Tested 3 times by independent publications, the Michelin Defender LTX MS2 averages a finish of 4th.
2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test P3 of 30
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 was the best highway all-season in this comparison and shared third place overall. It out-gripped most of the all-terrains on snow without the 3PMSF mark, a clear sign that the symbol is not the whole story.
Where the Michelin Defender LTX MS2 finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 2 | P8 of 8 | 0% | - |
| Dry Handling | 1 | P4 of 7 | 50% | - |
| Dry Circle | 1 | P2 of 9 | 88% | - |
| Subj. Road Score | 1 | P3 of 9 | 75% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 2 | P6 of 8 | 27% | - |
| Wet Handling | 2 | P4 of 8 | 58% | - |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 1 | P1 of 7 | 100% | 1 |
| Wet Circle | 2 | P4 of 8 | 56% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 1 | P3 of 7 | 67% | - |
| Curved Aquaplaning | 1 | P2 of 7 | 83% | - |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 2 | P2 of 18.5 | 90% | - |
| Snow Traction | 2 | P2.5 of 18.5 | 88% | - |
| Snow Handling | 2 | P2 of 8 | 88% | 1 |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 2 | P2 of 18.5 | 97% | 1 |
| Snow Cornering | 1 | P2 of 7 | 83% | - |
| Ice | ||||
| Ice Braking | 1 | P9 of 30 | 72% | - |
| Ice Traction | 1 | P11 of 30 | 66% | - |
| Off road | ||||
| Dirt Handling | 1 | P3 of 7 | 67% | - |
| Subj. Dirt Handling | 1 | P1 of 7 | 100% | 1 |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 1 | P4 of 7 | 50% | - |
| Noise | 1 | P7 of 7 | 0% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Value | 1 | P7 of 7 | 0% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 1 | P1 of 7 | 100% | 1 |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Michelin Defender LTX MS2. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kumho Crugen H/T51
3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind
|
3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
 Firestone Destination LE3
3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind
|
3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
 General Grabber H/T
3 shared: 2 ahead, 1 behind
|
3 | 2 | 1 | - | 67% |
Drawn from 3 tests. Updated October 29, 2026.
The Michelin Defender LTX MS2 is more competitive on snow than in wet and dry braking. It led snow handling and placed second in snow braking and traction in the 2026 Tire Reviews highway-terrain test, earning a Recommended award despite finishing fifth of seven overall. Snow handling was also third of nine in the 2024 Tire Rack highway all-season test. In Tire Rack's larger 2026 mixed truck-tire snow comparison, it was second of 30 in snow braking and third in snow traction, with ninth in ice braking but only eleventh in ice traction.
Braking on tarmac is the repeated reservation. Dry braking was last of seven in the 2026 Tire Reviews test and last of nine in the 2024 Tire Rack test; wet braking was sixth in both. The 2026 Tire Reviews test nevertheless found the best subjective wet handling, the lowest rolling resistance and calm behavior across surfaces. It also recorded the highest external noise and weakest warranty-based value. Tire Rack described controlled road noise in 2024, so the external-noise result should not be treated as a consistent cabin-noise weakness. Its praise for dry cornering also needs qualification: the measured dry-circle result was seventh of nine. The tire lacks a 3PMSF mark despite its strong snow results.
second-shortest snow braking- 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test (2026)
very strong on snow- Best HT All Season Tires for 2026 Tested! (2026)
the second-best combined snow distance- 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test (2026)
Best rolling resistance- Best HT All Season Tires for 2026 Tested! (2026)
Wet and dry braking were both near the back- Best HT All Season Tires for 2026 Tested! (2026)
Wet and dry braking were both near the back- Best HT All Season Tires for 2026 Tested! (2026)
it was the loudest tire on the external noise test- Best HT All Season Tires for 2026 Tested! (2026)
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 was the best highway all-season in this comparison and shared third place overall. It out-gripped most of the all-terrains on snow without the 3PMSF mark, a clear sign that the symbol is not the whole story.
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 is a strong product, easy to drive in all conditions, has mega snow grip for its class and uses the least fuel. Even with all those strengths, it was outclassed in the wet and dry, noticeably the braking tests which are so critical in test scoring, and from a purchase price to warranted value proposition, it's by far the most expensive here. It's a refined tire with strong winter grip I'd still recommend to people, but I want to see more wet grip for the next version of it.
The Michelin Defender LTX MS2 finished third overall, a consistent all-rounder rather than a leader in any one area. Its snow pace and road manners are strong points, but its braking on both wet and dry surfaces trailed the best tires here.
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Michelin tires