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Customer reviews for Michelin Defender2 - 225/55R18 98V Tire for
Michelin Defender2 - 225/55R18 98V Tire
4.7 out of 5 stars
stars
1,034 ratings1,026 reviews
  1. 5 stars85% (874)
  2. 4 stars8% (82)
  3. 3 stars3% (30)
  4. 2 stars2% (19)
  5. 1 star3% (29)
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Showing 311-320 of 1,026 reviews
Aug 1, 2025
Reviewer name: Jan34
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

I love the defender tire Michelin. The tires gripped the road really well . There was a car on a busy road and I didn’t see it right away and had to use the brakes fast. The tire really stopped quick. I was glad we had a brand new set of Michelin’s on a car.

Review from michelinman.com
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Jul 25, 2025
Reviewer name: Fool
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars review

Surprised

I was disappointed when I saw the B rating on the traction for an all season radial. I would have preferred and 800 tread wear with an A traction for an all season radial. My fault for thinking all Michelin Defenders were A A rated when I was investigating the tires. The same name (Defender) across the line is confusing.

Review from michelinman.com
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Jul 31, 2025
Reviewer name: Jimmy M
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Great riding tires recommended by the dealer

I always buy Michelin tires for my travel and performance vehicles. They are tough, dependable and long lasting. This is the second set of Michelin tires I have purchased for the Explorer. The first set had shorter stopping numbers than the Defender, but I went with these based on the dealer recommendation. Plus these are 80k mile tires. I have not driven them in the rain to test stopping distance due to the recent drought in Texas. But I can say they stand up to the 100+ heat at highway speeds. I highly recommend Michelin tires.

Review from michelinman.com
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Dec 9, 2024
Reviewer name: Daddio
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Smooth ride and long lifetime make for an exceptional value.

The Michelin Defender2 provides a nice quiet ride. They're very responsive yet stable. The 80,000 mile warranty is nice, and did impact my decision, and so far I'm happy with them. Probably the last tires I'll be buying for this vehicle (MB ML350).

Review from michelinman.com
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Oct 1, 2022
Reviewer name: Sticks49
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars review

Michelin Defender 2

Had to buy these Defender 2 tires a few months ago because the Premier LTX D/T tires were supposedly being discontinued. Tires are adequate but not as comfortable of a ride versus the Premier LTX D/T tires. Disappointed in the Defender 2 Traction and Temperature ratings of "B", they should be at least A or better yet AA. I will only buy Michelin tires as long as they have quality tires and strive to improve tire materials and traction control; especially, in wet weather where I live. Unfortunately the YOKOHAMA YK740 GTX were rated better (A traction and A temperature) than the Defender 2 tires ; however, I do not like Yokohama tires. I have not had the Defender 2 tires long enough to rate treadwear; however, I do not expect them to last even 50,000 miles. We shall see!

Review from michelinman.com
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reply from Consumer Care MIC US

Sticks49, thanks for taking the time to submit a review on the Defender 2. We understand your concern and wanted to share a bit more information with you. The UTQG traction grade is a 40-year-old, locked-wheel wet braking test and is, in our estimation and in the estimation of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, a method that is outdated and inconsistent because all modern vehicles have anti-lock brakes. A braking test based on anti-lock brakes measuring peak adherence rather than slide adherence, which is better suited for today’s vehicle. Michelin has chosen to design tires based on anti-lock braking, not locked-wheel braking. This sometimes produces a lower locked-wheel result, even though our testing and independent testing used in claims show the MICHELIN® Defender®2 tire to have superior wet braking over leading competitors. This question is an excellent one and highlights why regulation needs to be updated and/or eliminated as technology changes and improves. Our testing and independent testing show that consumers will be very pleased with the wet braking performance of the MICHELIN® Defender®2 tire, not only in when the tire is new, but even as it wears.

May 6, 2025
Reviewer name: BillTrekker
5 out of 5 stars
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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Jul 19, 2024
Reviewer name: willjax2
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Smooth ride, great handeling

I purchased a set of these to replace a set of General AltMAX RT 43's. Boy, what a world of difference. Much quieter, and smoother ride. Handeling was noticeably quicker response. These tires really hug the road. Have driven on multiple road surfaces and they grip well in all terrain.

Review from michelinman.com
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Aug 20, 2025
Reviewer name: Dsined
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Great Tire

The ride is so smooth and the noise level is so much better than the tires that were on the car when I originally purchased it gently used. I use the car when taking my parents to their doctors appointment and both of them commented about the difference in the ride and the cars handling in taking turns. My brother always recommends Michelin, and my dad was impressed by the name drop and said “there the best”. The tread is top notch and the warrantee impeccable, they seem well constructed. I live in a state famous for its potholes and having the worst roads in the country, and these tires have handled the heavy construction zones of nearly every highway being in constant state of repair but never ever being done and always ending up worse than when they started “improving” them.

Review from michelinman.com
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May 15, 2025
Reviewer name: Old, older guy
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Now what?

I’ve used Michelin tires for many years and never had a problem. I have a vibration problem with my Kia (1007 Sportage) and every thing, and I mean everything, has been checked and the last resort was to put 4 new tires on. I put on the same tire that were on the car, Michelins of course. The current tires were near aging out even though they were only about half worn out. So new tires—but the same vibration. Now what do I do. The car has been gone over twice by two different tech, both fully certified and both are stumped. Now what. The tires are great though.

Review from michelinman.com
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Nov 28, 2024
Reviewer name: Vietnam Combat Veteran KJ
5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 stars review

Wow, what a great set of Defender2 tires for snow and ice!

3 weeks before our first Colorado major winter storm, i had a set of Defender2 tires put on. Our first storm, over 5 days, was over 40" of snow, which then turned into several inches of ice. I have a very steep driveway and with my previous tires, I slid at every inch of snow we received (I have a 2023 KIA Sorento 4WD). Not only was I able to drive up my driveway without any trouble, but when I came back, I easily drove down the driveway without the ABS kicking in. These tires are amazing. Please thank the engineers. I have been driving for 64 years and have never had an experience so spectacular. Thank you all!

Review from michelinman.com
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