82
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
83/100
4 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Michelin Defender vs Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+ — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
94
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
94/100
1,936 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+ — better wet, treadwear and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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Category breakdown
6 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport A/S+ leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Defender | Pilot Sport A/S+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 95 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport A/S+ leads by 19
Why this score
| Source | Defender | Pilot Sport A/S+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 85 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport A/S+ leads by 9
Why this score
| Source | Defender | Pilot Sport A/S+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 95 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport A/S+ leads by 11
Why this score
| Source | Defender | Pilot Sport A/S+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 85 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Pilot Sport A/S+ leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Defender | Pilot Sport A/S+ |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 75 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Defender | Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+ |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 82 | 94 |
| Dry | 88 | 97 |
| Wet | 75 | 94 |
| Comfort | 85 | 94 |
| Noise | – | 92 |
| Treadwear | 80 | 91 |
| Handling | 88 | 96 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Recomputed
Headline score
82
/ 100
Tire A
94
/ 100
Tire B
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Michelin Defender is widely regarded as a comfortable, long-lasting tire that provides a refined driving experience for daily commuting. While users consistently praise its road manners and longevity, some report concerns regarding performance in heavy rain and deep snow conditions.
Pros
- Excellent ride comfort and quiet operation
- Strong tread life and durability over several years
- Reliable grip on dry pavement
- Predictable handling for standard driving conditions
Cons
- Susceptibility to hydroplaning in heavy rain
- Limited traction in deep or severe snow
- Audible squealing during aggressive dry-pavement acceleration
- Handling performance diminishes when pushed to limits
Observations
- Users reported successful long-term usage exceeding 45,000 miles on 195/60R15 sizing.
- Longevity is a standout feature, with some users achieving up to 7 years of service before replacement due to age-related cracking.
The Michelin Pilot Sport AS+ is widely regarded as a premium all-season tire that excels in wet-weather confidence and ride comfort, particularly when replacing harsh OEM run-flat tires. While it offers a versatile balance for spirited daily driving, user experiences regarding tread longevity and road noise are polarized, with some reporting excellent durability and others noting premature wear.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather traction and hydroplaning resistance
- Significant improvement in ride comfort and noise levels compared to OEM run-flats
- Predictable and stable handling characteristics for daily spirited driving
- Strong performance across a wide range of temperatures and seasonal conditions
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life, with some users reporting premature wear
- Increased rolling resistance leading to reduced fuel economy or EV range
- Higher price point compared to competitors
- Occasional reports of increased road noise on specific pavement types
Observations
- Tesla owners frequently report a noticeable decrease in range (approx. 10-20%) due to higher rolling resistance compared to OEM tires.
- Drivers replacing factory run-flat tires on luxury vehicles like BMW and Lexus consistently report a transformative improvement in ride quality and steering feel.
- High-horsepower sports car owners appreciate the tire's ability to consolidate summer and winter needs, though some note a lack of 'sharpness' compared to dedicated summer performance tires.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Defender | B · Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+ |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Ultra High Performance All Season tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
82
/ 100
Michelin
94
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+ — better wet, treadwear and dry. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+ scores 94 vs 75 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+ scores 91 vs 80 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+ scores 97 vs 88 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+ scores 94 vs 85 on comfort.
Tire A · Michelin Defender
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+
More comparisons
Also compared with
Michelin Defender also compared with
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+ also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.