Michelin Defender vs. Premier Tires: Here's What to Know
Choosing between tires can be confusing. Here’s what you need to know when you’re picking between Michelin Defender vs. Premier tires.
Written by Alex Reale
Reviewed by Lisa Steuer McArdle
Having
great tires
can help you drive more safely, keep maintenance to a minimum, and even save you money on gas. In a world of endless options, how do you choose the best set for your vehicle?Jerry
, the trustworthy insurance comparison app
, compares and contrasts two options: Michelin Defender vs. Premier tires.Michelin Defender
Let’s start with the Defender tires from Michelin. These tires utilize a compound that Michelin calls Evertread™, which claims a superior and durable tread in any weather. Defender tires are ideal for poor conditions—they will maintain tread and grip in rain, snow, and everything in between.
These tires are also eco-friendly and fuel efficient: they will save up to 65 gallons of fuel for the driver over the course of their lives. And the warranty options come in tiers, but the top one will allow for 70,000 miles’ worth of coverage. That’s 25 road trips between New York and Los Angeles.
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Michelin Premier
Michelin Premier tires tout many of the same virtues as Defender tires—excellence in poor conditions, happy in all seasons—but emphasize some different angles as well. Michelin Premier tires take pride in their ability to remain safe at all times: their motto is “Safe When New. Safe When Worn.” Premier claims impressive wet-braking technology that makes rain driving a piece of cake.
Premier also makes sure to nod to its fancy name by throwing in “luxury and comfort” as one descriptor. This first class feeling is achieved by way of Comfort Control Technology™, which apparently keeps road noise and vibration to a minimum. The warranties are also tiered here, but the top one only reaches 60,000 miles.
MORE: Do I Need Performance Tires?
Michelin defender vs. Premier: How do I choose?
Luckily, we have an objective measure: car type. The two tires do have associated vehicle types listed on the Michelin site. If you have an SUV crossover or a light truck, go with Defender. If you’re driving a luxury performance or passenger car, go with Premier.
The more subjective, annoying answer is, of course, “it depends.” You can technically add either tire type to your vehicle, depending on the look and feel you’re hoping to achieve. If you’re a person who likes reviews, you may find it useful to know that Defender gets a 4.5 star overall rating on Michelin’s site, while Premier only gets a 3.8. Plus, as we know, Defender gets 10,000 more miles on the mileage warranty than Premier.
When it comes to Michelin defender vs. Premier tires, you can rest assured knowing that both options have been designed to perform at high levels throughout all seasons. Your vehicle will roll merrily along, courtesy of a Defender or a Premier.
4.7
