All-season tire Updated September 2026

Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 review

Name: Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
Brand: Michelin

Relative score from owner reviews only

Owners 87 · 3,650 reviews analysed

How scores work

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The Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from users who praise its exceptional longevity, remarkable comfort, and low road noise on the highway. While they command a premium price and some users note minor gripes regarding wet traction under hard acceleration or winter snow packing, they remain a top-tier choice for trucks and SUVs.

Community sentiment Positive Read the buzz

#highway ride comfort#wet weather traction#low road noise#fuel and range efficiency#light snow performance

What owners say

No road-test results yet, so every score here comes from owner reviews found online.

How scores work

Relative score: 0–100. Blends road tests (60%) and owner reviews (40%) category by category, the same way on every TireWheelGuide page. With only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from it, so the score stays closer to average. It needs at least one road test or five owner reviews.
Road tests: 0–100 per score, from published tests, newer tests counting more. Each result is compared with every other tire in the same test, so a win against a strong field counts for more. The average tested tire gets 70, the best 100; with only one or two tests a tire stays nearer 70. The discipline rows show % of the best tire in that test.
Owner reviews: 0–100 from the owner reviews we found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates and scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70. With only a few reviews a tire stays near the average.

By owner reviews

87/100

From 3,650 owner reviews analysed, scaled like the road tests: the average tested tire gets 70.

Would buy again 100%

Dry

Overall dry

90.8

Wet

Overall wet

88.5

Snow & ice

Overall snow & ice

74.1

Comfort

Overall comfort

87.3

Noise

Overall noise

Treadwear

Overall treadwear

90.2

Handling

Overall handling

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Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 specs & sizes

Prices vary by size, so each one links out separately.

Specifications
Tread depth	11 - 14/32″
UTQG	820 B A
Sidewall	Black Side Wall - Raised Outline White Lettering
Max pressure	50 - 80 psi

Size	Retailer
275/50 R22	Amazon

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What owners like and dislike

Themes extracted from 3,650 owner reviews found online.

Pros

Exceptionally long tread life and high mileage durability
Smooth, comfortable, and quiet highway ride quality
Improved fuel economy and low rolling resistance compared to factory or all-terrain tires
Solid stability and handling when towing or driving in various dry and wet conditions

Cons

High upfront premium price point
Occasional minor wheel spin or reduced traction on wet surfaces during hard takeoffs
Treads can pack with snow, making them mediocre in deep winter conditions
Some users report balancing difficulties or increased road noise as the tires age

Worth knowing

Users running these on heavy full-size trucks (like the Ford F-350) noted concerns about premature dry rot and sidewall cracking in hot, dry climates after a few years.
An EV owner (Ford F-150 Lightning) reported a minor 5% range hit at proper inflation, but still praised the overall truck tire performance.

What owners are saying

From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of the scores above.

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.

r/ram_trucks ·4 upvotes

“Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 vs Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 for '21 Ram 1500 Limited Unfortunately I'm having to get my 2nd set of tires in 4 years. I had the OEM Goodyear tires the first two times and only got 20-25K miles each time so I'm looking for something better. I usually get my tires from Sam's Club because I've found they give the best value. I wanted to get the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2's at my last need for tires but they cost more than I could afford at the time. I can afford them now but I've also come across these Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3's that are at a better deal and have consistently decent reviews as well that would cost me about $500 less in total. I wanted to see if anyone here has any experience with both sets or has a recommendation between the two tires and if you can provide reasonings why. TIA! Leer más”

2025-06-29

landcruiserforum.com ·5 upvotes

“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.”

2024-08-12

tahoeyukonforum.com ·5 upvotes

“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”

2026-03-06

bobistheoilguy.com ·5 upvotes

“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.”

2025-06-04

r/Rivian ·30 upvotes

“275/50R22 Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 At about 15k miles the front 2 Pirelli Scorpions were pretty much worn out/down to the wear bar. I wanted to try something different and always liked Michelin tires so I went with the Defender LTX M/S2. Replaced the front two. If I like them I'll get another 2 next year and shuffle these to the rears. It seems the truck has had to relearn how to drive after putting new tires on. It's been 5 days and it seems that it's almost back to normal. The steering felt a little too loose is how I'd describe it. Otherwise they feel great and I like how they look. A little more meatier than the Pirellis. I'll be measuring the wear to see how it compares and will post some data in the future.”

2023-11-22

r/ToyotaTundra ·2 upvotes

“I have the same truck. I love my Defender LTX M/S2 tires. Very good on the rroadand in rain and snow. I haven't towed with them but have had no issues on forest service roads in Washington state. I would definitely get them again.”

2026-01-18

Sentiment breakdown

Positive58%

Mixed33%

Negative10%

Top themes

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

From 83 threads and comments.