While Michelin Crossclimate 2 has been released as a grand touring all-weather tire, Michelin Defender LTX is an all-season highway tire. Unlike Crossclimate 2, it offers commercial usage on mild and heavy-duty operations. At first blush, you can see distinguish in their patterns. Though, what does this difference brings to them? Let’s examine them thoroughly.
| Michelin Crossclimate 2 | Michelin Defender T+H | Michelin Defender LTX M/S | Michelin Defender 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better for | All-round tire can handle everything | The region doesn’t see snow often, fuel efficiency | Light-trucks, working trucks, hauling & towing | Longevity, Responsiveness, Fuel-efficiency, Mostly warm regions |
| Pros | Insane wet and snow traction, long-lasting rubber, cool design | Satisfying wet and dry traction, handle light snow, long-lasting rubber, quiet ride | Satisfying wet and dry traction, handle light snow, long-lasting rubber, quiet ride, mild off-road traction | Insane wet and dry traction, handle light snow, long-lasting rubber, quiet, agile, and smooth ride |
| Cons | Slightly noisy | Can’t handle severe snow conditions | Can’t handle severe snow conditions, a bit harsh ride due to stiff sidewalls | Due to its stiff compound, its winter performance is limited |
If you have a full-size SUV or light truck:
As a former Bridgestone engineer, I think that these tires meet any customer expectations with a price difference. Michelin Crossclimate 2 can perform like a performance tire. It has an enormous wet and winter performance. It’s a smoother and less vocal tire. You can confidently use it on sports SUVs, crossovers, 1/2-ton trucks, and high-velocity vehicles. Though, Michelin Defender LTX is a cheaper tire that has a different application range. It’s a slightly worse tire for winter. However, its durability makes it a better tire for hauling, towing, or heavy-duty applications. You can confidently use it on 3/4 or 1-ton trucks.
For daily drivers:
Michelin Defender LTX is the light-truck version of Michelin Defender T+H. They have the same pattern. Yet, Michelin Defender T+H offers a slightly smoother ride. Yet, it’s a less durable tire than Defender LTX. Other features are very close rated. It’s a better pick for mid-size SUVs, sedans, and CUVs.
Latest Update:
Turns out that Michelin released a new version of Michelin Defender T+H which is Michelin Defender 2.
Michelin Defender 2 and Crossclimate 2 are part of totally two different tire families. While Crossclimate 2 is an all-weather tire, Michelin Defender 2 is a longevity-driven standard all-season tire. For this reason, Michelin Defender 2 has a stiff compound which decreases its winter performance. Due to its continuous center rib, Michelin Defender 2 offers way much better responsiveness than any tire in this comparison. I can confidently say that Michelin Defender 2 is a better warm region tire than Michelin Defender T+H or Michelin Crossclimate 2. Though, when the weather gets cold, this dude becomes a victim.
Michelin tires are the best-performing tires in the market. Unlike most brands, their tires are above average in every aspect.
I’m pretty sure you’ll not disappoint with any tire in this article. Though, I’ll share my outputs in order to ease your selection process.
Michelin Crossclimate 2: The best overall tire in the market. It also provides 4 season traction including packed snow performance. If you don’t do hauling & towing, you can use this tire on half-ton trucks also.
Michelin Defender T+H: Standart touring tire, if you don’t see snow often, it’s a good option. You can confidently use it on sedans, coupes, or small CUVs.
Michelin Defender 2: Standart touring tire also. It offers the same bare winter pavement performance as Defender T+H. It’s the long-lasting touring tire on this list. If you don’t do hauling & towing, you can use this tire on half-ton trucks also
Michelin Defender LTX M/S: This is a light-truck tire. It’s a great option for %80 on – %20 off-road conditions. If you have a pickup work truck, don’t hesitate to go with this dude.
All-Season Tires Cheat Sheet
My team & I have analyzed 100 different tires and generated this ‘Quick Answer Sheet‘ for those who don’t wanna spend too much time during tire selection.
