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Head-to-head Updated

Michelin Defender LTX M/S vs Nitto NT05 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.

Defender LTX M/S is ahead, 76–53

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Tire BNitto

NT05

Summer

Tests – · none yet Owners 45 · 43 reviews

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 78

    Dry

    Defender LTX M/S +12
    66
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT05
    Reviews found online8365
  2. 77

    Wet

    Defender LTX M/S +34
    43
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT05
    Reviews found online8034
  3. 72

    Snow

    Defender LTX M/S +34
    38
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT05
    Reviews found online7417
  4. 73

    Comfort

    Defender LTX M/S +19
    54
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT05
    Reviews found online7639
  5. 70

    Noise

    Defender LTX M/S +7
    63
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT05
    Reviews found online7558
  6. 77

    Treadwear

    Defender LTX M/S +24
    53
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT05
    Professional tests (TWG score)76–
    Reviews found online7943
  7. 79

    Handling

    Defender LTX M/S +20
    59
    Why this score
    SourceDefender LTX M/SNT05
    Reviews found online7959
Scores at a glance
CategoryMichelin Defender LTX M/SNitto NT05
Relative Score 76 53
Dry 78 66
Wet 77 43
Snow 72 38
Comfort 73 54
Noise 70 63
Treadwear 77 53
Handling 79 59

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

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Recomputed
Headline score

Defender LTX M/S

NT05

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Defender LTX M/S

Pros

  • Exceptional tread longevity and mileage lifespan
  • Quiet and smooth ride quality at highway speeds
  • Strong year-round traction across dry, wet, and light snow conditions

Cons

  • High upfront purchase price
  • Subpar performance in deep mud, sand, and off-road environments
  • Limited ice and severe winter capability compared to dedicated winter tires
All owner themes in the Defender LTX M/S review

Tire B NT05

Pros

  • Exceptional dry traction and cornering grip
  • Predictable and progressive handling limits
  • Good value and competitive price point for a performance tire

Cons

  • Poor performance and traction in heavy rain or wet conditions
  • Can be noisy or develop a whistling sound at highway speeds
  • May overheat or struggle under extreme track conditions for prolonged sessions
All owner themes in the NT05 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S B · Nitto NT05
CategoryAll SeasonSummer
Vehicle typeSUV and 4x4Passenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available—23
Rim diameters—15″ – 20″
Tread depth—7.2/32″
UTQG—200 A A
Sidewall—Blackwall
Max pressure—50 psi

Which one should you actually buy?

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Nitto NT05

Winner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S — better wet, snow and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire A Your priority is wet-weather safety

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 77 vs 43 on wet.

Pick tire A You drive through snowy winters

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 72 vs 38 on snow.

Pick tire A You want the longest tread life

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 77 vs 53 on treadwear.

Pick tire A You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 79 vs 59 on handling.

Tire A · Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Nitto NT05
Check price on Amazon

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How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.

76

Leads

Defender LTX M/S

Amazon