Bridgestone vs Hankook – two tire giants that have been dominating the market for years.
In this post, I’ll delve into their rich histories, examine their performances on dry, wet, and snowy surfaces, analyze their mileage warranties, average lifespans, prices, and uncover their pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll finally answer the burning question: which brand reigns supreme? Join me on this tire-treading adventure!
Bridgestone vs Hankook – Comparison Table
| Bridgestone | Hankook | |
| Country of Origin | Japan | South Korea |
| Year Founded | 1931 | 1941 |
| 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 | Clarksville, TN or Akron, OH, in addition to South Korea, China, Hungary, Indonesia, Germany, and Japan |
| Parent | Ishibashi family (Japan) | Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. (South Korea) |
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. Hankook
Hankook Tire is a renowned tire brand that originated in South Korea in 1941.
It is a subsidiary of Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd., the parent company responsible for its success.
Over the years, Hankook has established itself as a global leader in the tire industry, catering to diverse vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, and buses.
The company’s commitment to innovation and quality has propelled its growth, allowing it to become one of the largest tire manufacturers worldwide.
With cutting-edge research and development capabilities, Hankook consistently introduces advanced tire technologies, ensuring optimal performance, safety, and durability.
Today, Hankook tires are trusted by millions of drivers around the globe, offering a wide range of products that deliver excellent traction, handling, and comfort across various road conditions.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
- Trucks (including light trucks and medium-duty trucks)
- Buses
- Race cars
- Golf carts
- All-terrain vehicles
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 Hankook Ventus V12 evo2.
As the one giving the dry performance rating from 1 to 5, I would rate the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R at 4.8 and the Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 at 4.6.
The Bridgestone tire has highly positive ratings, featuring brilliant dry traction, above-average cornering and braking, and being performance-tuned for dry and damp conditions.
The Hankook tire also receives praise for impressive handling, high grip silica tread compound, and technologies to enhance dry terrain handling.
While the Bridgestone tire edges slightly ahead, both tires offer exceptional dry performance, making it a tie between the two.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ vs the Hankook Kinergy GT.
In my evaluation, as the one providing wet performance ratings from 1 to 5, the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ tire achieves a commendable rating of 4.6.
This tire has gained recognition for its outstanding wet traction, aided by wide circumferential grooves and lateral notches that efficiently expel water from the tread, minimizing the risk of hydroplaning.
The Hankook Kinergy GT tire, on the other hand, garners a respectable rating of 4.4, indicating solid grip, traction, and effective stopping distance in wet conditions.
Ultimately, based on these ratings, the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ emerges as the superior choice for 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 Hankook Winter i*cept evo2.
In my assessment of the snow performance, I would rate the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 tire at 4.7 out of 5.
It excels in snow and ice conditions, with a focus on braking distance and traction.
The Multicell compound enhances grip and stability on wintry surfaces, making it an excellent choice.
On the other hand, the Hankook Winter i*cept evo2 receives a rating of 4.4 out of 5 for its reliable snow performance.
With a silica-enhanced tread compound, optimized pattern design, and 3D sipes, it provides impressive traction.
Ultimately, the Blizzak WS80 emerges as the winner due to its slightly higher snow performance rating.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Bridgestone | Hankook | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 100,000 miles tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Bridgestone tires are generally expected to last anywhere from 45,000 to 80,000 miles. | Hankook tires have an average tread life of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. |
After conducting research on Bridgestone and Hankook tires, I found that the mileage warranty and average lifespan differ between the two brands.
Bridgestone tires offer a treadwear warranty of up to 80,000 miles, while Hankook tires provide a warranty of up to 100,000 miles.
However, in terms of average lifespan, Bridgestone tires generally last between 45,000 to 80,000 miles, whereas Hankook tires have an average tread life of approximately 40,000 to 60,000 miles.
These figures indicate that Hankook tires tend to have a slightly longer mileage warranty and a comparable average lifespan compared to Bridgestone tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Bridgestone vs Hankook.
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 | Hankook | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $113 to $674 /ea | $87 to $600 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Blizzak WS90 goes from $113 – $269 /ea | Kinergy ST H735 goes from $80 – $152 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Potenza Race goes from $436 – $674 /ea | Dynapro MT2 RT05 goes from $191 – $600 /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 |
Hankook
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Hankook tires are known for their affordable prices | ❌ Limited weather categorization |
| ✔ Good durability and longevity | |
| ✔ Generous mileage warranties of up to 100,000 miles |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Bridgestone:
- Potenza RE-71R
- Turanza QuietTrack
- DriveGuard
Some of Hankook’s best tires are shown below:
- Ventus S1 Noble2
- Kinergy PT
- Dynapro AT2
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 declare Bridgestone as the better pick overall.
While both brands offer exceptional performance, Bridgestone edges slightly ahead in dry and wet performance, and their Blizzak WS80 tire excels in snowy conditions.
Additionally, Bridgestone provides a wide array of choices and some of the best warranty options in the industry.
Therefore, Bridgestone emerges as the winner in this comparison.