In the pantheon of tires, BFGoodrich and Bridgestone are two of the most recognized names. With a mix of durability, dependability, innovation, and reputation, these two companies have set the standard for excellence in the tire industry.
If you’re in the market for a set of tires, choosing between the two brands isn’t a straightforward affair. Both have their pros and cons, offering a wide array of tires for particular driving styles and capabilities.
To set the record straight and give you some insight into which brand is best, here’s a comparison of BFGoodrich vs. Bridgestone tires.
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TL;DR: BFGoodrich vs Bridgestone
If you need to rush out the door to buy tires right this instant, make sure to at least read the chart below. It will give you a basic idea of the strengths and downside of both Bridgestone and BFGoodrich tires.
Title |
Strengths/Wins |
Downsides/Issues |
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BFGoodrich |
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Bridgestone |
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BFGoodrich Introduction
Founded in 1870 by Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich, hence the name, BFGoodrich was one of the first tire brands in the world. By 1903, the first car to cross the United States was equipped with BFGoodrich tires. Just 25 years later, Charles Lindbergh’s famous plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, used BFGoodrich tires. And thus began over 150 years of excellence in the tire industry
Based in Akron, Ohio, the mecca of tires known throughout the globe, the company remains true to its legacy of producing innovative products for a range of vehicles, including both commercial and personal vehicle applications.
In 1990, BFGoodrich was bought out by French tire manufacturer Michelin, extending its distribution and brand recognition to more parts of the world. Today, BFGoodrich remains one of the top-selling tire brands in the United States with a strong reputation from daily drivers up to race car enthusiasts.
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Bridgestone Introduction
Despite being often confused with Firestone, which the company bought in 1988, Bridgestone is a 100% Japanese-owned company with its roots in Fukuoka, Japan. In 2020, it became the second-largest producer of tires in the world, trailing only Michelin, yet securing its reputation as a high-quality tire producer.
The company itself was founded in 1931 during an industrial revolution of sorts in Japan. Just 15 years later, the company was producing tires for the war effort, although many of its production facilities were destroyed during warfare. After rebuilding, the company sought to realign its positioning by foregoing Western technology and focusing on innovations from Japanese technology. Ninety years later, the plan looks to have worked.
As of 2021, Bridgestone operates over 180 production facilities in 24 countries. Prized for their technology and constant research and development, the tire company provides tires that are used by commuters, motorcycle racers, and commercial trucks.
Photo credit: bridgestonetire.com
BFGoodrich vs Bridgestone Company Comparison
Both BFGoodrich and Bridgestone offer top-notch products, yet comparing and contrasting the two is troublesome. Here’s a quick comparison chart that can help you differentiate.
Header |
BFGoodrich |
Bridgestone |
---|---|---|
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Where Are Their Products Made? |
Tuscaloosa, AlabamaOpelika, AlabamaWooburn, Indiana |
181 manufacturing plants in 24 countries |
Who Manufactures Their Products? |
Michelin and pre-buyout BFGoodrich facilities |
Bridgestone |
Who Owns These Companies? |
Michelin |
Self-owned by the Ishibashi family, publicly traded |
How Long Have They Been Around? |
151 years |
90 years |
What’s their Warranty Like? |
6 years |
3 to 6 years depending on the tire |
What BFGoodrich Does Better Than Bridgestone
One of the major selling points for Americans is that BFGoodrich tires, despite being owned by a French company, still manufactures all of their tires in the United States, just as they did over 100 years ago. Overall, these tires also get better ratings and reviews than Bridgestone on a vast majority of their products with many buyers citing longevity and grip as superior to other brands, including Bridgestone.
Another aspect that makes BFGoodrich perhaps a better buy than Bridgestone is that they pioneered the radial tire, giving them more insight into how to improve them. Radial tires are now used in most commercial and personal tires, and BFGoodrich often has some of the top-rated options.
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In addition, BFGoodrich has a number of products that outpace Bridgestone in the marketplace. One space where they excel is performance passenger car tires, due to excellent traction on both wet and dry pavements, as well as improved longevity over competitors.
