Bridgestone and Michelin are two of the biggest and most well-known tire manufacturers in the world.
Bridgestone was founded in Japan in 1931 and has grown into the world’s largest tire company. They are known for making tires for a wide range of vehicles including cars, trucks, buses, aircraft, and motorcycles. Some of Bridgestone’s most popular tires include the Potenza, Turanza, Dueler, and Ecopia lines. The company places a big emphasis on research and development to create advanced tire technologies.
Michelin originated in France in 1889 and is currently the second largest tire maker globally after Bridgestone. They are recognized for their innovative radial tire design and high-performance tires. Some of Michelin’s most popular consumer tires include the Defender, Premier, Pilot, and CrossClimate lines. The company has also had a long history in motorsports racing. Michelin focuses heavily on testing and rigorously tracks the performance of their tires.
Both companies have a long heritage of tire manufacturing and have operations around the world. They invest significantly in R&D, testing, and new technologies to design tires known for safety, durability, and performance. While Bridgestone and Michelin target a mass market, they also cater to premium and specialty segments. The two brands are top competitors frequently compared by consumers when shopping for new tires.
List of Other Tire Comparision
Bridgestone vs Michelin Treadwear
When researching tires, one of the key specifications to compare is treadwear. This rating indicates the tire’s wear rate – specifically, it shows how many miles a tire should last before the tread has worn down. A higher treadwear number means the tire will last longer.
Treadwear ratings are provided by the manufacturer, based on controlled lab tests. However, real-world experience can differ quite a bit. Looking at owner reviews and surveys provides helpful insights into actual tread life.
For Bridgestone tires, the average owner-reported treadwear aligns fairly closely with the advertised ratings. The Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack, for example, has a treadwear rating of 80,000 miles and owners say it lasts around 70,000 miles on average. The Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3 gets a treadwear score of 60,000 from Bridgestone, while drivers report getting about 55,000 miles on their sets.
Michelin tires tend to outperform their treadwear ratings in real-world driving based on owner feedback. The Michelin Defender T+H is rated at 80,000 miles by Michelin but lasts for around 90,000 miles according to many drivers. And the Michelin Premier A/S has a treadwear score of 60,000 miles from Michelin, however owners share getting around 75,000 miles before needing replacement.
So while the advertised treadwear scores are useful starting points for comparison, real owner experiences highlight advantages in extended tread life that Michelin tires exhibit on the road. This suggests Michelin treadwear warranties may be conservative, providing more value to consumers.
Bridgestone vs Michelin Traction
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing between tire brands is traction. Good traction allows your tires to grip the road properly, which is crucial for acceleration, braking, and handling – especially in wet or wintry conditions.
Bridgestone and Michelin both perform well when it comes to traction, but there are some differences between the two brands:
- Independent wet traction testing has found that select Michelin tires, such as the Premier A/S, have a slight edge over comparable Bridgestone tires in wet braking and handling. Michelin uses advanced technologies like Expanding Rain Grooves to optimize wet grip.
- However,Bridgestone tires are also highly regarded for wet performance. Models like the Potenza RE980AS Pole Position have placed well in wet lap time testing. So while Michelin may have a small lead, Bridgestone still offers impressive wet traction.
Dry Traction
- In dry conditions, both Bridgestone and Michelin tires deliver excellent grip and short braking distances. Tire Rack testing shows the two brands scoring similarly in dry handling and braking tests.
- High-performance summer tires from both brands, like the Bridgestone Potenza S001 and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, are designed to provide precise, sporty handling in dry conditions. Overall, it’s hard to declare one brand the winner for dry traction.
Winter/Snow Traction
- In snow and ice, Michelin narrowly beats Bridgestone for traction and braking. Michelin winter tires use advanced siping and tread designs optimized for snow grip.
- However, Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires still perform well in snowy conditions. Models like the Blizzak WS90 provide short braking distances on snow and ice. So while Michelin takes the top spot, Bridgestone winter tires are also a smart choice for winter driving safety.
So in summary, Michelin has a slight performance advantage in wet and winter conditions, while both brands deliver excellent dry traction. But the differences are generally quite small. The best tire choice ultimately depends on the specific model and your own driving needs.
