Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 vs Michelin Defender 2: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 and Michelin Defender 2 appear in 23 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.
How the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 performs. It takes the win in noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 95/100, based on 22 tests.
How the Michelin Defender 2 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice. It has limited comparative test data, so treat its results as indicative.
What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.
Verdict
The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 and Michelin Defender 2 are closely matched. Pick based on the category that matters most to your driving — wet, dry, comfort, mileage, or price.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise noise / comfort
- You prioritise mileage
- You prioritise efficiency
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise snow
Test profile
| Metric | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 | Michelin Defender 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Touring | Touring |
| Type | Summer | Summer |
| Tests used | 22 | 1 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 7.9 | 6.8 |
| Latest test | 2026 | 2024 |
| Tire Lab Score | 95.1 | — |
Tire Lab Score
Michelin Defender 2
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 | Michelin Defender 2 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 7.3 164 | Avg rank 6.3 1 | Michelin Defender 2 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 7.7 21 | Avg rank 7.0 | Michelin Defender 2 |
| ❄️Snow | No data | Avg rank 5.3 1 | Michelin Defender 2 |
| 🧊Ice | No data | Avg rank 8.0 | Michelin Defender 2 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 7.2 636 | No data | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 8.5 52 | No data | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 10.6 1 | No data | Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 |
💧 Wet: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 vs Michelin Defender 2
The Michelin Defender 2 wins this category with an average rank of 6.3, compared to 7.3 for the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2.
☀️ Dry: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 vs Michelin Defender 2
The Michelin Defender 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.0, compared to 7.7 for the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2.
❄️ Snow: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 vs Michelin Defender 2
The Michelin Defender 2 wins this category with an average rank of 5.3, compared to no data for the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2.
🧊 Ice: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 vs Michelin Defender 2
The Michelin Defender 2 wins this category with an average rank of 8.0, compared to no data for the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 vs Michelin Defender 2
The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 wins this category with an average rank of 7.2, compared to no data for the Michelin Defender 2.
📏 Mileage: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 vs Michelin Defender 2
The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 wins this category with an average rank of 8.5, compared to no data for the Michelin Defender 2.
🔋 Efficiency: Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 vs Michelin Defender 2
The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 wins this category with an average rank of 10.6, compared to no data for the Michelin Defender 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 or Michelin Defender 2?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Michelin Defender 2 ranks higher on average than the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Michelin Defender 2 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 ranks better than the Michelin Defender 2.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 shows better mileage performance than the Michelin Defender 2.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 appears in 22 independent tests, Michelin Defender 2 in 1.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →
