Michelin has devoted a lot of attention to the SUV tire segment. With this famous brand, you can find many versions of various sizes, sturdy construction, and high performance. However, which one suits your car best?
I reviewed numerous Michelin models on criteria such as braking distance, on-road performance, and endurance in SUVs. After many tests, the top 10 best Michelin tires for SUV below are my best recommendations for you.
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In-Depth Reviews of the Best Michelin Tires for SUV Available in 2024
The process of testing and producing results took me months of continuous work. Fortunately, after many trials, I have finally found the 10 best SUV tires that are worthy of considering.
1. Michelin CrossClimate 2
Best for Overall
The Michelin CrossClimate 2 is the perfect combination of the comfort of touring tires and the agile performance of an all-season tire. Therefore, this tire model can meet many different needs of users.
To move stably in all seasons of the year, Michelin has made many improvements to improve the grip for CrossClimate 2.
The results are highly positive when the tire grips well on dry roads. At the same time, the braking stroke and the slip on wet surfaces are also very stable.
I chose a dry route to test the authenticity of the parameters. At a speed of 60 mph, the tire slips about 101,5 feet, and when traveling at 50 mph, the slip is only 84,5 feet. Compared to many other competitors, CrossClimate 2 has a lot better grip.
When traveling in heavy rain, the braking distance is somewhat increased but still within a safe level. I've tried braking multiple times, and usually, my car would have to take another 59 feet before coming to a stop.
CrossClimate 2's resistance to hydroplaning allows it to balance friction, preventing severe accidents such as rollovers.
Surprisingly, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 does not make much noise despite creating a lot of friction to keep performance stable.
I tried playing some songs at low volume while moving. The sound of friction on other tire models will usually overwhelm the music. However, I can still hear every part of the songs with this Michelin tire.
Another great ability that CrossClimate 2 possesses is being able to move stably on average snow-covered surfaces. At 5 inches or more of snow, I started to feel its performance begin to degrade. But if I steer my SUV into thinner snowy areas, its power is immediately restored.
The quality of this model is relatively high. However, you will have to pay a hefty price to bring it home with all the quality features.
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2. Michelin Primacy Tour A/S
Best for a Driving Experience
Driving cars, especially SUVs, is always on the list of the most stressful jobs today. If you are too tired and want the operation to be more comfortable, the Michelin Primacy Tour A/S will be the right choice.
The controllability that Primacy Tour A/S provides to users is relatively high, and the response of tire operations is also quite fast. I did not even feel the lag when operating, especially with consecutive actions.
From downhill to starting to accelerate from 30 to 60 mph, there is not a moment when the tire and car lose connection.
My experience with this Michelin product shows that the dry brake stroke is about 42 feet. This number on a wet surface is about 55 feet. If you follow the safety distance recommendations, hitting the car in front is almost impossible.
Even cornering becomes more straightforward if you use this tire model. I tried cornering at two speeds of 50 and 68 mph.
My feeling when doing both is not too much of a difference. The eccentricity for turning at high speed tends to increase, but only about 4%.
I habitually put spring decorations on the front of the car. In addition to enhancing the aesthetics, these accessories also help me visualize the magnitude of the tire feedback force. With the Primacy Tour A/S, neither of the springs I attached moved over the long haul.
Besides the above advantages, this tire model still has problems with a short treadwear warranty. If you move too much in unstable areas for a long time, the tread will quickly wear out, but usually, it has expired for an official warranty.
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3. Michelin Defender T+H
Best Longest-lasting Tires
My first impression of this product is the zigzag grooves that connect below the surface. These mechanisms usually only appear on tire models that focus on resistance. This groove system can significantly increase the stiffness of the tire.
When combined with wide steel belts, the durability of this best SUV tires model increases. I used some spikes to test the tire's durability, and the result was not able to create too severe damage.
In actual moving conditions, I did not see too many factors that could affect the durability of Defender T+H. Even when colliding with some rock samples at a high speed of about 55 mph, the tire still did not have too many problems.
Despite its reputation for durability, Michelin still provides Defender T+H with a warranty program of up to 80,000 miles.
