Yokohama Avid Ascend GT vs Michelin Defender T+H

Both are All-Season tires that offer reliable performance and excellent comfort for long distances.

Yokohama Avid Ascend has a higher void ratio that provides good hydroplaning resistance.

Whereas, Michelin Defender has a higher contact patch and more effective sipes that offer excellent navigation on dry and wet tracks.

Let’s find out which tire is superior in terms of handling, rolling resistance, and comfort, through this comparison.

Detailed Comparison of Yokohama Avid Ascend and Michelin Defender T+H

Featuring a five-pitch tread design, Yokohama Avid Ascend consists of two outer shoulders and three central block columns.

Four wide circumferential grooves are running all over the tread, separating the tread blocks.

Shoulders are broad and the shoulder lugs are also larger in comparison.

Furthermore, the sipes present on the central blocks are also not efficient.

Michelin Defender T+H also features a five-pitch asymmetrical tread design.

The entire tread is divided into two shoulders and three rows of central blocks along with four narrow grooves. The pattern of shoulders is dense and lugs are also closely positioned.

In addition to this, the sipes found on the central part and shoulder blocks are also deep and numerous.

This is what makes a huge difference in the wet traction performance of this tire.

Grip Comparison

Dry stopping distance of the Avid Ascend was recorded higher than its counterpart.

That’s because it features relatively wider grooves which decrease its contact patch.

As a result, the dry grip of this tire is compromised to a great extent.

In addition to this, its performance on wet and icy surfaces is also compromised due to the inefficient sipes found on the entire tread.

These sipes are not deep enough to provide traction on wet surfaces, so the wet braking distance is increased. However, the tables turn if we talk about Yokohama’s grip on soft snow.

The wider and deeper grooves prove to be extremely helpful in maximizing the grip and provide smooth mobility to the tire.

The dry braking distance of the Michelin Defender is lower than the Yokohama.

The braking distance was recorded shorter because of its higher contact patch.

The same performance is witnessed on wet and icy surfaces as well.

The multi-directional sipes present on the central part and the shoulders are deep and numerous.

This is what helps this tire to outperform its competitor by achieving a shorter braking distance.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Defender’s performance on soft snow.

That’s because it is not equipped with wide enough grooves to support snowy conditions.

So, its performance on soft snow is considered less effective in comparison.

Handling Comparison

We found the dry handling speed of the Avid Ascend lower than its competitor because it features open shoulders and larger shoulder lugs.

Due to this, the biting edge of the tire while making turns over sharp edges decreases, and the time taken by the vehicle to finish a circular track increase.

The wet and ice handling of this tire is also not effective because of the inefficient sipes on the shoulder blocks which are unable to maintain traction.

As a result, the vehicle’s speed on these tracks is also reduced.

However, when it comes to the performance on soft snow, the Yokohama Avid Ascend displays maximum performance due to its higher void ratio.

Therefore, the tire will be able to evacuate more snow through its grooves.

Talking about Defender’s dry handling, it features compact shoulders.

Therefore, the vehicle was able to complete a lap faster than its counterpart.

Moreover, the numerous and deep multi-directional shoulder sipes, increase the wet and ice handling speed.

As a result, the vehicle completed a lap faster on wet and icy circular tracks.

However, this tire’s handling on soft snow is compromised due to its lower void ratio that does not allow effective evacuation of snow from the grooves.

Therefore, the vehicle will be unable to maintain its stability on snowy roads.

Hydroplaning Resistance

Avid Ascend provides incredible resistance of hydroplaning due to its wider and deeper circumferential grooves.

Due to this, the stability of the vehicle on flooded roads is increased which in turn reduces the cases of accidents.

In comparison, the hydroplaning resistance of the Michelin is lower because of its narrower grooves.

Since it features narrower grooves, there will be less area to clear water from this tire’s tread.

As a result, there is a high chance that the vehicle will lose its grip on flooded roads.

Comparison of Rolling Resistance

Talking about the rolling resistance of both the tire, Avid Ascend will face a lower rolling resistance because of its lower contact patch.

Due to this, the less part of tire touches the road and as a result, less force will be required to keep the tire moving.

Since this tire’s rolling resistance is less, its fuel efficiency will increase too.

On the other hand, due to the higher contact patch of the Michelin Defender, more area of its tread will come in connection with the road’s surface.

As a result, it will require more force to roll on the road.

Therefore, the rolling resistance of the Defender T+H will increase and it will require a higher volume of fuel to overcome it, it will lead to lower fuel efficiency.

Comfort

Avid Ascend loses to its competitor in providing comfort.

Since it features a higher void ratio, there will be more area for air particles to travel inside its grooves.

So, when the vehicle will move at high speed, the air molecules will strike against the grooves and as a result, a high-pitch noise will be heard.

This is what reduces the overall comfort of Avid Ascend.

In comparison, the Michelin Defender is a more comfortable option because of its narrower grooves.

Due to this, there will be less movement of air particles.

Thus, the tire will produce relatively less noise even when driving at high speed.

Durability & Treadwear

The rolling resistance of the Avid Ascend is reduced due to its lower contact patch.

As a result, the tread of this tire will deteriorate slower than its competitor.

In addition to this, it is constructed using all the high-quality materials such as silica-based compound which increases the tire’s durability.

Due to a stiff coupling on the tire’s carcass the chances of punctures are reduced.

Conversely, due to the higher contact patch of the Michelin Defender, its rolling resistance is increased.

Therefore, its tread will wear out faster than that of Yokohama.

However, on the brighter side, the manufacturing of these tires is also done using all the high-quality materials.

So, it will slow down the treadwear to some extent.

Quick Summary

• Both are All-Season tires.
• The dry, wet, and ice grip of Defender is better.
• The dry, wet, and ice handling of Defender is also superior.
• Avid Ascend’s grip and handling on soft snow is more effective.
• The hydroplaning resistance of the Yokohama is better.
• The rolling resistance of the Avid Ascend is lower leading to higher fuel efficiency.
• The Michelin Defender offers better comfort to the users.
• The tread of the Avid Ascend wears out slower making it a more durable option.
• Defender costs more than its rival.