Bridgestone vs Michelin Ride Comfort
Ride comfort is an important consideration for many drivers when choosing tires. Both Bridgestone and Michelin aim to produce tires that absorb shock and provide a smooth, quiet ride.
Independent owner reviews suggest Bridgestone tires tend to offer a slightly softer, more cushioned ride compared to Michelin. The compounds and casing design Bridgestone uses seem to provide effective shock absorption, leading to high praise for ride quality from customers.
Reviews of popular all-season Bridgestone models like the Turanza QuietTrack and Ecopia EP422 Plus highlight their comfortable ride and ability to smooth out imperfections in the road. Drivers report Bridgestone tires feeling more supple and absorbing bumps better than comparative Michelin tires.
Michelin tires are also well-regarded for ride comfort, but some drivers feel they prioritize handling over softness. Michelin uses the Comfort Control technology in many tires to help filter vibrations and impacts. However, some owners find Michelins transmit more road noise and don’t dampen bumps as effectively as Bridgestones.
When it comes to noise levels, both brands offer quiet tires but Bridgestone appears to have an edge. Independent testing shows popular Bridgestone lines like the Turanza and Ecopia range generate low interior noise, making them among the quietest tires available. Michelin tires are also engineered for quiet performance but may produce slightly more audible road noise based on customer reviews.
Overall, if a super plush ride is your top priority, Bridgestone tires are often preferred for their added cushioning and bump absorption. But Michelin tires also deliver a comfortable driving experience for most drivers, with the potential sacrifice of some softness in favor of responsive handling. Considering your priorities and reading owner impressions can help determine which brand best fits your needs.
Bridgestone vs Michelin Fuel Efficiency
When it comes to fuel efficiency, both Bridgestone and Michelin aim to strike a balance between low rolling resistance and good traction. Tires with low rolling resistance can help improve fuel economy, while good traction prevents slippage which wastes gas.
Independent rolling resistance testing shows that certain Bridgestone tires like the Ecopia EP422 and Turanza QuietTrack rank very well, indicating potential for improved gas mileage. Michelin tires like the Defender LTX M/S and Premier LTX also score favorably in these tests. However, real-world fuel economy depends on many factors beyond the tires themselves.
Owner-reported fuel economy is mixed between the two brands. Some customers report 1-2 mpg improvements after switching to Michelin tires, while others say they get better gas mileage from comparable Bridgestone tires. A lot depends on the specific tire models and the type of vehicle. Overall, both brands offer low rolling resistance tires that can potentially increase fuel efficiency compared to standard all-season tires.
When it comes to real-world performance, choosing the right tire model for your vehicle may matter more than the brand name. Pay attention to rolling resistance ratings, owner reviews of fuel economy, and consider how you drive when selecting between Bridgestone vs Michelin for the best gas mileage. Proper tire maintenance and driving habits also play a big role in fuel efficiency.
Bridgestone vs Michelin Warranty
When it comes to warranties, Bridgestone and Michelin take slightly different approaches.
Bridgestone offers treadwear warranties ranging from 40,000 to 80,000 miles, depending on the specific tire line. Most passenger tires come with a 60,000 mile limited treadwear warranty. This means that if the tire wears down to the treadwear indicator bars before reaching 60,000 miles, Bridgestone will replace the tire on a pro-rated basis. To make a claim, you’ll need to submit proof of purchase and wear down to the indicator bars.
Michelin warranties cover workmanship and materials but do not offer mileage-based treadwear warranties. Instead, Michelin provides tread life warranties that are based on the usable tread life remaining on the tire. If a defect emerges during the usable tread life, Michelin will provide a credit for the amount of tread left based on the original usable tread depth. To file a warranty claim with Michelin, you’ll need to submit proof of purchase and return the tire to an authorized dealer before the tire reaches 2/32″ of remaining tread depth.
The key difference is that Bridgestone uses mileage whereas Michelin bases tread life on remaining tread depth. Both offer pro-rated warranties to replace defective tires. The claims process involves submitting proof of purchase and meeting treadwear requirements. Overall, the warranties are fairly comparable between these two major tire brands.
