Engineered to Outlast
The Michelin Defender2 tire outlasted three leading competitive tires by more than 25,000 miles on a treadwear test, delivering 2 extra years of treadlife. (1)
MICHELIN Defender2
Engineered to outlast no matter the distance.
Our longest lasting tire now lasts even longer. Michelin Defender2 is completely redesigned to meet the needs of modern vehicles. It offers the increased tread life that today's families expect on their passenger cars and CUVs.
- Michelin sedan, CUV, SUV all-season on-road tire
- Long-lasting tread life
- Secure handling in all weather conditions
- Quiet and comfortable ride
Engineered to Outlast
Outlasted three leading competitors by more than 25,000 miles in treadwear testing(1)
Reliable All-Season Traction
Delivers dependable traction and secure handling in dry, wet, and light snow conditions
Quiet & Comfortable Ride
Designed to provide a smooth, quiet ride without sacrificing long-lasting performance
MICHELIN
Key benefits for MICHELIN Defender2 tire
Testimonials
MICHELIN Defender2 Warranties
We've got your back. A promise of this magnitude can only come from Michelin.
We want you to be 100% satisfied with your Michelin replacement passenger or light truck tires so they are backed by the Michelin Promise Plan™.
The Michelin Promise Plan™ includes the following benefits: 60-Day Satisfaction Guarantee, Roadside Assistance, Manufacturer's Limited Warranty & Treadwear Warranty.
Discover more 
Defender2 TIRE REVIEW
There are 1277 reviews for the Defender2
Rating Snapshot
When asked, 90% of reviewers recommend this tire
For any matter regarding customer service (in-store experience, after-sales service, delivery, etc.) please contact our Consumer Care team
Review Summary
Customers overwhelmingly praise these tires for exceptional smoothness, quietness, and durability. Most describe a remarkably smooth and quiet ride, even on rough roads, with many noting the contrast to previous tires. Reviewers consistently highlight confident traction in both wet and dry conditions, with strong handling and stability especially on highways. Durability stands out, with many customers reporting 55,000 to 80,000 miles of reliable performance and repeat purchases based on past satisfaction. A few mention unexpected noise or isolated rough ride experiences, though these are far outweighed by positive feedback. Overall, customers strongly recommend these tires for comfort and long-term value.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
1-5 on 1277 reviews
Posted on October 2, 2026 by Tommy
Collected by Bazaarvoice
Treadwear & Longevity + Michelin reputation
We purchased four new 216/55VR17 Defender 2 tires for Treadwear & Longevity + Michelin reputation.
Design
Safety
Performance
Vehicle Make: Lexus ES350
Purchase date: 09/29/26
Posted on October 2, 2026 by JRZellers
Collected by Bazaarvoice
Best Tires I've Owned
Incredibly quiet. Great grip and handling. Long lasting treadwear. Good in sun, rain, and snow. Super happy with this tire on my mid-sized SUV.
Design
Safety
Performance
Vehicle Make: Toyota Venza XLE
Purchase date: 09/17/26
Posted on October 1, 2026 by JASx
Collected by Bazaarvoice
Not so great
I replaced the OEM Hankook brand that I never did care for. I selected these because of the higher rating over the GoodYear that I've used on my last three cars. These aren't much better. The road noise is just as loud, there is too much bounce and the wet traction just isn't there.
Design
Safety
Performance
Vehicle Make: GMC Terrain
Purchase date: 09/10/26
Posted on October 1, 2026 by Old MSU grad
Collected by Bazaarvoice
Excellent value and all around tire for me.
I have been a huge fan of your tires for most of my driving experiences. From pickups to sedans to luxury SUV’s I have always enjoyed the road feel and confidence your tires provided. A quiet and comfortable ride and the extended wear I get is hard to beat. We have to drive through all kinds of weather here in Michigan.
Design
Safety
Performance
Vehicle Make: Genesis GV70
Purchase date: 11/19/25
Posted on September 30, 2026 by Grandma of 8
Collected by Bazaarvoice
Strong treads .
Feel solid when gripping the road.
Design
Safety
Performance
Vehicle Make: Toyota Highlander
Purchase date: 09/30/26
Michelin answers your questions
Find quick, reliable answers to your most common questions about Michelin tires on our FAQ page.
FAQ
The Michelin Defender2 offers longer tread life, improved wet braking, and better fuel efficiency. It is also designed to support heavier vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs), by handling increased weight and torque.
Yes, the Michelin Defender2 is designed to meet the needs of electric vehicles (EVs), offering long tread life and low rolling resistance to help maximize driving range.
