Michelin Defender LTX M/S vs Michelin Defender LTX M/S2: After an eight-year anticipation, the tire world is buzzing with excitement as Michelin unveils its latest masterpiece in the highway all-season segment: the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2. This long-awaited successor to the renowned Michelin Defender LTX M/S is set to redefine expectations for mileage-focused tires. The Michelin Defender LTX M/S, a tire celebrated for its durability and performance, now faces a formidable challenger from its own lineage.
The new Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 promises to elevate the standard with enhanced features and technological advancements, focusing on extending mileage without compromising on quality. As these two giants prepare to face off, enthusiasts and experts alike are eager to see how the legacy of the Michelin Defender LTX M/S evolves with its successor. The battle of the Defenders marks a pivotal moment in the highway all-season tire segment, where the quest for the ultimate in mileage and performance reaches new heights.
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Results: Michelin Defender LTX M/S vs Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
Results below were taken from the Tire Rack’s Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 Preview Report which includes a direct comparison of Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 against its predecessor. The graph below shows the comparison between Michelin Defender LTX M/S vs Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 based on the relevant performance category. The Michelin Defender LTX M/S was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
The tire size of interest is 265/60R18 which is a common tire size for Toyota Fortuner & Ford Endeavour. The testing vehicle is a 2022 Ford Explorer ST.
Wet
When it comes to wet performance, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 shows noticeable improvements over its predecessor, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. Starting with wet braking, the newer LTX M/S2 stops approximately 4 feet shorter than the LTX M/S, taking only 110.5 feet compared to 114.5 feet for a 50-0 mph stop. This difference could be crucial in emergency braking situations.
In wet handling, as measured by lap times, the LTX M/S2 also edges ahead. It completes a lap 0.49 seconds faster than the LTX M/S, with a time of 33.37 seconds against 33.86 seconds. This suggests that the LTX M/S2 offers slightly better control and agility in wet conditions. The trend continues in the wet slalom test, where the LTX M/S2 completes the course in 5.58 seconds, just 0.11 seconds quicker than the LTX M/S, which completes it in 5.69 seconds. This indicates a marginally better response and handling in the newer model during quick, consecutive turns.
Lastly, the wet lateral acceleration, which measures grip and stability, sees a small improvement in the LTX M/S2, achieving 0.69 g’s compared to the 0.68 g’s of the LTX M/S. Although this is a minimal increase, it suggests that the LTX M/S2 holds a slight advantage in maintaining stability and grip in wet conditions.
Overall, while both tires perform admirably in wet conditions, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 demonstrates consistent, albeit slight, improvements across various metrics compared to the Michelin Defender LTX M/S.
Defender LTX M/S2 :
- +4% in wet braking
- +1% in wet handling (lap time)
- +1% in wet lateral acceleration
- +2% in wet slalom
Dry
In dry conditions, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 again demonstrates a slight edge over its predecessor, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. When we look at dry braking performance, the LTX M/S2 stops in 89.1 feet from a speed of 50 mph, which is 1.9 feet shorter than the 91 feet stopping distance of the LTX M/S. This improvement in stopping distance can be quite significant in preventing accidents or reducing collision severity.
Moving to dry handling, as indicated by lap times, the LTX M/S2 completes a lap in 31.27 seconds, which is faster than the 31.93 seconds taken by the LTX M/S. This 0.66-second difference suggests that the LTX M/S2 offers better handling and agility on dry tracks. In the dry slalom test, the LTX M/S2 finishes the course in 5.3 seconds, just 0.08 seconds quicker than the 5.38 seconds of the LTX M/S. This indicates a slightly improved ability of the LTX M/S2 to navigate through quick, consecutive turns.
Lastly, in terms of dry lateral acceleration, the LTX M/S2 achieves 0.83 g’s compared to the 0.8 g’s of the LTX M/S. This increase, albeit small, points towards better grip and stability in the LTX M/S2 under dry conditions.
In summary, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 shows consistent improvements in dry performance across various tests compared to the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. These enhancements, while not drastic, contribute to better handling, braking, and stability in dry conditions.
Defender LTX M/S2 :
- +2% in dry braking
- +2% in dry handling (lap time)
- +4% in dry lateral acceleration
- +2% in dry slalom
UTQG rating
The UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) ratings provide a useful comparison between the Michelin Defender LTX M/S and the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, particularly in terms of tread wear, traction, and temperature resistance.
| Brand | Tireline | Size | Tread Wear | Traction | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin | Defender LTX M/S | All | 800 | A | A |
| Michelin | Defender LTX M/S2 | All | 820 | B | A |
While both tires offer a mileage warranty of 70,000 miles, there’s a notable difference in their UTQG tread wear ratings. The Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 has a slightly higher tread wear rating of 820 compared to the 800 rating of the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. This increase suggests an improvement in the expected wear life of the LTX M/S2, indicating that it may last longer under similar conditions. With an actual tested mileage of 80,000 miles from Consumer Reports, we do expect a slight increased on this value.
In conclusion, while the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 shows potential improvements in tread wear, its actual performance in terms of mileage is yet to be seen and will be interesting to compare against the established 80,000-mile performance of the Michelin Defender LTX M/S.
Price
When comparing the prices of the Michelin Defender LTX M/S and the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 for the tire size 265/60R18, there is a very minimal price difference. The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is priced at $266, while the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 is slightly more expensive at $271. This price difference amounts to a mere 2% increase for the Defender LTX M/S2.
Tire size: 265/60R18
- Defender LTX M/S : $266
- Defender LTX M/S2: $271
Difference: +2% more expensive for Defender LTX M/S2
Summary
As a tire expert, I’ve closely analyzed the Michelin Defender LTX M/S and its successor, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2, and I’m excited to share my conclusions. The LTX M/S2 has demonstrated clear improvements in both wet and dry performance. It offers shorter braking distances, better handling, and slightly superior stability in both conditions. These enhancements, while subtle, are significant for safety and driving experience.
Moreover, the all-important aspect of mileage, which is a crucial factor for many drivers, shows promising signs of improvement in the LTX M/S2. Its higher UTQG tread wear rating suggests an improved wear life. Although the actual mileage performance of the LTX M/S2 hasn’t been tested by Consumer Reports yet, the increased tread wear rating is a positive indicator of its potential longevity.
Dr Edwin Pang
Stay tuned to this space for further comparisons against other competitors. It’s an exciting time in the tire industry, and I look forward to bringing more insights and comparisons as new data and tests become available.