Michelin Crossclimate 2 vs Defender – Which One To Pick?
All-season tires are most popular among motorists because of their ease of use in all weather. Michelin crossclimate 2 is a grand touring tire that provides a strong road grip and excellent traction in all weather.
In contrast, the michelin defender has 3 sub-products in its family, including Defender 2, Defender T+H, and Defender LTX. So, let’s figure out all of their merits and demerits in michelin crossclimate 2 vs defender comparison.
Specifications Comparison Table
| Specifications | Crossclimate 2 Specs | Defender LTX M/S Specs | Defender T+H Specs | Defender 2 Specs |
| Treadwear | 640 | 720 – 800 | 820 | 840 |
| Traction | B | A – AA | A | B |
| Temperature | A | A | B | B |
| Section Width | 205 – 285 | 215 – 35 | 185 – 235 | 205 – 245 |
| Aspect Ratio | 35 – 65 | 10.5 – 75 | 50 – 65 | 45 – 65 |
| Rim Diameter | 16″ – 22″ | 15″ – 22″ | 14″ – 18″ | 16″ – 20″ |
| Overall Diameter | 24.6″ – 32.1″ | 25.2″ – 35.1″ | 23.46″ – 29.09″ | 24.6″ – 30.1″ |
| Rim Width Range | 5.5″ – 11.5″ | 5.5″ – 12.5″ | 5.0″ – 8.5″ | 5.5″ – 9.0″ |
| Weight | 21.0 LBS – 37.0 LBS | 23.0 LBS – 61.0 LBS | 17.0 LBS – 31.0 LBS | 21.0 LBS – 33.0 LBS |
| Tread Depth | 10″ | 11″ – 14″ | 10″ | 11″ |
| Load Index | 91 – 114 | 95 – 129 | 83 – 103 | 91 – 107 |
| Load Range | SL – XL | C1 – XL | SL | SL – XL |
| Speed Rating | H – UP TO 130 MPH – V – UP TO 149 MPH | H – UP TO 130 MPH – T – UP TO 118 MPH | H – UP TO 130 MPH | H – UP TO 130 MPH |
| 3PMSF Snow Rated | Yes | No | No | No |
| Max PSI | 50 – 51 PSI | 44 – 80 PSI | 44 PSI | 50 – 51 PSI |
| Warranty | 60000 | 50000 – 70000 | 80000 | 80000 |
The author’s pick is Michelin Crossclimate 2
Michelin Crossclimate 2 Pros and Cons
- Exceptional performance and braking on dry roads.
- Great wet and rainy braking distance.
- Good handling and braking in snow.
- Slightly noisy and unsatisfactory for off-road.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S Pros and Cons
- Great tread life and warranty.
- Good highway stability and braking.
- Quietly ride and moderate off-road traction.
- Unsatisfied sever snow performance.
Michelin Defender T+H Pros and Cons
- Quiet ride and comfortable touring tire.
- Good dry and wet traction and braking.
- Great hydroplaning resistance.
- Expensive in its category and poor snow performance.
Michelin Tires Crossclimate 2 vs Defender Differences
Michelin crossclimate 2 is a grand touring tire with a focus on performance. In comparison, the michelin defender has sub-products, including defender t+h and defender ltx. So, let’s compare their performance on different terrains.
Tread Appearance Difference
Let’s take a look to the tread appearance and specifications of Michelin crossclimate 2, defender ltx m/s and defender t+h.
Michelin Crossclimate 2
Michelin Crossclimate 2 is an all-weather grand touring tire with a unique tread pattern design. The crossclimate 2 owns a symmetrical design with a V-shaped pattern, a commonly known pattern for performance tires.
Crossclimate 2 also featured with PIANO Noise Reduction Tuning to reduce road noise.
Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Michelin defender ltx m/s has in-demand usual tread pattern design, most famous for trucks, pickups, SUVs, and even CUVs.This tire is featured with Michelin Evertread compound, which provides exceptional road grip in rough conditions.
It provides excellent wet performance with wide space around its circumferential grooves. Also, it’s acceptable for hauling and towing.
Michelin Defender T+H
Michelin Defender T+H is an all-season touring tire with an asymmetric tread pattern design, including Michelin’s IntelliSipe technology of zigzag sipes, to provide you a comfortable and smooth ride with a strong road grip.
Its wide longitudinal grooves provide extra comfort control and perform very well in wet weather.
Champion: Michelin Crossclimate 2
Dry Road Comparison
While comparing performance and traction on dry roads, you’ll get good traction and handling from all of them, but being a grand touring tire with a v-shaped designed tread pattern, crossclimate 2 has an edge on defender 2, ltx m/s, and t+h.
Michelin crossclimate 2 also scores well in braking distance as compared to the defender, but they all are almost the same in handling.
The crossclimate 2 scored a 9.8/10 rating, while on the other hand, defender 2, ltx m/s, and t+h scored a 9.6/10 rating in the dry road comparison. So, michelin crossclimate 2 slightly performed well in this comparison.
Champion: Michelin Crossclimate 2
Winter and Snow Comparison
Michelin defender 2, ltx m/s, t+h, and crossclimate 2 are all-season tires performing well in winter. Michelin defender 2, ltx m/s, t+h tires aren’t rated with 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) therefore, these tires aren’t good for severe snow weather conditions.
