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 + 0 road tests and 11,304 + 81 owner reviews. How we score
Defender2 is ahead, 77–70
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Tests 64 · 2 tests Owners 89 · 11,304 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 – · none yet Owners 71 · 81 reviews
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
| Source | Defender2 | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 73 | ≈ 70 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 92 | 73 |
Defender2: 60% × 72.7 + 40% × 91.5 = 80
AVID Ascend: 60% × 69.9 (est.) + 40% × 72.6 = 71
No road tests of dry for AVID Ascend. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.41).
| Source | Defender2 | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 64 | ≈ 74 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 92 | 77 |
Defender2: 60% × 64 + 40% × 92.3 = 75
AVID Ascend: 60% × 73.9 (est.) + 40% × 76.6 = 75
No road tests of wet for AVID Ascend. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).
| Source | Defender2 | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 46 | ≈ 67 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 79 | 58 |
Defender2: 60% × 46.4 + 40% × 79.3 = 60
AVID Ascend: 60% × 66.6 (est.) + 40% × 58.1 = 63
No road tests of snow for AVID Ascend. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).
| Source | Defender2 | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 72 (est.) | ≈ 69 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 88 | 73 |
Defender2: 40% × 72.5 (est.) + 60% × 87.6 = 82
AVID Ascend: 40% × 69.4 (est.) + 60% × 72.5 = 71
No road tests of comfort for Defender2. 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 AVID Ascend. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).
| Source | Defender2 | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / – tests | 73 | ≈ 66 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 87 | 74 |
Defender2: 60% × 73.3 + 40% × 87 = 79
AVID Ascend: 60% × 66.4 (est.) + 40% × 74.4 = 70
No road tests of noise for AVID Ascend. The test half is the tested tires’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.
| Source | Defender2 | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | ≈ 75 (est.) | ≈ 67 (est.) |
| Reviews found online | 89 | 68 |
Defender2: 60% × 74.6 (est.) + 40% × 89 = 80
AVID Ascend: 60% × 67.1 (est.) + 40% × 68.2 = 68
No road tests of treadwear for Defender2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).
No road tests of treadwear for AVID Ascend. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).
| Source | Defender2 | AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews found online | 89 | 72 |
| Category | Michelin Defender2 | Yokohama AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 77 | 70 |
| Dry | 80 | 71 |
| Wet | 75 | 75 |
| Snow | 60 | 63 |
| Comfort | 82 | 71 |
| Noise | 79 | 70 |
| Treadwear | 80 | 68 |
| Handling (owners) | 89 | 72 |
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
AVID Ascend
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 generally views the Michelin Defender2 as a top-tier, long-lasting all-season tire, praised for tread life (60–80k miles reported on Teslas), efficiency, comfort, and its 80k warranty, and it is frequently recommended and cited as top-rated by Consumer Reports. Criticisms are minor and include some road noise, that it is not a performance tire, a speed-rating (H vs V) mounting restriction at Costco, and one report of discomfort from tire off-gassing. Buyers often compare it with the CrossClimate2, Continental LX25, and Primacy Tour, and it is seen as a value pick when rebates or Costco sales apply.
“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’m having a set of four 235/65R18 Michelin Defender2’s installed on the Cadillac as I’m typing this post. I’m at America’s Tire. I’m replacing the OEM Michelin Primacy Tour AS tires that only lasted 25,500 miles. I’m hoping that the Defender2’s will last longer, be quieter and smoother riding. We’ll see!”
“So here's the latest on Tires recommendations: (still dithering). Looking for smooth, soft ride, good mileage. I do have a mountain home; use ~30ish days during winter ski season, but mostly highway driving in Southern California ( don't disparage me for being a Californian. I cant stand the people or the government too lol. But it's a beautiful state). 2020 300GLC 4MATIC California car, 235/60 18H rating What will it be...?????? MICHELIN DEFENDER LTX M/S - seems like you guys are in favor. But hard to get. And the size is a 235/60 106T designation. Is the T speed max of 116mph not safe enough when OEM was an H rating 130mph? MICHELIN DEFENDER2. $238. Tire rack MICHELIN CrossClimate2 SUV tire rack $248. - hearing both good and bad. I heard they're soft and mileage tanks. Check out reviews on the Michelin USA official site. Pretty interesting. CONTINENTAL CROSSCONTACT LX25 $222. tire rack high rating? Also just got this from TireRack customer service CONTINENTAL EXTREMECONTACT DWS 06 PLUS. $238. Not sure, seems like TR is trying to promote them for Cont.”
Based on 25 community posts
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
| Attribute | A · Michelin Defender2 | B · Yokohama AVID Ascend |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season | All Season |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | 12/32″ |
| UTQG | 840 B B | 740 A A |
| Treadwear warranty | 80,000 mi | 75,000 mi |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 - 51 psi | 51 psi |
Michelin Defender2
Yokohama AVID Ascend
Winner: Michelin Defender2 — better handling, treadwear and comfort. Pick the Yokohama AVID Ascend if snow matters most to you.
Michelin Defender2 scores 89 vs 72 on handling.
Michelin Defender2 scores 80 vs 68 on treadwear.
Michelin Defender2 scores 82 vs 71 on comfort.
Michelin Defender2 scores 80 vs 71 on dry.
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Neither, by our numbers: 75 vs 75 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Michelin Defender2, 80 vs 71 on our dry score.
Yokohama AVID Ascend, 63 vs 60 on our snow score.
Michelin Defender2, 79 vs 70 on our noise score.
Michelin Defender2, 82 vs 71 on our comfort score.
Michelin Defender2, 80 vs 68 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