Before we start, here are the incredibly helpful articles I highly recommend to take a look at;
- How to keep tire noise down:
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-noise - Fuel-Efficiency:
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/rolling-resistance - Tire rating charts & reviews
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/rating-chart&reviews - Tire test report
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests
If you’re in a hurry, here are the tires worth every penny;
- Michelin Crossclimate 2 – Best for All-Round & Heavy Snow
- Michelin Primacy Tour A/S – Best All-Round & Moderate Snow
- Nokian WRG4 – Best for Comfort & Heavy Snow
- Nokian WRG4 SUV – Best for Comfort & Heavy Snow
- Bridgestone WeatherPeak – Best for All-Round & Moderate Snow
- Goodyear ComfortDrive – Best All-Round & Light Snow
- BF Goodrich Advantage T/A Sport – Best for Longevity & Light Snow
Depending on your needs, the below article might help;
- https://tireterrain.com/best-all-weather-tires-for-snow/
- https://tireterrain.com/bridgestone-vs-michelin/
- https://tireterrain.com/best-michelin-tires-for-suv/
I highly recommend checking the below pages out before making any purchase:
- DiscountTire Deals:
https://www.discounttire.com/promotions - TireRack Deals:
https://www.tirerack.com/specialoffers - SimpleTire Deals:
https://simpletire.com/tire-deals
Table of Contents
Grand Touring vs Touring
I have a lot to talk about this topic. Yet, I don’t want to deviate from the aim. Though, I will give you brief information for this time. I’ve talked about this topic in this article shortly. You might wanna check it.
Either grand touring or standard touring tires can perform in all seasons. Yes, they are both all-season tires but a bit different due to their technical capabilities. Hence, I like to consider Michelin Crossclimate 2 as an all-weather tire.
Grand Touring tires can do what touring tires can do. Well, they are a bit upgraded version due to performance. Touring tires focus on comfort. However, grand touring tires are your tire if you mostly focus on performance.
| Grand Touring | Touring |
|---|---|
| Better handling | Slightly longer tread life |
| Higher speed ratings | Cheaper |
| Smoother ride |
The above table will give you a summary of information about our comparison.
Tread Appearance Comparison
Crossclimate 2 has a unique tread pattern design. Most grand touring tires have asymmetrical designs. Well, Michelin made an exceptional move this time and use a symmetrical pattern. Moreover, this pattern is V-shaped. V-shaped is used for performance tires. I will detailly talk about this design in other sections.
However, Defender LTX has a common highway all-season design for SUVs and light trucks. With 4 circumferential grooves to improve water evacuation to increase wet performance. Moreover, you can see the sipes cover all tire pattern that enhances grip on every surface.
If you are riding SUVs, 1/2-ton trucks, or crossovers, Crossclimate 2 can provide you with a more aggressive appearance and better performance on highways.
Comfort Comparison
Comfort is where grand touring tires step ahead. Let’s see the reasons behind this!
The main reason is compound. Grand Touring tires are made with softer compounds. Well, manufacturers should use softer compounds due to increased grip ability at high velocity. This is the point that higher speed ratings get into the game.
Michelin Crossclimate 2 offers a smoother ride due to its softer compound. Yet, Defender LTX is a perfect option for those who need better durability.
Road Noise
Noise reduction is a must for touring tires. Well, Crossclimate 2’s specific tread stays behind a bit for this time.
Crossclimate 2 has an interlock center section that pretends like lugs instead of ribs. Well, that increases road noise slightly. Yet, this feature brings a lot due to traction.
On the flip side, Defender LTX has a regular all-season tire design that reduces noise very well due to the continuous rib design.
Michelin Crossclimate 2 is a slightly less vocal tire. However, the difference is too small. That result is also caused by the wrong speed rating selection. I will detailly talk about it in the conclusion section.
A side note here: Even though some tires tend to make noise because of their tread patterns, it’s still possible to keep your tire noise down.
