Head-to-head Updated

Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive vs Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 0 + 1 road tests and 21 + 3,699 owner reviews. How we score

Too close to call: Scorpion Weatheractive 78, Defender LTX M/S2 77.

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Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
Tire BMichelin

Defender LTX M/S2

All Season

± 7

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.”

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 77

    Dry

    Scorpion Weatheractive +9
    68
    Why this score
    SourceScorpion WeatheractiveDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 74 (est.)52
    Reviews found online8391

    Scorpion Weatheractive: 60% × 74 (est.) + 40% × 82.6 = 77

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 52 + 40% × 91.3 = 68

    No road tests of dry for Scorpion Weatheractive. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.41).

  2. 82

    Wet

    Scorpion Weatheractive +5
    77
    Why this score
    SourceScorpion WeatheractiveDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 79 (est.)67
    Reviews found online8691

    Scorpion Weatheractive: 60% × 78.9 (est.) + 40% × 85.8 = 82

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 66.8 + 40% × 91.4 = 77

    No road tests of wet for Scorpion Weatheractive. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.55).

  3. 76

    Snow

    Defender LTX M/S2 +5
    81
    Why this score
    SourceScorpion WeatheractiveDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 73 (est.)84
    Reviews found online8077

    Scorpion Weatheractive: 60% × 73.5 (est.) + 40% × 79.7 = 76

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 84 + 40% × 76.9 = 81

    No road tests of snow for Scorpion Weatheractive. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).

  4. 75

    Comfort

    Defender LTX M/S2 +7
    82
    Why this score
    SourceScorpion WeatheractiveDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 71 (est.)≈ 72 (est.)
    Reviews found online7988

    Scorpion Weatheractive: 40% × 70.7 (est.) + 60% × 78.6 = 75

    Defender LTX M/S2: 40% × 72.5 (est.) + 60% × 87.6 = 82

    No road tests of comfort for Scorpion Weatheractive. 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 Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 73

    Noise

    Defender LTX M/S2 +2
    75
    Why this score
    SourceScorpion WeatheractiveDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 66 (est.)≈ 66 (est.)
    Reviews found online8289

    Scorpion Weatheractive: 60% × 66.5 (est.) + 40% × 82.4 = 73

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 66.5 (est.) + 40% × 88.8 = 75

    No road tests of noise for Scorpion Weatheractive or Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is the tested tires’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests.

  6. 77

    Treadwear

    Defender LTX M/S2 +3
    80
    Why this score
    SourceScorpion WeatheractiveDefender LTX M/S2
    Professional tests (TWG score)≈ 73 (est.)≈ 75 (est.)
    Reviews found online8489

    Scorpion Weatheractive: 60% × 72.8 (est.) + 40% × 84 = 77

    Defender LTX M/S2: 60% × 74.6 (est.) + 40% × 89 = 80

    No road tests of treadwear for Scorpion Weatheractive. 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 Defender LTX M/S2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 78

    Handling (owners)

    Defender LTX M/S2 +9
    87
    Why this score
    SourceScorpion WeatheractiveDefender LTX M/S2
    Reviews found online7887
Scores at a glance
Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive vs Michelin Defender LTX M/S2: scores by category (0–100)
CategoryPirelli Scorpion WeatheractiveMichelin Defender LTX M/S2
Relative Score 78 77
Dry 77 68
Wet 82 77
Snow 76 81
Comfort 75 82
Noise 73 75
Treadwear 77 80
Handling (owners) 78 87

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

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.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 7

Scorpion Weatheractive

± 7

Defender LTX M/S2

The professional test results behind the scores

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.

DisciplineCategoryScorpion WeatheractiveDefender LTX M/S2ΔHead-to-head
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Overall Ranking Overall #6/7 2025 Autobild Pirelli All-Terrain Tire Test R19 #3/30 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tyre Snow Test – Different tests

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Scorpion Weatheractive

Pros

  • Exceptional traction in snow, slush, and icy conditions
  • Strong wet-weather performance and hydroplaning resistance
  • Quiet and comfortable ride quality on dry pavement

Cons

  • Occasional reports of swaying or instability on ice
  • Increased rolling resistance in heavy rain noted by some users
  • Feedback can feel numb or 'gliding' on concrete surfaces
All owner themes in the Scorpion Weatheractive review

Tire B Defender LTX M/S2

Pros

  • Exceptionally quiet and smooth highway ride
  • Outstanding tread life and long-term durability
  • Improves fuel economy and lowers rolling resistance

Cons

  • High upfront purchase price
  • Occasional difficulty with balancing and high-speed vibrations
  • Can pick up small rocks and struggles in deep snow compared to dedicated winter tires
All owner themes in the Defender LTX M/S2 review

What real owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score

Tire A

Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive

We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.

Tire B

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

Positive

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.

Top themes
#highway ride comfort#wet weather traction#low road noise#fuel and range efficiency#light snow performance#all-terrain comparison

Based on 83 community posts

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
CategoryAll WeatherAll Season
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4SUV and 4x4
Sizes available311
Rim diameters17″ – 22″22″
Tread depth10 - 11/32″11 - 14/32″
UTQG700 A A820 B A
Treadwear warranty60,000 mi—
SidewallBlack Side WallBlack Side Wall - Raised Outline White Lettering
Max pressure44 - 51 psi50 - 80 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

Too close to call: Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive and Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 are within 2 points overall. Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive is stronger on dry and wet. Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 is stronger on handling, comfort and snow.

Pick tire A You want the most grip on dry roads

Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive scores 77 vs 68 on dry.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 87 vs 78 on handling.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 82 vs 75 on comfort.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive scores 82 vs 77 on wet.

Tire A · Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive
Tire B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

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Scorpion Weatheractive or Defender LTX M/S2?

Which is better in the wet, Scorpion Weatheractive or Defender LTX M/S2?

Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive, 82 vs 77 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Scorpion Weatheractive or Defender LTX M/S2?

Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive, 77 vs 68 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, Scorpion Weatheractive or Defender LTX M/S2?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 81 vs 76 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, Scorpion Weatheractive or Defender LTX M/S2?

Neither, by our numbers: 73 vs 75 on the noise score, within 3 points.

Which is more comfortable, Scorpion Weatheractive or Defender LTX M/S2?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 82 vs 75 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Scorpion Weatheractive or Defender LTX M/S2?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, 80 vs 77 on our treadwear score.

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.

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