Continental vs Bridgestone Tires 2024

Continental vs Bridgestone: Continental and Bridgestone are both well known brands in the tire industry. Based on the 2023 world wide sales ranking, Bridgestone ranks 2nd with €27 billion in revenue. Bridgestone used to be the largest tire producer for 11 consecutive years but its rein finally came to an end in 2020.

Continental ranks 4th in the world wide standings with over €14 billion in tire sales. Continental had been growing organically the last 10 years without any major acquisition. Continental however remains very competitive with the recent launch of the Sport Contact 7. Instead of having a general outlook of comparison, we will stack the same segment products and compare them head to head.

Track day/Semi slick (North America)

• Bridgestone Potenza Race vs Continental ExtremeContact Force

In the competitive arena of extreme performance summer tires, the Bridgestone Potenza Race and Continental ExtremeContact Force both present strong features, excelling in dry handling, wet performance, and noise and comfort levels. However, after detailed evaluation, the Bridgestone Potenza Race edges out its competitor, particularly excelling in wet conditions and offering a quieter, more comfortable ride despite a minor drawback in dry braking.

This makes the Potenza Race a preferred choice for drivers seeking a tire that delivers outstanding performance across various conditions, with the added benefits of comfort on both track and street. According to our analysis, while it may come with a higher price tag, the investment is justified for drivers who prioritize versatility and comfort alongside performance.

Ultra Ultra High Performance (UUHP)

• Continental Sport Contact 7 vs Bridgestone Potenza Sport

With its newest updated package, Continental’s Sport Contact 7 truly takes a commanding lead over its rivals. Continental Sport Contact 7 truly reveals its strong performance in both wet/dry braking & handling performances. Compared to Potenza Sport, it’s only drawbacks comes in the form of aquaplaning.

Ultra High Performance (UHP)

• Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Bridgestone Turanza 6

In the tire industry showdown between the Continental PremiumContact 7 and Bridgestone Turanza 6, the Continental emerges as the clear victor, especially in terms of wet, dry, and mileage performance. The PremiumContact 7 showcases its superior engineering with remarkable handling and braking in both wet and dry conditions, along with an impressive projected mileage, outperforming the Bridgestone Turanza 6 across these critical metrics.

While the Turanza 6 does offer advantages in noise reduction and rolling resistance, these strengths are not enough to overshadow the comprehensive performance benefits delivered by the PremiumContact 7. Overall, when comparing these high-performance tires, the Continental PremiumContact 7 stands out as the top choice for drivers seeking optimal performance and durability.

Ultra High Performance All Season (North America)

• Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus vs Bridgestone Potenza Sport AS

Similar to its Michelin’s Pilot Sport All Season 4, Bridgestone’s Potenza RE980AS+ is a dedicated region tireline specific to the North America market. It was launched in 2021 and covers most of the 17-20″ popular sizes. The ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus on the other hand was also launched in 2021 with sizes primarily above 16″.

When comparing them head to head, ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus showed clear dominance on wet & dry surfaces. Both tires were highly competitive when it came to winter performances and each of them took turns to outperform each other in various snow & ice tests. Taking into consideration the overall package, ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus is clearly the winner in this duel !

Touring (Europe)

• Continental PremiumContact 7 vs Bridgestone Turanza T005

In a direct comparison between the Continental PremiumContact 7 and Bridgestone Turanza T005 touring tires, the PremiumContact 7 was found to be the better performer in both wet and dry conditions. Launched in 2022, the PremiumContact 7 integrates a unique RedChili compound and an adaptive tread pattern, enhancing its performance across various temperatures and ensuring outstanding stability and comfort on wet and dry surfaces.

Tests showed that the PremiumContact 7, which outshone the Turanza T005 introduced in 2018, excelled in wet braking, handling, and cornering. However, the Turanza T005 demonstrated better aquaplaning resistance and was slightly more comfortable. It also featured lower rolling resistance, contributing to better fuel efficiency. Despite being more expensive than the Turanza T005, the PremiumContact 7′s exceptional performance in wet conditions secures its position as the preferred choice in this matchup.

Touring (APAC)

• Continental UltraContact UC7 vs Bridgestone Turanza T005A

In our 2023 Top Tire Review APAC Touring Tire Test, the Continental UltraContact UC7 and Bridgestone Turanza T005A were put to the test, showcasing their strengths in the touring tire category. The UltraContact UC7, released in late 2022, impressed with its advanced wet braking and innovative technology for a smooth, safe ride and long-lasting durability. On the other hand, the Bridgestone Turanza T005A, a favorite since 2018, excelled in comfort and reliability, especially in wet conditions due to its effective water evacuation design.

The test results highlight the UC7’s superior dry braking and quieter interior, making it ideal for those prioritizing a serene driving experience and safety on dry roads. The Turanza T005A, however, stood out for its wet braking capabilities and lower exterior noise, catering to drivers who face rainy conditions and value reduced noise pollution.

