Bridgestone is a well-known brand in the tire industry. But do Bridgestone tires live up? This Bridgestone tires review will provide an in-depth overview of the company, including industry ratings, most beloved tires, cost, longevity, and other factors.
An expensive purchase of new tires can be costly. Compare multiple models of tires before making a purchase to ensure you are spending your money wisely. You can find the right model for you and your budget by researching tire models. Tires are extremely specialized.
Our best tires review is a good place to begin your search. You can also compare tire brands including Bridgestone on TireRack.com.
Bridgestone Overview
Bridgestone, a global tire manufacturer, was founded in Fukuoka in Japan in 1931. A 2019 Statista tire revenue report shows that Bridgestone holds the largest tire market share in the world, surpassing other big-name brands like Michelin or Goodyear.
Bridgestone is also the parent company of other well-known tire and auto companies like Fuzion, Dayton, Fuzion and Firestone tires. Bridgestone purchased Firestone in 1988. This made it one of the most important tire companies worldwide. Both tire brands are highly rated by customers and well-respected in the industry.
With its DriveGuard product line, Bridgestone is a pioneer in run-flat technology. These all-season models are able to last 50 miles before going flat. This gives you enough time to safely get on the road and find a tire shop. They also come with a 6-5,000-mile tread warranty.
Bridgestone tires come in a variety of models. Many of them are highly rated in their respective tire categories. Bridgestone’s Blizzak HTML80 is one the most popular winter tires and the company’s all terrain Dueler range is highly regarded.
Bridgestone Industry Ratings
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has created an evaluation system for Bridgestone tires. Uniform Tire Quality Grading is (UTQG) and grades tires based on treadwear, traction and temperature resistance.
Here is a description of the UTQG grading process:
Treadwear This grade determines the life expectancy of your tires. Tires are compared to a 100-rated control tire in order to calculate treadwear. A tire with a 500 treadwear rating means that it lasts five times as long as the control. According to SaferCar.gov, most passenger tires have a treadwear rating between 300 and 500.
Traction: This is a grade that measures how well your tires “grip” a wet surface. On a scale from AA to A, B to C, traction grades are assigned. Good passenger tires usually receive an A rating.
TemperatureThis rating evaluates a tire’s heat resistance using a scale from A to B or C. Tires must withstand different temperatures depending on their specialization. For example, high-performance tires can move at higher speeds than regular tires and have higher temperatures ratings.
Important to remember that the NHTSA doesn’t oversee UTQG testing. Tire testing and reporting are the responsibility of manufacturers and other companies that have been hired by brands.
Below are the top-rated Bridgestone tires and their treadwear, grip, and temperature scores based on data from SaferCar.gov.
You can find the UTQG scores of your current tires on the sidewalls of your tires.
Most Popular Bridgestone Tires
Bridgestone has a variety of high-quality tires. Although Bridgestone’s most popular models are not the best, they are well-respected within the industry. The Bridgestone Blizzak HTML80 was ranked number 2 in our Best Winter Tires Review.
These are some of Bridgestone’s most loved tires:
- Bridgestone Dueler: This symmetric, double-layered tire is for SUVs and light trucks. It can be used all year.
- Bridgestone Blizzak HTML80: This is a tried-and-true winter tire with studless tread. It features zig-zag sipes that provide extra grip and better rubber flexibility.
- Bridgestone Potenza – An ultra-high-performance tire with an asymmetric tread and stiff sidewall. Full-depth sipes are also included. There are also lateral slots to allow for high-contact driving.
- Bridgestone DriveGuard: This is a grand touring, all-season tire that Bridgestone’s new run-flat technology allows to go an additional 50 miles after a puncture.
These tires are backed by numerous 4.0-star customer ratings on Tire Rack and long-standing industry approval. Bridgestone tires score highly in independent industry tests, but they are often beaten by other brands, as we have mentioned.
Bridgestone replacement tires are covered by a limited warranty that protects against defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty lasts up to the time the tire has worn to 2/32 inches of its original tread.
Bridgestone tires have a tread life warranty of approximately 50,000 miles. Although some of the all-season and touring models have a longer 65,000-mile tread warranty, this is not very impressive. Other brands offer 70,000-mile warranties.
Cost of Bridgestone Tires
Bridgestone tires are comparable to Michelin tires for affordability, as both tire companies make expensive tires. Bridgestone’s high quality rubber and stringent testing standards are what make Bridgestone tires so expensive.
This is how much each Bridgestone model 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).
We would have liked to seen longer-lasting warranties due to Bridgestone’s high price tag. If the tire wears slowly, an expensive tire may offer greater value over time.
Bridgestone Tire Reviews
Bridgestone tires are well-respected by customers and decently rated industry experts. The J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Bridgestone was just below the industry average for passenger tires with a score of 712 points out of a possible 1000. The company scored 700 points for truck and utility tires, compared to the industry average of 704 points.
These are the comments of customers about Bridgestone tires at Tire Rack
Positive Bridgestone Tire Reviews
These [Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS] tires have only covered 2,000 miles, but they have exceeded my expectations. They are quieter than I expected and handle great. They are also very quiet and easy to use.
– via Tire Rack
“These are the second set of Bridgestone Blizzak Ws80s I have purchased. They are, in my opinion, the best winter tires you can purchase. They offer solid performance, excellent traction, and a sense of security that you won’t find in other winter tires em>
– via Tire Rack
Negative Bridgestone Tire Reviews
“The Bridgestone Turanza ER33 tires performed well in both wet and dry conditions for the first 8,000 miles. After that, wet traction and resistance against hydroplaning declined. These tires were never quiet from the beginning, but they became irritatingly loud after 10,000 miles em>
– via Tire Rack
“These Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza tires are only about 16ths away from the wear strip and have only 30,000 miles. They will not reach the factory-rated mileage. They can cause hydroplaning. You can ski with little water on the road .”
– via Tire Rack
Our Thoughts on Bridgestone Tires
We rate Bridgestone 4.0 stars out of 5.0. The company’s truck and passenger tires are all good quality. We like the company’s emphasis on low-noise models and run-flat innovation. Bridgestone tires can be expensive and have average tread life warranties.