We can agree that dependable all-season tires are great to have. They would save us from the hassle of changing tires for some period in a year. However, the wide selection of all-season tires in the market makes it hard for us to choose.
To assist you, I will compare Michelin Crossclimate 2 vs Defender and examine what these tires from a leading brand offer in terms of performance, durability, and comfort.
The Crossclimate 2 may have an advantage in overall performance as a grand touring tire, but the Defender tires can be more suitable for rough road conditions.
Table of Contents
Michelin Crossclimate 2
The Crossclimate 2 is an all-season grand touring tire from Michelin. Compared to regular touring tires, grand touring tires have a higher speed rating and better overall performance. With this, you can expect to have great traction and handling even at high speed.
This tire provides a comfortable and quiet ride, just like other touring tires. Aside from its performance on dry and wet surfaces, it is also excellent on snowy roads. This is why it is considered an all-weather tire.
The Crossclimate 2 is available in different sizes that are suitable for passenger cars, SUVs, and crossovers. There are also XL sizes if you need a tire that can carry heavier loads.
Michelin Defender
Michelin Defender is a product family which is composed of different all-season tires. It includes the Defender 2, Defender T+H, and Defender LTX.
- Michelin Defender 2
Michelin Defender 2 is an all-season tire for standard touring. It offers longer tread life than most touring tires and excellent traction on dry and wet surfaces. This model is available for passenger cars, SUVs, and crossovers.
- Michelin Defender T+H
Defender T+H is another touring tire from Michelin (not a grand one). It is an excellent product as it has a good balance in terms of performance, durability, and comfort. Just like the Defender 2, this tire also has an impressive tread life.
- Michelin Defender LTX
The Defender LTX offers great durability, which makes it suitable for hauling and towing. It is somehow similar to the Defender T+H but as it is not a touring tire, you can expect less comfort by a little. This one is available for light trucks and SUVs.
Differences between Crossclimate 2 and Defender Tires
If you compare the Michelin Defender T+H vs Crossclimate 2, both are among the best all-season tires available in 2022 according to Consumer Reports. This just proves how evenly matched these tires are.
To better understand these two, plus other Defender models, let us see how they do in terms of the following factors:
1. Performance
Now, we are going to look at how these tires perform on dry, wet, and snowy surfaces.
Dry Performance
The Michelin Defender vs Crossclimate 2 are close in terms of dry performance. Both offer excellent traction, responsiveness, and braking.
The Crossclimate 2 is a grand touring tire, so it is expected to have greater performance than standard touring models. One unique feature of this option is the use of a v-shaped directional tread pattern, which is commonly used for performance tires.
On the other hand, the Defender T+H, Defender 2, and LTX have the usual symmetrical tread pattern for touring tires. The rib-type design equipped with sipes provides excellent traction and steering response on dry surfaces.
All four are great tires, but as we are comparing a grand touring tire to standard touring tires, the Crossclimate 2 surely has a slight advantage.
Wet Performance
Having a tire that performs greatly on wet surfaces is important for safer trips. Let us take a look at how the Crossclimate 2 and the Defender tires perform in this category.
- The v-shaped tread pattern of the Crossclimate 2 provides excellent wet performance. Aside from the wet traction, it also has great hydroplaning resistance.
The grooves allow the water to easily evacuate and ensure that the rubber is in contact with the road.
- The Defender T+H, Defender 2, and LTX are also reliable tires for wet surfaces. When compared to other all-season tires, they are very competitive as their treads have several sipes that improve their grip.
Hydroplaning resistance is also good with their circumferential and lateral grooves.
However, due to its tread pattern and the right amount of compound stiffness, the Crossclimate 2 is the better option here.
Winter Performance
As we all know, all-season tires like the Defender line don’t perform well in extreme weather conditions. Meanwhile, the Crossclimate 2 is considered an all-weather tire with its improved snow traction.
Unlike the Defender tires, the Crossclimate 2 is labeled with the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. This means that it can take on light to medium-packed snow. Therefore, the Crossclimate 2 wins this category.
2. Durability
It is ideal to have a durable tire if you are driving on rough roads and doing some heavy-duty work. The durability of a tire also contributes to its longevity. Let us look first at the Michelin Defender LTX vs Crossclimate 2.
The Crossclimate 2 is available in a wide range of sizes, including those with the capability to carry heavier loads. However, it doesn’t have the level of stiffness that is suitable for off-road drives.
On the other hand, the Defender LTX is made with a stiff compound and strong sidewalls, allowing it to handle off-road conditions better. If you are driving trucks or SUVs, this is a good tire to use.
The other Defender tires, namely the Defender T+H and Defender 2, are both slightly less durable than the LTX. This attribute is a trade-off for their added comfort.
All of these tires have a long tread life, though the Defender 2 comes out on top with a slight advantage. With this, it is clear that if you are looking for durability, you should pick Defender tires.
3. Comfort
For this category, I checked the tire reviews coming from different retail sites and online communities like Reddit. I will first compare the Crossclimate 2 vs Defender 2.
Both have positive feedback from consumer reviews. Fewer bumps and a more centered feeling are the highlighted features of the Crossclimate 2.
Although the reviews are not as many as that of the Crossclimate 2, Michelin Defender 2 tires are said to provide a soft ride that is somehow similar to the Defender T+H.
Tire Rack reviews describe the Defender T+H as a tire that easily absorbs road bumps. However, it is still behind the Crossclimate 2 in terms of comfort.
Among the Defender tires, the LTX is the least comfortable, which can be due to the stiffer compounds used.
Overall, the Crossclimate 2 is the most comfortable. With its softer compounds, it can provide a luxurious ride for its users.
Michelin Crossclimate 2
- Has the same features as performance tires
- Better wet performance
- Can be used as a winter tire
- Not suitable for off-road drives
Michelin Defender
- More durable
- Can handle off-road conditions
- Usable for heavy-duty applications
- Poor winter performance
4. Cost
Michelin tires usually have a higher price compared to the other brands. However, the quality of tires from Michelin will never make you regret your choice to buy them.
For the price comparison between Michelin Crossclimate and Defender tires, I checked different offers from retail sites.
The Crossclimate 2 ranges from $150 up to $300 depending on the tire size. For the Defender tires, it starts at about $135 and can go up to $350 for their truck tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Michelin Crossclimate 2 noisy?
The Michelin Crossclimate 2 provides a quiet ride. Although the center section of the tire has gaps that sometimes create noise with the wind, the noise level is still low compared to other touring and grand touring tires.
Is Michelin Defender the best tire?
Michelin’s Defender line consists of well-rounded touring and highway tires. They have excellent performance on dry and wet surfaces while providing a comfortable and quiet ride.
They also offer great durability and treadwear, allowing you to go for months without buying new tires. So if you are looking for comfortable, durable, and great-performing tires, then Michelin Defender tires are the best for you.
Is Michelin Crossclimate 2 good for SUV?
Michelin Crossclimate 2 is compatible with SUVs and known for its great overall performance. It is an all-weather tire, so it can give you great traction on light and moderate snow.
Therefore, if you want to equip your SUV with great traction, responsive handling, shorter braking stops, and winter performance, then this tire is a good choice.
Conclusion
After all the comparisons that were made, I could say that the Crossclimate 2 and the Defender tires are exceptionally good. The Crossclimate 2 is better in terms of comfort, while the Defender tires are more balanced and durable.
For sure, choosing any of these models will not give you serious problems. Just consider the features that will benefit you the most. I hope that this Michelin Crossclimate 2 vs Defender tires comparison was able to help you in deciding what to buy.
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