You can ensure your safety and that of your passengers by choosing the right tires. You have one big problem, however: there are countless tire brands and types to choose from.
Our favorite passenger and all-season tires are the Yokohama YK740 GTX and Michelin Defender.
Tire Rack offers one of the best selections of tires on the planet. The company offers a seamless, low-stress buying experience and some of the best customer service we’ve seen.
As an online-only shop, Tire Rack can deliver a higher quality product at a lower price than other brands.
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How Does Yokohama YK740 GTX Work?
Globally, Yokohama has provided premium and reliable tires since 1917. It caters to light trucks, passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and off-road vehicles.
In its touring lineup, the YK740 GTX is suitable for performance cars, minivans, crossovers, and SUVs.
With its newly innovated tread design, it promises a comfortable and quiet ride all year long. The tread depth is 12 inches, and the overall diameter is 24.1 inches.
It is an all-season tire, so you can expect it to last in dry, wet, and icy conditions.
The Yokohama YK740 GTX features triple 3D snipes, asymmetric groove arrangement, special pitch variation, adaptive shoulder block, ELS orange change oil compound, and a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty.
It is available in H- and V-speed ratings, with sizes ranging from 185/55R15 to 255/55R20. These all-season performance touring passenger car tires come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, so you’re likely to find one that fits your car.
How Does a Michelin Defender Work?
Another trusted brand in the automotive industry is Michelin, and its Defender all-season touring tire can compete with Yokohama’s YK740 GTX.
Currently, there are two variants: Michelin Defender LTX M/S and Michelin Defender T + H. Both are designed to perform in any weather condition and ensure a long tread life.
One of the best-known features of the Michelin Defender is its 90,000-mile warranty. With its low rolling resistance feature, Green X technology, and fewer waste products, it also aims to provide its users with eco-friendly tires.
In addition to its extended tread life, all-season safety, and quiet ride, it also has an IntelliSipe technology that makes acceleration, braking, and cornering a breeze.
The tires are reliable on any surface and temperature because of their enhanced lateral and circumferential grooves.
From 175/70R13 to 235/55R17, it is suitable for sedans, crossovers, and minivans.
Yokohama YK740 GTX Pros ?
- Technology used in tire treads
- Handling that is crisp and steady
- It works great on snow
As a result of its positive features, the Yokohama YK740 GTX is regarded as an exemplary all-season and road touring tire.
The tire’s tread technology has impressed most users due to its asymmetric pattern and End-Locked Silica (ELS) orange tread compound.
ELS also makes the tire pliable despite extreme temperatures. Due to this, it has good traction on both dry and wet surfaces.
The YK740 GTX also excels in terms of steering and stability. With its crisp and steady handling, you don’t have to worry if you need to brake suddenly or turn sharply.
Due to the fact that it is not a racing car, it is less reliable at higher speeds.
Some areas experience freezing weather, but this variant also performs well on snow. With its triple 3D snipe, it can drive through low to moderate snow without a problem.
Due to this, this product is a bit dependable during winter, but it can still slide if the roads are icy.
Overall, the Yokohama YK740 GTX lives up to its promise of being a reliable all-season tire. Additionally, it has lower tread noise at moderate speeds, making the ride more enjoyable.
Michelin Defender Pros?
- Traction that is unmatched
- Capacity for stable cornering
- Rolling resistance is low
Michelin Defender ranked first in the Standard All-Season Tire category for a reason. First of all, this variety provides the best traction.
They have better grip on dry, wet, and even icy roads thanks to IntelliSipe technology. As soon as the tires come into contact with water, the tread splashes it away, preventing hydroplaning.
The tire is also praised for its stable cornering capacity, comfortable ride, and confident dry traction. Michelin Defender is an all-season passenger tire that does not produce noise regardless of road conditions.
A MaxTouch Construction complements its two steel belts and polymer features. Stability, speed, and strength are improved by this combination.
Low rolling resistance makes the Michelin Defender more cost-effective for customers. A more rigid tread block increases fuel efficiency at a lower cost. By using this variety, your gas tank can last longer, and you can save more.
In addition, Michelin is a leader in the development of environmentally friendly products. As a result of its tire’s longer mileage, the brand produces less waste each year.
Yokohama YK740 GTX vs Michelin Defender: What Are the Main Differences?
Difference of Warranty for tread life
Michelin Defender has more warranty
Michelin Defender tires have far better mileage than Yokohama YK740 GTX tires, as you have already learned.
It can cover up to 90,000 miles, compared to the latter’s 60,000-mile treadwear warranty. Thus, it makes sense to assume that the Defender has a longer life expectancy than its competitors.
One reason Michelin offers varieties that can last a year or longer is its commitment to reducing waste and improving the environment.
Comparison of Snow Traction and Water
Michelin Defender is the best
Winter is the best time to test your tire’s abilities. On some days, the roads are wet, while on others, they are covered in snow. If you live in an arctic region, which of our two competitors should you choose?
With its ESL orange oil and 3D snipe features, the Yokohama YK740 GTX performs well on wet roads.
This strength can, however, be questioned if you accelerate. In addition, its tread depth may underperform in light snow because it can only survive on light snow.
Michelin Defender’s ergonomic groove design makes it more suitable on icy roads, but it can only handle moderate snow conditions. You won’t have any problems with your brakes or handles while driving on the hard rubber.
It’s fair to say that neither of them are made specifically for winter. Tires may freeze in extreme cold conditions.
Performance of Off-Road
Performance of Michelin Defender is good
The Yokohama YK740 GTX and Michelin Defender are all-season tires that are not necessarily compatible with off-road adventures.
The latter can, however, pass over sandy, dirty, rocky, and muddy roads due to several features.
The tread design of the YK740 GTX is less aggressive than its counterpart. The tire may have a 3D snipe that improves traction, but it cannot survive harsh road conditions like the Defender.
In the event that it is soaked in mud or poked by sharp objects such as rocks and stones, it may encounter several problems.
The Michelin Defender’s grooves are wide enough to survive rough roads. Due to its circumference, it provides better biting performance on tougher pathways.
Comparison of the Pricing
Michelin Defender is Affordable
In terms of pricing, the two tires are on par. Despite being more expensive than the rest of the variants, their excellent qualities make up for it.
Due to its longer tread life and ability to endure tougher road conditions, the Michelin Defender still tops the competition for worthiness of purchase.
When to Use Yokohama YK740 GTX:
- As you drive through the city, you want a relaxed and quiet drive
- On dry pavements, you want a tire with excellent traction
- A tire with good steering and handling performance is what you prefer
When to Use Michelin Defender:
- Eco-friendly brands are important to you
- In terms of mileage, you want a tire that can last longer
- It is important to buy a product that is both valuable and reasonable in terms of its price and quality
Conclusion
Some of the best tires on the market today are the Yokohama YK740 GTX and the Michelin Defender. They both promise a smooth, safe, and reliable road touring experience, but they differ in several ways.
As a result, we prefer the Michelin Defender as it strikes a good balance between price and quality. The YK740 GTX is still a winner, however, since it offers advanced and improved features that other low-budget tires cannot.
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