When it comes to choosing the perfect tires for my vehicle, the decision can be overwhelming.
That’s why I decided to delve into the world of tire brands and compare two of the leading contenders: Bridgestone vs Continental.
In this post, I’ll be exploring their rich histories, evaluating their performance in dry, wet, and snow conditions, examining their mileage warranties and lifespans, analyzing their prices, and weighing up the pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll determine which brand reigns supreme.
So, let’s dive in and find out which tire brand deserves to be crowned the ultimate champion.
Bridgestone vs Continental – Comparison Table
| Bridgestone | Continental | |
| Country of Origin | Japan | Germany |
| Year Founded | 1931 | 1871 |
| Made In | United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Argentine, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Italy, Hungary, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, China, Australia, or Japan | mostly in Germany but they have manufacturing facilities in the United States and possibly China |
| Parent | Ishibashi family (Japan) | Schaeffler Group (Germany) |
About the Brands
1. Bridgestone
Bridgestone, a renowned tire brand, originated in Japan in 1931 and is currently owned by the Ishibashi family.
The company was founded by Shojiro Ishibashi, who aimed to produce high-quality tires for automobiles and other vehicles.
Over the years, Bridgestone has established itself as a global leader in the tire industry, offering a wide range of innovative and durable products.
Bridgestone’s success can be attributed to its commitment to research and development, allowing the brand to continually introduce new technologies and advancements.
The company’s focus on quality and performance has made it a trusted choice for drivers worldwide.
Bridgestone tires are known for their superior grip, durability, and excellent handling in various road conditions.
With a strong presence in both the consumer and commercial markets, Bridgestone has expanded its operations globally.
The brand has manufacturing facilities in numerous countries, enabling it to meet the growing demand for its products.
Bridgestone’s commitment to sustainability is evident through its eco-friendly initiatives, including the development of fuel-efficient tires and recycling programs.
Through its long and successful history, Bridgestone has cemented its position as one of the most respected and reliable tire brands, offering drivers safety, performance, and comfort on the road.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Trucks
- Buses
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Crossovers
- Performance vehicles
- Sports cars
- Off-road vehicles
- All-terrain vehicles
- Commercial trucks
- Agricultural vehicles
- Construction equipment
- Mining equipment
- Motorcycles
- Aircraft
2. Continental
Continental, a renowned tire brand, has a rich history that dates back to its founding in Germany in 1871.
Originally known as Continental-Caoutchouc und Gutta-Percha Compagnie, the company started as a rubber manufacturer and soon diversified into producing bicycle tires.
Over the years, Continental expanded its product range, delving into automobile tires and becoming a leading tire manufacturer globally.
Under the umbrella of its parent company, Schaeffler Group, the brand has continued to innovate and excel.
Renowned for its commitment to safety, performance, and quality, Continental has become a trusted choice for drivers worldwide.
With a legacy spanning over a century and a half, Continental has earned a reputation for excellence and has become synonymous with German engineering and precision.
Today, it stands as one of the world’s leading tire brands, offering a wide range of products for various vehicles, from passenger cars to motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Trucks
- Buses
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Vans
- Motorcycles
- Bicycles
Differences
1. Dry Performance
I’m going to compare the performance of two summer tires as they are the ideal type in dry weather.
I’m taking a look at the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R vs the Continental ExtremeContact Sport.
In my opinion, as the one giving the dry performance ratings, the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R receives a score of 4.8 out of 5, while the Continental ExtremeContact Sport achieves a score of 4.6 out of 5.
The Bridgestone tire excels in dry traction, grip, cornering, and braking, and its aggressive nature and track performance further confirm its strong dry performance.
While the Continental tire also boasts good handling and braking, the Potenza RE-71R edges slightly ahead in terms of overall dry performance.
Therefore, the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R is the superior choice for dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ vs the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus.
In my evaluation, as the one providing the wet performance rating from 1 to 5, the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ receives a 4.6 rating for its excellent wet traction, aided by wide circumferential grooves and lateral notches that effectively channel water away.
On the other hand, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus is rated 4.4 due to its remarkable wet performance, despite slightly longer braking distances.
Considering both ratings, the Bridgestone tire emerges as the winner, offering slightly better wet performance.
3. Snow Performance
We all know that you need dedicated winter tires if you’re going to be driving on harsh winter conditions.
That’s why I’ll be comparing the snow performance of two specialized winter tires – Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 vs Continental WinterContact SI.
As someone who has extensively researched and evaluated snow performance, I would rate the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 tire as a 4.7 out of 5.
Its excellent snow performance is evident in its focus on ice braking distance and traction, along with the Multicell compound that enhances grip and stability on snow and ice.
Additionally, its suitability for performance-focused drivers further adds to its snow performance rating.
On the other hand, the Continental WinterContact SI tire receives a rating of 4.4 out of 5 for its improved snow and ice traction, structured siping, and advanced tread compound.
Its design as a friction Nordic-type winter tire and a studless ice and snow tire contributes to its rating.
After careful consideration, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 emerges as the superior tire for snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Bridgestone | Continental | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Bridgestone tires are generally expected to last anywhere from 45,000 to 80,000 miles. | Continental tires are expected to have a lifespan of 20,000 to 70,000 miles. |
Based on my research, both Bridgestone and Continental tires offer treadwear warranties of up to 80,000 miles, which indicates their durability.
However, when it comes to average lifespan, Bridgestone tires tend to last between 45,000 and 80,000 miles, while Continental tires have a range of 20,000 to 70,000 miles.
This suggests that Bridgestone tires generally have a longer lifespan compared to Continental tires.
Therefore, if you prioritize longevity, Bridgestone tires might be a better choice.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Bridgestone vs Continental.
I’ll be using one of the biggest tire and wheel retailers in the US for this comparison – Discount Tire.
Here is a comprehensive table that showcases each brand has to offer:
| Bridgestone | Continental | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $113 to $674 /ea | $81 to $614 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Blizzak WS90 goes from $113 – $269 /ea | Control Contact Tour A/S PLUS goes from $81 – $192 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Potenza Race goes from $436 – $674 /ea | Scandinavia HD3 goes from $614 /ea |
6. Pros and Cons
Bridgestone
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Wide array of choices | ❌ Confusing product lines |
| ✔ Specialized performance tires | |
| ✔ Some of the best warranty options in the tire industry |
Continental
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Advanced technologies that provide maximum fuel-saving, noise reduction, and performance | ❌ Fewer options compared to other brands |
| ✔ Strong reputation in the tire industry | |
| ✔ They are known for their reliability, comfort, and quietness |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Bridgestone:
- Potenza RE-71R
- Turanza QuietTrack
- DriveGuard
Some of Continental’s best tires are shown below:
- ExtremeContact DWS 06
- TrueContact Tour
- TerrainContact A/T
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the evaluations of dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, average lifespan, and the pros and cons of each brand, I have determined that Bridgestone is the better pick overall.
The Bridgestone tires outperform Continental in terms of dry performance, wet performance, and snow performance.
Additionally, Bridgestone offers a wider array of choices, specialized performance tires, and better warranty options.
Although Continental has advanced technologies and a strong reputation, Bridgestone’s superior performance and longevity make it the winner in this comparison.