Tests – · none yet Owners 83 · 21 reviews
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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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.
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77
Dry
Scorpion Weatheractive +968Why this score
Source Scorpion Weatheractive Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests ≈ 74 (est.) 52 Reviews found online 83 91 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).
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82
Wet
Scorpion Weatheractive +577Why this score
Source Scorpion Weatheractive Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests ≈ 79 (est.) 67 Reviews found online 86 91 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).
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76
Snow
Defender LTX M/S2 +581Why this score
Source Scorpion Weatheractive Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests ≈ 73 (est.) 84 Reviews found online 80 77 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).
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75
Comfort
Defender LTX M/S2 +782Why this score
Source Scorpion Weatheractive Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 71 (est.) ≈ 72 (est.) Reviews found online 79 88 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).
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73
Noise
Defender LTX M/S2 +275Why this score
Source Scorpion Weatheractive Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Reviews found online 82 89 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.
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77
Treadwear
Defender LTX M/S2 +380Why this score
Source Scorpion Weatheractive Defender LTX M/S2 Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 73 (est.) ≈ 75 (est.) Reviews found online 84 89 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).
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78
Handling (owners)
Defender LTX M/S2 +987Why this score
Source Scorpion Weatheractive Defender LTX M/S2 Reviews found online 78 87
Scores at a glance
| Category | Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive | Michelin 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.
Scorpion Weatheractive
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.
| Discipline | Category | Scorpion Weatheractive | Defender LTX M/S2 | Δ | Head-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
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
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
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.
“I had the crossclimate on my Avalon. They were noisy. Don't know if vehicle choice matters. Put the Defender LTX M/S2 on my GC Overland. So far I really like them.”
“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”
“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.”
Based on 83 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive | B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Weather | All Season |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | SUV and 4x4 |
| Sizes available | 31 | 1 |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 22″ | 22″ |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | 11 - 14/32″ |
| UTQG | 700 A A | 820 B A |
| Treadwear warranty | 60,000 mi | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | Black Side Wall - Raised Outline White Lettering |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | 50 - 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.
Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive scores 77 vs 68 on dry.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 87 vs 78 on handling.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 scores 82 vs 75 on comfort.
Pirelli Scorpion Weatheractive scores 82 vs 77 on wet.
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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