Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 vs Michelin Defender 2 – All-Weather Grip vs All-Season Endurance! In this head-to-head showdown, Goodyear’s Assurance WeatherReady 2 represents the cutting edge of all-weather versatility — designed to tackle rain, light snow, and shifting seasons with year-round 3PMSF-rated confidence. On the other side, the Michelin Defender 2 focuses on what it does best: class-leading mileage and refined all-season comfort. It’s a clash of priorities — wet-weather grip versus long-distance durability. Which tire wins your driveway? Let the battle begin!
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Results: Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 vs Michelin Defender 2
Results below were taken from the Tire Rack’s “Premium Touring Tires to Elevating the Journey – 2024” test. A total of 8 tires were tested this time around in Tire Rack’s own proving ground. The graph below shows the comparison between Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 vs Michelin Defender 2 based on the relevant performance category. The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for subjective evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if tire A is graded 7 while tire B is graded 6, A is better than B by 5%.
As both tires are categorized as all season/weather tires, Tire Rack has included snow & ice in its testing portfolio. The tire size of interest is 215/55R17 which is a common tire size for Chevrolet Cruze Eco & Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE. You can check out our latest tire size table for more information. The testing vehicle is a 2025 Toyota Camry.
Wet
In wet braking from 60 to 0 mph, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 stops 3 feet shorter than the Michelin Defender 2, translating to a 2% improvement. When it comes to wet handling feel, Goodyear scores noticeably higher with a subjective rating of 7.25 versus Michelin’s 6.00 out of 10 — a 21% better score in driver confidence and grip. On the wet handling course, Goodyear also completes the lap 1.56 seconds faster than the Defender 2, marking a 4% quicker time.
In summary, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 clearly outperforms the Michelin Defender 2 in every wet category — stopping shorter, gripping better, and cornering faster — making it the superior choice for rainy conditions.
Defender 2 :
- -2% in wet braking
- -6% in wet handling (subj)
- -4% in wet handling (lap time)
Dry
In dry braking from 60 to 0 mph, the Michelin Defender 2 stops 1 foot shorter than the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2, which is a marginal 1% improvement in stopping distance.
Defender 2 :
- +1% in dry braking
Noise/Comfort/Ride Quality
In terms of noise, comfort, and ride quality, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 scores 7.83 out of 10, slightly ahead of the Michelin Defender 2 at 7.50 — a 0.33-point difference, which amounts to a 4% improvement.
Defender 2 :
- -2% in average of Noise, Comfort & Ride Quality.
Snow
In snow braking from 25 to 0 mph, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 stops 23.1 feet shorter than the Michelin Defender 2 — a massive 27% improvement. During snow acceleration from 0 to 12 mph, Goodyear again leads by needing 7.7 feet less, translating to a 21% advantage. Subjectively, Goodyear feels more confident in the snow with a score of 5.67 versus Michelin’s 4.67, a 5% improvement in perceived control. On the snow handling lap, Goodyear finishes 5.44 seconds faster than Michelin — a 9% quicker lap.
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 decisively dominates in snow, delivering shorter braking, faster acceleration, better control, and quicker lap times — making it the go-to tire for winter traction.
Defender 2 :
- -27% in Snow braking
- -21% in Snow Acceleration
- -5% in Snow handling (subj)
- -9% in Snow handling(lap time)
Ice
In ice braking from 12 to 0 mph, the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 stops 4 feet shorter than the Michelin Defender 2, delivering a 7% advantage. For ice acceleration over 60 feet, Goodyear is also quicker at 5.99 seconds versus Michelin’s 6.17 seconds — a 3% improvement.
Defender 2 :
- -7% in Ice braking
- -3% in Ice acceleration
Wear/UTQG rating
The Michelin Defender 2 has a higher UTQG treadwear rating of 840 compared to the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2’s 700, showing a 20% greater wear resistance on paper. Backing this up, Michelin offers an 80,000-mile warranty, while Goodyear provides only 60,000 miles — a 33% longer mileage guarantee from Michelin. In terms of longevity, Michelin clearly holds the upper hand, making it the better choice for drivers prioritizing long tread life.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodyear | Assurance WeatherReady 2 | All | 700 | A | A |
| Michelin | Defender 2 | All | 840 | B | B |
Price
For size 215/55R17, the Michelin Defender 2 is priced at $207, making it 3% cheaper than the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 at $214. Despite its lower price, the Defender 2 still leads in tread life, adding extra value for long-distance drivers.
Tire size: 215/55R17
- Assurance WeatherReady 2: $ 214
- Defender 2: $ 207
Difference: -3% more cheaper for Defender 2.
Summary
As a tire expert, I see the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 as the clear choice for drivers needing confident performance in rain, snow, and even icy conditions — its wet and winter grip is simply superior. On the other hand, the Michelin Defender 2 is the go-to option for those who rack up serious mileage, offering outstanding tread life, a longer warranty, and better dry braking — all at a slightly lower price. It ultimately comes down to your driving priorities: year-round weather versatility or long-distance durability.
Dr Edwin Pang