Compared to only 50,000 or 60,000 miles like other in-class versions, this number is very impressive. Unfortunately, during the trial period, I never had the opportunity to take this product for maintenance.
The Michelin Defender T+H possesses an ability that few products have to ensure performance even when the tires are worn. Although it sounds ridiculous, I have tested this fantastic feature.
I borrowed a Defender T+H product that was half worn out. In the test moving at high speed, it was surprising that the tire still had specific stability.
I started to accelerate from 25 to 35, then 40 mph, but the product began to lose grip and shake when I hit the 50 mph mark.
Like many other Michelin tire models, the Defender T+H has never been the right choice for those who cannot afford it. In addition, the performance on ice and snow is just average.
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4. Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Best for Highway Driving
Fortunately, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S has almost all of the features reserved for high-speed operation. The stability of Defender LTX M/S is quite impressive, surpassing many high-end tire models from other brands.
From 70 mph or more, the stability of most products decreases. But this statement is not correct for this Defender LTX M/S tire.
Even traveling at high speed, up to 80 mph, I still did not feel the usual vibration. The tire stability was high enough to hold my SUV even though it had just rolled over a significant obstacle.
On dry roads, I noticed that the tire's control response is still the same whether the speed is 55 mph or 75 mph. Sensitivity remains high, and operation time is meager.
Highways often heat up quite quickly and affect tire stability. To handle this problem, Michelin has tweaked the tire compound to increase the ability to reduce heat when operating. For this reason, I did not feel the tire's heat when touching the surface after more than 65 miles.
When traveling in wet conditions on the highway, the tire still does not show a lack of strength. Even though I had to slow down to 55 mph for safety, I could still quickly increase it to 75 mph. The heavier the rain, the higher the risk of hydroplaning. Yet, I have not encountered this problem while operating the car.
Tires can move under the harsh effects of weather on the highway. However, the product cannot perform the same actions in complex off-road terrain.
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5. Michelin CrossClimate SUV
Best for braking performance on dry and wet surfaces
I always find it annoying to have to change tires constantly when I want to travel in many different weather areas.
But luckily, I discovered the Michelin CrossClimate SUV. This product offers users many capabilities that regular all-weather tires models do not.
Its performance in dry, wet, and snowy conditions is relatively stable as an all-weather product. But if I had to choose the most impressive ability, it is braking performance.
The braking distance of the tire on the wet surface is especially short, only about 49 to 55 feet. The CrossClimate SUV won't slip too much on the road. I used to test with my heavy SUV, and the results were not unexpected.
The performance of dry brake tires is not inferior to wet surfaces. The spike design on the surface helps the CrossClimate SUV grip quite well in areas with high roughness and high temperatures. In addition, good ventilation also contributes significantly when minimizing the melting of the outer rubber layer.
It would be a significant omission if I didn't mention the snow performance of the tire. Sure, I don't claim the performance of an all-weather tire to be comparable to a pure winter one.
Really, the tire can dig pretty deep into 4 inches of snow. The surface of the CrossClimate SUV is also not affected by low temperatures anymore, which convinced me a lot.
The only thing that bothers me is the noise of the CrossClimate SUV. To have a high grip, the manufacturer has sacrificed the noise resistance of the tire.
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6. Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
Best for All-season Sport Driving
Despite being an SUV tire, Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 gives us the same performance as a sports tire. You should not miss this product if you like speed and often show off your techniques.
The Pilot Sport All Season 4 has excellent handling, especially when the vehicle moves at high speed. Although it is not a tire specialized for highway operation, the feeling the product gives me is excellent.
According to the manufacturer's announcement, at 65 mph, braking, turning, or avoiding obstacles is still flexible enough. In practical experience, I also tried rotating the wheel to turn the corner at 50 mph. And as expected, the tire still meets the needs well, although there are still a few slight flaws.
To reach speeds of 50 or 65 mph, I only need less than 10 seconds to accelerate with this product. Not only good handling, but the dry traction of the tire is also quite good.
For wet areas unsuitable for high-speed travel, Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 also has a way to optimize speed. By increasing grip, stability, and handling, the tire allows you to accelerate even in flooded areas.
I tried to experience traveling with this tire model when it was raining heavily. The road was quite empty then, so I could accelerate to 60 mph and still be safe.
