20" Inch Defender LTX M/S2 or Ion HT - 275/65R20

[922110]

I'm looking to buy two R1S's for the wife and myself (once the gen 3 update hits) and will be immediately swapping off the Pirelli ATR tires as I have no off roading need but I want the extra sidewall/comfort/impact resistance, and the Pirelli's are trash tires so going to swap them off and sell them immediately.

I've narrowed down the choices to the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 116H and the Hankook iON HT 116H. I feel like the Defenders are the safe choice but I'm wondering if the new Hankooks might be better suited for the vehicle? What's everyone's thoughts on this? They are both within 1lb of each other.

- Wet and dry handling/braking
- Comfort/NVH
- Efficiency/rolling resistance

Winter weather & off road performance don't matter for me. They both have similar tread wear warranties.

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[Parsival]

I have the defender LTX and I love how quiet they are over the AT Scorpions which are noisy as hell. They are wearing very evenly front/rear but don't expect any efficiency gain. I'm pulling 2.3 miles per kWh on mixed driving w a 22 R1T Quad. on 20" rims.

 

[922110]

I have the defender LTX and I love how quiet they are over the AT Scorpions which are noisy as hell. They are wearing very evenly front/rear but don't expect any efficiency gain. I'm pulling 2.3 miles per kWh on mixed driving w a 22 R1T Quad. on 20" rims.

Thanks, I usually swear by Michelin tires due to even wear over time, performance when worn, not going out of round (like every Pirelli tire I've ever owned).

What was your efficiency with the Pirelli ATR Scorpions? I'm really surprised that a highway tire that weighs 4lb less would have the same efficiency as a heavier off road tire.

 

[armchairpistolero]

I was debating the same two choices but went with the Ion HT last Friday. I have no data other than I find the sidewall to be firmer than the stock Pirelli, which is a plus for me. I chose the Ion HT because I wanted a more road/highway oriented tire. The 126H Defenders on my Sprinter are a little squishy for my liking when loaded, and I thought that might also be the case for these chunky trucks. Much lower cost (additional $100 Hankook rebate too through May 31) was another factor. I usually don't make tire choices based on cost, but if I hate the tires I won't mind as much if I junk them.

First Hankook I've ever purchased, and generally love Michelins for most applications.

 

[ksurfier]

Not sure if already mentioned but I believe the ION HT still has a 100-day trial period, I'd definitely give them a shot and review tread depth at 30 day intervals, then if all is good keep them and otherwise can turn em back in and get the Michellins...

 

[922110]

Not sure if already mentioned but I believe the ION HT still has a 100-day trial period, I'd definitely give them a shot and review tread depth at 30 day intervals, then if all is good keep them and otherwise can turn em back in and get the Michellins...

In the small print they will swap them for another set of Hankooks, so not really much of a trial.

 

[922110]

I was debating the same two choices but went with the Ion HT last Friday. I have no data other than I find the sidewall to be firmer than the stock Pirelli, which is a plus for me. I chose the Ion HT because I wanted a more road/highway oriented tire. The 126H Defenders on my Sprinter are a little squishy for my liking when loaded, and I thought that might also be the case for these chunky trucks. Much lower cost (additional $100 Hankook rebate too through May 31) was another factor. I usually don't make tire choices based on cost, but if I hate the tires I won't mind as much if I junk them.

First Hankook I've ever purchased, and generally love Michelins for most applications.

Yeh I usually swear by Michelins after being burned too many times by other manufacturers (Pirelli). Were you using the Pirelli ATR+ 275/65R20 before? How does the efficiency compare?

 

[Tony R1S]

I've had the Michelin (MS2 275/65) for about 15K miles. Good mileage,(2.5m/K), treadwear, and quiet, but I get slight steering wheel shake around 65. Just did RF balance/rotate and but it reduced the shake from above 70 to 65 now which sucks. The latest OTA update seemed to help reduce the shake a little, but not completely.

 

[922110]

I've had the Michelin (MS2 275/65) for about 15K miles. Good mileage,(2.5m/K), treadwear, and quiet, but I get slight steering wheel shake around 65. Just did RF balance/rotate and but it reduced the shake from above 70 to 65 now which sucks. The latest OTA update seemed to help reduce the shake a little, but not completely.

2.5mi/kWh is pretty good, that sucks about the wheel shaking. Could it be worn suspension/drivetrain components?

Never had an issue with steering wheel shake on any large SUV I've owned, I don't know why Rivian has such an issue.

 

[armchairpistolero]

Yeh I usually swear by Michelins after being burned too many times by other manufacturers (Pirelli). Were you using the Pirelli ATR+ 275/65R20 before? How does the efficiency compare?

I had the stock Pirelli All Terrain Plus 275/65R20s. They were three years old and 20k miles. I didn't hate the Pirellis. Actually very good all around traction in mixed conditions. Wet weather handling dropped off and noise increased significantly after about 15k miles despite even wear patterns. My efficiency was 2.16 mi/kWh.

I've driven less than 100 miles on the Hankooks so I don't want to assess efficiency yet. I would describe them as feeling bouncy and firm at 48 psi. Feel and respond like an all-season tire. I will try them at lower pressure soon.

 

[Gigabit]

Currently getting 3.02mi/kWh on my Michelin defender LTX (MS2 275/60R20). Dual performance 2023. Would recommend.

 

[Tony R1S]

2.5mi/kWh is pretty good, that sucks about the wheel shaking. Could it be worn suspension/drivetrain components?

Never had an issue with steering wheel shake on any large SUV I've owned, I don't know why Rivian has such an issue.

I've already had majority of the suspension replaced over time (including driveunit, subframe, hubs, shafts, etc.), so it could still be a suspension issue, but the previous Pirelli AT was fine, just noisy. I'll get it checked by service center next time I go in for other things.

 

[superfly_snook]

Currently getting 3.02mi/kWh on my Michelin defender LTX (MS2 275/60R20). Dual performance 2023. Would recommend.

That seems like pretty good efficiency. Thanks for sharing that!

 

[922110]

Currently getting 3.02mi/kWh on my Michelin defender LTX (MS2 275/60R20). Dual performance 2023. Would recommend.

Wow, that's incredible efficiency. Do you have the right tire size set? Almost seems too high.

I'm still going for 275/65 as I want the additional side wall for comfort and impact resistance.

 

[jeeden]

Team Michelin Defender here. They have about 15k miles on them with our 2023 LE and are still like driving on clouds. They crushed it in the snow this winter too...

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