The Michelin Defender2 is ideal for passenger cars, minivans, and compact to mid-size SUVs in North America, offering long tread life and dependable daily performance.
The Michelin Defender2 is not a dedicated winter tire, so for severe snow or icy conditions, Michelin recommends switching to a winter tire like the X-Ice Snow+.
The Michelin Defender2 features a tread depth of 10.5/32”, slightly deeper than its predecessor for improved grip and longevity.
Yes, the Michelin Defender2 includes an 80,000-mile warranty on most sizes, ensuring long-term performance and peace of mind.
The Michelin Defender2 delivers strong tread life and improved fuel efficiency compared to other long-warranty tires, making it a reliable long-term option.
Yes, the Michelin Defender2 is designed for a wide range of driving conditions, including dry, wet, and light snow, while delivering durability and comfort.
The Michelin Defender2 is manufactured exclusively in Michelin’s North American plants in Ardmore, OK; Columbia, SC; and Nova Scotia, Canada.
Yes, the BFGoodrich G-Force Phenom T/A is suitable for occasional track use, offering strong grip, stability, and braking performance for short durations.
Legal Mentions
1 Based on U.S. Department of Transportation Average Annual Miles per driver (13,500 miles) and Desrosiers Automotive Consultants estimate of annual average kilometers driven in Canada (23,000 km), and on a treadwear test using tires in size 225/65R17 on 2021 Toyota RAV4s where the MICHELIN® Defender®2 showed an estimated life (based on calculating the most-worn groove of a rotated set) of 94,400 miles versus the Bridgestone® Alenza® AS Ultra at 47,700 miles and the Continental® TrueContact™ Tour at 59,400 miles and the Goodyear® Assurance® MaxLife™ at 51,900 miles. Actual on-road results may vary.2 Based on internal wet braking tests from 50 MPH and internal dry braking tests from 60 MPH using tires in size 225/65R17 on a 2021 Toyota RAV4, where the MICHELIN® Defender®2 tire had an average stopping distance of 130.0 ft wet and 120.9 ft dry versus the Bridgestone® Alenza® AS Ultra with an average stopping distance of 127.8 ft wet and 125.8 ft dry and the Continental® TrueContact™ Tour with an average stopping distance of 145.2 ft wet and 129.2 ft dry and the Goodyear® Assurance® MaxLife™ with an average stopping distance of 134.0 ft wet and 125.0 ft dry. Actual on-road results may vary.
>> The sizes shown are average design values for tires measured on specified measuring rim widths. Some tires may vary from this value by +/-3% of the section height (affecting overall diameter), and +/-4% of the section width.
>> Section width varies approximately 0.2" (5mm) for every 0.5" change in rim width.
>> Tread patterns are often tuned to accomodate different tire widths. Tires for a particular dimension of a given tireline may vary in appearance from the tire shown in the photograph.
WARNING: Serious or fatal injury may result from tire failure due to underinflation or overloading. To ensure correct air pressure and vehicle load, refer to vehicle owner's manual or tire information placard on the vehicle. Serious injury or death may result from explosion of tire/rim assembly due to improper mounting. Only tire professionals should mount tires and they should never inflate beyond 40 psi to seat the beads. Before mixing types of tires in any configuration on any vehicle, be sure to check the vehicle owner's manual for its recommendations
DANGER: Never mount a 16" diameter tire on a 16.5" rim.
DANGER: Never mount a 17" diameter tire on a 17.5" rim.
DANGER: Never mount a 19" diameter tire on a 19.5" rim.
DANGER: Never mount a 20" diameter tire on a 20.5" rim.
Inflation pressure increase must not exceed the maximum pressure branded on the tire sidewall. When a customer requests a replacement tire with a lower speed rating than the original equipment tire, you must clearly communicate to him or her that the handling of the vehicle may be different, and that its maximum speed capability is limited to that of the lowest speed-rated tire on the vehicle. Exceeding the lawful speed limit is neither recommended nor endorsed.
For high-speed driving, additional inflation pressure and possibly reduced tire loading and/or upsizing is required. In the absence of specific recommendations by the vehicle manufacturer, use the following guidelines based on those in the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization Standards Manual.
For speeds over 160mph (100 mph), load and inflation must be adjusted according to the table below.
H-Speed Rated Sizes:
| Maximum Speed (mph) | 100 | 106 | 112 | 118 | 124 | 130 |
| Inflation Increase (psi) | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Load Capacity (% of max.) | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
The images presented are provided for reference purposes only and do not constitute a contractual representation. They are used for illustration purposes and do not guarantee the exact conformity of the products or services offered.