Despite being flooded with water on the street, surprisingly, this version does not tend to slip.
The biggest problem that Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 has is creating noticeable tread growl when operating.
If you are sensitive to sound, you should think about using tires again.
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7. Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV
Best for Summer Sports Driving
Choosing the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV for summer trips will give you much more comfort and performance. The combination of sporty and summer factors has dramatically enhanced its performance.
Summer models often come with high performance, and the Pilot Sport 4 SUV is no exception. The ability to accelerate and stabilize the product's operation is relatively high compared to many other competitors.
Therefore, in 3 consecutive tests, I did not have much difficulty accelerating to 50, 55, and 70 mph with the product. The impressive dry traction the tire possesses also helps to reduce the time it takes to reach different speeds.
To help the tires withstand tremendous pressure at high temperatures, Michelin has applied new technologies to the Pilot Sport 4 SUV to maximize durability. The prominent is the advanced surface patterns and sturdy tire design.
In addition to the impact on stability when operating, the new design of the Pilot Sport 4 SUV also helps the tires to increase operating time. This Michelin product's service life is 2 or 3 times longer than most high-performance tires.
A common concept regarding high-performance products is their incredibly high noise levels. However, with this sporty summer tire, you can no longer hear the sound of friction. Therefore, I could hear sounds outside even when driving the SUV at high speed.
On the downside, you still have to spend a fair amount to own a Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV. Therefore, not everyone can afford such a high price.
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8. Michelin LTX A/T2
Best for Off-Road Driving
To test the off-road performance, I used the LTX A/T 2 to pass through areas including a small stream, forest road, sandy road, and mud. The operation in these four positions demonstrates the mobility of Michelin products.
The tire still has no trouble moving in flooded and rocky areas like streams. Even if I accidentally went into soft ground and let the water rise to half of the tire, hydroplaning wouldn't happen. I also tested stopping midstream and restarting to measure drag, and the result did not disappoint.
I found that the tire can dig very deep into the surface layer on rocky and gravelly forest roads. Almost no vibration is too big to affect me while on the move. Even sharp obstacles under the surface do not affect the operation much because of the thick tread.
The excellent traction allows the Michelin LTX A/T 2 to overcome medium-thickness sand. I tried towing part of the trailer in the back, and, amazingly, the product still didn't sink too much and worked adequately.
Only the muddy terrain is the tire which proved to be relatively weak. Even in shallow mud of only about 3 inches, the tires have had a lot of trouble moving.
Check out the closed review in this video:
Video created by Campus Automotive Inc
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9. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
Best Winter Tires for Sporty Trucks
The Pilot Alpin 5 SUV's sensitivity is relatively high, which is necessary for you when moving in snowy areas. And this is one of the right tires for powerful sports trucks when you want an authentic winter driving experience.
As soon as there was a slip, I could control the tire and move on quickly. Usually, once the driver has started to lose control, it is challenging for the user to regain the initiative.
Braking on slippery ice surfaces is never easy. However, you can have some peace of mind with the Pilot Alpin 5 SUV. The braking distance on wet and slippery roads of the tire is excellent.
I tested stopping when operating at 45 mph, and the measured slip only fluctuates at 62 to 68 feet.
Another great advantage of tires is their ability to move without making too much noise. Good grip and control often bring a lot of annoying sounds. However, I did not feel any noise when traveling through 30 miles of snow.
On top of that, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV is quite durable, especially compared to other snow tire models. The 30,000-mile manufacturer's warranty makes the product even more worthwhile.
The Pilot Alpin 5 SUV is one of the few SUV tires perfect for snow and ice. But you will probably need to balance your budget because of its high price.
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10. Michelin X-ICE SNOW SUV
Best Winter Tires for Light Truck/SUV
The Michelin X-ICE SNOW SUV has many outstanding elements, such as an extended treadwear warranty and snow performance for light trucks.
According to information from the manufacturer, you will get a warranty period of over 6 years or 40,000 Miles, which is relatively high compared to other versions of the same segment.
In addition, Michelin also provides us with a manufacturer's particular warranty program. If you are not satisfied with the performance of this version, you can return it within 60 days. The replacement warranty of the X-ICE SNOW also lasts for 6 years continuously.
