Michelin Defender 2
WatchThe Defender® 2 is a tyre for Crossover Utility Vehicles (CUVs) and passenger vehicles, offering an 80,000 mile warranty. The Defender 2 tire is designed to handle the extra weight and torque of small SUVs, minivans and electric vehicles.
2
Reviews
89%
Average
20,120
miles driven
1
Tests (avg: 10th)
All Tests
View Test Results1
Tests
10th
Average
10th
Best
10th
Worst
Latest Tyre Test Results
2024 TireRack All Season and Weather Tyre Test
10th/11
215/55 R17 • 2025
The Michelin Defender2 serves as a good reference point for the Standard Touring category, providing a decent ride that absorbs small bumps well, though with some excess body motion. The steering is precise but can feel sluggish at low speeds. On the track, its performance is limited by a lack of ultimate grip in both wet and dry conditions, leading to frequent and significant understeer, making emergency maneuvers a handful. In winter conditions, it struggled significantly compared to the group, with the longest braking distances and difficulty applying power.
Alternative Tyres
9.7/10
9.6/10
9.3/10
9.2/10
8.9/10
Questions and Answers for the Michelin Defender 2
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November 9, 2023
I have 1 question, why is the Michelin Defender 2 categorized a Premium Touring Summer tire here, when I purchased it from a large US Tire chain who sold it as a tire in the All-Season category?
That's an error from us, it is in fact an all season tyre. The site has now been updated, thanks for letting us know.
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Latest Michelin Defender 2 Reviews
Given 90%
while driving a
Dodge Challenger
(235/55 R19)
on a combination of roads
for 20,000 average miles
We own a Dodge Challenger GT AWD. We dive the challenger year round. The OEM tires were Michelins and were touring tires. They were super comfortable and offered great handling. When we went lookng for our next tires we found out that the OEM tires were no longer available. They spec'd the Defender 2 at Costco and we extremely pleased with them. We have summer and winter rims and are so happy with the Defenders that we are buying them again for the summer rims. and they came with a rebate, too! Happy customers! Thanks, Michelin.
Given 89%
while driving a
Kia Motors Sorrento xt 3.5 v6 4x4
(225/45 R18)
on a combination of roads
for 120 easy going miles
Replaced all four Hankook tires on my KIA Sorento SUV with Michelin Defender 2. Immediately noticed much quieter tire especially on California's concrete freeways. If these tires give anywhere near the promised mileage I will call them the best tires I've ever purchased.