But perhaps the greatest achievement by BFGoodrich that gives them an edge over Bridgestone is their all-terrain tires. Through their trademarked UltiGrip Technology with G-Force Tread, these all-terrain tires are often regarded as the best in the business. The interlocking tread design and upper sidewall traction bars provide stability and grip while also pushing out any debris, mud, or snow that gathers within the tread.
These all-terrain tires are for any car, but many buyers praise their tires specifically for SUVs, crossovers, and light- and heavy-duty trucks. If you like to get off the beaten path, BFGoodrich is probably the better option.
What Bridgestone Does Better Than BFGoodrich
Bridgestone positions itself a bit differently than BFGoodrich, and with good reason: BFGoodrich’s stranglehold on the all-terrain market makes it all but impenetrable, although Bridgestone all-terrain tires still fare decently in tests and reviews from customers. However, Bridgestone has a marked edge in all-season and winter tires, getting significantly higher marks than BFGoodrich across the board.
Despite being far more expensive than competitors, Bridgestone all-season tires provide superior traction in all types of weather and temperatures while also eliminating the need to switch to summer or winter tires throughout the year.
They also have a wide variety of styles to match different driving styles, as well as different budgets. Furthermore, the durability and longevity of these tires often surpass even the generous six-year warranty, making them a solid choice for geographic locations without extreme weather.
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Bridgestone’s lineup of winter tires also gets the nod over similar BFGoodrich options. Like their all-season product line, Bridgestone’s winter tires come in several models to help you get the right grip at the right price.
So what makes their tires better? Aggressive block edges that can bite into snow, formulated tread rubber that stays pliable in frigid conditions, and a contact footprint that evenly distributes pressure across the tire for better handling. Their Blizzak series, although pricey, is often regarded as the best winter tire on the market thanks to the proprietary advanced hydrophilic coating that allows you to stop on a dime, even in snow and ice.
With highly-rated all-season and winter tires, Bridgestone demonstrates its ingenuity in the tire industry. While they may not pass the off-road test, pavement drivers will know where their extra money went as soon as they get behind the wheel.
BFGoodrich vs Bridgestone: Similarities
Despite the differences listed above, BFGoodrich and Bridgestone also share an alarming amount of similarities. And because they’re fierce competitors and rivals in the industry, when one company comes out with a new technology or innovation, the other is sure to follow. Here are some of the similarities between the two brands where neither has a distinctive edge over the other.
Price
Both BFGoodrich and Bridgestone tires fetch a high price compared to their competitors and with good reason: brand recognition and superior technology. In comparison to other tires like Continental AG or Goodyear, tires from Bridgestone and BFGoodrich are markedly more expensive.
However, buyers will know where that extra money went when they feel the grip and traction of both types of tires. But despite the high prices of some models, both offer economic choices that allow budget-conscious buyers to pick up a set without breaking the bank.
Safety
In a battle of research and development, both companies strive to create the world’s safest tire. With the constant evolution of tread technology, sidewall bars, and hydrophobic coatings, both are in a battle to produce the world’s safest tire. This results in tires that often outpace other companies in terms of safety rating and traction. In this instance, neither one can claim superiority over the other.
Sponsorships
As part of their marketing campaigns, both Bridgestone and BFGoodrich have extensive sponsorships. For example, Bridgestone supplies the tires for F1 racing, while BFGoodrich is the official sponsor of the famed Mint 400 off-road truck race. While this doesn’t necessarily speak for the quality of their consumer tires, it demonstrates their ability to position themselves in the eyes of potential customers. Whether one is better than the other is entirely in the eyes of the beholder.
Photo credit: bfgoodrichracing.com
BFGoodrich Tires vs Bridgestone Tires by Type
While a good set of all-season tires should suffice in most temperate climates, you may find that summer tires are a good idea for more grip in hot weather places. Furthermore, touring and truck tires have a place in the market that can’t compete with the approach of all-season tires. Therefore, you have to do a side-by-side comparison to figure out which tires are the better option.