Although it works very well in snow conditions, if you look closely, the Michelin X-ICE SNOW SUV is still a versatile product.
Accordingly, braking performance on all surfaces is almost the same. The braking distance on surfaces is 49 feet for dry areas and 62 feet for wet or icy areas.
Plus, the tire's sensitivity when downhill is also relatively high. I once tested the slope on a stand that curved to about 25 degrees. The car stopped right, not far from the slope, thanks to the tires' grip.
I have to admit that the Michelin X-ICE SNOW SUV is quite expensive to pay for, especially for middle-income people. Also, you won't be able to find an LT-metric sizes version with this model.
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Buying Guides: How to Choose the Best Michelin Tires for SUV
The information about the type and main features below will help you choose the best SUV tires more accurately and quickly. Let's check it out now!
1. Types of tires
- Touring tires
Touring tires have a smooth ride to maximize comfort. In addition, this product can also provide the exact good grip as all-weather tires
- Grand touring tires
It can be that great touring tires are more advanced versions of conventional touring tires.
- Highway tires
Highway tires are products designed for highway use. The durability and mobility of this tire are exceptionally high.
- All-weather tires
All-weather tires are versatile so that they can be available almost any time of the year, whether it's spring, summer, autumn, or winter.
- High-Performance tires
True to their name, high-performance tires offer excellent handling and endurance. However, these products often come with factors such as fuel consumption and noise.
- Off-road tires
Off-road tires dedicated to off-road purposes
- Winter tires
This line was born to serve the purpose of moving in winter. The construction of winter tires is usually light but much thicker to penetrate deep into the snow.
2. Features of Michelin tires
- A lot of choices
Michelin is a prominent manufacturer with decades of experience, so it is not difficult to understand that this brand can produce many different products for us to choose from. From SUV tires to truck tires and performance tires, you have access to the best Michelin products
- High level of safety
Tires play a huge role in vehicle performance and user safety. Therefore, Michelin has integrated many safety mechanisms into each product to maximize the peace of mind for users.
- Reduce tire noise
The consequences of this brand are all made from tire compounds with high elasticity and the ability to absorb noise. Thanks to that, the annoying sounds will no longer be an obsession for users.
- Superior handling
The handling on Michelin tires always gives us a natural and fast feeling. And modern technologies with solid construction make driving more efficient even in the harshest conditions.
- Outstanding durability
Michelin has always been a well-known brand for durability. Each tire model is constructed from the highest quality materials with the highest durability
- Energy saving
Saving energy is a new trend globally, and Michelin is no exception. Rolling resistance and factors that help increase performance but fuel consumption have disappeared. Instead, some mechanisms make moving both more economical and more powerful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Where are Michelin tires made?
The first Michelin factory is located in Clermont-Ferrand, France. But since the 50s of the last century, the brand's production line has returned to America.
In recent years, branches in South Carolina and several factories in France, the UK, and Japan have taken on more responsibility for this tire production process.
- Are the Michelin tires quiet and comfortable?
Michelin tire models have been famous for their smoothness and quietness in operation. Even tires that were already noisy are now much more stable.
- Can SUVs go off-road?
Most SUV models are capable of moving off-road. Of course, there will be some exceptions, but this number is not too many.
- Do all SUVs have 4-wheel drive?
All-wheel drive is a valuable mechanism, but not all SUVs have it.
- How long do SUV tires last?
Most SUV tires will last for three to five years if you're on the right track, with an average of 12,000 to 15,000 miles.
Conclusion
I've made it easy for you to find the perfect version with the 10 best Michelin tires for SUVs. From my point of view, if you want an excellent off-road product, the right choice would be the Michelin LTX A/T 2.
Meanwhile, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is the perfect name for balance and durability. If you have picked one for yourself, do not hesitate to share with us your exciting experiences. Thank you for reading!
I’m Ivo Gievski, the content writer for Tireer. We built our website with over 15 years of experience and extensive research in the automotive and technology sectors. My dedication to delivering high-quality content is unwavering, and I strive to continuously hone my skills to stay ahead of industry trends and provide readers with informative, engaging, and valuable insights.