I’m leaving a perfect explanation below from DiscountTire for those who need it;
How to Keep Tire Noise Down? –>
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-noise
Tread Life
Crossclimate 2 has unique tread life for this aggressive design. If you are using regular 3/4 or 1-ton trucks, you might not get the same result as you get from your previous tires. Well, this tire has a unique tread life for Jeep’s, 1/2 ton, SUVs, large SUVs.
However, Defender LTX can be used in all segments. It has a wide range of applications. Yet, it offers trustworthy tread life for heavy-duty applications and heavy trucks like RAM2500 or Ford F350.
Both tires are trustworthy options due to Michelin’s unique compound selection.
Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,
If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:
Warranty
Michelin Defender LTX –> 6 Years / 70,000 Miles (T- & H-Speed Rated) 6 Years / 50,000 Miles (R-Speed Rated) / Warranty document: https://www.tirerack.com/images/pdf/warranty/MI0619.pdf
Michelin Crossclimate 2 –> 6 Years / 60,000 Miles / Warranty document: https://www.tirerack.com/images/pdf/warranty/MI0619.pdf
Defender LTX warranty mileage is changeable due to its speed rate. Well, that clue shows that it works better in lower-speed applications.
Wet Performance Comparison
Reliable wet performance is what we’re all expecting from tires. Well, both meet your expectations on wet.
Comparing Crossclimate 2 with other tires is a bit unfair to competitors. This tire has a performance tire design that gives it a huge advantage on wet surfaces. A V-shaped tire pattern evacuates water uncomplicatedly.
On the other hand, Defender LTX is one of the top competitors among all-season tires. It’s very well-siped and has a massive grip ability. Moreover, full-width shoulder sipes can provide better traction even in puddles.
Both are very trustworthy options. Yet, Crossclimate 2 is unbeatable in this section.
Note: Hydroplaning is vital for a safe ride under the pouring rain. However, it might occur even with the best tire. Maybe you can’t prevent it but if you know what it is and how to deal with it, you can easily stay on the safe side.
Here is an extremely efficient guide about ‘How to Deal with Hydroplaning?‘ –> https://www.discounttire.com/learn/hydroplaning
Winter Performance
Winter performance is where these two are separated. Well, the decision is solid. A tire with 3-peak snowflake marking always wins!
In that case, Crossclimate2 is our winner in this section. It’s severe snow-rated that guaranteed winter performance. On the other hand, Defender LTX is an average tire on snow.
If you have an SUV and looking for a solid winter tire, I recommend you to try that one also!
Dry Performance
Dry traction isn’t an issue for premium brand(Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear) tires. In a word, these two Michelin branded tires have highly appreciated dry performance. Well, Crossclimate 2 has a slight advantage due to being a grand touring tire.
Handling
Due to the higher speed rating, Crossclimate 2 should have uniformly distributed rubber. That brings 2 advantages. First, better handling, second easy balance. Moreover, a V-shaped design is used for performance tires. Well, it is all about handling.
Both are very trustworthy options. Yet, Crossclimate 2 is unique.
Note: Pay attention to your vehicle’s speed rating before deciding your pick. You might wanna check this guide for a better selection.
Dry Traction
This section can be considered as a draw for me.
While Crossclimate 2 steps up with a V-shaped pattern and softer compound, Defender LTX answers it with a well-placed notch.
Both have massive dry traction, you can go with either way. Still, if you need a higher load range, I recommend Crossclimate 2.
Off-Road Performance
Let’s keep it short. If you’re facing off-road regularly, Defender LTX is your tire.
Crossclimate 2‘s soft compound can’t handle harsh surfaces. On dirt, mud, and sand, it’s fine. For gravel and rock, it’s rubbish.
