When it comes to choosing the right tires for my vehicle, I always find myself pondering the age-old question: Bridgestone vs Nitto? Today, I invite you to delve into a comprehensive comparison of these two renowned tire brands.
We’ll explore their intriguing histories, analyze their performances on dry, wet, and snowy roads, examine their mileage warranties and average lifespan, consider their prices, and weigh the pros and cons.
By the end, we’ll uncover which brand reigns supreme.
Are you ready to embark on this tire adventure? Let’s dive in!
Bridgestone vs Nitto – Comparison Table
| Bridgestone | Nitto | |
| Country of Origin | Japan | Japan |
| Year Founded | 1931 | 1949 |
| 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 | Bartow County, GA, China, Japan, and Malaysia |
| Parent | Ishibashi family (Japan) | Toyo Tire Corporation (Japan) |
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. Nitto
Nitto is a renowned tire brand with its roots in Japan.
Founded in 1949, it is now a subsidiary of the Toyo Tire Corporation since the acquisition in 1979.
Nitto has built a solid reputation for producing high-quality tires that deliver exceptional performance and reliability.
Over the years, the brand has gained recognition globally for its innovative tire technologies and cutting-edge designs.
Nitto offers a diverse range of tires, catering to various vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks.
With a commitment to excellence, Nitto consistently emphasizes research and development to meet the ever-evolving demands of the automotive industry.
Today, Nitto tires are sought after by drivers who seek superior traction, handling, and durability.
With its Japanese heritage and affiliation with Toyo Tire Corporation, Nitto continues to be a trusted and respected name in the tire industry.
Mostly Known for Manufacturing Tires For:
- Passenger cars
- Light trucks
- Sports utility vehicles (SUVs)
- Crossovers
- High-performance cars
- Off-road vehicles
- Side by side 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 Nitto NT555 G2.
In my evaluation, the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R exhibits exceptional dry performance, receiving a rating of 4.8 out of 5.
This tire showcases brilliant dry traction, above-average cornering and braking abilities, and a performance-tuned design for dry and damp conditions.
Its aggressive nature and outstanding dry traction on the track further strengthen its reputation.
On the other hand, the Nitto NT555 G2 also demonstrates commendable dry performance, achieving a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
It offers impressive cornering grip, responsive steering, dependable handling, and quick acceleration in dry and hot conditions.
Its tapered tread blocks enhance dry traction and stability.
While both tires boast strong dry performance, the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R slightly edges out in terms of ratings, making it the winner for dry performance.
2. Wet Performance
For the wet performance, I’ll be comparing the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ vs the Nitto Motivo.
In my evaluation, I rate the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ with a wet performance rating of 4.6 out of 5.
This tire impresses with its exceptional wet traction, thanks to features like wide circumferential grooves and lateral notches that effectively channel water away, minimizing hydroplaning risks.
On the other hand, the Nitto Motivo receives a decent wet performance score of 4.3 out of 5.
While it offers good traction and handling in wet conditions, it might not match the competitiveness of newer options.
Considering these ratings, the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+ emerges as the winner 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 Nitto SN2 Winter.
Based on my research and personal snow performance rating, I would rate the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 tire with a score of 4.7 out of 5.
This tire excels in snow conditions, specifically in terms of ice braking distance and traction.
Its Multicell compound enhances grip and stability on snow and ice, making it an excellent choice for traction-focused drivers.
On the other hand, the Nitto SN2 Winter tire received a rating of 4.4 out of 5 for snow performance.
While it offers reliable snow performance with its silica-enhanced tread compound, symmetrical tread pattern, and lower freezing temperature technology, it falls slightly behind the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80.
Therefore, based on the ratings and performance, I would declare the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 as the better tire for snow performance.
4. Mileage Warranty and Tread Life
| Bridgestone | Nitto | |
| Treadwear Warranty | up to 80,000 miles tread life warranty | up to 75,000 mile tread life warranty |
| Average Tread Life | Bridgestone tires are generally expected to last anywhere from 45,000 to 80,000 miles. | On average, Nitto tires can last anywhere between 40,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Based on my research, the mileage warranty for Bridgestone tires is up to 80,000 miles, while Nitto tires offer a warranty of up to 75,000 miles.
In terms of average lifespan, Bridgestone tires are expected to last between 45,000 and 80,000 miles, while Nitto tires typically range from 40,000 to 60,000 miles.
Overall, both brands offer similar mileage warranties, with Bridgestone tires potentially lasting slightly longer on average than Nitto tires.
5. Prices
In this section, I’ll be taking a look at the price ranges of both tire brands – Bridgestone vs Nitto.
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 | Nitto | |
| Average Price Range (Discount Tire) | $113 to $674 /ea | $97 to $1,447 /ea |
| Cheapest Tire (Discount Tire) | Blizzak WS90 goes from $113 – $269 /ea | Neo Gen goes from $97 – $352 /ea |
| Most Expensive Tire (Discount Tire) | Potenza Race goes from $436 – $674 /ea | Trail Grappler M/T goes from $279 – $1,447 /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 |
Nitto
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Wide range of tire options for different types of vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks | ❌ Some of their tires can get very expensive |
| ✔ Generally considered to be of good quality, offering durability and reliability | |
| ✔ Solid performance tires |
7. Popular Tires
Here are some notable tires from Bridgestone:
- Potenza RE-71R
- Turanza QuietTrack
- DriveGuard
Some of Nitto’s best tires are shown below:
- NT555 G2
- Terra Grappler G2
- Motivo
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After analyzing the key factors such as dry performance, wet performance, snow performance, mileage warranty, and average lifespan, the overall winner between Bridgestone and Nitto is Bridgestone.
With its exceptional ratings in dry performance, wet performance, and snow performance, along with a wide range of choices and excellent warranty options, Bridgestone proves to be the better pick overall.
While Nitto offers solid performance and quality, Bridgestone’s overall superiority in various categories makes it the winner.