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Customer reviews for Michelin Defender2 - 235/50R18 101V Tire for
Michelin Defender2 - 235/50R18 101V Tire
4.7 out of 5 stars
stars
968 ratings968 reviews
  1. 5 stars84% (815)
  2. 4 stars8% (77)
  3. 3 stars3% (29)
  4. 2 stars2% (19)
  5. 1 star3% (28)

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Showing 391-400 of 968 reviews
Apr 12, 2024
ex-Vauxhall
5 out of 5 stars review

Long trouble-free life

The best thing to say about Michelin tires is--there is nothing to say. No problems, no tracking issues. Last a long time on my Cavalier, Pontiac G5, and Cruze. I have been buying them since a set lasted 115,000 miles on a Rambler American, but have never achieved that lifespan since. However, they outlast Goodyears, Firestones and Pirellis on my other cars.

Review from michelinman.com
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Apr 12, 2024
Ross
5 out of 5 stars review

Great Tires

I only use Michelin Tires on both of my vehicles, and have for many years, Michelin Defenders in the summer & Michelin X-Ice in the winter. I have always received great service, traction & ride, and highly recommend Michelin Tires to my Family & anyone who has asked.,

Review from michelinman.com
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Jul 19, 2024
willjax2
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 25, 2024
Frank W
5 out of 5 stars review

Worth the Extra Money!

When we bought our new 2024 Subaru Forester it came with unacceptable tires which I insisted that the dealer replace with a set of Michelin Defenders. I had researched all tire offerings for this vehicle and these proved to be the highest-rated and best value and they have not disappointed me in any way. Premium rubber for a competitive price is always a great value. That your life and the lives of your family are at stake makes the decision an easy one. As we also roll on Michelin X-Ice 3s in the winter means that we will be covered for years to come!

Review from michelinman.com
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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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Jul 25, 2025
Fool
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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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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Nov 27, 2024
Up North
3 out of 5 stars review

Traction B???

I bought a set of four of the Defender 2 model earlier this month expecting them to be an improved version of my previous Michelin Defender tires. What I didn't know until I got home and had a chance to look them over more closely was that the traction rating is “B,” unlike the previous model of tires which were rated “A” for traction. What a disappointment! Why would you have this mediocre traction design to the Defender 2, Michelin? My only other Michelin option for the size I need was the snow tire model, but I wanted year round, all season tires and that left the Defender 2 as the remaining choice. While it's great to buy tires made in the USA, this traction B rating seems rather bush league coming from such a renowned manufacturer.

Review from michelinman.com
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reply from Consumer Care MIC US

Up North, 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.

Mar 9, 2025
KP FSU 77
5 out of 5 stars review

Re-shoe for worn out soles

Great Tire so far. Our 2023 GMC Acadia SLT factory Primacy Tour A/S tires were good but were getting low on tread depth at 40,000 miles. With all the home reconstruction going on in Treasure Island, FL, due to last year's double whammy of a 3' of tidal surge and then Hurricane winds two weeks later, the "balding " tires were getting prone to debris/construction material nails, shards, etc.

Review from michelinman.com
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Aug 31, 2024
Impressed
5 out of 5 stars review

Smooth ride

I just bought all four tires, (as I had expired dry almost cracking tires around the rim - didn't know tires did this - I was experiencing a rough ride on the freeways, bouncy/shaky like I was out of alignment, but the steering will didn't shake/move) so I was afraid of a blowout. I drove off, and drove the 405/5 freeways and it made such a big smooth difference!

Review from michelinman.com
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