There are all sorts of tires available for a range of different tasks, and within each type, the sub-categories are just as numerous. Under the heading of "Performance" tires on Tire Rack's website, for example, there are eight different sub-categories, including things like Extreme Performance, Ultra High Performance, and Max Performance. Michelin, which we've ranked at the top of all tire brands in 2025, is no exception to this rule. The CrossClimate2 and Defender2 tires are examples of this — they're both technically all-season tires, so you might consider cross-shopping them, but they're really two different kinds of all-season tires. I also recently had the chance to test out several Michelin tires, including the CrossClimate2 and versions of the Defender (though not specifically the Defender2), and there was a lot to learn from the experience.