Bridgestone Weatherpeak Review: As a car owner, there are many decisions you must make to ensure your vehicle performs optimally and safely. One of the most crucial choices revolves around your tires. That’s where Bridgestone, a globally recognized leader in the tire industry, comes in. In this article, we will provide an in-depth review of one of Bridgestone’s standout offerings: the Bridgestone Weatherpeak tire.
Bridgestone, as a brand, has earned its reputation for quality and performance by consistently delivering top-notch products tailored to meet a broad range of customer needs. The Weatherpeak tire is no exception, and this review will delve into what sets it apart. In the upcoming sections, we’ll take you through the Bridgestone Weatherpeak tire’s unique features, its performance in various weather conditions, how it compares with tires from other brands, and ultimately, whether it offers value for your money.
Whether you’re considering a tire change, wanting to learn more about this specific tire model, or just curious about tire technology in general, this Bridgestone Weatherpeak review is meant for you. Let’s get rolling!
Table of Contents
Features of Bridgestone Weatherpeak Tires
The Bridgestone Weatherpeak is a Grand Touring All-Season tire that has been developed with the needs of diverse drivers in mind, including those behind the wheels of coupes, sedans, crossovers, SUVs, and minivans. This tire has been engineered to deliver a luxurious level of comfort and reliable performance that will inspire confidence, regardless of the season, the weather, or the journey ahead.
This tire signifies Bridgestone’s late entry into the increasingly popular all-weather tire segment, a category that the Michelin CrossClimate had championed earlier on. Despite being a latecomer, Bridgestone has packed the Weatherpeak with unique features that have not only caught up with the competition but also distinguished it in this field.
One of the standout features of the Weatherpeak is its ability to meet the industry’s severe snow service requirements. This tire is marked with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, a certification that has gained popularity in the United States due to its assurance of a tire’s capability to perform under severe snow conditions.
The 3PMSF symbol is more than a mark; it’s an assurance that the tire has been tested and proven to provide performance in severe snow conditions. While all-season (M+S) tires can deliver reliable performance across a variety of conditions, those that have the 3PMSF symbol take it a step further by providing additional longitudinal snow traction, thereby offering a safer, more reliable solution for those in regions that experience heavy snowfall. However, it’s crucial to note that even with the 3PMSF symbol, these tires do not match the full capability of a dedicated winter tire in all adverse weather conditions.
The Weatherpeak’s durable all-season compound is designed into a symmetric pattern, providing dependable traction in a wide range of conditions. Its evolving sipes located in the central ribs ensure stiffness of the tread element, leading to predictable steering response, while also becoming useful biting edges in slippery conditions as the tire wears.
Large shoulder blocks of the tire provide firm dry cornering characteristics, with generous lateral notches that help with water evacuation from the footprint during dynamic handling scenarios. Wide circumferential grooves resist hydroplaning and include Snow Vices to enhance grip in slush and snow, further solidifying its standing as a tire deserving of the 3PMSF symbol. Looking inside, the Weatherpeak features a single-ply polyester casing that supports two steel belts, with a nylon reinforcement added to enhance high-speed stability and performance.
In the next section, we will discuss how these features translate to the tire’s performance in various conditions. Stay tuned!
Performance of Bridgestone Weatherpeak Tires
A tire’s performance is measured by its behavior in various conditions – wet, dry, snow, and overall noise, comfort, and ride quality. It’s these metrics that help potential users understand what to expect from the tire, and how it compares to others in the market. In this chapter, we analyze the performance of Bridgestone’s Weatherpeak against three of its leading competitors: Pirelli’s Cinturato WeatherActive, Continental’s PureContact LS, and Michelin’s CrossClimate 2.
Results
Results below were combine from Tire Rack’s “Testing Grand Touring All-Season Tires 2022″ & “Testing Grand Touring All-Season Tires 2023”. The Bridgestone Weatherpeak was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for subjective evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if tire A is graded 7 while tire B is graded 6, A is better than B by 5%.
- Wet Braking:
The Bridgestone Weatherpeak, while providing adequate wet braking capabilities, finds itself outperformed by the competition. Despite being our reference point at 100%, the Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive proves superior, offering the shortest braking distance with a performance rating of 107.1%. The Continental PureContact LS and Michelin CrossClimate 2 also surpass the Bridgestone Weatherpeak, with performance ratings of 102% and 101% respectively.
Weatherpeak: Rank 4th out of 4
- Wet Handling (subjective):
In subjective wet handling, the Bridgestone Weatherpeak was ranked poorly with a subjective score of 5.8/10. When compared to its rivals, the Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive surpasses the Bridgestone Weatherpeak with a rating of 103.8%, indicating more responsive and confident handling in wet conditions. Similarly, the Continental PureContact LS and Michelin CrossClimate 2 also outperform the Weatherpeak, each with a rating of 103%.
Weatherpeak: Rank 4th out of 4 - Wet Handling (lap time):
In terms of lap time in wet conditions, the Bridgestone Weatherpeak placed joint 3rd as it tied Michelin CrossClimate 2 with the longest lap time. The Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive again takes the lead, with a performance rating of 104.1% which tranlates a 1.3 seconds faster lap time over Bridgestone Weatherpeak, indicating faster lap times in wet conditions. The Continental PureContact LS demonstrates a slight edge over the Weatherpeak with a rating of 101%, while the Michelin CrossClimate 2 matches the Bridgestone Weatherpeak’s performance at 100%.
Weatherpeak: Rank Joint 3rd out of 4
- Dry Braking:
Dry braking sees the Bridgestone Weatherpeak finishing last again, with all competitors showing slightly shorter stopping distances. The Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive demonstrates the shortest stopping distance ranking at 110%, with the Michelin CrossClimate 2 at 109% and Continental PureContact LS at 108% over the 100% Bridgestone Weatherpeak.
Weatherpeak: Rank 4th out of 4
- Dry Handling (subjective):
Looking at subjective dry handling, the Bridgestone Weatherpeak provides solid, reliable performance with a subjective score of 6.85/10. However, compared to the other competitors, it is outperformed. The Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive surpasses it slightly with a rating of 101.9%, which indicates marginally more responsive handling in dry conditions. Both the Continental PureContact LS and the Michelin CrossClimate 2 outperform the Bridgestone Weatherpeak more significantly, with a rating of 103% each.
Weatherpeak: Rank 4th out of 4 - Dry Handling (lap time):
Regarding dry handling lap times, the competition was extremely close with only 0.78 seconds separating the top and worse performer. Bridgestone Weatherpeak was again ranked last with each competitor being just slightly quicker. The Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive shows a slight advantage with a performance rating of 101.8%, indicating faster lap times in dry conditions. The Continental PureContact LS shows more significant superiority with a 103% rating, while the Michelin CrossClimate 2 isn’t far behind at 102%.
Weatherpeak: Rank 4th out of 4
- Noise, Comfort & Ride Quality:
In the realm of noise, comfort, and ride quality, the Bridgestone Weatherpeak sets a reasonable high score of 7.9/10. The Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive slightly surpasses this standard, providing a more comfortable ride at 101.5%. The Michelin CrossClimate 2 matches the Bridgestone Weatherpeak, while the Continental PureContact LS lags just behind at 98%.
Weatherpeak: Rank 2nd out of 4 - Snow:
The Bridgestone WeatherPeak sets the baseline in snow conditions. For snow braking, it scores 100%, while Continental PureContact LS and Michelin CrossClimate 2 score 85% and 91% respectively, suggesting a superior stopping capability of the WeatherPeak. However, in terms of snow acceleration, Michelin CrossClimate 2 excels with a score of 115%, outpacing the WeatherPeak’s standard of 100% and the PureContact LS’s 91%. Subjectively, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 also leads in snow handling with a 105% rating, compared to WeatherPeak’s 100% and PureContact LS’s 93%.
Snow Braking
Weatherpeak: Rank 1st out of 3
Snow Acceleration
Weatherpeak: Rank 2nd out of 3
Snow Handling (subj)
Weatherpeak: Rank 2nd out of 3 - Ice:
In icy conditions, the Bridgestone WeatherPeak again sets the standard. For ice braking, WeatherPeak scores 100%, but is slightly outperformed by the Michelin CrossClimate 2 at 113%, with the Continental PureContact LS close behind at 96%. Ice acceleration is a similar story, with the Michelin CrossClimate 2 showing superior traction at 108%, followed by WeatherPeak’s 100% and PureContact LS’s near match at 99%.
