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 Yokohama Geolandar G900 — 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
76
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
74/100
14 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin Defender — better handling, comfort and treadwear. Pick the Yokohama Geolandar G900 if wet matters most to you.
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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)
Why this score
| Source | Defender | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 88 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Geolandar G900 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Defender | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 75 | 82 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | Defender | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | – | 70 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Defender leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | Defender | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 70 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Defender leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Defender | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 72 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Defender leads by 19
Why this score
| Source | Defender | Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 69 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Defender | Yokohama Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 82 | 76 |
| Dry | 88 | 88 |
| Wet | 75 | 82 |
| Snow | – | 70 |
| Comfort | 85 | 70 |
| Treadwear | 80 | 72 |
| Handling | 88 | 69 |
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
82
/ 100
Tire A
76
/ 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 Yokohama Geolandar G900 is widely regarded as a highly capable, versatile all-rounder specifically engineered for Subaru Forester and Outback platforms. While users consistently praise its predictable handling, off-road traction, and comfort, the consensus is sharply divided regarding its tread longevity and value proposition compared to modern alternatives.
Pros
- Excellent all-terrain versatility including snow, gravel, and mud
- Predictable and secure handling characteristics
- High level of ride comfort compared to stiffer premium alternatives
- Strong initial grip and traction performance
Cons
- Inconsistent tread life with many reports of premature wear
- High road noise levels, particularly on motorways
- High price point relative to current market competitors
- Occasional reports of poor wet-weather performance and aquaplaning
Observations
- The tire is specifically optimized for the Subaru Forester and Outback chassis, with many users noting it complements the vehicle's suspension better than stiffer premium tires.
- Performance is highly dependent on alignment; several users noted that uneven wear patterns were mitigated by professional tracking checks.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Defender | B · Yokohama Geolandar G900 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Premium Touring tires | Winter Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
82
/ 100
Michelin
76
/ 100
Yokohama
Winner: Michelin Defender — better handling, comfort and treadwear. Pick the Yokohama Geolandar G900 if wet matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Defender scores 88 vs 69 on handling.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Defender scores 85 vs 70 on comfort.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Defender scores 80 vs 72 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Yokohama Geolandar G900 scores 82 vs 75 on wet.
Tire A · Michelin Defender
Tire B · Yokohama Geolandar G900
More comparisons
Also compared with
Michelin Defender also compared with
Yokohama Geolandar G900 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.