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Bridgestone is one of the biggest name brands in the tire industry, but do Bridgestone tires live up to the buzz? In this Bridgestone tires review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the company as a whole, including its industry ratings, most popular tires, costs, tire longevity, and more.
A new set of tires can often be an expensive investment. Make sure you spend your money wisely by comparing multiple tire models before you buy. Tires are highly specialized, so by taking the time to research your next set, you can find a model that perfectly fits your needs and budget.
A good place to start your search is our best tires review. You can also compare different tire brands, including Bridgestone, on TireRack.com.
Bridgestone Overview
Founded in 1931 in Fukuoka, Japan, Bridgestone is today one of the biggest global tire manufacturers. According to a 2019 Statista tire revenue study, Bridgestone accounts for the majority of the tire market share worldwide, beating out big-name manufacturers like Michelin and Goodyear.
Bridgestone also acts as the parent company for other well-known auto and tire companies including Dayton, Fuzion, and Firestone tires. In 1988, Bridgestone acquired Firestone, making it one of the largest tire companies in the world. Both tire brands are well-regarded in the industry and are also highly rated by consumers.
Bridgestone has been at the forefront of run-flat technology with its DriveGuard line. These all-season models can last up to 50 miles after going flat, which gives you enough time to get off the road safely and even find a tire repair shop. What’s more, they’re backed by a 65,000-mile tread life warranty.
There is a wide range of Bridgestone tire models, many of which are highly rated within their tire category. Bridgestone’s Blizzak WS80 is one of the best winter tires currently available, and the company’s all-terrain Dueler range is also well-regarded.
Bridgestone Industry Ratings
Bridgestone tires follow an evaluation system created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This system is called Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG), and it grades tires – except specialized tires – based on their treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.
Here’s an explanation of the UTQG grading system:
Treadwear: This grade estimates the longevity of your tires. To calculate treadwear, tires are measured against a control tire given a rating of 100. If a tire has a 500 treadwear rating, that means it lasted five times longer than the control. Most passenger tires have between a 300 and 500 treadwear rating, according to data from SaferCar.gov.
Traction: This grade measures how well your tires “grip” a wet road. Traction grades are given on a scale of AA, A, B, or C. Good day-to-day passenger tires typically receive A ratings.
Temperature: This grade evaluates a tire’s heat resistance on a scale of A, B, or C. Tires need to withstand different temperatures based on their specialization. High-performance tires, for example, usually move at much higher speeds than all-season tires, and in turn, have higher temperature ratings.
It’s important to note that the NHTSA does not oversee UTQG tests. Manufacturers and independent companies hired by brands are responsible for tire testing and reporting.
Below, we’ve listed a few top-rated Bridgestone tire models and their treadwear, traction, and temperature scores using data from SaferCar.gov.
| Bridgestone Tire Model |
Tire Type | Treadwear Score | Traction Score | Temperature Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dueler H/L Alenza Plus | Light truck/SUV Touring All-season |
540 to 800 | A | A to B |
| DriveGuard | Passenger Grand touring All-season |
460 to 640 | A | A |
| Dueler A/T RH-S | Light truck/SUV All-terrain |
400 | B | B |
| Potenza RE980AS | Passenger Ultra-high performance All-season |
500 | AA | A |
If you want to know the UTQG scores for your current tires, they can be found on your tires’ sidewalls.
Most Popular Bridgestone Tires
Bridgestone offers a wide range of high-quality tires. While the company’s popular models may not be the best of the best in any one category, they are still well-respected in the industry. For example, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 made our best winter tires review, coming in at number two.
Here are a few of Bridgestone’s most popular tires:
- Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza: A symmetric, double-layered-tread tire designed for SUVs and light trucks for year-round use
- Bridgestone Blizzak WS80: A tried-and-true studless winter tire featuring zig-zag sipes for added grip and improved rubber flexibility
- Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS: An ultra-high performance tire with an asymmetric tread, a stiff sidewall, full-depth sipes, and lateral slots for a high-contact drive
- Bridgestone DriveGuard: A grand touring, all-season tire with Bridgestone’s newest run-flat technology, allowing the tire to drive an additional 50 miles after a puncture
Each of these tires is backed by multiple 4.0-star customer ratings or higher on Tire Rack, as well as long-standing industry approval. Independent industry tests score Bridgestone’s quality highly, but as we mentioned above, the tires are usually beaten out by other brands.