Specs
| Michelin Defender T+H | Michelin Crossclimate 2 | Michelin Defender LTX M/S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Touring All-Season | Grand Touring All-Weather | Highway All-Season |
| Vehicle | Passenger Car/Minivan | Passenger Car/Minivan/SUV | SUV/Light Truck |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 14”, 15”, 16”, 17”, 18” | 16”, 17”, 18”, 19”, 20” | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 22” |
| Weight | 16 – 28 lbs | 21 – 32 lbs | 24 – 58 lbs |
| Made In | United States | United States | United States |
| Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF) | No | Yes | No |
| Warranty (P-metric) | 80,000 Miles | 60,000 Miles | 70,000 Miles (50,000 for R-speed rate) |
| Prices | Check price section to see best possible prices | Check price section to see best possible prices | Check price section to see best possible prices |
Price
The tire market has a dynamic price policy. Hence, in my point of view, sharing tire price is pointless.
Though, I’ve analyzed the top 10 brands of most popular tire brands.
Here are the dealers with a reasonable price range,
DiscountTire
- Biggest dealer in the US. Founded in 1960
- 1000 stores in 35 states. You most probably find one on your parallel street
- Free rotation and balancing
- 5% off for DiscountTire cardholders on online purchase
- Highest rated online tire dealer in Consumer Affairs
- Almost all brands are available
- Delivery takes 2-4 days (30% shorter average waiting time when you book online)
- Frequent discounts and promotions
Michelin Crossclimate 2: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/michelin-crossclimate2
Michelin Defender LTX: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/michelin-defender-ltx-m-s
Michelin Defender T+H: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/michelin-defender-t-+-h
TireRack
- Fast and Free shipping
- Usually delivered in 1 day
- Joint venture with DiscountTire(their installers and dealers are on your service)
- Tons of installer options, they also help you to choose the best one
- Mobile installers in many areas, your tires will be replaced while you’re working in the office
- Tire test results and comparisons can be found on the most product page
- 4.6/5 points on Google rate
Michelin Crossclimate 2: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/michelin-crossclimate2
Michelin Defender LTX: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/michelin-defender-ltx-m-s
Michelin Defender T+H: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/michelin-defender-t-plus-h
SimpleTire
- Free shipping
- Delivered in 2 days
- Verified shops near you(for mount and balance)
- Mobile installation option
- 7 million customers since 2021
- 4.7/5 points on Google rate
- Top-notch customer service, you may even request a price match
Michelin Crossclimate 2: https://simpletire.com/brands/michelin-tires/cross-climate2-a-w
Michelin Defender LTX: https://simpletire.com/brands/michelin-tires/defender-ltx-m-s
Michelin Defender T+H: https://simpletire.com/brands/michelin-tires/defender-t-plus-h
While choosing dealers, I especially pay attention to reliability. All of the dealers on this list have 15-20 years of experience in the online tire business. Therefore, I can guarantee a smooth and fast tire buying process.
Conclusion
I hope this comparison is helpful for you guys. Let’s sum up our results.
| Michelin Crossclimate 2 | Michelin Defender T+H | Michelin Defender LTX M/S | Michelin Defender 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better for | All-round tire can handle everything | The region doesn’t see snow often, fuel efficiency | Light-trucks, working trucks, hauling & towing | Longevity, Responsiveness, Fuel-efficiency, Mostly warm regions |
| Pros | Insane wet and snow traction, long-lasting rubber, cool design | Satisfying wet and dry traction, handle light snow, long-lasting rubber, quiet ride | Satisfying wet and dry traction, handle light snow, long-lasting rubber, quiet ride, mild off-road traction | Insane wet and dry traction, handle light snow, long-lasting rubber, quiet, agile, and smooth ride |
| Cons | Slightly noisy | Can’t handle severe snow conditions | Can’t handle severe snow conditions, a bit harsh ride due to stiff sidewalls | Due to its stiff compound, its winter performance is limited |
Take-Home Points,
- XL sizes tend to carry more load and offer better handling. Hence, they might be a better pick for bigger vehicles( XL vs SL tires)
- Please pay attention to the load index and speed index. These metrics are essential if you expect decent tread life
- There isn’t a bad tire in the market right now, you should just know what to expect from tires
A side note here: If you’d like to get local advice and find the best fit for your driving habits, location, and road conditions DiscountTire – Treadwell Tire Guide can give you masterpiece recommendations.
If you have any further questions, please leave them below!
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