The largest tyre manufacturer in the world, surpassing Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, and Goodyear, is Bridgestone. The business has production plants spread over 24 nations.
In 1988, Bridgestone acquired Firestone for $2.6 billion, renaming the new corporation Bridgestone Americas and establishing a U.S. headquarters.
The business now makes tyres for almost all categories. More than 8,500 installers have been endorsed by it. Here are some exceptional tyres from each of the major consumer tyre categories.
Bridgestone Pros and Cons
- Original equipment for many manufacturers
- Bridgestone has one of the world’s most reputable brands
- Off-road Dueler tires are well regarded
- Blizzak winter tires are state of the art
- A confusing array of products. There are 28 different tires listed under the “Potenza” model name alone, from a basic all-season tyre, to an ultra-high performance tire
- Some all-season models offer lousy winter performance
- The Ecopia line of tires suffers from poor ratings in almost every condition
Best Bridgestone Tires by Car Type
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 – Best Winter Tire
Winter tyres are the one tyre category in which Bridgestone is the standard. All other devices are compared to the “Blizzak” as the gold standard. These are high-end winter tyres designed to give sedans and minivans safe handling on snow and ice. The WS90s have a brand-new tread compound with the company’s “multi-cell” design to draw water toward it and away from the ice surface, improving winter traction. In the era of all-season tyres, switching to winter tyres each season may seem like a needless effort, but it significantly improves safety in areas with severe winter weather. Car Talk testers have used Bridgestone Blizzak tyres for ten years in a variety of combinations, and they can vouch for their reputation as one of the best options available when looking for winter tyres.
Specs:
- Brand: Bridgestone
- Model: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
- Weight: 17 to 29 pounds
- Available Sizes: 14″, 15”, 16”, 17” ,18”, 19″
Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus – Best SUV Tire
An all-season tyre designed for SUVs, CUVs, and light trucks, the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus maximizes performance, fuel economy, and ride comfort. Additionally, it has a great 80,000-mile treadwear warranty and is long-lasting. Sizes 15″ to 22″ of the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus are offered.
Specs:
- Brand: Bridgestone
- Model: Dueler H/L Alenza Plus
- Weight: 33 to 49 pounds
- Available Sizes: 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 21″, 22″
Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 – Best Truck Tire
The Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 was introduced in 2017 and is made specifically for the pickup trucks that the American workforce adores. A heavy-duty, all-season truck tyre, it performs best when hauling large weights than when wearing itself out on the road. The footprint of the tire’s tread on the road adjusts to the weight of the load being carried, resulting in more equal tread wear and longer tyre life.
Specs
- Brand: Bridgestone
- Model: Dueler H/T 685
- Weight: 32 to 52 pounds
- Available Sizes: 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″
Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS – Best Performance All-Season
The Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS, which debuted in 2018, aimed for ultra-high performance in both upscale and sporty sedans, coupes, and two-seaters. This is the option to choose if you desire excellent high-speed road holding, maximum grip, and stability when entering turns. It is an all-season tyre that can handle light snow well (thanks to 3D full-depth sipes) and prevents hydroplaning by releasing water from the point where the rubber meets the road, but it cannot replace the stability of a winter tyre.
Specs:
- Brand: Bridgestone
- Model: Potenza RE980AS
- Weight: 24 to 27 pounds
- Available Sizes: 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R – Best Performance Summer
An update to the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R is in the works and is expected this winter or early next year. Inventory is currently extremely low, and a new Bridgestone family model could replace the previous generation. The formal name of the successor, according to our Bridgestone pals, has not yet been chosen, but they might stick with RE-71R. The duration of the matching inventory is a concern for distributors. Bridgestone has wisely timed its changeover because it only produces summer tyres. If there are any left, buyers should feel confident purchasing the RE-71R if they want a terrific ultra-high performance tyre, but they should be warned that finding an exact replacement might be challenging.