Ice Braking
Weatherpeak: Rank 2nd out of 3
Ice Acceleration
Weatherpeak: Rank 2nd out of 3
In conclusion, while the Bridgestone Weatherpeak establishes a strong baseline in all categories, it finds stiff competition in every aspect. Depending on the specific needs of the driver – whether it be wet handling, dry braking, ride comfort or winter- the Weatherpeak might be overshadowed by its rivals in certain situations. As always, it’s crucial for drivers to consider their unique driving conditions and requirements when selecting a tire.
For more in-depth analysis of Bridgestone Weatherpeak review, you could check our head to head comparison of WeatherPeak against its competitors.
WeatherPeak vs
- Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack
- Continental PureContact LS
- Michelin Cross Climate 2
- Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive
Bridgestone Weatherpeak vs Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack (Sister Product Comparison)
When comparing Bridgestone Weatherpeak (all weather-3 peak mountain) with its sister product, the Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack (all season), we find noteworthy contrasts and similarities across several key performance indicators.
Wet Braking:
In terms of wet braking, the Weatherpeak performs commendably at 100% of its baseline, whereas the Turanza Quiettrack outperforms at 112%. This suggests a superior wet condition responsiveness from the Turanza Quiettrack, potentially translating to better safety during rainy days.
Dry Braking:
Moving on to dry braking performance, the Weatherpeak again shows solid performance at 100%, but the Turanza Quiettrack once more surpasses it at 114%. This indicates better control and safety in dry conditions with the Turanza Quiettrack, making it the more reliable choice for dry climates or summer seasons.
Mileage:
In terms of longevity, the Weatherpeak shows promising results with a mileage rating of 61,000 miles (100%), suggesting longer durability. Meanwhile, the Turanza Quiettrack, while still robust, lags behind slightly at 44,000 miles (72%). This difference underscores the Weatherpeak’s resilience and the potential for extended use.
Handling, Comfort & Noise:
In terms of handling, both products perform equally well. However, when considering comfort and noise, the Turanza Quiettrack pulls ahead slightly, offering a more comfortable, quieter ride than the Weatherpeak. These observations underscore the Turanza Quiettrack’s superior design for reducing road noise and improving ride comfort.
Winter Performance:
When considering snow performance, the Weatherpeak’s three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) certification sets it apart. This distinction illustrates the Weatherpeak’s ability to deliver superior performance in challenging winter conditions, unlike the Turanza Quiettrack, which lacks this certification.
In summary, while both products offer robust performance across various metrics, the Turanza Quiettrack generally delivers superior performance in wet and dry braking conditions, as well as comfort and noise reduction. On the other hand, the Weatherpeak excels in terms of mileage and winter performance. Therefore, the final choice between these two depends heavily on the specific needs and priorities of the individual driver.
Pricing Comparison of Bridgestone Weatherpeak Tires
A fundamental aspect when considering the purchase of new tires is cost. Price can often be the deciding factor between two tires that offer similar performance. In this chapter, we will compare the price of the Bridgestone Weatherpeak with its three main competitors, using a standard tire size of 225/40R18.
- Bridgestone Weatherpeak: Priced at $228, the Weatherpeak sets the standard for this comparison, which we will reference as 100%.
- Michelin CrossClimate 2: Priced slightly higher at $242, the CrossClimate 2 costs about 6.1% more than the Weatherpeak.
- Continental PureContact LS: This tire is the most affordable of the bunch, priced at $200. This represents a saving of approximately 12.3% when compared to the Weatherpeak.
- Pirelli Cinturato WeatherActive: Priced at $215, the Cinturato WeatherActive is around 5.7% cheaper than the Weatherpeak.
When selecting a tire, it’s essential not to base your decision solely on price but also to consider performance, comfort, and safety. In the next chapter, we will provide a conclusion to our comprehensive review of the Bridgestone Weatherpeak, helping you decide whether it is worth the investment.
Conclusion: Bridgestone Weatherpeak Review
After conducting a comprehensive review, it’s apparent that the Bridgestone Weatherpeak has its weaknesses when it comes to summer performance. Although it generally ranks last in wet and dry tests, the margins are sometimes extremely narrow. The saving grace for the Bridgestone Weatherpeak lies in its noise and comfort performance, where it outpaces its rivals. Bridgestone Weatherpeak offers consistent performance in winter conditions, particularly excelling in snow braking results. However, it falls short in other winter performance aspects, where it lags behind the Michelin CrossClimate 2.
Dr Edwin Pang.