3
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
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.
“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.”
“Got them last month. Did road trip to Vegas and back. Astonishing tire. You almost don’t know they are there. They just provide feedback necessary to have good control. No noise, no uncomfortable transfer of impact. Excellent in rain. Went through several downpours. As expected from 12/32 depth and this design, hydroplaning resistance is excellent. But what I pay attention is braking and handling, and they are excellent there. Did by now 3,000mls no any noticeable wear.”
“Defender LTX M/S2 275/50/22 on Fuel 22’s Coming off the Allenzas the quiet smooth ride is very noticeable. A section of paved road that has roots underneath but not really washboard - on the Allenzas it was noisy and bumpy and with the Defenders it is barely noticeable. They are that good”
Based on 83 community posts
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
| Attribute | A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 | B · Pirelli Scorpion AS+ 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season | All Season |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | — |
| Tread depth | 11 - 14/32″ | 10 - 11/32″ |
| UTQG | 820 B A | 800 A A |
| Treadwear warranty | — | 70,000 mi |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall - Raised Outline White Lettering | Black Side Wall |
| Max pressure | 50 - 80 psi | 44 - 51 psi |
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
Pirelli Scorpion AS+ 3
Winner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 — better handling, comfort and snow. It leads or ties in every category we score. Pirelli Scorpion AS+ 3 rests on little evidence so far (0 tests, 13 reviews), so read this result as provisional.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 87 vs 59 on handling.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 82 vs 62 on comfort.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 81 vs 64 on snow.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 80 vs 71 on treadwear.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 77 vs 72 on our wet score.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 68 vs 64 on our dry score.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 81 vs 64 on our snow score.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 82 vs 62 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