Summer Tires: BFGoodrich vs Bridgestone
In warm and rainy climates, only summer tires will suffice. They provide a drastic improvement over all-season tires in terms of wet traction and dry traction, as well as added sticky compounds that keep the tire firm, even when blistering temperatures are involved.
BFGoodrich: g-Force Sport Comp-2
If warmer weather brings the racer in you to life, the g-Force Sport Comp-2 from BFGoodrich might be the best choice. Billed as an ultra high-performance summer tire, this tire takes its cues from racing tires with the enhanced grip around corners, as well as more responsive to quick acceleration. There’s a reason why the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School selected these tires as their official tire provider. As such, gearheads and performance enthusiasts may find that the g-Force Sport Comp-2 is the best option for summers or just a fun Saturday of pushing your car to the test.
Bridgestone: Potenza S-04 Pole Position
The BFGoodrich g-Force Sport Comp-2 focuses on the performance aspect of summer driving, but the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position does the same, and arguably, even better. Interlocking, high-angle tread blocks enhance straight-line braking while lateral grooves with a heavy slant propel water out of the tread. With a 93% approval rating from buyers, these tires prove that powerful driving isn’t just for the race track.
Photo credit: bridgestonetire.com
Touring (All-Season) Tires: BFGoodrich vs Bridgestone
All-season tires provide a comfortable balance between summer and winter tires, working especially well in climates without temperature extremes. Both BFGoodrich and Bridgestone make a number of highly praised tires in this range, but the two below exemplify their finest work.
BFGoodrich: Advantage T/A Sport
If you want to take “touring” to the next level BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport will let you do just that. Rated for speeds of up to 149 mph, you can open up on a track or the road (just watch out for the law) and see what these tires are made of.
A continuous center rib running down the middle of the tire ensures you’re always in contact with the road while 3D active sipe technology cuts through rain and wet pavement to maintain tractions. The final coup de grace is the Next Generation Equal Tension Containment System, which provides superior handling at breakneck speeds.
Bridgestone: Ecopia EP422 Plus
Also rated for speeds at up to 149 mph, the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus is a grand touring tire that’s a true tour de force no matter what type of weather you’re in. Developed for crossovers, sedans, and coupes, this tire has been proven to enhance fuel economy while also providing excellent traction. In particular, this tire uses Bridgestone’s proprietary NanoPro Technology to reduce energy loss and rolling resistance.
Truck Tires: BFGoodrich vs Bridgestone
If you have a truck, you know that tires can mean a huge difference whether you’re towing a heavy load or simply driving to the job site. Both of these companies have been known to make excellent truck tires, especially if you hit the off-road frequently or every now and again. Here’s a quick comparison of the two.
BFGoodrich: All-Terrain T/A KO2
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires have long been synonymous with superior off-road handling from the muck to the gravel. The key to the grip of these tires lies in the CoreGard technology, which provides bruise- and puncture-resistant sidewalls that protect you from debris while you’re hitting the trails. Furthermore, this tire is 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated for severe winter weather, allowing you to tackle those mountain passes if need be.
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Bridgestone: Dueler A/T Revo 3
Designed specifically for trucks and SUVs, the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3 is the tire you need if you aren’t scared of a little dirt on your vehicle. Made with a tear- and chip-resistant tread compound, these tires can pile through even the toughest terrain without a hitch. And paired with Bridgestone’s Traction Claw Technology, no snow or mud should keep you from reaching your ultimate objective.
BFGoodrich or Bridgestone: Which is the Best Tire for You?
Both Bridgestone and BFGoodrich tires present a sound case for the best tire on the planet. But the real choice comes down to your needs. For an all-season tire, Bridgestone might have the edge, as well as in the passenger vehicle realm. But if you’re an off-roader, you might find BFGoodrich the better brand. Whichever you decide to put on your vehicle, you’ll know you made a great decision.