Bridgestone replacement tires come with a limited warranty to protect against defective materials or workmanship, which lasts until the tire is worn down to 2/32 inch of the original tread.
As for tread life warranties, Bridgestone tires last around 50,000 miles on average. Some of its all-season and touring models come with longer 65,000-mile tread life warranties, but this isn’t too impressive. Other big-name brands have 70,000-mile warranties or above.
Cost of Bridgestone Tires
Bridgestone tires are comparable with Michelin tires in terms of affordability – both companies produce expensive tires. However, this high cost reflects Bridgestone’s rubber quality and rigorous testing standards.
Here is what each of Bridgestone’s most popular models costs on Tire Rack:
- Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza: $270.47 (P285/45R22)
- Bridgestone Blizzak WS90: $161.48 (235/65R16)
- Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS: $136.99 (215/55R17)
- Bridgestone DriveGuard: $127.99 (205/65RF16)
Because of Bridgestone’s hefty price tag, we would’ve liked to see longer-lasting warranties. An expensive tire can sometimes offer better value in the long run if it wears slowly.
Bridgestone Tire Reviews
Bridgestone tires are highly rated by customers and decently rated by industry experts. In the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction StudySM for passenger tires, Bridgestone scored just at the industry average – 712 out of a possible 1,000 points. For truck and utility tires, the company did slightly worse, scoring 700 points compared to a 704-point industry average.
Here are what customers have to say about Bridgestone tires on Tire Rack:
Positive Bridgestone Tire Reviews
“[I] only have 2,000 miles on these [Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS] tires, but I must admit, they have surpassed my expectations. They handle fantastic and are much more quiet than expected. Having [all-wheel drive] also helps, but the tires have performed excellent.” – via Tire Rack
“These are my second set of [Bridgestone Blizzak WS80s] I’ve purchased. In my opinion, [they’re] the best winter tire you can buy. Solid performance, great traction, and a feeling of security you don’t get from other winter tires.” – via Tire Rack
Negative Bridgestone Tire Reviews
“For the first 8,000 miles, [the Bridgestone Turanza ER33] tires performed quite well in both dry and wet. But wet traction and resistance to hydroplaning went downhill after that. They have never been quiet tires from day one, but the noise reached irritating levels after 10,000 miles.” – via Tire Rack
“These [Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza] tires are about a 16th away from the wear strip with only 30,000 miles on them. Will not get close to the factory-rated mileage. Hydroplaning is a serious issue with them. With just a little water on the road, you are skiing with no control whatsoever.” – via Tire Rack
Our Thoughts on Bridgestone Tires
Overall, we give Bridgestone 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. We like the company’s range of passenger and truck tires, all of which are of good quality. We also like the company’s run-flat innovation and emphasis on low-noise models. However, Bridgestone tires are expensive and come with average tread life warranties.
You can start shopping for Bridgestone tires at TireRack.com.
Other Recommendations for Tires
Before purchasing a new set of tires, it’s best to shop around. Bridgestone tires are a good choice, but there are other options to consider. Michelin tires are known for their quality, while Cooper tires are a more affordable option.
Michelin: Best Tires Overall
If you’re looking for a top-quality tire, we recommend Michelin. The company boasts a large variety of models, including some of the best all-season tires on the market, with long-lasting tread life warranties. Although they tend to be one the pricier side, many drivers believe they’re worth the investment.
Shop for Michelin tires on TireRack.com.
Cooper: Most Affordable
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, we recommend Cooper tires. The company specializes in replacement tires and offers some of the lowest prices in the industry without sacrificing quality. It also offers tread life warranties up to 80,000 miles, which increases the tires’ cost-effectiveness over time.
Shop for Cooper tires on TireRack.com.
Original article: 2021 Bridgestone Tires Review
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