Electric Vehicle (EV)

• Bridgestone Turanza EV vs Continental ProContact RX (T1)

In the competition between electric vehicle (EV) optimized tires, Bridgestone’s Turanza EV goes head-to-head with Continental’s ProContact RX (T1). The Turanza EV, launched in 2023, targets the luxury EV market with a focus on providing a quiet ride and durable performance across all seasons, including light snow.

Meanwhile, the ProContact RX (T1) has established itself as a reliable choice known for its blend of performance, safety, and longevity, particularly excelling in wet summer conditions despite a 20% reduction in mileage compared to its competitors. While winter performance data is pending, current insights favor the ProContact RX (T1) as the preferred option, highlighting the ongoing battle between technological innovation and proven reliability in the tire industry.

All Season (Europe)

• Continental AllSeasonContact 2 vs Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6

In the tire industry battle between the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 and Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6, the expert analysis points to notable differences in performance and durability. While the Bridgestone Turanza All Season 6 shows strong aquaplaning and dry performance capabilities, it falls short in achieving the high wear level expected from leading all-season tires, affecting long-term value and consumer satisfaction.

Conversely, the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 excels in snow traction, noise levels, and rolling resistance, highlighting its adaptability across various conditions. A key factor distinguishing these tires is their wear performance, with the Continental showing a 15% better wear performance than the Bridgestone. This advantage in longevity makes the Continental AllSeasonContact 2 a preferred choice for those seeking a tire that balances performance across different environments with enhanced durability.

All Season (North America)

• Continental TerrainContact H/T vs Bridgestone Dueler LX

In the comparison between Continental and Bridgestone tires, the Continental TerrainContact H/T outperforms the Bridgestone Dueler LX in wet and dry conditions, offering better traction, braking, and handling, making it ideal for drivers looking for dynamic performance and safety. However, the Bridgestone Dueler LX excels in NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) performance, providing a more comfortable and quieter ride, appealing to those who prioritize a smooth and serene driving experience. Stay tunned as we will update the winter test results once its is available.

All Weather (North America)

• Continental PureContact LS vs Bridgestone WeatherPeak

In a comparison focused on performance under various conditions, the PureContact LS stands out for its wet and dry capabilities. However, the Bridgestone WeatherPeak gains the upper hand in winter conditions, with marginally better performance on ice and significantly improved efficiency in snow. Despite being slightly pricier and only marginally superior in terms of noise and comfort, the WeatherPeak’s enhanced winter performance makes it the preferred choice for those conditions. This highlights the importance of considering seasonal performance when selecting tires, as a tire that excels in summer conditions may not be the best option for winter.

Winter

• Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Bridgestone Blizzak LM005

When it comes to the middle European winter tires, there are 2 big giants which dominate the market. As previously written before, both these products command a win rate of 50% on whichever test they have participated in. Continental’s TS 860 which has been a household name in this segment and has recently been upgraded to TS 870 in 2021.

While its arch nemesis, Bridgestone’s Blizzak LM005 also made a name for itself in the press test arena with an equally impressive win rate was launched in 2019. Let’s compare them head to head and see who is really the middle European winter king. We will use the test magazine results of the 2021 Auto Bild middle European winter tire test as our basis for comparison.

The Blizzak LM005 performed really well in snow traction, wet braking & wet handling while it is also 10% cheaper than the TS870. However the TS870 has a 30% advantage in wear and also has an edge when it comes to dry and snow traction. If you are looking for a strong wet tire which performs well in snow Blizzak LM005 would be your choice. On the other hand, if you are looking for a long lasting wear tire which could perform well in snow and dry, TS870 would be the right fit. There is no clear winner this time as both of them excel in different performance segments.

Studless/Snow/Nordic

• Continental VikingContact 7 vs Bridgestone Blizzak Ice

In the competitive field of winter tires, the Continental VikingContact 7 and Bridgestone Blizzak Ice represent the pinnacle of ice and snow technology. The VikingContact 7, known for its longstanding supremacy in Nordic and soft snow conditions, brings a wealth of accolades and a reputation for unmatched reliability and performance. On the other side, the Blizzak Ice enters the fray with Bridgestone’s latest innovations, ready to disrupt the traditional winter tire landscape.

After extensive testing and analysis, it’s evident that the Continental VikingContact 7 retains its crown, excelling in ice and snow with superior traction, handling, and overall performance. Despite strong competition, the VikingContact 7’s design and engineering make it the clear victor in this winter tire showdown, proving once again its dominance in harsh winter conditions.

Summary

Overall, both Continental vs Bridgestone showed they are capable of making outstanding tires. There is no such general rule that who is better and it all boils down to the tire segment of interest. One thing we know for sure: Continental vs Bridgestone certainly know how to make good tires !

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