Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT vs Michelin Defender

If you are looking for durable all season tires for trucks, you should not miss reviews about the Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT vs Michelin Defender.

Is their performance truly strong? Here’s what we can say.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S emerged as the strongest light truck tire that can deliver high levels of performance in wet, dry, snowy, and off-road conditions. On the other hand, Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT promises a comparable smooth and quiet ride, but with average traction on dry and wet pavements.

What Are They?

1. Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT

Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT is a highway all-season tire with 65,000 miles of mileage warranty. It was introduced in 2014 to tackle variable loads and sustain performance under stress.

The tire has the following features:

2. Michelin Defender

There are three tire designs under the Michelin Defender line. They are:

 01 Michelin Defender 2

It is a standard touring all-season tire introduced in 2022 for crossover and passenger vehicles. The tire features:

• • 80,000 mileage warranty
  • ability to handle extra weight and torque of small sport utility vehicles, minivans and electric vehicles
  • extra grip in slippery conditions, courtesy of Michelin Full-depth 3D Sipelock Technology
  • Noise reduction through PIANO acoustic tuning

 02 Michelin Defender T +H

Michelin Defender T + H is another standard touring all-season tire that has 80,000 miles of warranty. It was released in 2017 with stellar improvements on tread durability and all-year round traction.

To be specific, its design enhancements include:

• • Adoption of Intellisipe technology for increased block rigidity and optimized contact patch that result in smooth and quiet rides
  • High silica content on independent tread blocks and zigzag sipes to boost traction on wet terrains and mild snow
  • Two-ply body casing and twin steel belts for improved handling and longevity

This tire was developed to fit coupes, family sedans, minivans, and small crossover utility vehicles.

Read more: Michelin Defender T+H vs LTX: which is better?

 03 Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Michelin Defender LTX M/S is a highway all-season tire rolled out in 2015 for light trucks, sports utility vehicles, and crossovers.

The tire can keep up against harsh conditions longer than its predecessor, the Michelin LTX M/S2, with more dependable all-season performance and enhanced fuel efficiency. It has brand support of 70,000 miles.

These improvements were made possible by:

• • Evertread compound
  • 3D Active sipes
  • Wide circumferential grooves
  • Michelin Max Touch Construction
  • Twin steel belts

Differences: Goodyear Wrangler vs Michelin Defender

1. Warranties

The warranty package for Goodyear’s Wrangler Fortitude includes a 30-day test drive and Goodway Highway Auto and Light Truck Tire Replacement limited warranty.

On the other hand, the Michelin Defender tires offer a 60-day satisfaction guarantee and flat tire changing assistance for 3 years.

When you compare the mileage rating of the Michelin Defender 2 and Michelin Defender T+H vs Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude H/T, the Defender tires have 15,000 miles more in support than the Goodyear tire.

When you pit the Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude H/T against the Defender LTX M/S, the former is 5,000 miles lower in terms of warranty.

The LTX M/S is so durable that even if you experience a nail puncture, you can still drive it after a good patch.

2. Reviews

The Michelin Defender tires perform better in wet, dry, and snowy conditions than the Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT.

Michelin’s Defender LTX M/S wins in all categories, including comfort, noise and treadwear. It was followed closely by the Michelin Defender T +H.

Between the Michelin Defender T+H vs Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude H/T, the difference is high.

In the next section, we will compare the Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT vs Michelin Defender LTX M/S, since both tires are designed for light trucks.

3. Specifications

The Michelin Defender light truck tire is heavier but has a bigger load capacity. It has higher treadwear (800) and superior temperature ratings (A vs. B) compared to the Goodyear tire.

4. Wet

Michelin Defender LTX M/S has better wet performance than Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude H/T because you can confidently drive in the rain and other wet conditions. It took the lead in hydroplaning resistance and wet traction.

Meanwhile, the Goodyear tire has average grip and is competent enough to disperse water.

5. Dry

In our Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT reviews, the tire drives fine on dry pavements, but if you are looking for high-level dry traction, steering response, and cornering stability, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S tire excels in these categories.

6. Noise/comfort/ride quality

Michelin Defender LTX M/S is noiseless on the highway. The ride quality is excellent, as there are no annoying noises or vibrations at all.

Michelin claimed that you can save up to 65 gallons of fuel all throughout its tire’s lifespan and indeed, I experienced a good deal of gas savings.

Similarly, Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT does not produce loud cabin noise. Thanks to the tire’s variable pitch sequence tread design, it can tune out noise and absorb impact.

The ride is smooth and comfortable, and the tire’s low rolling resistance design contributes to good tread life and fuel economy.

7. Snow and ice

The Michelin Defender light truck tire impresses in snow. It can handle icy, mild, and deep snow conditions with ease and reliable traction. It is not a severe snow-rated tire, but this satisfying performance makes it a winner all year round.

Conversely, although the Goodyear tire has fair traction in ice and light snow, it faces troubles in braking and acceleration.

8. Off-road Capability

Wrangler Fortitude HT was marketed as an all-terrain tire, but it performs better on the highway. It has good grip in off-road conditions like dirt roads, light gravel, and muddy surfaces.

Meanwhile, Michelin Defender LTX M/S offers better traction in dirt, sand, rock, and muddy terrains. Also, it is recognized as one of the best tires for dually trucks.

9. Cost

Wrangler Fortitude HT is cheaper than Michelin Defender LTX M/S. For instance, the Goodyear tire with a 235/75R15 size is sold at $171.78, while the Defender tire can be bought at $201.99. The difference in tire prices is around $30.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

It can be concluded that Michelin’s Defender LTX M/S is the superior light truck tire in this Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT vs Michelin Defender comparison.

Although Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT is cheaper, I recommend choosing other tires that can provide more reliable all-season versatility. Stay tuned for discussions on other models as well, such as the Goodyear Fortera.