When it comes to popular tires like the BF Goodrich Advantage Control and Michelin Defender 2, especially in sizes like 245/50R20 and 225/60R17, the debate is often intense. These sizes are some of the most commonly used in passenger vehicles, so it’s no surprise that drivers frequently compare these two models. However, the key to understanding which tire best suits your needs lies in their differences, particularly when it comes to construction, load range, and tire category.
While both tires are available in the same sizes, they differ significantly in design due to their classifications. Michelin positions the Defender 2 in the standard touring tire category, known for delivering solid value in terms of comfort and efficiency—though, admittedly, it’s a well-established brand known for premium pricing. On the other hand, BF Goodrich markets the Advantage Control as a grand touring tire, designed to handle tougher conditions, particularly the harsher road environments found in the U.S.
Given these differences, the performance of each tire is influenced by how they cater to varying vehicle needs and driving conditions. Let’s dive into these tires’ standout features and explore how they align with your vehicle’s specific demands.
Table of Contents
Spec Overview
Michelin Defender 2 225/60R17 | Michelin Defender 2 245/50R20 | BF Goodrich Advantage Control 225/60R17 | BF Goodrich Advantage Control 245/50R20 | |
Load Range | SL | XL | SL | SL |
UTQG | 840 B B | 840 B B | 700 B A | 600 B A |
Tread Depth | 10.5/32″ | 10.5/32″ | 11.5/32″ | 10.5/32″ |
Weight | 27 lbs | 31 lbs | 27 lbs | 29 lbs |
Tread Width | 7.2″ | 7.5″ | 7.1″ | 8.1″ |
Country of Origin | US | US | IN | IN |
When evaluating tires, one of the most crucial factors to consider is the UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) rating. This rating provides insight into the compound characteristics of the tire. The three-digit number represents the tread life—essentially, the expected mileage you can get from the tire, with a higher number being better. The letters following the digits denote traction and temperature resistance, respectively, with an “A” being the highest rating. However, keep in mind that a higher rating in these areas doesn’t necessarily indicate better wet surface performance—it’s more about the compound’s overall durability and heat resistance.
Key Features:
BF Goodrich Advantage Control
- Computer Optimized Footprint: This design manages tread wear over time, ensuring a longer lifespan and quieter ride.
- Next Generation g-Wedge Sidewall Stabilizer™: Optimized to stabilize the sidewalls, it enhances crisp handling while maintaining comfort during the drive.
- 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee: BF Goodrich backs the Advantage Control with a no-questions-asked 60-day satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can exchange your tires for a new set of equal or lesser value within 60 days.
Michelin Defender 2
- EverTread™ Compound: Designed to offer superior durability and resistance to wear, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- MaxTouch Construction™: Maximizes the tire’s contact with the road, improving tread wear and promoting even distribution of forces during acceleration, braking, and cornering.
Test Reports
BFGoodrich Advantage Control
The BFGoodrich Advantage Control is a dependable choice for street driving, offering predictable handling, especially in emergency situations. It’s a solid pick for those who prioritize control and stability. However, it does fall behind some competitors when it comes to noise comfort and handling on rough roads, making it a more straightforward, no-frills option for everyday driving.
BF Goodrich Test Report : https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=291
Michelin Defender 2
Michelin’s Defender 2 is built with longevity in mind, offering steady performance with a “set it and forget it” mentality. While it’s a reliable tire, it doesn’t quite match up to its newer competitors in terms of on-road refinement or traction in wet and dry conditions. It’s a great option for drivers who prioritize durability over top-tier grip or comfort.
Michelin Test Report: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=336
Performance in Different Conditions
Dry Conditions:
As a former Bridgestone field test engineer, I can confidently say that both tires deliver solid traction on dry pavement. However, the Michelin Defender 2 edges out the BFGoodrich Advantage Control when it comes to steering responsiveness. This advantage likely stems from its narrower tread pattern, which provides better precision and feedback. By contrast, the BFGoodrich Advantage Control features a wider pattern across both sizes, and the 20” rim size comes with a deeper tread. While this design may enhance grip and durability for full-size SUVs, it noticeably reduces steering responsiveness. Additionally, the Michelin Defender 2’s stiffer compound contributes to its superior performance in dry conditions, ensuring a more controlled and responsive driving experience.
Wet/Snow Performance:
When it comes to wet and snow performance, the differences between these tires are more pronounced. For the 245/50R20 size, the BFGoodrich Advantage Control feels lacking in hydroplaning resistance. Its wider pattern may suit full-size SUVs, but I wouldn’t trust it on a coupe or sedan, especially when navigating through heavy rain.
On the flip side, the Michelin Defender 2 offers impressive wet performance. Its stiff compound provides reliable grip in rainy conditions, but the downside is that this stiffness causes performance to drop off noticeably as temperatures fall. Still, it remains a solid choice for sedans and coupes in wet weather.
