Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 Review: First Look (2024)

Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 Review: As vehicles evolve, so do the requirements for their tires. Introducing the Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2, a completely revamped tire meticulously designed to keep pace with the burgeoning demands of modern pick-up trucks and full-sized SUVs. With vehicles getting larger and more powerful, the Defender LTX M/S 2 answers the call by offering enhanced treadlife and unparalleled performance features that today’s discerning drivers expect.

Key highlights include:

• Ultimate Treadlife: Touted as best in class, this tire promises an astounding two extra years of treadlife, standing out from its competitors.
• All-Season Safety & Reliable Traction: Thanks to the Michelin EverTread 2.0 compound combined with full-depth SipeLock sipes, users can expect dependable traction, regardless of the conditions.
• Quiet & Comfortable Ride: Leveraging the innovative Piano Acoustic Tuning, Michelin ensures any road noise and disturbances are kept at bay, enhancing driving comfort.

Moreover, the Michelin Promise Plan backs these tires, offering a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, roadside assistance, and an impressive 70,000-mileage warranty. Given these advancements and the brand’s promise, it raises an intriguing question: Could the Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 be the next revolution in tire mileage and value?

Pattern comparison: Defender LTX M/S 2 vs Defender LTX M/S

Upon initial inspection, the tread pattern appears largely similar with a few subtle modifications. Instead of featuring high-frequency sinusoidal sipes with small amplitude, the Defender LTX M/S 2 has sipes with a larger amplitude but at a lower frequency. These new sipes are also enhanced with the high-density 3D SipeLock technology, commonly used to prevent block bending during extreme braking conditions. This is especially beneficial when the pattern is paired with a soft compound, characteristic of all-season tires, as is the case here.

Results:

Results below were taken from Michelin’s revealing of Defender LTX M/S 2 here. As the results are directly from Michelin and not from an independent source, we have to take the results with a pinch of salt. The tire size of interest is a 275/55R20 which is a common tire size for RAM 1500 & FORD F150. The testing vehicle is a Ford F150s.

Wear

Actual Mileage Results (from highest to lowest):

1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2: 95,200 miles
2. Continental TerrainContact H/T: 65,900 miles
3. Pirelli Scorpion All Season Plus 3: 61,100 miles
4. Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra: 45,300 miles

The Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 stands out with an industry-leading 95,200 miles, showcasing its impressive durability and quality. While the Continental TerrainContact H/T and Pirelli Scorpion All Season Plus 3 offer competitive mid-range mileages of 65,900 and 61,100 miles respectively, the Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra lags behind with 45,300 miles. However, these figures should be weighed alongside other factors like driving conditions, tire maintenance, and other tire attributes. It’s also valuable to consider how these actual mileages compare to the manufacturers’ mileage warranties.

Comparison to Mileage Warranty:

1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 exceeded its 70,000-mile warranty by 25,200 miles or 136% of the promised mileage.
2. Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra achieved only 57% of its 80,000-mile warranty, falling short by 34,700 miles.
3. Continental TerrainContact H/T came close to its 70,000-mile warranty, achieving 94% of the promised mileage.
4. Pirelli Scorpion All Season Plus 3 reached 87% of its 70,000-mile warranty.

In conclusion, when focusing on the actual mileage, Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 offers the most miles, whereas Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra provides the least. In terms of living up to their mileage warranties, Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 outperforms its promise the most, and Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra underperforms the most.

Price & Value: Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 Review

Prices were relatively within a $22 dollar range with Defender LTX M/S 2 being the most expensive while TerrainContact H/T being the cheapest. However relative to its price, there are no huge differences within these 4 products.

Tire size:275/55 R20

• Defender LTX M/S 2:$ 263
• TerrainContact H/T:$ 241
• Scorpion All Season Plus 3:$ 249
• Alenza AS Ultra:$ 260

Comparison & Value Analysis:

• Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 is the most cost-effective at $2.76 per 1,000 miles.
• Continental TerrainContact H/T follows at $3.65 per 1,000 miles.
• Pirelli Scorpion All Season Plus 3 is priced at $4.07 per 1,000 miles.
• Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra is the highest at $5.74 per 1,000 miles.

Given the cost per 1,000 miles, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 remains the best value among the listed options.

Expert Conclusion

After rigorous examination and considering my years of experience in the tire industry, I can assertively say that the Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 light truck tire is undeniably a standout when focusing on mileage and value. Achieving over 90,000 miles in tested mileage is nothing short of impressive. However, every tire has its crucible, and for the Defender LTX M/S 2, we are still waiting to see its performance in wet, dry, and winter conditions. The verdict is yet to be reached in those arenas. Keep an eye on this space – I’ll be delving deeper and reporting back with detailed test results soon!

Dr Edwin Pang