October 20, 2023
Vehicles Used
2022 Ford Explorer ST
Few tire lines are as iconic as Michelin's LTX Highway All-Season tire which has amassed a loyal following, satisfying generation after generation of product release. The latest in the brand's lineage has recently debuted and follows the expected naming convention as the second iteration of the Defender Highway All-Season line, aptly named, the Defender LTX M/S2.
With big shoes to fill and little margin for error, our team was excited to finally get some seat time with what would most likely be another celebrated step for the brand and category. Like what many longtime customers may experience, our team compared the new version to its predecessor: the Defender LTX M/S. Our evaluation used 2022 Ford Explorer ST test vehicles fitted with new, full tread depth 265/60R18 tires mounted on 18x8.0 wheels.
On the Road
Our standard road ride route let our team experience both tires back-to-back in identical situations. With the route's mix of road types and speeds, our drivers were able to distinguish differences from two very similar performances. The ride from each was undoubtedly good, with the Defender LTX M/S2 feeling slightly tauter over impacts, but with an improvement in communication with the road. The new tire's increase in control and minimal penalty on ride comfort should sync up well with modern vehicles and felt right at home on our sporty SUV test platform. Noise comfort was very close between the two as well, with the new tire minimizing more harmonics on smooth pavement, but the previous iteration blending tones a little better on coarse surfaces. While apparent to our test drivers in a controlled back-to-back testing environment, they noted that the differences were slight. Steering around corners and along highway ramps highlighted a solid improvement in the new Defender LTX M/S2, with slightly better response and weight that helped it feel more precise and direct in turns.
On the Track
Around the wet track, the new Defender LTX M/S2 demonstrated some improvements that compounded to showcase stronger combined dynamic handling. An incremental, one hundredth of a g step up in lateral traction and a slight four-foot advantage in braking distance from fifty miles per hour may not sound like much but helped accentuate the improved traction and handling from the new tire. The sharper, more accurate steering helped our team make quick directional changes through the slalom with ease. In addition, the more capable feel at the limit created a track experience that was simply less dramatic, which is precisely what pays dividends on the public streets when emergency maneuvers become necessity.
| Wet Track | Average Times | | 50-0mph |
|---|
| Slalom | Total Lap | Lateral gs | ABS Stop |
|---|
| Michelin Defender LTX M/S | 5.69 | 33.86 | 0.68 | 114.5 |
| Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 | 5.58 | 33.37 | 0.69 | 110.5 |
Once the track dried off, the Defender LTX M/S2 delivered a larger lead in lateral traction figures with braking essentially matched between the two tires. Like in the wet, the new Defender LTX M/S2 just felt more put together when hustled through corners. While dry limit handling is not the objective of Highway All-Season tires, this advantage on track was also felt on the road with less aggressive inputs. With no, or limited penalty for the increased dynamic performance, our drivers welcomed the additional handling feel and control from the new tire.
| Dry Track | Average Times | | 50-0mph |
|---|
| Slalom | Total Lap | Lateral gs | ABS Stop |
|---|
| Michelin Defender LTX M/S | 5.38 | 31.93 | 0.80 | 91.0 |
| Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 | 5.30 | 31.27 | 0.83 | 89.1 |
Driving in Winter Conditions
With the predecessor's good customer ratings in winter traction and particularly good light snow traction reviews, wintry weather performance was no doubt a metric that designers worked hard to maintain in the Defender LTX M/S2. Our team was excited to test them head-to-head and see if any significant changes were made in the snow or on the ice. In the snow, each tire made the dash from zero to twelve miles per hour within a half-foot of each other, with the Defender LTX M/S2 just barely edging out its elder. Braking distances from twenty five miles per hour were again very similar, with the two essentially right on top of each other, separated by just over a foot difference. Under light handling maneuvers in the snow, our team thought both had sharp turn-ins with a short delay in the actual change in trajectory. One difference they did note however was the rear end’s reaction after the turn was initiated. The Defender LTX M/S allowed more oversteer but was easy to recover without overshooting the intended path. The Defender LTX M/S2 delivered higher levels of lateral grip and would simply turn, without any of the additional rear end movement. Both were capable and balanced, but the subjective increase in lateral stability was a notable improvement with the Defender LTX M/S2. Braking on the ice from twelve miles per hour was separated by about a foot, with the original Defender LTX M/S just besting its replacement.
| Actual Ratings/Test Values |
|---|
| Michelin Defender LTX M/S | Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 |
|---|
| Snow Acceleration w/TCS (feet) | 18.30 | 17.80 |
| Snow Stopping Distance (feet) | 68.5 | 69.7 |
| Ice Stopping Distance (feet) | 42.9 | 43.8 |
Conclusion
As expected, this latest generation of Highway All-Season tire from Michelin checked all the right boxes and balanced what were probably careful compromises from its development team. It's hard to argue they haven't found the right formula to satisfy drivers. This latest model seems to have improved traction, but most notably handling dynamics and steering feel fit for the next generation of SUVs and light trucks. As for the LTX loyalist, it seems they will be pleasantly satisfied that the latest iteration of their beloved tire line has retained its successful formula along with an incremental improvement in traction and a nice evolution in handling. As for new customers, they can take comfort knowing they'll be getting the latest and greatest Highway All-Season performance Michelin has to offer.
Orders
