Michelin Defender VS Defender XT

A better experience of riding depends on the correct choice of tires. Tires are the most significant organ of the car. But if it gets weak or has less energy, you can not run with it for a long time. As you know, the best wheels give you a safe and secure drive wherever you are.

Buying tires for your beloved vehicle, you can prioritize the Michelin brand. So, Defender XT or Michelin Defender? Both of them are excellent. You would be pleased with their excellent riding and all-around traction control. After using them, you could realize their effective skills day by day.

Still little confusion. Here we try to explore which one wins or loses from different perspectives. Hopefully, it would be your great aid for deciding the best one.

Michelin Defender VS Defender XT: Which is Better?

The suitability of tires depends on your vehicle’s demand and also the features of the tires. In this consideration, Defender gets remarkable and stable for being constructed by MaxTouch. So it can do many things at a time: better traction, more substantial grip, stable turning in emergencies even at speed on the highway.

Contrarily Defender XT is the new model. It provides high performance to your car as reliable, extremely comfortable, and durable tires. So, You can get them as the best all-season touring tires. They come with excellent wet traction with a short break distance and reduced tread wearing and rolling resistance. So, they will allow you a safe and secure drive.

Let’s give the following chart a reasonable consideration.

Product Michelin Defender Michelin Defender XT
ModelMichelin DefenderDefender XT
Price
Item Weight37.8 pounds‎23 pounds
CategoryAll-seasonAll-season
Section Width265 Millimeters205 Millimeters
Rim Diameter16 Inches15 Inches
Rim Width9 Inches6 inches
Warranty70,000 miles90,000 miles
Score4.8 out of 54.7 out of 5
Price Check Price Check Price 

Michelin Defender Wins


Whatever the season, suppose that you have no worries about any safety riding with Michelin Defender tires. Conveniently, it would be best to consider this Michelin Defender tire for its durable, wet grip and snow traction, durable tread life, and Eco-friendly features.

Its braking performance on wet roads or snow is terrific. So, there is no hydroplaning risk while driving. Plus, its IntelliSipe design, Green X technology provides an interlocking action so that the tread block gets more stable and gives lower rolling resistance on highways.

It would help if you thanked the Michelin Defender for delivering a long-lasting tread life as it is an all-season tire. It will provide 10% more longevity even in harsh conditions. You will get with this durable tire an extraordinary wear life in any direction.

If comparison comes from the grip on wet and snow traction, without any doubt, excellent. They work fantastic in the snow and rain. It can grip stably on wet and better traction on snow. So, here Michelin wins for its gripping capacity. Your vehicle will not slide all over, even in loose traction.

Also, you will not have any confusion about dry traction. It is excellent because it provides efficient traction even in pushing hard to cornering around and aggressive driving.

Featuring Michelin MaxTouch Construction, almost 65 gallons of fuel could be saved with these tires. So, it will not be destruction against the environment.

Surely they can make a difference in steering response. Here the steering response is great while toggling back and ahead, rounding the corners.

Moreover, with this, you will get long-lasting mileage.

Michelin Defender Losses

Comparatively, Michelin provides limited warranties. Manufacturer’s Treadwear limited warranty is up to 70,000 miles; whereas standard limited warranty for 6 years.

Compared to the Michelin XT, the Michelin Defender is noisier. Wet traction needs more improvement. Cornering performance is not so achievable or effortless.

Defender XT Wins


No doubt, The Defender XT tires would be your perfect touring tires. Also, relatively high quality for daily use.

Awesome! Now you can handle any ride in any season. With its all-season tread pattern, you can get a good grip on wet or dry roads, even on less snow.

Conveniently, you will get outstanding gripping with these wheels. They have excellent traction capabilities. So, whether it is off-road or on-road, there are no difficulties in towing. It is easy for you now.

You will get an improved riding experience with this power pack design. Its incredible Comfort Control Technology reduces vibrations and road noise.

It comes with a shallower tread that is long-lasting. The only reason is the rubber compounds and strength from MaxTouch.

Also, the rubber wears less. The friction and heat are not getting more for being stable tire squirms. As a result, you will get minor rubber wear.

One thing is that you will not get a minimal fuel sipper. But even with Michelin’s Green-X technology, they decrease the rolling resistance and fuel consumption to save your money, yeah.

With its Intellisipe Technology, it wins the wet and dry traction. The Defender XT tread reveals huge sipes. These sipes are excellent for gripping in dry and wide rain, and they can drain the channels and grooves in blocks. Additionally, you’ll spin less while pulling out from a stop.

If you are going to justify a Defender XT for the speed rating, they provide different rates.
Here you will get some speed-rated Defender XT as T, which means a maximum of 118 mph. On the other hand, some are H-rated, with a maximum of 118 mph.

You will get excellent and efficient cornering and handling capacity for the combination of Michelin X Tour Maxtouch construction and the intellisipe technology.

T- rated tires provide a 90,000-mile warranty. Whereas H rated gives an 80,000-mile warranty

It is an all-rounder in its abilities in any weather. Yes, you can get all facilities in one item like reduced road noise, long-lasting tread, all-weather traction, and enhanced fuel efficiency.

They are primarily compatible with passenger vehicles and SUVs, coupes, sedans, or minivans.

Defender XT Losses

Comparatively pricier than other competitors. Snow and ice traction are not better than expected.

Final Verdict

Though Michelin tires cost a bit more money than other brands, ensure your obtaining as paying for. Comparing Michelin Defender and Defender XT, we can conclude that both are excellent in some standpoint in contrast to some weaknesses. In the wet or winter season, the award goes to Michelin Defender.

Undoubtedly you will get an excellent ride and superb wet and dry traction with it. But XT is not suitable for snow. Again you will get a standard warranty with Michelin Defender XT while Michelin offers limited. However, though XT is new to the Michelin team, you can try it as a prominent one.

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