Michelin Defender 2 vs. Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S — The All-Season Mileage Battle Begins! It’s a high-mileage showdown in the all-season touring segment! On one side, the Michelin Defender 2, built to uphold Michelin’s legendary standards of long wear and all-season confidence. On the other, the Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S, a Discount Tire exclusive tuned for serious tread life and everyday reliability. Can Continental’s private-label challenger dethrone the premium powerhouse? Let the battle of endurance, comfort, and control begin!
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Results : Michelin Defender 2 vs Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S
The test results are based on Treadwell data from Discount Tire. The graph below compares the Michelin Defender 2 vs Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S across key performance categories.
For subjective evaluations, each point is treated as equivalent to a 5% difference. For example, if Tire A scores a 4 and Tire B scores a 3, Tire A is considered 5% better than Tire B in that category.
Wet
In wet braking, the Michelin Defender 2 stops in 156 feet while the Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S takes 160 feet—4 feet longer, or about 3% worse. When worn, the gap grows wider: the Defender 2 stops at 198 feet compared to 209 feet for the ControlContact, giving Michelin a 11-foot advantage or roughly 5% better performance. However, in wet handling, the ControlContact Tour M A/S scores 4 out of 5, edging ahead of the Defender 2’s 3.5 out of 5—a 2.5% higher rating.
Overall, while the Continental edges ahead in subjective wet handling feel, the Michelin Defender 2 clearly delivers stronger stopping power in both new and worn conditions, making it the safer choice when braking matters most.
ControlContact Tour M A/S :
- -3% Wet Braking
- -5% Wet Braking (Worn)
- +2.5% Wet Handling
Dry
In dry braking, the Michelin Defender 2 stops in 129 feet, while the Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S requires 132 feet—3 feet longer, which translates to about 2% worse performance. In dry handling, both tires score equally at 3.5 out of 5, indicating similar levels of cornering stability and steering response.
In summary, while both tires offer equal handling feel on dry roads, the Defender 2 has a slight edge in emergency braking, stopping just a bit sooner than its Discount Tire rival.
ControlContact Tour M A/S :
- -2% Dry Braking
- 0% Dry Handling
Mileage
The Michelin Defender 2 delivers a median mileage of 67,500 miles, while the Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S averages 53,000 miles—a difference of 14,500 miles, or about 21% longer tread life for the Michelin. In short, if long-lasting performance is your priority, the Defender 2 clearly stands out with significantly better mileage.
ControlContact Tour M A/S :
- -21% Mileage (Median)
Winter
In winter conditions, the Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S scores 3.5 out of 5, outperforming the Michelin Defender 2’s 2.5 out of 5 rating—an advantage of 1 full point or 5% better based on the 5-point scale.
ControlContact Tour M A/S :
- +5% Winter
Noise Vibration & Harshness (NVH)
Across comfort-related categories, the Michelin Defender 2 consistently outperforms the Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S. It scores 4 out of 5 in ride quality, comfort, and noise, while the ControlContact trails slightly at 3.5 in all three areas—a 0.5-point or roughly 2.5% advantage in each category for the Michelin.
ControlContact Tour M A/S :
- -2.5% Ride Quality
- -2.5% Comfort
- -2.5% Noise Level
Fuel Consumption
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S scores 3.5 out of 5, slightly ahead of the Michelin Defender 2’s 3 out of 5—a 0.5-point or roughly 2.5% advantage in this category.
ControlContact Tour M A/S :
- +2.5% Fuel Efficiency
Price
For size 215/60R17, the Michelin Defender 2 costs $208, while the Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S is priced at $173—making the ControlContact about 20% cheaper than the Michelin.
Tire size: 215/60R17
- Defender 2 : $208
- ControlContact Tour M A/S : $173
Difference: -20% cheaper for ControlContact Tour M A/S
UTQG Values:
Both the Michelin Defender 2 and Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S carry the same UTQG treadwear rating of 840, indicating similar expected longevity under standardized testing.
However, the Continental scores higher in traction and temperature with A/A grades versus the Michelin’s B/B. While this suggests better lab-tested grip and heat resistance for the ControlContact, real-world wet braking tests still favor the Defender 2, showing that UTQG traction grades don’t always reflect actual stopping performance in the rain.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin | Defender 2 | All | 840 | B | B |
| Continental | ControlContact Tour M A/S | All | 840 | A | A |
Conclusion:
As a tire expert, I see the Michelin Defender 2 as the choice for maximum longevity, wet & dry braking safety, and comfort, while the Continental ControlContact Tour M A/S offers strong value with better winter grip and fuel efficiency. Both serve different needs—premium refinement vs. smart practicality.
Dr Edwin Pang