The 2021-released Potenza Sport is another excellent choice. It was chosen for various high-end vehicles by some rather outstanding automakers, including the Maserati MC20, Lamborghini Huracan STO, and Ferrari Roma. Bridgestone lists a quiet ride and wet surface performance as two of the Potenza Sports’ top features in addition to being a track-ready tyre. We recommend choosing this model if you intend to keep your car’s tyres on for a long time in case you need to replace one at any point. Furthermore, since the tyre is not “direction,” it is feasible to rotate the tyre from side to side if your vehicle has different-sized tyres on the front and back, which is typical on performance vehicles and some grand touring vehicles.
Specs:
- Brand: Bridgestone
- Model: Potenza RE-71R
- Weight: 19 to 23 pounds
- Available Sizes: 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″
Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3 – Best Off-Road Tire
This top-of-the-line all-terrain tyre has a laser-like concentration on pickup trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. It was designed to enhance off-road agility while yet offering a comfortable ride on the highways, where it will spend the majority of its time. It has Bridgestone’s Traction Claw technology for quick traction in mud or snow drifts. Large tread blocks and staggered shoulder lugs are used in the tread pattern to give the tyre an aggressive appearance, which is popular with off-roaders, as well as longer-lasting performance. The tyres are designed to prevent uneven wear and are chip- and tear-resistant.
Specs:
- Brand: Bridgestone
- Model: Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3
- Weight: 34 to 59 pounds
- Available Sizes: 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”
Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack – Best All-Season Tire
The Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack is an excellent all-around tyre that was created for use on popular sedans and automobiles throughout the year. This is a wonderful option if you wish to go through space in a state of calm akin to zen. The tyre was designed using Bridgestone’s brand-new QuietTrack Technology, a noise-dampening innovation that is precisely adjusted to lower high-frequency noise levels and guarantee a quieter ride. The tyre is a survivor and is covered by a limited guarantee of 80,000 miles.
Specs:
- Brand: Bridgestone
- Model: Turanza QuietTrack
- Weight: 18 to 21 pounds
- Available Sizes: 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″
Why Choose Bridgestone Tires?
The largest tyre manufacturer in the world, Bridgestone, which also owns the legendary Firestone brand, has a solid reputation for creating tyres that are competitive in every category. With them, I’ve had excellent outcomes on both of my automobiles. Bridgestone tyres last incredibly long and are frequently covered by an 80,000-mile warranty. The quality is excellent; I’ve seen the attention that goes into making business rubber when I visited Bridgestone’s facility in Aiken County, South Carolina. The 2017 and 2018 Supplier Quality Excellence Awards went to Bridgestone.
Bridgestone is a pioneer in the study of practical synthetic rubbers and recently unveiled a novel polymer that has 2.5 times the abrasion resistance and five times the crack resistance of natural rubber.
The company creates high-performance tyres, tyres that are excellent for snow and ice, and tyres that are extremely quiet thanks to its QuietTrack technology.
Important Considerations When Choosing a Tire Brand
Customer happiness is crucial. Look for reoccurring concerns on company message boards. Another indicator is which companies are employing your brand as original equipment in the automotive industry. Consumer Reports keeps a helpful buying guide for tyres. Don’t forget to match the speed rating of your new tyres to that of the old ones.
FAQ
How long do Bridgestone tires last?
All-season tyres have a lifespan of three to five years, or up to 45,000 miles, according to the manufacturer. You may be able to continue driving on them after that point, but keeping a pair of tyres until they are totally worn out is not a smart idea.
What size tires does Bridgestone offer?
The firm manufactures passenger car tyres in widths ranging from 14 to 21 inches.
What brands are comparable to Bridgestone?
Continental, Cooper, Goodyear, Hankook, Nokian, and Michelin
Where can I buy Bridgestone tires online?
webpages for Bridgestone, Firestone, Tire Rack, and SimpleTire.
Are Bridgestone tires good quality?
Yes, Bridgestone has been making tyres for a long time and has a solid reputation for quality assurance.
Does Michelin own Bridgestone?
No, they are distinct entities—you may call them rivals or peers, as you please. After acquiring Firestone, Bridgestone called the new conglomerate Bridgestone Americas.