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Customer reviews for Michelin Defender2 - 225/50R17 98H Tire for
Michelin Defender2 - 225/50R17 98H Tire
4.7 out of 5 stars
stars914 ratings910 reviews
  1. 5 stars84% (770)
  2. 4 stars8% (74)
  3. 3 stars3% (27)
  4. 2 stars2% (17)
  5. 1 star3% (26)
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Showing 441-450 of 910 reviews
Jun 21, 2024
B Bob
5 out of 5 stars review

A Totally Different Michelin Defender 2 Compared To Defender1

Defender 2's have a smooth ride quality that is very noticeable as compared to regular Defenders. Makes my 97 4Runner have a ride it hasn't had using the original Defender. Very pleased with the looks, ride quality, and performance of the tire. Seems the tread design does not make much noise. My only regret after having tires for eleven weeks! Apparently ran over a piece of 1/2" steel that got inserted into the tire tread. Selling dealer, even with a paid protection plan, plug patched tire with only 1345 miles instead of replacing it? Hope the tire is safe with this repair and doesn't start having issues with belts separating and roaring like a snow tire.

Review from michelinman.com
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Mar 21, 2024
JJ
3 out of 5 stars review

Harsh ride

These new Defender 2 tires provide a very harsh ride. I feel every little road imperfection. Especially noticeable at very low speeds. Feels like the tire is thumping, as though out of round. They are not. Have had dealer check and redo balance twice, last time on a Hunter Road Force Balancer. Tires and wheels all check out within all vehicle and tire specs. No manufacturing defects were noted (i.e. broken or separated belts, etc.). Tires are structurally sound. Also, alignment is perfect. I've had five sets of the prior version of this tire on different cars, Defender T & H, and was very satisfied with the performance and comfort. Never received the advertised 90K miles on any of those tires - more like 45-50K. But did not care. They gave a good ride. These Defender 2's feel like they are inflated to 50 lb! Very hard ride. But, I'll get used to them I am sure.

Review from michelinman.com
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reply from Michelin US

JJ, sorry to read of your disappointment in the ride. We have several families of tires that are each optimized to meet specific needs, such as mileage, durability, performance, control and comfort. As a last resort, remember that as part of the Michelin Promise Plan, there is a 60 day satisfaction guarantee. Simply return to the selling retailer for the tires to be swapped out. Contact us at 866-866-6605 with any questions.

Aug 19, 2024
Matthew
5 out of 5 stars review

Excellent handling and quiet

With only 10,500 miles on our 2024 Honda CRV Sport Touring AWD Hybrid, we picked up a nail in a non-repairable spot (I spent 25+ years in automotive repair and tires so I know when I have to replace and not repair). Unfortunately it was going to take about a week to ge the same exact Michelin tire to replace this one, but my daughter has to leave to go back to college in the early morning. The option was to buy another set of tires and keep the 3 good ones. So that is what we did. The Michelin Defender 2 is a great tire with an 80,000 mile life expectancy. It handles well and provides a nice smooth and quiet ride. If there is one thing I cannot stand, it is a noisy ride on my car (looking in the direction of other major tire brands that sponsors variations of auto races and monster trucks). Back to these specific tires though, the handling is great and my daughter that drives this car even mentioned that she likes these tires better than the orignial ones that came on the car. The tires are responsive and flex the way they should to provide a smooth and quiet drive. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for an excellent tire.

Review from michelinman.com
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Dec 19, 2024
Anonymous
5 out of 5 stars review

Better Than Goodyear Assurance Max Life

I originally purchased a set of Goodyear Assurance Max Life tires in September. After putting 8,000 miles on them, I just wasn’t happy with them, especially after the first heavy rain. America’s tire bought the Good Years back and sold me this set of Michelins. I could feel the difference almost immediately. After almost a week on the tires, they are very quiet and smooth, even on rough roads. Have not driven in the rain with them yet, but I am sure they will be excellent. Very happy with these tires.