As for winter performance, the BFGoodrich Advantage Control demonstrates admirable traction in moderate winter conditions. Its aggressive, fluffy pattern clings well to the ground and shows excellent self-cleaning capabilities, particularly in snowy environments. However, once temperatures dip below freezing, its effectiveness becomes questionable. If winter driving is a primary concern, the BFGoodrich Advantage Control is the better choice for light snow and slushy conditions, but not necessarily for harsh, icy roads.
Noise / Comfort
Comfort and road noise present a noticeable difference between these two tires, especially when comparing the 17’’ and 20’’ sizes.
For the 17’’ size, both tires share a similar construction that provides decent comfort. However, the BFGoodrich Advantage Control’s aggressive pattern produces a mild hum from time to time, making it slightly noisier compared to other grand touring tires. Meanwhile, the Michelin Defender 2 performs exceptionally well in this category, offering a smoother and quieter ride, especially for the 17’’ size.
The 20’’ size, however, tells a different story. The wider pattern of the BFGoodrich Advantage Control offers decent comfort and excels on uneven pavement, making it a solid choice for those prioritizing durability and rough road performance. That said, it remains somewhat noisy on highways, a trade-off for its ruggedness.
In summary, while the Michelin Defender 2 clearly outshines the BFGoodrich Advantage Control in terms of overall comfort and noise reduction, the BFGoodrich Advantage Control still proves itself as a strong contender for full-size SUVs with its superior performance on uneven surfaces in the 20’’ size.
Durability
Before diving into this section, it’s important to note that choosing the right tire heavily depends on your vehicle type, driving habits, and typical road conditions.
Starting with durability, while the BFGoodrich Advantage Control features a more aggressive pattern, it also uses a softer, fluffier compound that generally reduces its lifespan. However, this observation primarily applies to the 17’’ size. For the 20’’ size, BFGoodrich compensates for durability with a higher tread depth, which, while not ideal for comfort and noise, significantly enhances its toughness and longevity.
From my perspective, if you prioritize durability and long-lasting performance, the Michelin Defender 2 is the better choice overall. Its robust construction and stiffer compound offer impressive tread life, especially under regular highway use. However, if you frequently encounter uneven pavement or rougher roads, the BFGoodrich Advantage Control’s deeper tread and rugged pattern give it a noticeable edge in resilience.
One side note: For specific sizes like 245/50R20, the BFGoodrich Advantage Control’s design feels perfectly optimized for larger vehicles like SUVs, offering enhanced grip and durability tailored to their needs.
Value for Money
Although the Michelin Defender 2 is approximately 10% more expensive, it justifies the higher price with its long-lasting rubber compound. The superior tread life and overall performance make it a worthwhile investment, especially if you’re looking for consistency and durability over time.
That said, for the 20’’ size, I still prefer the BFGoodrich Advantage Control. Its design and deeper tread pattern offer enhanced durability on rougher roads, making it a practical choice for SUVs and drivers who frequently encounter uneven pavement.
Best Use Cases
- For Daily Drivers: The Michelin Defender 2 is the go-to choice for its impressive longevity, quiet performance, and enhanced fuel efficiency. Its durable rubber compound and optimized tread design ensure a smooth and economical ride over the long haul.
- For Wet/Snow Climates: If you’re dealing with wet or snowy conditions, the BFGoodrich Advantage Control stands out with its superior traction capabilities. Its aggressive pattern and fluffier compound provide reliable grip, especially for SUVs and vehicles frequently facing harsh weather.
- Brand Hierarchy: It’s worth noting that Michelin owns BFGoodrich, positioning the Defender 2 as a premium offering while the BFGoodrich Advantage Control serves as a strong alternative for specific conditions and preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing between the Michelin Defender 2 and BFGoodrich Advantage Control ultimately comes down to your driving conditions and priorities. If you value longevity, comfort, and fuel efficiency, the Michelin Defender 2 is the premium choice. However, if you frequently face rough roads or require dependable traction in wet and snowy conditions, the BFGoodrich Advantage Control shines, particularly for SUVs with larger tire sizes.
For those who prefer to see whole market analyze:
- https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-all-terrain-tires-for-snow/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-1-2-ton-truck-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-3-4-ton-truck-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-rt-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-tires-for-snow-plowing/
A couple of popular size analyses:
- https://tireterrain.com/best-35x12-50r20-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-285-70r17-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-275-55r20-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-275-65r18-all-terrain-tires/
Want to learn more about all-terrain tires:
- https://tireterrain.com/highway-tires-vs-all-terrain-vs-mud-terrain/
- https://tireterrain.com/all-season-vs-all-terrain-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/tire-load-index-and-load-range/
- https://tireterrain.com/lt-tires-vs-passenger-tires/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-for-daily-driving/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-in-snow/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-loud/
- https://tireterrain.com/how-long-do-all-terrain-tires-last/
- https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-in-rain/
- https://tireterrain.com/off-road-tire-pressure-load-range-for-every-rig/
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