Bridgestone vs Michelin Pricing
When it comes to price, both Bridgestone and Michelin offer tires at various price points to meet different budgets. However, when comparing similar tire models and sizes, Michelin tires tend to be more expensive.
For example, the Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack tires start around $140 per tire, while comparable Michelin Primacy Tour A/S tires start around $160 per tire. The difference is even more noticeable for high-performance summer tires. Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position tires have a starting price around $150, while the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires start around $190 per tire.
Michelin justifies its higher pricing by emphasizing advanced technologies like Silica-infused tread compounds on the Pilot Sport 4S and EverGrip tread design on the CrossClimate2. Bridgestone also uses advanced tech like NanoPro-Tech polymers on the Potenza line, but doesn’t demand quite as large of a premium.
While Michelin tires carry a reputation for high-end performance, drivers ultimately need to decide if the price difference is worthwhile for their own usage and budget. Cost-conscious buyers may prefer giving Bridgestone a try to get safety, comfort and decent wear at a lower price point. For others, Michelin’s premium pricing matches its premium brand image as a leader in tire technology.
Bridgestone vs Michelin Availability
Bridgestone and Michelin tires are both widely available at tire retailers across the United States.
When it comes to purchasing locations, Bridgestone has a slight edge in availability. As one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world, Bridgestone tires are stocked at thousands of independent tire dealers, auto repair shops, and major retailers like Costco, Walmart, and Amazon. Michelin is also readily available at national tire chains like Discount Tire and Tire Rack, but may have more limited inventory at some local tire shops.
Both brands generally have adequate inventory levels to meet demand. However, some specialty high-performance tires from Michelin may occasionally be backordered if experiencing high demand.
Overall, drivers are likely to find both Bridgestone and Michelin tires in stock and available for timely installation. Bridgestone may have a small advantage in retail availability due to their massive production capacity and relationships with major retailers. But Michelin tires are still widely distributed and stocked at most tire outlets.
Customer Satisfaction
When it comes to customer satisfaction, both Bridgestone and Michelin perform well, but Michelin edges out Bridgestone in independent customer ratings and reviews.
In J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study, Michelin ranks the highest in customer satisfaction among all tire manufacturers. Michelin scores 851 on a 1,000-point scale, while Bridgestone ranks third with a score of 830.
On independent consumer sites like TireRack.com, Michelin tires tend to rate slightly higher than comparable Bridgestone tires. For example, the Michelin Defender T+H all-season tire has a 4.7 out of 5 star rating based on over 1,200 reviews, while the comparable Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating from over 600 reviews.
While both brands offer a wide selection of highly-rated tires, Michelin edges out Bridgestone when it comes to overall customer satisfaction and post-purchase reviews. Michelin’s status as the highest-rated tire brand for customer satisfaction gives it a slight advantage. However, Bridgestone still performs well compared to other major brands. Most customers are happy with their purchase regardless of which brand they choose.
Conclusion
In comparing Bridgestone and Michelin tires, there are some key differences to consider when deciding which brand may be better for your needs:
- Treadwear – Michelin tires tend to have a longer treadwear warranty, meaning they should last longer before needing replacement. Bridgestone offers solid treadlife as well, but not quite as long as Michelin on average.
- Traction – For snow and ice traction specifically, Michelin has the edge with advanced winter tire compounds and designs. Both brands offer strong wet and dry traction for summer tires.
- Ride Comfort – Bridgestone focuses more on tuning their tires for comfortable, quiet rides. Michelin also offers smooth rides, but some of their high-performance tires sacrifice a little comfort for enhanced responsiveness.
- Price – Michelin tires are sometimes more expensive than comparable Bridgestone tires. Budget-focused drivers may prefer the typically lower cost of Bridgestone.
Overall, for someone prioritizing longevity, snow/ice traction, and premium comfort, Michelin may be the better choice. Drivers wanting good performance for a lower price may prefer Bridgestone as the value option. Of course, specific models vary, so check reviews and test drives to compare individual tires. Both Michelin and Bridgestone make excellent tires, so you can’t go wrong with either brand. Choose based on your top priorities.
