Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 2 + 2 road tests and 11,218 + 129 owner reviews. How we score
Too close to call: Defender2 and Assurance WeatherReady 2 are level at 77.
Both Amazon links then search this exact size.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Tests 64 · 2 tests Owners 89 · 11,218 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test (noise (tester's mark))
“I just ordered Michelin Defender 2 for our 15 Outback . We've had 2 sets of Yokohama YK-CTX after OEM which only lasted about 20k (first set) and 25k (second set). I've had Michelin Defender (orig) and Michelin Defender2 on our Ford Taurus. Very comfortable and great tread life.”
Tests 75 · 2 tests Owners 82 · 129 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 11 in 2024 TireRack All Season and Weather Tyre Test (dry handling (tester's mark))
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | Defender2 | Assurance WeatherReady 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests | 73 | 75 |
| Reviews found online | 92 | 84 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 | 97% | 96% |
| Dry Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–0 | 100% | 100% |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 | 92% | 100% |
Defender2: 60% × 72.7 + 40% × 92.1 = 80
Assurance WeatherReady 2: 60% × 74.8 + 40% × 83.8 = 78
| Source | Defender2 | Assurance WeatherReady 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests | 64 | 75 |
| Reviews found online | 93 | 91 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 | 81% | 98% |
| Wet Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 | 94% | 96% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 | 97% | 97% |
Defender2: 60% × 63.8 + 40% × 92.5 = 75
Assurance WeatherReady 2: 60% × 74.7 + 40% × 90.9 = 81
| Source | Defender2 | Assurance WeatherReady 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests | 46 | 80 |
| Reviews found online | 80 | 74 |
| Ice Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 | 89% | 92% |
| Snow Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 | 69% | 85% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 | 89% | 96% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 | 90% | 93% |
Defender2: 60% × 46.3 + 40% × 79.6 = 60
Assurance WeatherReady 2: 60% × 80 + 40% × 73.7 = 77
| Source | Defender2 | Assurance WeatherReady 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 73 (est.) | ≈ 72 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 88 | 84 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 | 88% | 100% |
Defender2: 40% × 72.6 (est.) + 60% × 88.3 = 82
Assurance WeatherReady 2: 40% × 71.8 (est.) + 60% × 83.6 = 79
No road tests of comfort for Defender2 or Assurance WeatherReady 2. The test half is the tested tires’ average (69): owners’ comfort ratings barely follow the road tests.
| Source | Defender2 | Assurance WeatherReady 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests | 73 | 63 |
| Reviews found online | 87 | 76 |
| Noise (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 | 97% | 85% |
Defender2: 60% × 73.4 + 40% × 87.2 = 79
Assurance WeatherReady 2: 60% × 62.8 + 40% × 76 = 68
| Source | Defender2 | Assurance WeatherReady 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 74 (est.) | ≈ 71 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 89 | 81 |
Defender2: 60% × 74.1 (est.) + 40% × 88.8 = 80
Assurance WeatherReady 2: 60% × 71.4 (est.) + 40% × 81.2 = 75
No road tests of treadwear for Defender2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).
No road tests of treadwear for Assurance WeatherReady 2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.35).
| Source | Defender2 | Assurance WeatherReady 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 89 | 75 |
| Category | Michelin Defender2 | Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 77 | 77 |
| Dry | 80 | 78 |
| Wet | 75 | 81 |
| Snow | 60 | 77 |
| Comfort | 82 | 79 |
| Noise | 79 | 68 |
| Treadwear | 80 | 75 |
| Handling (owners) | 89 | 75 |
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.
Defender2
Assurance WeatherReady 2
Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.
In the overall rankings of 2 tests that ran both, Michelin Defender2 finished ahead 1 times and Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 1 times.
| Discipline | Category | Defender2 | Assurance WeatherReady 2 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 97% | 96% | +1.7 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) · 215/55R17 |
| Dry Circle | Dry | 100% | 100% | 0.0 | 0–0 in 1 shared test Newest: Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) · 215/55R17 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 92% | 100% | −8.5 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 TireRack All Season and Weather Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 94% | 96% | −1.9 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) · 215/55R17 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% | 97% | +0.5 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) · 215/55R17 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 81% | 98% | −16.9 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 TireRack All Season and Weather Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 89% | 92% | −3.1 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) · 215/55R17 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 69% | 85% | −15.8 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) · 215/55R17 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 89% | 96% | −7.5 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) · 215/55R17 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 90% | 93% | −2.7 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 TireRack All Season and Weather Tyre Test · 215/55 R17 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 88% | 100% | −11.8 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) · 215/55R17 |
| Noise (tester's mark) | Noise | 97% | 85% | +12.2 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) · 215/55R17 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Road Rating (tester's mark) | Other | 100% | 88% | +12.5 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) · 215/55R17 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #4/7 | #7/7 | – | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: Tire Rack Touring All-Season Tire Test (November 2025) · 215/55R17 |
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Community sentiment toward the Michelin Defender2 is strongly positive, with owners widely praising its exceptional tread life, durability, and 80k-mile warranty. Many drivers and EV owners report excellent longevity and efficiency, though some note elevated road noise compared to premium touring tires or question its necessity for low-mileage driving.
“Swapped the OEM 19s for the 18" TSportLine wheels I had on our 2022 MYP. I installed new Michelin Defender2 tires sized 235/55s last June and they have 9K miles on them and look brand new. The complement the Stealth Gray nicely. I do miss the RED clippers the MYP had. The car was PERFECT at delivery and continues to amaze us with each mile. Just turned 167 miles. HW4 is a game changer.”
“I am sick from New Michelin Defender2 tires. Need recommendation of all season tires with less offgassing of toxic chemicals. Short of breath and nasal congestion from 3 brand new Michelin Defender2 tires offgassing on my SUV. Tires consist of approximately 400 chemicals. What is the half life of their offgassing? I am considering replacing them with Hanhook Kinergy tires. Has anyone smelled them? Read more”
“I just ordered Michelin Defender 2 for our 15 Outback . We've had 2 sets of Yokohama YK-CTX after OEM which only lasted about 20k (first set) and 25k (second set). I've had Michelin Defender (orig) and Michelin Defender2 on our Ford Taurus. Very comfortable and great tread life.”
Based on 24 community posts
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
| Attribute | A · Michelin Defender2 | B · Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season | All Weather |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 1 | 78 |
| Rim diameters | 18″ | 16″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | 11/32″ |
| UTQG | 840 B B | 700 A A |
| Treadwear warranty | 80,000 mi | 60,000 mi |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | Vertical Serrated Band |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi | 50 - 51 psi |
Michelin Defender2
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2
Too close to call: Michelin Defender2 and Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 are within 2 points overall. Michelin Defender2 is stronger on handling, noise and treadwear. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 is stronger on snow and wet.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 scores 77 vs 60 on snow.
Michelin Defender2 scores 89 vs 75 on handling.
Michelin Defender2 scores 79 vs 68 on noise.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 scores 81 vs 75 on wet.
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2, 81 vs 75 on our wet score.
Neither, by our numbers: 80 vs 78 on the dry score, within 3 points.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2, 77 vs 60 on our snow score.
Michelin Defender2, 79 vs 68 on our noise score.
Michelin Defender2, 82 vs 79 on our comfort score.
Michelin Defender2, 80 vs 75 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