The michelin crossclimate 2 is rated with 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF), that’s why it performs well and provides good handling in severe snow conditions. So, crossclimate 2 is the winner of this class.
Champion: Michelin Crossclimate 2
Wet Comparison
A tire that performs well on wet terrain is compulsory for a safe and smooth ride on wet and rainy roads. The michelin defender 2, ltx m/s, and t+h also perform well in wet and rainy conditions, but michelin crossclimate 2 has an edge in wet performance due to its V-shaped tread pattern design.
The crossclimate 2 scored an 8.8/10 rating, while on the other hand, defender 2, ltx m/s, and t+h scored a 7.9/10 rating in the wet comparison. So, michelin crossclimate 2 performed well in this comparison.
Champion: Michelin Crossclimate 2
Comfort Comparison
Michelin is the leading brand in using the latest technologies and softer compounds to ensure their tires are more comfortable. Grand touring tires are more comfortable in this category, including michelin crossclimate 2.
Defender 2, ltx m/s, and t+h scored 8.4/10 rating, while on the other hand, crossclimate 2 scored 9/10 rating in the ride comfort comparison. So, being a grand touring tire, michelin crossclimate 2 performed well in this category.
Champion: Michelin Crossclimate 2
Noise Comparison
The tread design pattern of michelin defender 2, ltx m/s, and t+h is almost the same, but the tread design of crossclimate 2 differs from the defender. Therefore the noise comparison is also different for all these tires.
Defender 2 and t+h scored 8.6/10, and defender ltx m/s scored 9.1/10. On the other hand, crossclimate 2 utilizing Michelin’s PIANO Noise Reduction Tuning scored an 8.8/10 rating in the road noise comparison.
So, michelin defender ltx m/s is the winner in this category.
Champion: Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Warranty Comparison
The Michelin defender t+h and defender 2 have the same warranty definitions, while the crossclimate 2 and defender ltx m/s have totally different warranty definitions. Let’s see the details in the table.
| Warranty | Crossclimate 2 | Defender LTX M/S | Defender T+H | Defender 2 |
| Treadwear | 60,000 Miles | 70,000 Miles | 80,000 Miles | 80,000 Miles |
| Uniformity | 1 Year / first 2/32″ of wear | 1 Year / first 2/32″ of wear | 1 Year / first 2/32″ of wear | 1 Year / first 2/32″ of wear |
| Workmanship | 6 Years | 6 Years | 6 Years | 6 Years |
| Manufacturer’s Road Hazard | None | None | None | None |
| Read full warranty details | Check out on Tire Rack | Check out on Tire Rack | Check out on Tire Rack | Check out on Tire Rack |
Size Comparison
All tires are available in different range of sizes as per their specifications.
| Tire | Available in | Check your size |
| Defender 2 | 38 Sizes | Check out on Tire Rack |
| Defender T+H | 16 Sizes | Check out on Tire Rack |
| Defender LTX M/S | 77 Sizes | Check out on Tire Rack |
| Crossclimate 2 | 89 Sizes | Check out on Tire Rack |
Price Comparison
Other tire brands tend to be priced lower as compared to Michelin tires, but the quality you’ll get is worth the money you paid for Michelin tires. The Michelin Defender 2 range from $150 to $290 per 1 tire as per your selected tire.
The Michelin Defender T+H ranges from $115 to $280 per 1 tire as per your selected tire, Whereas the Michelin Defender LTX M/S ranges from $150 to $490 per 1 tire as per your selected tire.
The Michelin Crossclimate 2 range from $105 to $480 per 1 tire as per your selected tire. All prices listed above are sourced from discounttire.com. The price can vary from store to store. Check out all stores.
FAQs
Q. Are Michelin Crossclimate 2 tires good for SUVs?
Yes! The Michelin Crossclimate 2 is a grand touring all-season tire that provides good traction and road grip on wet, dry, snow, and icy terrains, and motorists of sedans, coupes, station wagons, crossovers, and SUVs are already enjoying their ride on it.
Q. Is the Michelin Crossclimate 2 noisy?
No! Michelin Crossclimate 2 is built with PIANO Noise Reduction Tuning to reduce road noise to give you a peaceful ride.
Q. Is Michelin Defender the best tire?
Michelin Defender is the best standard all-touring tire with its 3 sub-products, including Defender 2, Defender LTX M/S, and Defender T+H, which provide you with a strong road grip, durability, comfort, and safe ride.
Q. Is the Michelin CrossClimate 2 good in snow and ice?
Michelin Crossclimate 2 is 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rated tire and provides good traction and braking distance in severe snow and icy terrains.
Q. How many years do Michelin defenders last?
The Michelin Defender tire’s official treadwear warranty definition range from 50,000 to 80,000 miles, and 6 years of workmanship warranty. Normally their lifespan is dependable on your daily usage and your driving roads.
Conclusion
I’ve discussed each difference in the above comparison of michelin crossclimate 2 vs defender 2, ltx m/s, and t+h. Now it depends on you to decide as per your daily usage and road circumstances.
In my case, I’ll go with Michelin Crossclimate 2, because of its 3PMSF rating and good performance on all terrains and also its modish tread pattern design.