Review from michelinman.com
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Oct 20, 2024
PriusFiveDude
5 out of 5 stars review

Love these tires: good wet and dry traction, low noise

I bought Defender 2 tires for my 2014 Prius Five four weeks and 450 miles ago. I am thoroughly happy with the choice. These replaced some Continental SureContact units that had been scrubbed about a bit because of poor alightment. The dry traction of the Defender 2 is outstanding. I’ve had some opportunity to drive in wet conditions and the traction and braking is similarly impressive. Wet performance and noise characteristics were the primary drivers for my choice of this tire. Given that the Prius is a not well insulated car as the engineers wanted to keep the weight down, I am really impressed at how little tire noise gets into the cabin. That alone argues to put these things on my massive 2003 4,000-lb-plus Jaguar which will need new tires in the spring. The Prius’s mileage has dropped a little, but I really bought the car because it had cutting edge safety technology and I’m getting older. So trading a little drop in mileage for great dry/wet traction, exceptional handling and a low noise factor is just no biggie. As these wear a bit I would expect the mileage to slowly rise some. And at my age (75) and the amount I drive (~6000 a year) these tires should be just broken in by the time I trade the Prius in on what will likely be my last car.

Review from michelinman.com
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Feb 5, 2025
Rock crawler
5 out of 5 stars review

Bring back the OLD Defender MS

I’m a 58 year old man and I drive commercially about 100,000 miles a year between two half ton trucks and one 3500 one ton truck, Ram and Ford. I have tried many different tire manufacturers from Bridgestone, Toyo, BFG and Goodyear to name a few, I always seem to come back to Michelin Tires. I know many of you are going to say there too expensive but, when you drive the interstate system threw out the USA I want something quite and comfortable and dependable. I was very sorry to here that Michelin was phasing out this tire, I have currently on the Ram a set of defender M/S 2 which are louder at 75 mph by 15% and rougher riding by about 20% over the plain Defender M/S. I fully believe these are the best tires for driving the interstate system by far. Michelin needs to bring back this tire and increase the load range by 200lbs each to reach the manufacturer’s who suggest a rating of 118H on their trucks instead of the old 112T rating.

Review from michelinman.com
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Sep 12, 2022
Joseph
5 out of 5 stars review

EXCELLENT TIRES WITH GREAT PERFORMANCE AND QUIET RIDE

After purchasing the Michelin Defender 2 tires for my Lexus ES350, I have decided to get a new set for my RX350 with 245/50R20. The New Defender 2 tires have great handling performance in dry and wet weather conditions, and it also provides very comfortable and quiet ride! In addition, it’s great to know that the New Defender tires will last for a very long time with 80,000 miles warranty. I like the new tires very much and happy with the choice I made.

Review from michelinman.com
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Nov 20, 2024
Papa grinch
1 out of 5 stars review

I had to replace original Michelin tires they wore with only 21000 miles with defender2 tires and I find the ride to be very rough. The place I brought tires from said it’s the road and not the tire balance iam very disappointed in the ride I drive a lincoln

Review from michelinman.com
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reply from Consumer Care MIC US

Papa grinch, we are sorry to read that you are disappointed in the Defender2 tires. We suggest that you return to the selling retailer regarding this complaint, as they should be able to handle it for you. If there are any further questions, give us a call at 866-866-6605 8am-5pm EST Mon-Fri.

Mar 29, 2024
Fox
2 out of 5 stars review

Not What I expected

These are not like the Defender LTX. Disappointed in the ride and look. The side walls look like something you would put on a SUV or Truck that would be trail riding. The side wall is not a smooth design like the LTX. The Defender 2 seem like they are pushing my crossover. In fact I looked at the tire wondering was it one directional. It is not. I would not recommend for small Crossovers. Note: I have Defender LTX on our 4 Runner and FJ Cruiser. The Defender LTX is a 5 Star. The Defender 2 definitely not a 5 Star.

Review from michelinman.com
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reply from Michelin US

Fox, we're sorry to read of your disappointment in the Defender2. Remember, as part of the Michelin Promise Plan, there is a 60 day satisfaction guarantee of this tire. Simply return to the selling retailer for the tires to be swapped out. Give us a call at 866-866-6605 with any questions.

May 6, 2025
BillTrekker
5 out of 5 stars review

Smooth and quiet

These tires have changed the way my 25 Crosstrek drives. I love how smooth and quiet my ride is now. Have not had a chance to test on wet roads yet. But I would certainly recommend these tires. I have always gone with Michelin on all of my vehicles and the Defender 2 did not disappoint.

Review from michelinman.com
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